I have been criticizing the Protestant church. But I do have hope in the Protestant church because I believe the new church will spring from her. I have been using the words “Protestant” and “Reformed” interchangeably. Some people may feel confused so I will explain what they mean. The Protestant church is the church that has separated from the Roman Catholic church in the 16^th century. However, some Protestant denominations do not hold the foundational Protestant doctrines. For example, the Baptists have wrong understanding of ceremonial baptism. The Methodists believe that everyone can be saved. What the Protestant initially believed is the Reformed faith. So, when I say “Protestant”, I mean “Reformed”. I consider all Protestant churches as one Protestant church although most of them are unorthodox. All Protestant churches are supposed to hold Five Solas and accept the three Ecumenical Creeds and the Three Forms of Unity as educational tool. But only the Reformed church seem to follow them at present. Even within the Reformed church, there are different denominations. Some (if not most) of them have abandoned the foundational doctrines.

The new covenant promises the same knowledge shared by the saints.

They will not teach again, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their wrongdoing, and their sin I will no longer remember.” (Jeremiah 31:34)

Therefore, it is important for the visible church to write the common beliefs. However, it is also important not to focus on men’s words. The Creeds and the Reformed confessions cannot replace the Bible. We need to understand what went wrong from the Reformation.

I had much hope in the Reformed church. But God showed me why they are not doing well. While I was in a Reformed church, I was shown three major issues.

1. Federalism
2. Men-made songs during worship
3. Sexual immorality/crimes

Concerning the first one, I’ve been explaining why Federalism is wrong. They, along with Puritanism, eventually lead people to salvation by works. Most people believe that the NT exist because of the OT, not the other way around. I believe that neither Federalism nor Dispensationalism accurately explain God’s covenants. The OT exist as the shadow of the real covenant.

Concerning the songs used for worship, God really, absolutely, undeniably hates men-made songs sung during worship. False believers do not understand God’s words so hate singing in God’s words. The Psalms are made for worship. People have wrong understanding of the OT so do not want to sing the Psalms. They have their own ideas about God. They do not understand the Bible. People want to believe that God will bless them more if they make songs about God. The church’s first and foremost role is education. If they think the Bible is inadequate to teach us about God, they are greatly mistaken. It is fitting for us to sing in God’s words and listen to them during worship because Christ is Word and Truth. God accepts only the Son.

Thirdly, all unbelievers and false believers prove themselves false by committing sexual crimes against God. The church is God’s bride. People often mention of David and his sins of adultery and murder and how he was forgiven. David was taught a lesson through the sins. He was disciplined over a long time because his son Absalom gave him great humiliation by rebelling against him and also pain through his (Absalom’s) death. David suffered the rest of his life because of the sins he committed. That is how God disciplines His people if we commit such crimes. However, people tolerate such crimes against God within churches and think they will be OK. When a sin is discovered, they think, “He/she is my friend/family. We must forgive him/her.” Slowly, adultery engulfs all members of a church. The saints suffer greatly. When I was in the church, I was surprised to hear from people that pornography was a big problem in many churches. Many do not think pornography is a form of adultery. It is adultery. I can confidently say that God really, absolutely, undeniably hates pornography. If a minister keeps preaching on Sundays not to watch pornography, many Christians will say, “We are not legalists!” and look for another church. They might even remove the minister. So, ministers do not say what they should say at the pulpit because of the fear of people and losing the job. God hates any form of sexual immoralities/crimes.

All these three problems may look different. But they are all connected. Wrong understanding of God has led to all these issues. Hence, the third reformation is focused on the knowledge of God and correcting the errors of the second Reformation.

Although I speak against the Federalism and the Active Obedience of Christ, I am not against the law. I believe there are certain rules we must adhere to. However, the law of freedom is not burdensome because we have the Holy Spirit. Those who claim to have the Holy Spirit and yet are not afraid of sinning against God (and His people) are false believers. The new covenant promises that the law is written on our heart.

“For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord: “I will put My law within them and write it on their heart; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. (Jeremiah 31:33)