Topic #30: The Difference Between Religion & Christianity

HAPPY REFORMATION DAY !!!!

This posting is for anyone who’s ever wondered whether there really is any difference between Christianity and all the other world religions. Christians are often called “bigoted” and “narrow minded” for their exclusive claims of finding the true path to God. We pray you will be edified by its contents.

God created mankind in His image. We were all created as religious beings. We were created with a sense in our soul that we must worship God, that we must be reconciled with God.

The fact that pagans offer sacrifices indicates that they realize there’s a God of some kind that they have to deal with. The idea of God is inherent within the heart of man. All men are religious. Even those who claim to be atheists, by the very fact that they are protesting, “There is no God,” they give evidence that they are able to think in terms of God, and they are loudly trying to convince themselves that it isn’t really so that there is a God. However, animals don’t argue about whether or not there’s a God. Animals weren’t created as religious beings.

Because of our sins we are estranged from God, in open rebellion against Him. The result is that we are eternally cut off from God. The authentic Christian religion is the Gospel of the Bible, wherein God reveals to us the truth that we can indeed become identified once again with Him.

All of mankind senses this and therefore we have all sorts of religions created in the hopes that we can somehow be reconciled with God. However, only through the Christian Gospel as outlined in the Bible can we know the true path to becoming right with God. Jesus declared, “No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” He declared, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” He is the only way that we can have eternal life.

Many readers may say, “But there are so many people who follow other paths…what about them?”

The Bible says, “Broad is the way, and many there are thereon that leads to everlasting destruction. But narrow is the way and few there are that find it that leads unto everlasting life.”

There is no disputing the fact that there are all sorts of religions dotting the globe, each with their corresponding gospels. Their followers are no doubt quite confident they’ve found an answer. But here’s the key: it’s an answer designed after their own minds.

Their answer isn’t given to them from God Himself. The Bible is the only book that faithfully declares, in an infallible fashion, the means by which we can come to God. It is a revelation from God Himself, where God has indicated the design of His path of salvation. And it’s only through the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the only path that has real life to it, that really will work.

For more information on this gospel, please see Post #2 & #26

To God Be The Glory!

Topic #28: The “P” Word

The topic for this posting isn’t fun, but it’s something we all must come to grips with sooner or later: death.

A year before he died, Benjamin Franklin wrote “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death & taxes.”

According to Benjamin Franklin, there are only 2 things in this life that are certain. And according to the Bible there are only two possible destinations for us when we die: eternity with God in Heaven, or eternity separated from Him paying for our sins in Hell.

On one of the walls inside a rescue mission in Baltimore, MD the words of John 3:16 are written out in such a way as to spell out the word “GOSPEL”. It looks something like this: For

G od so loved the world that he gave His
O nly begotten
S on that whosoever believeth on Him shall not
P erish but have
E verlasting
L ife

This verse summarizes the entire Gospel message and I like how the rescuse mission cleverly wrote it out so that it lierally spelled out the word GOSPEL. The rest of this posting will focus on the P word – Perish

There are many people all over the world who think that this life is all there is – we live for a short time and then it’s over.

We can all easily relate to physical death – sooner or later, it’s going to come to every one of us. However, Scripture emphasizes another kind of death that’s a million times more terrible than physical death.

The Bible tells us in Rom 6:23, “The wages of sin is death.” The death that God has in view isn’t merely a physical death…it’s a spiritual death. God created man good and after His own image; therefore, we’re accountable to Him for our actions. God declares that the punishment for sin is to be forever separated from Him in a place called Hell.

In the Bible, “perish” doesn’t mean we simply cease to exist. It means to come under constant torment forever separated from God because of our sins.

Many people will say they believe in Hell…but most of them don’t think they’re going to go there. They compare themselves to others and think, “Look at him. He’s far worse than me. I’m not so bad.”

But we’re all sinful. God tells us the truth about ourselves when His Word declares “There is none righteous, no not one” Don’t let anyone tell you for a minute that when you die, all your troubles will go away. Being sinful creatures, we’d like to believe that fairy tale. But God is honest with us in His Word about our predicament – God’s Word tells us “The wages of sin is death”

God paints us an ugly picture about this type of spiritual death – weeping and gnashing of teeth; unending agony; the bottomless pit; a place of unquenchable fire…and that only scratches the surface of what it means to PERISH according to the Scriptures.

But we can praise Him that the story for us doesn’t end there. There is a blessed HOPE for us. God also gives us the good news about His Son, the LORD Jesus Christ – the world’s only Saviour.

Jesus is almighty God — He created the world and He’s sustaining it at this very moment. Because of His great love for His children, He emptied Himself of His glory, took on a human form. He lived a sinless life – the only figure in all of human history to do so. He suffered, was crucified dead and buried. The third day He rose from the dead — and He’s alive right now!

Christ paid the penalty for the sins of His people and He’s prepared a place for them in Heaven.

Last year when pope John Paul II died there were countless numbers of people pointing out all the good things he did as pope and how he’s living and reigning with Christ right now. But whether you’re a blogger from Maryland or the pope in Rome the truth is there’s only one path to the Father.

Let me ask every reader this question: who must we place our trust in for eternal life? I hope you answered Jesus Christ, because that’s what the Bible says in Acts 4:12.

Acts 4:12 — Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

With this answer in mind, read John Paul II’s own words from his hand-written will: “I do not know when death will come, but, like all else, this moment too I place into the hands of the Mother of My Master: Completely Yours…Then I too can take this into consideration continuously, entrusting that decisive moment (meaning his death) to the Mother of Christ and of the Church – to the Mother of my hope…In life and in death Completely Yours through the Immaculate Mary.”

This man’s hope for eternal life — in his own words – did not rest in the LORD Jesus Christ alone. Instead, a good portion of his trust was placed in someone else. He might as well have been trusting in Benjamin Franklin, George Washington…or in you & I.

The key that unlocks Heaven’s door is saving faith – and God is the One who gives us this key…it’s His gift. You ask, “what is saving faith?” It’s having the grace from God to trust in Christ alone for eternal life — not putting our trust in our good works and what we can do; not putting our trust in a church, a pastor or a pope – in what they can do for us. All of our trust must be placed completely on Christ and on what He has already accomplished. That’s God’s gift of saving faith

If we die without trusting solely in Christ for eternal life, then it’s absolutely guaranteed that we will perish.

John 3:16 is a wonderful summary of the greatest story ever told about the greatest Person who’s ever lived, Jesus Christ. That story is called the Gospel — the GOOD NEWS.

The question some readers may be facing right now is this: Am I ready to respond to Christ’s call to follow Him only and to trust completely in Him – not in anyone or anything else?

How each of us responds to Christ’s command determines where we will spend eternity.

To God Be The Glory!

Topic #27b: Can a Christian be a Mason?

 

If you haven’t yet read yesterday’s posting (Topic #27a) we urge you to do so before reading today’s posting. Its contents will help set the stage for today’s discussion.

If you or someone you know is a Freemason, then we hope you’ll read (or print off) this posting today and give it serious consideration.  Please don’t trust what we’re saying here — check out everything according to what the Bible says.   If you find the Scriptures to be in opposition to what your Masonic Lodge teaches, then the question is: which one will you listen to?  After reading today’s post, ignorance can no longer be an excuse.

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The Hebrew word “Messiah” and the Greek word “Christ” both mean anointed; usually a consecrated person. When applied to Jesus, it means “God’s anointed One.” The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is the Christ in many places but the most definitive statements are found in Mark 14:61, 62; Matthew 16:15-17; and John 4:25, 26.

1 John 2:22, 23 says, “who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.  Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father, the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.”

Revelation 21:8 says that the unbelieving and liars will all be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone.

Masonic tradition teaches the worship of the supreme God, the Great Architect of the Universe.  Who is this God?  Investigate the words of Albert Pike, 33rd degree Mason and author of Morals and Dogma, p.226:  

“Masonry, around whose altars the Christian, the Hebrew, the Moslem, the Brahmin, the followers of Confucius and Zoroaster, can assemble as brethren and unite in prayer to the one God who is above all the Baalim, must needs leave it to each of its Initiates to look for the foundation of his faith and hope to the written scriptures of his own religion.”

God teaches in Exodus 20:3-5, that “You shall have no other gods before Me, you shall not make for yourself an idol…you shall not worship them or serve them…”

In Judges 1 and 2, the Israelites did not drive out the followers of false gods and God’s verdict was, “They shall become as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.” (Judges 2:3) God’s commandment to us as Christians is not only should we not be bound together with unbelievers, (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) but we should seek to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20) by preaching the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

Freemasonry is in direct conflict with the Bible in that Masonry condones communal worship of a generic deity:

“To respect all forms of worship, to tolerate all political and religious opinions; not to blame, and still less to condemn the religion of others; not to seek to make converts; but to be content if they have the religion of Socrates; a veneration for the Creator, the religion of good works, and grateful acknowledgment of God’s blessings.” (Morals and Dogma, p.333)

In order for Masonry to be acceptable to all faiths, it is necessary to relegate the Bible to a position of equality among all religious books:

“The Book of the Law shall be an indispensable article of the lodge furniture. This book, however, need not necessarily be the Holy Bible; but according to the religious faith of the members of the lodge. It may be the Koran, the Zend Avesta, or the Vedas or Shasters. (The Freemasons Pocket Companion, p.44-45)

This statement, by implication, makes the Jehovah God of the Bible one god equal to many; an interesting situation for the Masonic Christian whose all-knowing God knows of no others (Isaiah 44:8).

The final straw is laid on the proverbial camel’s back when the deity of Jesus is denied by Albert Pike. On page 524 of Morals and Dogma, he states;

“We do not undervalue the importance of any Truth. We utter no word that can be deemed irreverent by anyone of any faith.

Jesus, in John 14:6, declares Himself to be the Truth, exclusively. 

In the same paragraph, Pike makes the blasphemous statement:

“And as little do we tell the sincere Christian that Jesus of Nazareth was but a man like us, or His history but the unreal revival of an older legend.”

In one paragraph, he destroys the very foundation of Christian beliefs and then, as if he was totally oblivious to his own writings, states on the facing page:

“Thus Masonry disbelieves no truth, and teaches unbelief in no creed, except so far as such creed may lower its lofty estimate of the Deity, degrade Him to the level of the passions of humanity” (Morals and Dogma, p.525)

The Gospel of the Bible is a gift to us from God and available to all who simply believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer, the one who died for sins and is resurrected. Christianity does not require a special meeting place to conduct secret rituals that are sealed with blood oaths (Matthew 5:34-37; Luke 12:1-3). 

In your next Masonic Lodge meeting, ask yourself if you are worshiping the Great Architect of the Universe, the God of all religions, or are you truly worshiping Jehovah God, the one true God of the Bible?  If your answer is the latter, then you must ask yourself if your presence in the lodge is truly honoring and glorifying your God.

In answer to the question, “Who said a Christian can’t be a Mason?”, a modern paraphrase could be made from the words of God’s prophet Elijah: “How long will you go limping with two different opinions?  If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if the “Great Architect of the Universe” is God, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name (besides Jesus) under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. He who has ears to hear, let him hear (Acts 4:12; Mark 4:9).

If you are a Mason (or were once a Mason) and you’ve read this far, there is more in-depth material on our Outreach Website (you can get there from the Blogroll).  

To God Be The Glory!

Topic #27a: Would You Join the “Men’s ASsociation Of Neighbors”?

Have you heard about the new religious Club for morally upright men. It’s called the Men’s ASsociation Of Neighbors. Its organizers hope this Club will catch on and spread throughout the nation so that a day will come when each city or town will have their own local establishment – like the Rotarians or Kiwanis.

Men, how many of you would want to join such a club? Here are the Club’s institutional rules governing its operation:

1. This is first and foremost a religiously open-minded Club. All members must believe in God — Atheists need not apply. All religions will be recognized and tolerated. The Club won’t interfere with anyone’s personal beliefs. Each person must find his answers in his own faith.

2. The Club recognizes there is a personal creator God who rules the universe. Man is obligated to worship this God. Different religions acknowledge the same God although they call on Him by different names (Allah, Jehovah, etc). In the afterlife, there will be both rewards & punishments.

3. The Club affirms our creator God has revealed Himself through various sacred books — the Koran for Muslims; the Pentateuch for Jews; the Bible for Christians; etc. None of these sacred writings is the exclusive Word of God. Each sacred text is important; however, they serve only as symbols of truth. Club members are expected to live their lives in obedience to their particular sourcebook for truth.

4. In keeping with the Club’s open-minded position toward all faiths: God will not be referred to as a divine Trinity consisting of Father, Son & Holy Spirit. The Club will have no official position on the deity of Jesus Christ. The Club affirms Jesus to have been a great teacher and philosopher – like Socrates.

5. The Club recognizes that man can improve his character and behavior in various ways, including charitable acts and by living a decent, moral life. Man is not inherently evil or depraved because he possesses within himself the ability to improve himself. That’s the chief aim of this Club — if you faithfully participate, you will improve yourself morally.

6. Accommodations will be made for Christian members through the creation of separate and distinct sections within the Club’s overall institutional structure. In this way, Christians can choose to incorporate their own faith into the practice of carrying out the overall business of the Club.
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How many of the Christian men reading today’s post would want to join such a club as this? For those who don’t see any real problem with it, we offer the following biblical truths for consideration:

1. There is only one Lord and Savior (John 1:29; 2Cor 5:21; Gal 3:13; Eph 2:8-9). Which God one believes in is crucial. Christianity teaches that the one true God is revealed in the Bible and that Jesus Christ, God incarnate, revealed Himself as the only way to God. (John 10:1ff; John 14:6; Acts 4:12)

2. To call upon the names of other deities is regarded as idolatry by God. (1Kings 12:32; 1Kings 16:31; 2Kings 17:12; 2Kings 21:21; 2Chron 25:14; 2Chron 28:2) God calls idolatry a heinous sin from which Christians are to flee (1Cor 10:14). Idolaters will not enter the kingdom of God (1Cor 6:9). Idolaters will perish in eternal hell. (Rev 21:8)

3. Christianity does not accept other religious texts. The Bible alone is the Christian’s authority. Christianity requires its adherents to give exclusive deference to the Bible. It and it alone is the exclusive Word of God. To deny the Bible’s exclusive authority is to deny the purpose of Scripture: to communicate what Jesus Christ has done to atone for the sins of His people.

4. The Bible’s contents are not arbitrary, but are in fact God’s revelation of Himself. The Old Testament is divinely inspired (2Tim 3:16; 2Pet 1:19-21) as is the New Testament (1Thess 2:13; 1Cor 2:13). The Bible teaches that the only way of salvation is through faith in Christ (2Tim 3:16; John 17:17). No other information from any other religious source is to be relied upon or tolerated (Gal 1:6-8)

5. The Bible is meant by God to be received by all people everywhere. The message of the Bible pertains to the whole world. (Gen 17:5-9; John 3:16; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 3:24-25). The Bible communicates a specific message or a particular revelation – the good news of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross for our sins. (Rom 3:21-26; John 10:1-18; John 14:6; Acts 17:16-31). No other religion can be correct if Christianity is the truth.

6. One cannot arbitrarily believe in a God. There must be a source of authority. Christians must submit to the Bible as their source of authority. Christians believe that God has revealed Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Matt 28:19).

7. Jesus Christ is unique in every way. To assert that Jesus and any other religious leader are on the same level or that Jesus is merely on a higher plane is to contradict Scripture. A Christian cannot deny Christ’s uniqueness or His deity. For Christians, removing references to Christ from biblical prayers is fundamentally objectionable.

8. Jesus Christ is the exclusive and universal way of salvation. Christianity claims Jesus is the only way by which fallen humanity may be saved (Acts 4:12). Christ’s death and resurrection have implications for the entire world, not just for those whom God calls to faith. Jesus is the standard by which all of humanity will be called to account (Phil 2:9-11). There is no Christianity without Jesus Christ (1Cor 2:2; John 10:1; John 14:6; John 5:23). Jesus addressed those who deny or avoid Him or His name out of fear of offending others (Lk 6:26; 1John 2:23; Lk 9:26).

9. The Bible states that sin has affected every human being born into the world (Rom 3:23; Rom 5:12). The Bible denies that humanity has within itself the capacity for moral perfection (1John 1:8; Rom 3:23). If people could be morally perfect through their own efforts they wouldn’t need Christ or His work of atonement for sin, but this is not the case. (Rom 1:18-25).

Christian brother, based upon the claims that Jesus Christ has on our lives, we trust you would never want to join a Club like the fictitious one outlined in this posting. But there is an all-too-real club that espouses the same institional rules as this “Men’s ASsociation Of Neighbors” And this Club has lured many so-called Christian men into its ranks — and it will be the topic for tomorrow’s posting. We urge you not to miss it.

To God Be The Glory!

Topic #24: Was Mary Without Sin?

One of the more prominent doctrines taught by the Roman Catholic Church is the tenet of the perpetual sinless state of Mary.  In 1854 the Immaculate Conception of Mary was announced and since that time Catholics have been taught that she was without sin.

Any church’s teaching, whether Catholic or Protestant, must be held up to the scrutiny of Scripture because the Bible must be the final authority.  So if we’re to have any hope of arriving at truth, then we must consistently (and diligently) compare church teaching and traditions with what’s taught in Scripture.  

God is the One who establishes truth – not a church, regardless of how long they’ve been established on earth.  Length of time is not a criteria for truth. Judaism has been around since the 5th Century BC; yet, it still denies that the Lord Jesus Christ is both God and Messiah. 

Is the Roman Catholic Church Correct in Teaching that Mary was Sinless?

Look at Christ’s genealogy in Luke 3.  This is His genealogy from Mary’s side and we see that God takes Mary’s genealogy all the way back to Adam.  Why is this significant?  Becuase it means that Mary, just like every human being, was a descendant of Adam.  Being Adam’s offspring means she carries his fallen, sinful nature. 

Does the Bible bear this out? Let’s see…how many righteous people there are in the world?

(Rom 3:23 KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Notice the term God uses in this verse, “all have sinned.” God isn’t saying some or a few or even the majority.  He is definite in His usage of “ALL.”  This means Mary was part of that “all.” 

The biblical definition of sin (in 1 John 3:4) is the transgression of God’s law.  The Bible makes no division of sin into venial or mortal classifications.  There’s only one class: sin is sin.  

(James 2:10 KJV) For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Since Mary was part of the human race, she was just as guilty of sin as every other human being.

(1 John 3:4 KJV) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Since Mary was obviously born before Jesus’ earthly incarnation, we should look for confirmation that sin is universal and that everyone is affected by it.  

(1 Ki 8:46 KJV) If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;

The above verse detailed Solomon’s dedication of the temple.  This puts its timing about 900 years before Mary’s birth.  God clearly tells us that there is not one who doesn’t sin.

(Psa 14:1-3 KJV) The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. {2} The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. {3} They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

See also Psalm 53:1-3

Psalm 14 is another Old Testament proof that God’s assessment of all mankind is the same: there is none that does any good. The Bible is consistently clear on this fact.

Here is a verse which details when human beings start to sin: Psa 58:3-4 KJV The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. {4} Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;

We inherit our sinful nature at the moment of conception. This means Mary didn’t have an immaculate conception.  She was subject to the same sinful nature as everyone else right from the womb.

 

Here is probably the most succinct description of the entire pre-salvific human being:

(Rom 3:10-20 KJV) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: {11} There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. {12} They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. {13} Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: {14} Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: {15} Their feet are swift to shed blood: {16} Destruction and misery are in their ways: {17} And the way of peace have they not known: {18} There is no fear of God before their eyes. {19} Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. {20} Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

God takes the quotes from Psalm 14 & 53 and brings it into the New Testament because He wants to show that just because we live on the New Testament side of the cross doesn’t mean we’re exempt from sin and its catastrophic effects. God re-emphasizes the fact of universal sin but also includes how heinous sins makes a person in His sight and why salvation is so badly needed.

People who think they are good in God’s sight are brought back to reality when they read this revealing passage. Mary, too, was part of this description since she was part of the human race.

(Gal 3:22 KJV) But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Once again, the above verse shows that the entire human race was plunged into sin because of Adam’s disobedience. With the unique exception of Jesus Christ Himself, Scripture doesn’t reveal any exceptions to the universality of sin.

 

Mary Needed A Savior!

(Luke 1:47 KJV) And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Here’s an extremely revealing verse.  If Mary was born without sin as the Roman Catholic Church teaches, then she would have been able to fulfill the demands of God’s holy law without any need for a substitutionary atonement.  She would have no sin and therefore would be perfect before God.

That’s not what the Scriptures teach!  They are telling us that Mary needed a Savior, which means she was under the curse of sin along with the rest of the world.

 

Mary is not a mediatrix!

(1 Tim 2:5 KJV) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

The Roman Catholic Church also teaches that Mary is a mediator between Jesus and us. This is another false teaching because the Bible teaches that Jesus is the ONLY mediator between God and man. No where does Scripture teache that the redeemed in Heaven have any intercessory authority or ministry for those still remaining on earth.

 

Mary Was Not a Perpetual Virgin!

(Mark 6:1-3 KJV) And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. {2} And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? {3} Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

(Mat 13:54-56 KJV) And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? {55} Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? {56} And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

Another Catholic teaching is that Mary remained a perpetual virgin. The Bible refutes this in the two passages above. Jesus had brothers and sisters.  Notice how God specifically names Mary as their mother. The perpetual virginity of Mary is another fallacy which doesn’t exist in the Bible.

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This posting isn’t intended to “bash” a specific denomination.  Its purpose is to shine the Light of Truth as revealed in the Bible upon some widespread false teachings that have been adopted by many millions of people.  If only we would pay more attention to what God has to say in His Word rather than man.   

To God Be The Glory!

Topic #23: Some Thoughts About Reformation Day

Yesterday’s posting was about Halloween and why Christians should separate themselves from this evil, satanic holiday.   Only Christmas surpasses Halloween when it comes to money spent on decorations.  How sad that little or no attention is given to Reformation Day. Today’s posting on “Spreading God’s Word” is one meager attempt at trying to change that.

Reformation Day dates to October 31, 1517 and it’s the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of his church in Wittenburg, Germany.  This was the beginning of the liberation of the church from under the oppression of Rome. 

Luther probably never imagined his writing would ignite such a furor.  Likewise, in July of 1741 when Jonathan Edwards delivered his famous sermon “Sinners in the hands of an Angry God”, he reportedly read it from a paper and spoke in a monotone voice — and yet God used it to break the hearts of many and begin the Great Awakening. 

(Rom 1:17 KJV) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Romans 1:17 was the catapulting verse that stunned Luther when he read it. The key was living by faith and not by works.  Luther was now on a road with no exits and the earthly end was either death as a heretic or recanting his whole thesis.  We know that Luther continued to study Scripture and discovered the erroneous teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.  He was eventually excommunicated in 1521.  

By this time the Reformation was gaining momentum so quickly  that the Pope of Rome was losing power in many governments across Europe.  In fact, Papal power was diminishing so rapidly that in 1534 Ignatius Loyola formed the Jesuit Order which was dedicated to the glory of the Pope and the re-strengthening of the Roman Church.  

There are some guiding principles we can all glean from Reformation Day and the actions of Martin Luther:

1. Never consider anything you do for the Lord as insignificant no matter how small the deed.
2. Realize that no matter what type of decision we make, whether big or small, it will always have a ripple effect in our life.
3. Realize your actions affect not only you but others too. Consider the effect Luther’s 95 Theses had on Europe.
4. Christ is strategically involved in the small phases of our life as well as the large ones.(2 Ki 6:5-6 KJV) But as one was felling a beam, the ax head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. {6} And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.
5. Never downplay things you do for the Lord because you don’t know the plan the Lord will have for your activity.
6. Obedience in small things equates to obedience in large things. Christians learn obedience one step at a time. Progressive obedience in the Christian walk yields greater and greater blessings. The Christian’s walk is faith to faith, not faith to sight or sight to faith. We obey and do in faith and leave the results to God.

In case you have never read the 95 Theses of Martin Luther, this is where you can see them: http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/history/95theses.html

To God Be The Glory!

Topic #22: A Few Words About Halloween

The purpose of today’s posting is to shine the light of truth on Halloween by passing along a few facts about this satanic holiday. 

Halloween predates the time when the Lord Jesus came to earth. For the department stores, Halloween is the second most lucrative day of the year behind (not surprisngly) Christmas. Those who partake in Wicca (witchcraft) try to convince us that it’s an innocent day, but the reality is that it’s an evil, sinister day. 

On October 31, Wiccans would assemble at a huge bonfire and place the victim in a wicker basket and then lower that basket over the fire killing their victim. As the smoke rose from the burning victims the Druid priests would foretell the future.

This is the meaning behind a bonfire. The word “bonfire” comes from an English 15th Century word meaning “Fire of Bones.”  Isn’t it interesting how many churches have bonfires? Bonfires represent the murder of innocent people and yet churches still continue to sponsor them. If the Seminaries and Bible Colleges spent more time teaching their students about spiritual warfare rather than spiritual capitulation, maybe Satan wouldn’t receive nearly as much glory from the churches as the world gives him!  

We believe Christians should have absolutely nothing to do with this day because the essence of Halloween represents an appeasement of the spirits coming back from the dead.  Today’s trick-or-treating is the modern equivalent of that pacification.

What sayest thee? Do you think Halloween is a harmless children’s holiday, or do you think Christians ought not to partake in any form of its celebration? Please let us know.

 

To God Be The Glory!

Topic #21: Biblical Teaching on Purgatory (A Must Read)

Today’s post is about a place called Purgatory…and we feel it’s a must read for everyone, whether you’re Protestant or Catholic.  Actually, this post is especially for you if you or someone you dearly love is Catholic. 

Purgatory has long been a teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.   It is the place where all of a person’s leftover sins are purged, which will in turn enable them to enter into heaven. 

Of course, this is often accomplished with the help of “purchased masses”.  After all, who wouldn’t pay money to get their mother out of purgatory and into heaven? 

Well this subject need not be long and I won’t make it long.

Here is an exhaustive listing of each and every Scripture verse in the Bible that addesses Purgatory:

?

 

You guessed it.  There aren’t any!  The Bible knows nothing of this imaginary place created in the hearts of man…where dead souls wait in a type of limbo while living loved ones attempt to buy them out of there and into Heaven.

Although the Bible says nothing of purgatory, you may wonder whether it has anything to say about life after death?  It sure does and here it is:

FOR THE BELIEVER

(2 Cor 5:8 KJV) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

FOR THE UNBELIEVER

(Heb 9:27 KJV) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

That’s it.  There’s only one of two places we’re all going to end up: either Heaven or Hell.  There’s no in between; there’s no limbo; there’s no waiting for living loved ones to purchase our entry into Heaven.  Either we’re saved or we’re not — and that’s that.  Finis.  

When we die, our eternal destiny is established.  The LORD tells us in His Word that NOW is the day of salvation.

The question each of us should ask ourselves is this: if we were to die tonight, do we know for a certainty that we would go to Heaven?  If you’re unsure, may we suggest you check out the following link:

http://users.adelphia.net/~jeffandcindy/areyouready.html

To God Be The Glory!

Topic #20: Did God Inspire the King James Bible?

Today’s posting may be considered by some to be controversial.  But we’re taking up this subject matter because one of the more persistent accusations made against those preferring the King James Bible (KJV) is that it’s inspired.  By “inspired” they mean the English words were inspired by God in the same manner as the original manuscripts.

We don’t believe the KJV is inspired like the original manuscripts.  A better (and more precise) way of viewing this is as a ”Transferred Authority.”  Our thanks go to Dr. Ken Matto for his diligent efforts in compiling much of the information that follows.

When the holy men of old penned the original autographs under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, those words were indeed inspired by God.  However, once the last book of the Bible (Revelation) was completed, divine inspiration ceased and illumination began. 

If the KJV were to have been translated just 100 years earlier, we wouldn’t be able to understand it.  By the early 17th Century, the English language had undergone a major revision.  What we have in our possession today is the 4th edition of 1769.  There were no manuscript changes; just updates of English words because the language continued its evolution toward more simplicity.  

Here is one example using Mark 3:28:

Wycliffe Bible of 1382

(Mark 3:28) Treuli Y seie to you, that alle synnes and blasfemyes, bi whiche thei han blasfemed, schulen be foryouun to the sones of men.

1611 KJV

(Mark 3:28) Uerely I say vnto you, All sinnes shalbe forgiuen vnto the sonnes of men, and blasphemies, wherewith soeuer they shall blaspheme:

1769  Revised Language 4th Edition

(Mark 3:28 KJV) Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:

 

Preservation of the Text

(Psa 12:6-7 KJV) The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. {7} Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

God has promised us that He is going to preserve His Words for all generations.  Notice, He didn’t say there would be another set of inspired writings.  On the contrary, He said He was going to preserve what already had been written down. 

Today, we have this perpetual promise fulfilled in the KJV.  The two most preserved manuscripts are the 1524-5 Bomberg edition of the Hebrew Masoretic Text of the Old Testament (also known as the Ben Chayyim text) and the Greek Received Text (Textus Receptus) of the New Testament.  Both of these manuscripts have escaped the ungodly scissors of textual critics.

Preservation Vs. Inspiration 

Much confusion arises when these words are used interchangeably.  They’re not synonyms for the same thing!  Inspiration was God authoring the Bible through holy men of old whereas preservation is the keeping of those manuscripts through the ages for posterity. 

Preservation applies to translations. The Textus Receptus has been translated into many different languages from the time of its birth in the inspired autographs.  Two of them are the Old Latin Vulgate (90-150 AD) [not to be confused with Jerome's 4th century Vulgate] and Martin Luther’s 1534 translation into the German language.  Both of these were translated from the pure line of manuscripts thanks to God’s promise to preserve in Psa 12:7.

Transferred Authority

One of the principle reasons for saying the KJV is inspired is due to its authority, sometimes known as “Derivative Inspiration.”   When God stated that he would preserve His Word through subsequent generations He also attached something else to preservation – the authority of the original writings. Since the KJV is based on the purest of manuscripts, this authority is imputed to the KJV.  We could cite the following as evidence: since the translation was completed in 1611, the KJV has built nations, caused revival, changed lives, and brought people out of religious darkness for nearly 400 years. 

If there were no transferred authority in the KJV, none of these could have taken place because it would just have been yet another in a long line of religious books without authority.  But this wasn’t the case.

With the KJV being built upon the most accurate manuscripts, the Holy Spirit illumines the passages being studied for proper understanding.  He opens the eyes of those appointed to salvation.  The modern versions engender confusion.  Don’t believe us?  If you’re in a Bible study and there are several different translations present, see how long it takes before you hear, “What does yours say?”

Final Thoughts

God’s Word is preserved for us in the KJV and, although not inspired as the original autographs, they nevertheless carry the authority of the original autographs.  The KJV is a guided translation of the manuscripts which had their birth in the original autographs which God authored with His full authority.

Please let us know what you think.  Do you think there’s a more accurate version than the KJV?  Tell us why. 

To God Be The Glory!

Topic #19: In Defense of the Truth

This post is the last in a series on vital subjects that we hope will quicken interest in the Word of God, strengthen faith, and build true Christian character to the end that the Kingdom of God may be enlarged through personal witnessing.  Every one of us ought to be able to give the reason for the hope that is in us.  We pray the postings over the next few days will be useful in accomplishing this purpose.

Truth about God: The Existence of God

Psalm 19:1: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.

 

Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The Unchangeable Nature of God

Numbers 23:19: God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

 

Malachi 3:6: For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

 

James 1:17: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

God Is Everywhere

Psalm 137:7-9: Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof. O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

 

Jeremiah 23:23-24: Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

 

Acts 17:27-28: That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

God Is a Spirit

John 4:24: God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

 

John 1:18: No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

God Knows All Things

I Samuel 2:3: Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

Hebrews 4:13: Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

God Is the God of Wisdom

Psalm 104:24: O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

 

Romans 11:33: O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

God Is Good

Psalm 145:9: The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

 

Acts 14:17: Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

God Is Merciful

Luke 6:36: Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

 

Ephesians 2:4-5: But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).

God Is Patient

Psalm 103:8: The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

 

Romans 2:4: Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

God Is Righteous

Psalm 97:2: Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

 

Psalm 145:17: The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

God Is All-Powerful

Matthew 19:26: But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

God Is a Triune God

Matthew 28:19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

 

II Corinthians 13:14: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Truth about the Bible

Matthew 24:35: Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

 

II Timothy 3:16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

 

II Peter 1:21: For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Truth about Christ, the Son of God

John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

 

John 20:31: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

 

Romans 1:4: And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

 

I John 5:1, 5: Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat lovethhim also that is begotten of him. . . . Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Truth about Election

Romans 8:29: For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

 

Ephesians 1:3-5: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

 

II Timothy 1:9: Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

Truth about Reprobation

Romans 9:13, 17-18, 22: As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. . . . For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. . . . What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction.

 

I Peter 2:8: And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Truth about Creation

Psalm 33:6: By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

 

Hebrews 11:3: Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Truth about Providence

Genesis 50:20: But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

 

Psalm 145:15-16: The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

 

Matthew 10:30: But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Truth about the Covenant of Grace

Genesis 17:7, 19: And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seedafter thee. . . . And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

 

Acts 2:39: For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

 

Hebrews 10:16-17: This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Truth about Justification by Faith

Romans 3:24, 28: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:. . . Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

 

Galatians 2:16: Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Truth about the Church

Matthew 16:19: And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

 

Matthew 18:18: Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

 

John 10:16: And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

 

John 20:23: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

 

Ephesians 4:4-6: There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

 

I Peter 2:9: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

Truth about Death

Ezekiel 18:4: Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

 

Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

I Corinthians 15:55-57: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and thestrength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

II Corinthians 5:8: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

 

Philippians 1:23: For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Truth about Christ’s Return

Matthew 24:14, 21-22, 44: And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. . . . For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. . . . Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

 

I John 2:18, 22: Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. . . . Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

 

Acts 1:11: Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

 

I Thessalonians 5:2: For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

 

I Thessalonians 4:16: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

Truth about the Resurrection

John 5:28-29: Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

 

Acts 24:15: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

 

I Thessalonians 4:16: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

Truth about the Final Judgment

Matthew 25:46: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

 

Romans 2:6-8: Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

 

II Corinthians 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

 

Revelation 20:12: And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

 

 

We hope this series of posts has served to equip everyone who has read them to be a witness of God’s Word. 

 

If this series has served to edify you in your daily spiritual walk, please take a moment to let us know. 

 

To God Be The Glory!