FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q

What denomination is The Harvest Herald affiliated with?

A

None. We are a small completely independent group of Christians who's fellowship is based on our mutual love for God, our Savior Jesus Christ, His Word the Bible, and our desire to share God's message of 'Glad Tidings' with others.

 

Q

Does The Harvest Herald share many beliefs with other evangelical groups?

A

Yes, and no. Our goal is first and foremost to be loyal and obedient to our Lord and Savior and to his life-giving Word. We believe that salvation by grace through faith in Jesus' ransom sacrifice on our behalf, apart from any good works on our part, is the only path to eternal life. We believe without apology that the Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God, and is the only source available for learning of God's truth extant.
 

 

Q What beliefs distinguish The Harvest Herald from other Christian Groups.
A

We believe that many major Christian denominations have erred in their teachings concerning the immortality of the soul, and eternal torment in hellfire. We believe that these doctrines were fostered upon the Church as a result of the influence of Greek philosophy which began to make inroads into the church's teachings shortly after the deaths of the apostles. We believe that these doctrines are harmful to the cause of Christ, undermine the importance of the resurrection, and are a slander upon the Creator who is all wise, all loving, all powerful, and all knowing. The Harvest Herald also believes that God, through the ransom paid by His Son Jesus Christ, has made loving provision for the teaching and conversion of all in the age to come; the time of the restitution of all things. Those who reject God's gift of eternal life in that age, after coming to a full knowledge of the wickedness of their sins and their responsibility toward God will perish eternally.

 

Q Isn't this in essence teaching that there is no punishment or retribution for sin?
A

Far from it. We believe that there will indeed be punishment and retribution for sin, but during the time period in which the Bible emphatically states this punishment will take place; in the day of judgment.

 

Q It seems from your beliefs section that you do not believe in the trinity. Can you please explain?
A

In our beliefs section we state that we reject that God is three persons. We reject this notion because we think it naive to assume that anyone who simply read the Bible alone, having never heard of this formulated doctrine of the trinity, would arrive at those same conclusions. We do believe however in the apostles' declaration that there is 'one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 1 Cor 8:6'. We believe that the Holy Spirit is the very mind, power, and personality of the Father and the Son which operates in our lives and moves in the world to fulfill God's will. We believe in Jesus' declaration that ' all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. John 5:23'. To us, these scriptural injunctions are better, and carry more weight than formulated doctrines which found no place in the creeds of the church until the 3rd or 4th century A.D.
 

 

Q How do you arrive at your interpretation of the Bible?
A

Through diligent study, prayer, and a careful, consistent comparison of scripture with scripture. We invite you to examine the material on this site in which we present our scriptural reasons for believing as we do. Please see our Rules For Interpreting Scripture for more information about how we arrive at our beliefs.

 

Q Do not all Christian groups claim to base their beliefs on the Bible? If so, why do your views vary considerably from the views of others?
A

We can only answer that to each of us, our walk with God is just that; OUR walk with God. It is not for us to judge another's motives, to attempt to analyze why they believe as they do, or how they arrived at such beliefs. We can only answer for ourselves that we are bound by our conscience, the Word of God, and sound reason to affirm those things which we believe God has taught us from His infallible word. We are not dogmatic, but we are confident that our beliefs accurately represent God's message to mankind as He would have us to understand it, and to proclaim it to others.
 
 

Q Do you think you are right and everyone else is wrong?
A

The above answer applies. We would not believe as we do, or believe anything at all for that matter, if we were not convinced that we were correct.

 

Q It seems that some of your beliefs have a lot in common with other groups such as the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Christadelphians, or some Church of God Groups. Are you an offshoot of any of these groups?
A

No we are not, and we do not care to be associated or affiliated with any of these groups. We wish for our beliefs and our work to stand or fall on their own merit, not by association with any group, individual, or organization. Having said that, it is obvious that we do share some beliefs with some of the groups mentioned. We believe that there is truth to be found in all Christian groups to varying degrees, and rejoice in the common ground we have with others.

 

Q Do you have any materials available which I can order?
A

Not at this time, however anyone can feel free to copy and distribute the material on this site anyway they wish. For us, the most important thing is that the gospel be preached. We have nothing to sell, nor will we ever.