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Doctrines That Have been "Doctored" |
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This is a hypertext document, click on the highlighted text to go to it! |
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Does the bible teach that a practice of sin is normal in
a believer? |
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If a believer
doesn’t obey the Lord will the believer lose out? |
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The Lord’s warning about false prophets |
The Lord said in
Matthew 24:24 " For false Christs and false prophets will
arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible,
even the elect."
And again in Mark 13:22 " for false
Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in
order, if possible, to lead the elect astray.
It seems to me that
everyone reads this warning and simply believes that this warning is for the
"other denomination" and does not apply to them. Let me ask a
question, Do you remember your Roman numerals? "X = 10, VII = 7 and so
on". By adding only one stroke or letter how would you turn ’IX’ into the
number ‘6’ Difficult? Having trouble remembering your Roman numerals? I have
asked this question many times to demonstrate one of the devil’s tricks, which
is to get us to think in another direction, so that no matter how much we apply
ourselves to the problem, we will never come to the real answer or solution!
You see my question (do you remember your Roman numerals?) was to lead your
thinking off the path. My second question (How would you turn "IX"
into the number "6"?) asked nothing about "Roman numerals",
so to solve the second question (How would you turn "IX" into the
number "6"?) simply add "S" to make "SIX".
And so it is when we
are mislead by the devil in our thinking about the Gospel, We can read and
study God’s Word, "but never come to the knowledge of the truth".
Read the Bible as if you had not read it before, and learn to let God’s word
become your light instead of the "doctrines of men". Do you
understand that Matthew 24:24 is meant to be a warning to all of
us? " For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will
show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the
elect."
1 Timothy: 4:1 But
the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the
faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.
The main, and the
most prevalent, and destructive Devil Doctrine is this; "Once saved always
saved no matter how much sin you practice." Here is another way of saying
this; "You Can’t Lose Your Salvation!"
The BIBLE
contradicts this type of thinking from Genesis to Revelation. First of all,
what does the Bible say that JESUS came to save us from? The Answer to this
question can be found in the first book of the New Testament in the
first chapter; Matthew 1:21 "And she will bear a Son; and you shall
call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their
sins." What does the Bible say
we are saved from? "Sin." The Bible does not say that Jesus came to save us from hell, (not
even once) but from sin! (Are you saved?) By saving us from sin, He saves us
from Hell, if we are not saved from sin, we are not saved from Hell!
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Does the Bible
teach that a practice of sin is normal in a believer? |
When discussing the
subject of Christian holiness, I have often been asked whether or not I believe
Christians have to sin, because of their nature. Let me respond by saying this
question of "bondage to sin" is the very crux of the Christian life,
it is the difference between the sanctified believer and the person who
has not been born of God’s Spirit, and sanctified! Read the following
scripture.
1John 3:5 - 10 And
you know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no
sin. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. Little
children, let no one deceive you; the one who practices righteousness is
righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil;
for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this
purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of
God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because
he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil
are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the
one who does not love his brother.
1John 2:1
tells us "My little children,
these things write I unto you, that you sin not. If anyone sins, we have an
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ The Righteous".
Notice that it says
IF, not WHEN anyone sins.) A child of God might under extreme temptation sin,
but we have an advocate, The Lord Jesus Christ. If we have a practice of sin, a
bondage, we according to 1John 3:8 are not a child of God.
Now read 1John
5:18 We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born
of God keeps him and the evil one does not touch him.
. 2John
1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and
abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God . He that abideth in the doctrine
of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
3 John 1:11
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that
does good is of God: but he that does evil has not seen God.
1John 2:3 - 4 And
by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The
one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His
word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we
are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same
manner as He walked.
Romans 6:1 & 2 What
shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.
How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old self was
crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we
should no longer be slaves to sin;
Romans 6:12 TO 6:15
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its
lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as
instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive
from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin
shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace. What
then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never
be!
Watch how
often the Bible uses past tense when referring to a believer and sin!
ROMANS 6:17 -18
But God be thanked, that you were
the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine
which was delivered to you. Being then made free from sin, you became the
servants of righteousness.
1 Corinthians 6:9 -
11 Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of
God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards,
nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were
some of you; but you were washed, but you were
sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in
the Spirit of our God.
EPHESIANS 2:1 - 10
And you were
dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly
walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the
power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of
disobedience. Among them we too all formerly
lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the
mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being
rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we
were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace
you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the
heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might
show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it
is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we
are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
beforehand, that we should walk in them.
COLOSSIANS
1:21-23 And although you were
formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged
in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death,
in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach if indeed you continue in the faith firmly
established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that
you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which
I, Paul, was made a minister.
COLOSSIANS. 3:5-11
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality,
impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is
on account of these things that the wrath of God will come, and in them you
also once walked,
when you were
living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice,
slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since
you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new
self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One
who created him, a renewal in which
there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
TITUS 3:3 - 5
For we ourselves also were
sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures,
living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another. But after that
the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy he saved us, by
the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
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Other important Scriptures on this important
subject. |
EPHESIANS 5:1-6 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved
children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for
us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But do not let
immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among
saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting,
which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with
certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an
idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one
deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God
comes upon the sons of disobedience.
EPHESIANS 4:24 And
that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness
and true holiness.
COLOSSIANS. 2:11 And in Him you were also circumcised with a
circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the
circumcision of Christ;
1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify
you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete,
without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls
you, and He also will bring it to pass.
It
is in this age that God wants us to live Godly!
TITUS 2:12 Instructing us to deny ungodliness and
worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
TITUS 2:14 Who
gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto
Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Once I was
challenged to point out a Scripture that would show that a believer was not to
have a practice of sin, but instead be obedient to the Lord. I told the man
that I could show him at least one hundred and fifty scripture verses that said
that in the New Testament. That night I began to search the scripture to find
the one hundred and fifty, but to my surprise when I had counted my scripture
list I had found over five hundred scripture verses!
Do you see by reading
God’s word, that God doesn’t want us to sin, this is the underlying message of
the Bible to mankind, this is the reason for Jesus’s death on the cross,
This is the message
of the Bible? Stop Sinning!
This question has
been turned over and over, argued and debated for years, each denomination has
it’s own answer, lets look at what the scripture has to say.
Hebrews 10:26-31
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth,
there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying
expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the
adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on
the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you
think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has
regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and
has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is
Mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge His
people." It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living
God.
Notice that this is not just a pew warmer here
spoken of, it is a “sanctified” believer. The Scripture teaches in this portion of
Scripture that we have “trampled under foot the Son of God and have has regarded as unclean the blood
of the covenant and Insulted the Spirit of grace”
It certainly sounds like doing these
things do not make God happy!
Hebrews 6:4-8 (This verse is describing a Christian) For
in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the
heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the
good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away,
it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to
themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame. For ground that drinks
the rain which often falls upon it and brings forth vegetation useful to those
for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it
yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it
ends up being burned.
This
seems clear enough, the answer is YES!
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Does God expect us to be holy (obedient) in this world (now)? |
1Peter 4:1-3
Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also
with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased
from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for
the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is
sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having
pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties
and abominable idolatries.
MATHEW 5:48 "Therefore you
are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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 1:3-4 Blessed [be] the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ: According as He has chosen us in Him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame
before Him in love:
1Thessalonians 3:13 So
that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and
Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.
1Thessalonians 4:1 -
4 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that,
as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God
(just as you actually do walk), that you may excel still more. For you know
what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is
the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual
immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in
sanctification and honor,
1John 2:3 - 7 And
by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The
one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His
word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we
are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same
manner as He walked. Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an
old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is
the word which you have heard.
A
Killer Verse!
1Timothy 5:20
Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also
may be fearful of sinning.
If sin is normal in
a Christian's life why are we commanded to rebuke it?
1Peter 2:21-22 For you have been
called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an
example for you to follow in His steps,
who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;
COLOSSIANS 2:6
As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him:
John 3:36 He who believes in
the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see
life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
This is an interesting Scripture, for, in it, we can see the parallel
of believing, and obeying.
*NOTE IN THE KING
JAMES BIBLE, THE WORD BELIEVE IS USED IN BOTH PLACES. THE SECOND TIME THE WORD
BELIEVE IS USED IT IS ACTUALLY A DIFFERENT GREEK WORD, AND THIS GREEK WORD
MEANS TO OBEY. Most of the newer translations have caught this error. The
translators apologized for the rush job they did in translating the King James
version of the Bible. In the original editions of the King James Bible, the
translators gave an admonition for us to read other versions of the Bible as
well, because of the hurried way that the King James Bible had been translated.
This note placed in the King James Bible by the translators has been removed! I
wonder who it was that made the decision to remove such an important note from
the very men that did the translation of the King James Bible, also, what could
have been their motive for removing a note made by the translators?
Peter 1:15-16 But like the Holy One who called you, be
holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You
shall be holy, for I am holy."
2Peter 3:11-14 Since all these things are to be destroyed in
this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which the
heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense
heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new
earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these
things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,
2Corinthians 5:14-17 For the love
of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore
all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for
themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. Therefore from
now on we recognize no man according to the flesh; even though we have known
Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore if
any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold,
new things have come.
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If a believer doesn’t obey the Lord will the believer lose out? |
This is the
Scripture that showed me (as a minister of God’s word) that l wasn’t converted!
MATHEW 7:17-27
"Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad
fruit. "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce
good fruit. "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and
thrown into the fire. "So then, you will know them by their fruits.
"Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of
heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. "Many will
say to Me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in
Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And
then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who
practice lawlessness.' "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine,
and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the
rock. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,
and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded
upon the rock. "And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not
act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand.
"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,
and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."
1Corinthians 10:1-13 For
I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the
cloud, and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the
cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the
same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which
followed them; and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was
not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things
happened as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also
craved. And do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written,
"The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play." Nor let
us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.
Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the
serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the
destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were
written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation
has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will
not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation
will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.
HEBREWS 2:1-3 For this reason we
must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from
it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every
transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, how shall we escape
if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through
the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard,
2Peter 1:10 Therefore, brethren,
be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you;
for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;
2Peter 2:4 -9 For if God did
not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them
to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient
world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when
He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned the
cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having
made them an example to those who would live ungodly thereafter; and if He
rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men
(for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt
his righteous soul tormented day after day with their lawless deeds), then the
Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous
under punishment for the day of judgment,
Acts 5:32 And
we are His witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God
hath given to them that obey Him. Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, He became
the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him; John 14:15-17 If ye love Me, keep my
commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another
Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; [Even] the Spirit of truth;
whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him:
but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. JOHN 14:21-24 He that hath My commandments,
and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved
of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him. Judas saith
unto Him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest Thyself unto
us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me,
he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him,
and make Our abode with him. He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings: and
the word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me. Acts 10:35 But in every nation he that
feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him. 1John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive
of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing
in His sight. 1John 3:24 And he that keepeth His commandments
dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by
the Spirit which He hath given us. 1John 5:2-3 By this we know that we love the children of God,
when we love God, and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that
we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.
John 15:1-14
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. "Every branch
in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears
fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. "You are already clean because
of the word which I have spoken to you. "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the
branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither
can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches; he
who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can
do nothing. "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a
branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and
they are burned. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask
whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. "By this is My Father
glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have
kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love. "These things I have
spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made
full. "This is My commandment,
that you love one another, just as I have loved you. "Greater love has no
one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. "You are My
friends, if you do what I command you.
Romans 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could
not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the
flesh, in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who
do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:12-4 So
then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to
the flesh for if you are living
according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to
death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the
Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
ROMANS 13:14 .
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard
to its lusts.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from
all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons
of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of
strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth
itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought
to the obedience of Christ;
Galations 5:16 - 24
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the
flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against
the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do
the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under
the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality,
impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts
of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and
things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that
those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions
and desires.
GALATIANS 6:7 - 8 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for
whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own
flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit
shall from the Spirit reap eternal life.
1Peter 4:1–3 Therefore,
since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same
purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to
live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for
the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have
carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality,
lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.
EPHESIANS
2:1-10 And you were dead in your
trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of
this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that
is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly
lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the
mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being
rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we
were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace
you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the
heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might
show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it
is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.. For we
are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
beforehand, that we should walk in them.
2Peter 2:17-22
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom
the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling
[words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness,
those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise
them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man
is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have
escaped the pollution’s of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter
end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not
to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known [it], to
turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto
them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again;
and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
1 Corinthians
6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost
[which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are
bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,
which are God’s.
ROMANS 12:1-2 I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your
reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Jude 1:24 Now unto Him that is
able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the
presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 1Peter 2:24 Who His own self
bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should
live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 2Peter 1:3-4
According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto
life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory
and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:
that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust.
Matthew 10:22 And
ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the
end shall be saved. Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ,
if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 1John 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you,
which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the
beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the
Father. 1 Corinthians 15:1 -
2 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached
unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye
are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have
believed in vain. John 5:29
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 1Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God
through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith,
[even] the salvation of [your] souls. Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in
white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I
will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
1John 2:29 If
ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is
born of Him. 1John 2:3
And By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep HIS commandments.
This is the fruit of a believer when the Spirit of the living God dwells in
them: Galatians 5:22 - 23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:
against such there is no law."
- Grace
came from JESUS
John
1:17 For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus
Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace
of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
- We are
saved by grace
Ephesians 2:5
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by
grace ye are saved;) Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Acts 15:11 But we believe that
through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. 2
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, Titus 2:11 For the grace of
God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men
- Justified by grace
Romans 3:24
Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus:
- Grace frees us from sin
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not
have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:15 What then?
shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
- Gifts come from grace
Romans 12:6
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether
prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith
- Grace makes us what we are
2Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of
God I am what I am: and His grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain;
but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God
which was with me.
- Grace brings about our testimony
2Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing
is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly
sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our
conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
- Don’t receive in vain
2Corinthians 6:1
We then, [as] workers together [with Him], beseech [you] also that ye receive
not the grace of God in vain. Hebrews
10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy,
who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the
covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite
unto the Spirit of grace? Hebrews
12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any
root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled; Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in
unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men,
turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord
God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Grace brings us to give of ourselves
2Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He
became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.
- Grace brings about good works
2Corinthians 9:8 And God [is] able
to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in
all [things], may abound to every good work:
- Grace is all sufficient
2Corinthians 12:9 And He said unto
me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in
weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the
power of Christ may rest upon me.
- Working for salvation frustrates grace
Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate
the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead
in vain.
- Grace is the ability to preach Jesus
Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less
than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among
the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
- Grace is with all who love our Lord
Ephesians 6:24 Grace
[be] with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
- Our speech should be with grace
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech
[be] always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to
answer every man.
- Grace is abundant with faith and love
1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of
our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
- We can be strong in grace
2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my
son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
- Grace makes us willing to suffer
Hebrews 2:9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering
of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should
taste death for every man. 1Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath
called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a
while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you].
- We should come boldly to the throne of grace
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an
high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but
was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. Hebrews 4:16 Let us
therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need.
- Grace allows us to serve God acceptably
Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we
receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may
serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
- Grace is given to the humble
James 4:6 But He giveth more
grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the
humble. 1Peter 5:5
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be
subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the
proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
- We are stewards of Gods grace
1Peter 4:10 As every man hath
received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards
of the manifold grace of God.
·
We should grow in grace
2Peter 3:18 But grow in grace,
and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him [be] glory
both now and for ever. Amen
Matthew 19:17
And He said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one,
[that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Luke 8:15 But that on
the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the
word, keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience. Luke 11:28 But He said, Yea rather, blessed
[are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it. John 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If
a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him,
If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him,
and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 15:10 If you keep my commandments,
you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and
abide in His love. John 14:15
If you love me, keep my commandments.
|
Sanctification, what the Bible has to say about it |
According
to the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance the word sanctifieth (Hagiazo) {hag-ee-ad’-zo} means to: 1)
make holy 2) purify or consecrate 3) to be Holy
John 17:17 Sanctify them
through Thy truth: Thy word is truth. JOHN 17:19 And for
their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be Sanctified through the
truth. Acts 20:32
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is
able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them all which are
sanctified. Acts 26:18
To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the
power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and
inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me. Romans 15:16 That I should
be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God,
that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by
the Holy Ghost.
1Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of
God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called
[to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ
our Lord, both theirs and ours: 1Corinthians 1:30 But of Him are ye
in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification,
and redemption: 1Corinthians
6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are
washed, but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord
Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1Thessalonians 4:4
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification
and honor; 1Thessalonians 5:23 And
the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit
and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
2Thessalonians 2:13
But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the
Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through
sanctification of the Spirit and belief Of the truth: 2Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from
these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s
use, [And] prepared unto every good work. Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are
sanctified through the offering of The body of Jesus Christ once [for all]. Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He hath
perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment,
suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of
God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified,
an unholy thing, and Hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 1Peter 1:2 Elect according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto
obedience and sprinkling of the blood Of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and
peace, be multiplied.
Today, above all
days, we seem to have a lot of confusion about the role of a Christian woman,
and how she should function in the Church. I believe one of the causes of the
confusion is the Women's Lib Movement. This is a personal thought and not one
based on the Bible. I believe that the Women's Lib Movement is bringing women
into bondage! Not freedom. Prior to the Women's Lib Movement, Women were
treated like ladies, men opened doors for them. Many times on crowded public
transportation I have seen men give up their seat for a woman. Now, it seems
they are being treated like one of the boys! Advancement? Better treatment? I
think not! So much for what I think, now what does the Bible say?
1)
Women Pastors?
This is where the
fur will fly! But here we go. 1Timothy 2:11-15 Let the woman learn in
silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp
authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then
Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the
transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they
continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. Take
notice of these Scripture verses, But I suffer not a woman to teach,
nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. Here we are
told that women are not to teach or usurp (exercise authority) over a man. Now
read 1Timothy 3:2-6 A bishop then must be blameless, the
husband of one wife, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to
teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy
of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well
his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a
man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of
God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall
into the condemnation of the devil. Please take note of the fact that HE must
be the husband of one wife, now this a woman can never be! Also,
the masculine is used throughout this text. Another requirement is "Apt
to teach" in 1Timothy 2:11 the Bible says "But I suffer
not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man," but to be in
silence. The Lord made this clear in the previous chapter. He told us
that women can not teach or usurp authority over a man, and now in the very
next chapter, chapter 3; we are told that one of the requirements of an elder
is that he be apt to teach. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to
see that women are not qualified to be elders in the church, or to hold any
office that requires the teaching of men!
2)
Who Can Women Teach?
Titus 2:3 - 4 The
aged women likewise, that [they be] in behavior as becometh holiness, not false
accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach
the young woman to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their
children. 1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, [be]
in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also
may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives. A wife
can be a powerful weapon in the hands of Almighty God! Look at this scripture,
a woman can win her husband by the way she lives her life. The life of God in a
believer is a powerful witness of Jesus Christ! "Without the word"
In the past thirty-two years I have been used of God to re-unite a lot of
husbands and wives. It is a task I am thankful for being allowed to participate
in. I shall never forget Who does the work! We are only vessels, let me
illustrate. A while back I had two young people come to me for counseling,
After talking to them I found out that they were already separated and each
living with someone else! Not a good beginning. They didn’t come to see me
because they wanted to save their marriage, but because their parents had said
that if they would counsel with me once, then they could divorce. As I was
trying to figure out what to say; I noticed how the wife was looking at her
husband. A terrible hatred was in her eyes; I was shattered. Then I glanced at
the husband, and I saw the same hard look of anger and hatred! I thought how
can this be; when only three years ago they loved each other so much that they
were married. Before they came that morning I thought that I knew just what to
say to them, but after seeing the looks of hatred in their eyes; I didn’t know
what to say. Instead I began to cry uncontrollably, not a normal thing for me;
I have seen a lot of this before. I was decimated by the hatred they displayed
for each other! I was embarrassed beyond belief, but could not get a hold on my
emotions. I must have cried for five minutes. Never in my life have I had an
experience like this. After I regained my composure the husband got up, and at
the same time, his wife got up; they headed for each other and embraced. It was
done, and I was a useless bystander. The Lord had done it all without me, I had
said nothing! They went back together. Wife, don’t ever play down the power in
your life. The Lord can do amazing things in and through you.
3)
Women In The Church Meeting
The Lord has a
Divine order in the Church, and it is important that we obey Him in everything,
and that means even in the things we do not understand! I believe that one of
the most often abused commands of God is this. 1Corinthians 14:34-37
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them
to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the
law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for
it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? came the word of God out
from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet,
or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the
commandments of the Lord. Take notice that this is not anything
less than a command of a Holy God. I have probably heard all of the arguments, they
try with different reasoning to annul this command of the Lord.
Fifty years ago I would not have received much of an argument
about what I have said regarding a woman's place in the Church. Two hundred
years ago no argument at all, but today, well that's another thing. Watch,
approximately 1900 years have passed, and no problem with this subject; just
about everyone was in agreement. But in the last fifty years the subject has
completely changed! Now follow me here please; God doesn't change! We have changed
in our thinking. We have embraced the will of man and forsaken the will of God!
For shame. I Remember some time back; I was at a home meeting. As I
quoted this scripture one of the women interrupted me and said, "That’s
your interpretation, and I don’t believe it" . . . I returned, "That
was not my interpretation, it was a direct quote from God’s word", (she
didn’t know that I was quoting the Bible, she thought that I was giving my own
opinion) So I asked her to follow along with me in 1Corinthians 14:34. After
having her read this scripture aloud, I asked if she still thought that this
was my interpretation. Her response was not new to me; I had heard it before.
She said, "the apostle Paul was a male chauvinist, and that is why he
tried to lower the place of women in the church!" I asked her how she had
arrived at a conclusion like that? She said that she had read it somewhere. I
know where she read it, "1satan 3:14". You see Satan also has his
word, and you can tell it quickly. It will always contradict the Word and will
of God. He doesn’t sign his name as author, he allows his people to sign their
name on his work. Just like God used many people to write down His commandments
and instructions in the book we call the Bible. Now watch this, with one simple
explanation "The apostle Paul was a male chauvinist" she tore out of
her Bible this important command of God! She allowed the Word of God to be
interpreted by the word of man (really the word of Satan). How convenient!
Anything we don’t like that we find in the Bible, we simple look to man’s
writing until we find someone else with our dislike of that particular command.
Then we take his or her explanation to disavow the Word of God! My friends,
that is how we ended up with so many different denominations. Don’t do this!
But instead, allow yourselves, your books, and all that your friends have to
say, to be judged by God’s Word, never the other way around. This is very
important please allow me to repeat it, "Allow yourselves, your books,
and all that your friends have to say, to be judged by God’s Word, never the
other way around". If you would like an explanation of why God doesn’t
allow women to speak during a church meeting, read again 1Timothy 2:11-14 Let
the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to
teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was
first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived
was in the transgression. God doesn't permit women to teach or
usurp authority over a man, (And please don’t forget this is God’s commandment,
not Paul’s). Here we have God’s reason for this command. Someone might say,
"Is God being fair to subject all women this way, for something that Eve
had done?" When we ask a question like this, just exactly what are we
doing? First off, we are Not Trusting God. And we are thinking that our powers
of reason are as great as God’s! What foolishness, what Gaul! That is exactly
what the children of Israel did to the Lord during the forty years of wandering
in the desert! I might be accused of being a "male chauvinist",
that’s O.K., what I am, is a man that believes and obeys all of God’s word, not
just the parts I like! I am not afraid or intimidated to preach all of what the
Lord instructs me to preach. The homosexual, the drunkard, the adulterer, all
take exception with God’s word, the very instrument that God has sent to us to
bring conviction of sin!, to bring us to salvation! I have preached for many
years now that everyone agrees with God’s commandments! I wish to repeat this.
Everyone agrees with God’s commandments! Now you might say, Mr. Wright, you are
crazy, I know that EVERYONE doesn’t agree with God’s commandments! Please let
me explain. I remember a time when I knew a man out west who was a thief. He
stole radios out of airplanes. A lot of people knew about him. One day I was
alone with him and said to him "It is wrong to steal". He exploded,
"The insurance companies are rich, they deserve what happens, they cheat
people, and they can afford it". All that I said landed on deaf ears. He
had justified his sin! Then it happened; early in the morning a few months
later, I had a student, and we had just landed our plane, after having a
practice flight. Looking down the ramp I saw a large man jumping up and down
obviously very angry. I went to him to see what had happened. It was this man,
(the one who hated insurance companies) someone had stolen the radios out of
HIS plane! Now he perfectly agreed with what God had said about stealing! You
see, it is all in your point of view. Does the adulterer want someone to commit
adultery with his wife? No! Does the thief want someone to steal his radio
equipment out of his airplane, NO! Do the backbiters want someone to talk bad
about them behind their backs? NO! You see everyone agrees with God’s
commandments, It all depends on the point of view!
4)
What about Prophetess?
I believe that all
doctrines must pass the test of "All Scripture". If our doctrines
fight any scripture we have a doctrine that is wrong! We must look further into
God’s word for understanding. The Bible speaks of prophetesses in Acts 21:9 -
11 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
And as we tarried [there] many days, there came down from Judaea a certain
prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and
bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the
Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver [him]
into the hands of the Gentiles. God will use Prophetess, but not
against his own rules! Prophetesses can prophesy but according to 1Timothy
2:11-14 not during a meeting of the church!
5)
To Sum Up
The Lord wants men
and women everywhere to be in His service, but it is His service, and we should
serve Him as He has directed. If after reading the Scriptures listed above you
still think it right for women to speak during a meeting of the Church, or
teach and exercise authority over men; then you will be able to understand how
the adulterer, the thief, the backbiter, and the murderer justify their
defiance of Almighty God!
This is a very
important section. Let us begin by reading the only Scripture in the entire
Bible that deals with this subject in a complete manner. We can find direction
for Christian behavior in just about all of the books of the Bible; but here,
we find this portion of Scripture deals exclusively with our subject. 1 Corinthians
14:26 - 40 How is it then, brethren? when you come together, every one
of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an
interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an
[unknown] tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three, and [that] by
course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep
silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the
prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If [anything] be revealed
to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace. For you may all prophesy
one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of
the prophets are subject to the prophets. Let your women keep silence in the
churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded]
to be under obedience, as also says the law. And if
they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a
shame for women to speak in the church. What? came the word of God out from you?
or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or
spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the
commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Let all things be done decently and in order. Observe, the
phrase, "when you come together, every one of you has."
I have found that most
Protestants have made objections to some of the practices of the Catholic
Church, and yet they accept many of the practices that the Catholic Church has
invented. Practices that are not found, or upheld by the Bible, nor by the
early Church! What I believe to be a very important item, is the order of a
Church meeting, the way the meeting is to be conducted. Most Protestant
Churches copy the format of Catholicism, they just went along with the way
things were done, and didn’t question them. I would like to question this
practice here, and now. "When you come together, every one of you
has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an
interpretation." Take notice of the fact that God desires
that each and every member take an active role in
the Church meeting! "Every one of you has" In
most congregations we have a choir, deacons to take up the offering and someone
to offer prayer, but as a rule the "pastor" does the main preaching
for the meeting. This is not Scriptural! The "overseer" or
"pastor" is to guard the "flock" not become the whole or
main part of the meeting! The word "pastor" means shepherd. The
shepherd of a flock of sheep doesn’t graze in the grass of the fields; he
watches out for wolves and other dangers. The sheep do the grazing and the
"reproducing" each have their job. In Catholicism the priest was the
intermediator for man. We of the Protestant Churches do not except this view of
intermediator, for we know that only Jesus Christ can fill that position, (a
man born of God’s Spirit doesn’t need any other man to intercede for him, we
have direct access to God through Jesus Christ!). In Catholicism, the word
priest is used, and this is because they don’t understand the significance of
the veil of the Temple being torn in
half, from the top to the bottom! We have confused the role of
"overseer" / "pastor". While rejecting the Catholic view,
we accept, in part, the "Priest" type functions and ascribe them to
our "overseer" / "pastor" role. Hence we have members of
our Churches that do not even know how to lead a soul to repentance! And why?
Could it be that they have little or no responsibilities in the Church, and
consequently feel that they are inferior to the pastor or others in the Church
in regard to ministering Jesus Christ to the souls around them? For shame! This
is only too true! It is a normal practice for the members of a Church to bring
people into a Church meeting for the purpose of conversion, because they don’t
know how to lead them into a Christian experience! If we read our Bible we will
find that people were converted and then "allowed" to attend Church
meetings. Let us re-read our Scripture, "When you come together, every
one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an
interpretation." I believe if we obeyed this Scripture, we would
have more members taking an active role in the Life Of Christ! They would be
able to do what God ordained them to do!
Let’s continue, at
this point I am about to become unpopular with the "Baptist type"
denominations for my stand on the rest of this Scripture, and at the same time
I will become very unpopular with the "Pentecostal type" Churches! A
feat I seem to be able to accomplish with ease. Let all things be done
unto edifying. If any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, [let it be] by two, or
at the most [by] three, and [that] by course; and let one interpret. But if
there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak
to himself, and to God. Now mark this Scripture, the gift of tongues
is to be in the Church meeting. But it is to be used as follows:
1) Only two or at the most three
persons are to speak in tongues.
2) They are to speak in turn, or
course, not at the same time.
3) If the gift of interpretation is
missing they are NOT to speak in tongues.
Some denominations
have decided that the gift of tongues is unnecessary today! This I do not
understand. We as a Church are in a very backsliden condition. I believe we
need everything, every gift that God in His wisdom has placed in the Church.
What, are we so spiritual that we can give away the gifts of God? God placed
this gift in the Church, and He knew what He was doing! The fourteenth chapter
of Corinthians was written to deal with the problem of the improper use of this
gift, not to assign it to the grave! Look at verse 39, we have a command from
God "and forbid not to speak with tongues." This I
fear many denominations have done. They have forbidden the speaking in tongues,
thereby breaking a command of God. The reason for the three rules governing the
gift of tongues is this, "Let all things be done unto edifying"
read the entire chapter of 1Corinthians 14, you will begin to see the
will and way of God in this gift.
Next "Let
the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If [anything] be
revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace. For you may all
prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the
spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets." This next
gift is not addressed as much as the gift of tongues; however we need to
understand it just as well.
1)
Two or three prophets are to speak.
2)
The others in the congregation are to JUDGE what has been said!
3)
If God has revealed something to someone else in the congregation the first
speaking is to give way to this one whom God has given revelation.
You
might say, “We don’t have any prophets in our Church” My question would be,
“Are you in a Church, or just a religious organization?”
Listen carefully to
number two, we are to judge what others say, someone might say God told him
such and such, but look, God will not contradict His Word! Is what is being
said by this brother in line with God’s Word? Judge! Most denominations say
that they are the most correct, or as some say "the only correct
one". This has come about because the people of God have not judged what
has come out of the mouths of these (prophets). We need this gift of prophesy
most of all, with this gift we can comfort one another, and according to 1 Corinthians
14:24, people that are unconverted, that do come into a Church meeting will be
convinced of all and turn to God! The next portion of this Scripture deals with
the woman's place in the meeting, and since we have already dealt with this
subject I will leave it alone here.
To sum up
If the Church
meetings were conducted in the manner prescribed in this scripture we would
have a very powerful congregation, just like the first congregation. The love
of God would be evident by the generosity of the believers toward one another.
They would be able to lead other souls into this blessed relationship with the
Living God, and they would be a very difficult group to fool when it came to
spiritual things.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not
depart from it.
Before I begin this
section, I will present my qualifications for giving advice about the training
of children and teenagers. My wife Carol and I have been married a little over
37 years, and God has blessed us with thirteen children. At present our oldest
son, (Timothy) is thirty five years old, and our baby (Matthew) is ten years
old. As you can see we have a large family, and as such we have garnered a lot
of experience with the raising and training of children. I will answer a few of
the most often asked questions about our family, when you have a large family
you are asked a lot of questions. First of all, we have ten sons, but only
three daughters, so we are a little lopsided, having far more boys than girls.
We have been home schooling our children for many years now. We lost confidence
in the public school system, I won’t go into that here, but I would like to
say, if you have children in the public school system keep alert as to what is
going on in the school! The lives of your children are at stake. About fifteen
years ago I made a decision to remove television from our lives. We have a
video recorder and only watch videos that promote moral law (No language that
would offend God, No life styles that would be offensive to the Holy Spirit
that indwells us.) I believe that the devil has a great influence on TV and it
is not a good influence on children or adults. As a result of not having a TV
going at all hours in our house our children have benefited in many ways. First
thing in the morning before anyone leaves our house for work, the family
gathers for a Bible study. This varies but at the present time we read one
chapter in the Old Testament and two in the New Testament. Start your day tuned
in on the will of God, and I guarantee that things will go better! I know that
sometimes emergencies come up and we think that today we must leave without our
Bible study. Don’t, the devil will present you and your family with many
reasons for skipping the Bible study today. This is your opportunity to
demonstrate to your family just how important the will of God is to you. Or if
you fail, how unimportant it is! Since we have a few more children than the
average family, we have had to deal with a few more problems, and this is what
we have learned. The Bible tells us to spank our children to correct them,
today we hear a lot about other methods of correction, and I confess that we
have tried them all;
1) Writing
sentences,
2) Standing in the
corner
3) Grounding them
from this activity
4) Grounding them
from that activity
5) Can’t do this
6) Can’t do that
7) The reward system
(23 different types, for good behavior)
And
many other methods that the passing of time has caused us to forget.
We found out that
with each of the different methods, none of them worked against rebellion. Then
we reread the Bible and did what God suggested. We only spanked our children
for one reason, and that was a rebellious attitude. Children make mistakes,
they have accidents, (just like we adults). And this is not something that
deserves a spanking. Only an attitude that says "I know what you want me
to do father, and I won’t do it!” That's when we go get the paddle! And by the
way, explain to your child what he or she has done wrong, and how this attitude
is rebellious. Then spank the child until you hear the cry of repentance, some
children will cry out with anger, learn the difference and spank until you hear
and see the repentance. If you don’t, the spanking will have only strengthened
the rebellion!
Rules about spanking
·
Never spank a child when you are upset
or angry. Wait. . . .
·
Never spank your child when you are not
positive that rebellion is at hand.
·
Never spank when it is clear that the incidence
was an accident.
·
Don’t use your hand or a belt for these
will, or can leave marks.
·
A wooden paddle works fine, and won’t
leave any marks or bruises.
·
Never slap your child in the face.
Slapping is anger! It won’t train!
I will relate an incidence
that I have witnessed many times at grocery stores. As I looked in the candy
section I saw a mother telling her son to put back a package of candy, the boy
refused! Then the mother said with a louder voice "put it back NOW!"
The boy refused again, next the mother screamed "PUT IT BACK!" The
boy recognized the tone and loudness of his mother’s voice and knew that she
meant business, so as the mother wrestled the package from the boy it was all
over. A happy ending? I think not, the young fellow didn’t respect his mother,
but he knew intuitively when his mother really meant what she said, This is the
result of saying we are going to punish, but not doing it until we are
frustrated beyond human endurance! Wrong all wrong. When you tell your child he
or she is to be spanked, warn them once and then DO IT! Teach them that you
mean what
you say, and well before you are frustrated, spank them. Many mothers wait
until all patience is run out and then when angry they spank or slap their
child. This is wrong, when the child sees the anger of the parent, they justify
themselves, and the mother will feel sorry for getting angry with her child.
When this happens everyone looses. Tell your children what you expect from
them, explain how you don’t like to punish them because you love them. But
leave them with the conclusion that even though you don’t like spanking them,
you have no choice if the children are going to be rebellious and do the things
that you have clearly outlined as wrong. Explain to your children the
importance of obedience. The prisons are full of disobedient men women and
children! Now for the important part, be CONSISTENT! Training children is work!
This is one job that we must be faithful at, or the children will suffer.
·
Now for the Word of God!
·
Proverbs 22:15
Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction
shall drive it far from him.
·
Proverbs 23:13
Withhold not correction from the child: for [if] thou beatest him with the rod,
he shall not die.
·
Proverbs 29:15
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left [to himself] bringeth his
mother to shame.
God’s word is clear,
and always works, I know that this stand is unpopular in the current time that
we are living, but we must follow the things that have worked, rather than the
new things that have been proven not to work. It is not fun to spank a child,
but it is as important to spank a rebellious child , as it is to supply him
with a balanced diet for his health. And remember if you fail to train your
child you are leaving the job for others to do. (Policeman, school teachers,
etc.)
Ephesians 4:14 that
we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every
wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, Whereby they
lie in wait to deceive;
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto
thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing This thou shalt
both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1 Timothy 6:3 If any man teach
otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after
their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 1John
2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you,
and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you
of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye
shall abide in Him. Today we have many
denominations all claiming to be the "right one", but I have found
that all too often they teach error. Why have we gotten so far off the
"narrow path" ? We live in a world with more Bibles available than at
any other time in history, and yet this country is becoming more pagan
everyday. Sin is being legalized, and old moral laws are being struck down each
day. Today a woman that wants to Kill her unborn child is "making a
choice". Perverts that want to indulge in sodomy are said to be practicing
an "alternative life style". The Lord left us with a commission to
fulfill; I believe we are going backwards! What has happened? Have we been
asleep? It is time to wake up and walk in the power of God! Remember, the enemy
of our soul wants to deceive us just as in times past he deceived Eve. Yes, the
wages of sin was death, is death, and always will be DEATH!. The God of love
wants us to stop being selfish and stop sinning NOW! He paid the price and what
a price He paid. Please obey Him now! Galatians 6:7 "Be not
deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also
reap."
|
Bible Schools |
To Be Added.
What does God
require of us to receive his forgiveness?
REPENTANCE!
What is repentance?
Turning from sin in shame and disgust, with a resolve never to do that again.
What repentance is not. It is not simply being sorry. The drunkard,
after waking up the next morning in the gutter, smelly, cold and hungry is very
sorry about his plight, about being broke and hungry, but before the sun is
very high in the sky, he is trying to figure out how he will gather enough
money to buy wine and do it all over again! Sorrow is a part of repentance, but
the Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 7:10 that a Godly sorrow will lead
us into a repentance that we will not repent of! But the sorrow of the
world worketh death. The sorrow of our plight does not lead to repentance. Our
sorrow should be about our treatment of a Holy God who paid a precious price
for our redemption! After we repent, we must believe God, have faith in His
word (the Bible), and believe His promises. 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. ACTS: 8:37 And
Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he
answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. ACTS
13:39 And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from
which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. ACTS 16:31
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved, and thy house. Now many people believe In the Lord Jesus
Christ, but still somehow end up having a "Romans 7" experience. A
"Romans 7" experience is where we have become convinced that our sin
is wrong, but did not receive the power over the bondage of sin! Please read
carefully Romans 7. You will see that in the 24th verse (Romans 7:24) the man
cries out,"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of
this death?" The answer is JESUS CHRIST ! Let’s go to Ezekiel
36:25-27 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be
clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A
new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I
will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart
of flesh. And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My
statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do [them]. What a promise! God
will cleanse us, God will cleanse us from all of our filthiness! That
word filthiness means sin! What a promise, but that’s not all, God will remove
all of the idols in our life! There’s more, God will remove our heart of stone.
The Bible uses the word heart to refer to man’s will, the place we make our
decisions ( the decision to obey God or disobey God). Notice God refers to a
stony heart, this means a stubborn, rebellious will (heart). We won’t stop
being rebellious and stubborn on our own, so a God of love removes this
rebellious (heart) from us and replaces it with a moldable (heart) (And
I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an
heart of flesh.) And now after heart surgery, we are ready to receive
the most precious gift anyone could possibly receive! God’s Spirit. And
I will put My spirit within you. But God knows that this is still not
enough, look at the next part of this promise. And cause you to walk in
My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do [them]. Now God
has committed Himself to cause us to obey Him! Do you see the magnitude of
God’s promise in Ezekiel 36:25-27. The Holy Spirit is calling you now if you
are not saved (living above sin). If you are a believer but not sanctified and
need to be set free from a particular sin or sins, believe now! Don’t wait for
anything. The God of love has already given us all things pertaining to life
and godliness. Read the following: 2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine
power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness,
through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
·
The steps to God
·
Believe God!
·
Repent (Turning from sin in shame and
disgust) and obey the Lord!
·
Baptism (Water Baptism and The Baptism
of the Holy Ghost)
·
Believe (Walk in) God’s promises
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,
and in the power of Hismight. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be
able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh
and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
[places] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able
to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore,
having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of
righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all
the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword
of the Spirit, which is the word of God (EPH 6:10 - 17)
"Once
saved always saved no matter how much sin you practice" "You Can’t
Lose Your Salvation!" Doctrines of the Bible Or doctrines of devils?
After reading the
Scripture References, do you still believe that the above quotes are founded on
the Scripture?
The Bible from
Genesis to Revelations has one main message "Don’t sin" but instead
"Obey GOD". Please try to understand this, it is important.
My reason for compiling
this list of scripture is to show that the Bible does not hold to Christians
having a practice of sin. They are, in fact, not like the people of the world
in that a child of God does obey his Father in heaven, just like the people of
the world obey the "god of this world".
Dear friend,
remember a child of God will have the fruit of God’s Spirit present in his or
her life, an unconverted person will not. Galatians 5:22-23 tell us what that
fruit is (But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such
there is no law.) Why does God say there is no law,? Because no
law is needed against love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, meekness, temperance. But the deeds of the natural man do need laws:
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which
are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry,
witchcraft, hatred, variance emulation's, wrath, strife, sedition's, heresies,
envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you
before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things
shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Which kind of fruit do
you possess or should I say which kind of fruit has possession over you? 2Corinthians
5:18-20 And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself
by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit,
that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their
trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us:
we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. One
last question. Are you a believer already converted? Then ask yourself, how
many Christians would be needed to convert the world if they were all in your
present state of usefulness to God? In other words, how many people have you
been instrumental in converting for the Kingdom Of God? Please answer this
question on your knees before God. If the answer is painful, then Believe the
Word Of God, and let Him who has already told us in His word "I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me" Make you a powerful advocate for
Jesus Christ!
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