Since 911 America has been coming back into it’s roots. More people are being patriotic more people are traditional in values and more people are becoming Christian. When we look at the phenomenon of the movie “the passion of the Christ” a movie barely advertise yet grossing over $6 00 million. Also the 2004 election had George W. Bush and the republican party win resoundingly running on the platform of “family” values friendly to Christians and other god fearing religions. The Secular leaders and intellectual minds of our country are now trying to attack Christianity on the mainstream level as much as possible. Popular in bookstores is the book “the Davinci codes” a book of propaganda gossiping of rumors of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. National Geographic came out with a recent issue defending Darwinism dogmatically without even addressing creation science movement. The Discovery channel is next coming out with a special presentation on tonight trying to refute the book of Exodus.
You may wonder why the simple miracle of the Exodus plague against the pharoah’s son is important. After all it is trying to undermine Jesus and cross right? Wrong. We must remember that Jesus was a Jew. He believed in this miracle.
Matt 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Luk 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” (The law of Moses is the 1st five books of the Old Testament)
How can we trust the Exodus prophecies of Jesus if we can’t trust their truth of it as history? If this was not true then Jesus was a liar. How can you trust a liar for salvation? Therefore I thought it would be good to give a defense of the plagues of Egypt
1). History ) There was a supernatural battle between religions of Egypt with their magicians and the Prophets of the Hebrews with their Holy God.
“Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they were commanded by God to return again to Pharaoh. When the magicians by their sorcery imitated the miracles of Aaron’s rod becoming a serpent, Pharaoh became more obstinate than ever. {Ex 7:1-13} The leaders of these magicians who opposed Moses were Jannes and Jambres, as named by the apostle Paul. {2Ti 3:8} These names are noted not only by the Jews in their Talmudical treatise of ##### (that is, Oblations, c.9.) where they are called by the names of ##### and #####, that is Jochanon and Mamre. They are mentioned also in the Chaldee Paraphrase, where they are attributed to Jonathon, {Ex 1:15 7:11} as well as among some heathen writers, for Numenius Apamea, a Pythagorean Philosopher, in his third book ### # ###### cited by Eusebius. He related this account: {*Eusibius, Gospel, 1. 9. c. 8. (411d) 1:443}
“ ‘Jannes and Jambres, interpreters of mysteries of Egypt, were in great repute at the time when the Jews were sent out of Egypt. It was the opinion of all men that these were inferior to none in the art of magic. For by the common opinion of the Egyptians, these two were chosen to oppose Moses, the ringleader of the Jews. Moses prayers were most prevalent with God and they alone were able to undo and end all those most grievous calamities that God brought upon all the Egyptians.’
“Pliny in reference to this stated: {*Pliny, 1. 30. c . 2. (11) 8:285}
“ ‘There is also another sect of magicians, derived from Moses, Jannes, Lotapes and the Jews.’
“Pliny is, however, incorrect on two counts:
a) In reckoning Moses among the magicians.
b) In making Jannes and Lotapes to be Jews.
“But when Pharaoh’s magicians could do no more, God through Moses sent his ten plagues upon the Egyptians. These are summarized in the Psalms {Ps 78:1-72 105:1-45}. According to the Jews, these plagues lasted a year, but in fact they were all sent within one month, in the following order.” Arch Bishop James Usher The Annals of the World (Arch Bishop Usher was a certifiable genius and the most respected historian of his day in the 17th century, here he lays out historical evidence of the famous plagues of Egypt and the Exodus)
Here Archbishop Ussher cites pagan historians who have recognize the Egyptian magicians and record the challenge between them and the Egyptian gods verses the God of Moses.
The Exodus was obviously historical for Jews, the event was central to Israelite culture and civilization.
“It is true nevertheless, that the great fact in which the consciousness of Israel ever rooted itself, as that which first gave the nation it’s freedom, and made it a nation, was the Exodus, with which is constantly associated the deliverance at the Red Sea. It was remarked at the beginning that we have only to reflect on the nature of such an event as the Exodus to see that, if it really happened, it could never again be forgotten by the people whose redemption it was some things in a nation’s history may be forgotten; of others the memory is indelible. Could the English people ever forget the Normans and the Conquest; the Scottish, Bannockburn or Flodden, or the events of their reformation; Americans, Bunker’s Hill or the Declaration of Independence? Yet these are small matters compared with what the Exodus, and the events which followed it, were to the Israelites. When we turn, accordingly, to the poetic and prophetic books of the Old Testament, we find that, amidst all the vicissitudes in their fortunes, the memory of the Exodus, with its attendant circumstances, never was obliterated, but remained fresh and green in the minds of the people as long as their national life lasted. In song, and psalm, and prophecy, the echoes of this wonderful deliverance in Egypt and at the Red Sea ring down their history till its close.” Dr. James Orr The problem of the Old Testament
Plus, we must ask ourselves if the Israelites made this up as a story why would they portray themselves as weak being in slavery? Why wouldn’t they portray Moses as a historic warrior as opposed to a prophet who let God do all the work?
Archaeology: Is archaeology a hard science?
No. Archaeology deals with theories of the past. A hard science deals with present phenomena that can be experimentally proven repeatedly. Therefore while it is an important study many archaeological theories may prove incorrect.
Is there a natural explanation to the plague of the Passover?
No.
“Only the death of the ‘first-born’ is a plague for which there is no parallel (Ex. 12) and the statement in the Bible that the plague of “darkness in all the land of Egypt” affected only the Egyptians, but not the Israelites living in Egypt is, of course, incapable of any scientific explanation.” Werner Kellar. The Bible as History 2nd revised edition
If an army or group of men did this how come they were not detected? If it was a separate group why didn’t they kill the Jews? If it was the Jews why didn’t the Egyptians simply destroy them? If there is no natural explanation to this event wouldn’t those against the Bible want to make some up?
Would a violent death contradict the plague of the Passover?
no
Exo 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he see the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
Exo 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
Exo 12:30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
Exo 12:31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.
Exo 12:32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.
Exo 12:33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.
Exo 12:34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
“The plague struck their first-born, the joy and hope of their families. They had slain the Hebrews' children, now God slew theirs. It reached from the throne to the dungeon: prince and peasant stand upon the same level before God's judgments. The destroying angel entered every dwelling unmarked with blood, as the messenger of woe. He did his dreadful errand, leaving not a house in which there was not one dead. Imagine then the cry that rang through the land of
Egypt, the long, loud shriek of agony that burst from every dwelling. It will be thus in that dreadful hour when the Son of man shall visit sinners with the last judgment. God's sons, his first-born, were now released. Men had better come to God's terms at first, for he will never come to theirs.” Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Are there other times in the Bible where God uses an angel to deliver violent death?
Yes, God used an angel to kill 185,000 men in the Assyrian army
2Ki 19:35 And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
I must admit I have not seen this series. I have simply heard claims from various previews. If you watch the discovery channel tonight at 9:00p.m. Remember the arguments discussed here.
God Bless,
Matt Singleton
Monday, September 24, 2007
Saturday, September 15, 2007
7 reasons why Roman Catholicism Cannot Save a single soul.
I. The Roman Catholic priest do not have the authority to forgive sins
A. Forgiveness is the exclusive right of God
Mar 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Psa 130:3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
Psa 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
Before anything else we see that God is Sovereign over the entire process of forgiving sins. No sin can be truly forgiven without His authority and agreement. If priest can at all divinely forgive they must have God’s specific permission.
B. The office of the Apostles ceased
Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
Heb 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
1Co 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Typically Roman Catholics claim the apostolic authority to forgive sin. But do they have this authority? They can not be apostles since apostles were first eye-witnesses of Christ ministry, they would have to perform miracles. But Paul claims to be the last of the Apostles. Therefore the priest and Bishops could not be apostles.
C. The Priest and Catholic Bishops are not qualified to be biblical pastor/Bishop/elders
1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1Ti 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1Ti 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Act 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Tit 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.Tit 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
Tit 1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Tit 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Tit 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
One question, which ironically is never asked, is if Catholic priests actually qualify as New Testament ministers. Surprisingly, no. First of all New Testament Pastors/bishops have to be family men who have monogamous marriages and possibly children, and they must run their household well. Catholic priest are always single and are never to have a family. The priest can be celibate and they have at times been fornicators, homosexuals and child molesters yet they are only truly punished for excluded because of marriage.
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
Secondly many priest fail to live up to the New Testament standard due to their drinking. The Priest are encouraged to take the Mass daily. They make sure that juice is highly fermented and the ritual is for the priest drink all of the remaining wine if it is not finished off by the congregation. This leads the majority to occasions of drunkeness and develops alcoholism. But the New Testament is clear that ministers should be sober.
Act 14:23 And when they had ordained[chosen/voted] them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Another issue is that the New Testament to be elected by the congregation which Catholic priest are not. Not to mention the pastor must not be given to Jewish fables, which is exactly what the apocrypha is and ultimately the origin of the doctrine of purgatory.
D. They have the wrong priesthood. (all born-again Christians have the true priesthood)
1Pe 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
1Pe 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.
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1Pe 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;
1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Peter speaking to the saints told them they were the New Testament priesthood. Therefore, Roman Catholic priest are alternative competitors.
II Catholic Baptism is false.
A. Baptism is a transliteration of Baptizo the proper translation is immersion
907 baptizo {bap-tid'-zo}
from a derivative of 911; TDNT - 1:529,92; verb
AV - baptize (76), wash 2, baptist 1, baptized + 2258 1; 80
1) to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk) 2) to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe 3) to overwhelm ++++ Not to be confused with 911, bapto. The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C. It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words. Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be 'dipped' (bapto) into boiling water and then 'baptised' (baptizo) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptising the vegetable, produces a permanent change. When used in the New Testament, this word more often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to our water baptism. e.g. Mark 16:16. 'He that believes and is baptised shall be saved'. Christ is saying that mere intellectual assent is not enough. There must be a union with him, a real change, like the vegetable to the pickle! Bible Study Magazine, James Montgomery Boice, May 1989.
B. The Baptized cannot be infants since they must:
a. Repent
Mat 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
As you can see the New Testament clearly links baptism with the act of repentance, this is an act that infants can not perform.
b. Believe
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Act 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.
Faith/belief is demanded for baptism to be properly performed. Once again this is something an infant cannot do.
c. Be orthodox (trinitarian)
Mat 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:
Act 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Act 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Baptism must be done to those who are orthodox disciples and believe in the triune Godhead. Infants cannot do this either.
C. Water cannot save
Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
The idea of baptismal regeneration is false. The act of being immersed into water has no effect on the soul. Salvation is brought about by grace through faith alone. This is a prerequisite to baptism, so to seek salvation at baptism is almost entirely a different ritual.
D. The grace of God is received through faith not works
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Once again the grace of God is not limited to baptism, instead it depends upon the faith of those who have received the gospel. It specific does not come to us through man-made acts/rituals.
In the final analysis, if Baptism is not done at all according to the New Testament then is it Christian baptism. If Roman Catholics are not biblically baptized then did they ever enter Christ’s church? I am afraid not.
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
III. Catholic Mass is false
A. The elements were never supposed to change and Jesus was physically present at the first communion.
Mat 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Mat 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Most Catholic apologist acknowledge that transubstantiation did not occur at the first Lord’s Supper. Yet if it did not originally occur when does the New Testament say it did?
B. Jesus Ascended into heaven where He will remain until the 2nd coming
Act 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Act 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Act 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. Jesus went to heaven alive, the scripture says absolutely nothing regarding him having to rip off his flesh and bring it to the earth as a sacrifice. There is absolutely nothing about priest who could do the magic trick of turning bread into his body. If they could do this then why not gather a man sized loaf filled with wine and take a small army of priest and turn them into Christ!
C. Jesus only made one eternal sacrifice for sin
Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Heb 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Heb 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Heb 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?
Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
The greatest blasphemy of the masses is that it insinuates that Christ never finished his work on the Cross and in Stead of reigning in victory he is still tortured day night for our sins. This is practically a satanic statement. When the priest parade their crucifix’s as if Jesus were still dead, it blasphemes his resurrection. The Bible is clear Christ made only one sacrifice for sins, he accomplished salvation in one act. His death was in the past and He is the reigning sovereign LORD! The LIVING GOD! If they are not careful the Blasphemy of death will be avenged by the Lord himself.
Cannabalism is ungodly
Gen 9:4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. The whole idea of consuming literal human flesh is an abomination before the Lord and it always has been.
IV. The Pope is False
A. Peter was not a pope
Gal 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
1Pe 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
1Pe 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock
Peter was not considered infallible and his philosophy of ministry was not to rule over people much less the world. Peter would have never been the pope. Neither does the Bible mention Peter having the ability to confer apostolic powers to anyone.
A. The Pope can replace Jesus for salvation
Isa 45:21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Isa 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Act 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.1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
V. The Worship of Mary is false
A. Mary was a sinner in need of a Savior
Luk 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Luk 8:20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
Luk 8:21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
Many of the catholic doctrines of Mary are Mythological bunk. The New Testament contradicts these stories which were made up about Mary to confuse her with the Messiah.
B. Jesus fulfilled all his earthly obligations to her
Joh 2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
Joh 19:26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Joh 19:27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
Jesus fulfilled all obligations to His Mother and owes her nothing.
C. We may not make graven images to anyone
Deu 4:16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
Deu 5:8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:
Deu 5:9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
Deu 5:10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Mat 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Act 10:25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
Act 10:26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man
Rev 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
1Jo 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
The Bible is clear that we should not give any form of worship to anyone but God, not Angels or apostles.
D. The Queen of Heaven is an abomination to the Lord
Jer 7:18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.
Jer 7:19 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?
Jer 7:20 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.
Jer 44:18 But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.
Jer 44:19 And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?
Jer 44:20 Then Jeremiah said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had given him that answer, saying,
Jer 44:21 The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind?
Jer 44:22 So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.
“Ave ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria! In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim, On earth, we thy children invoke thy fair name.”Immaculate Mary #37
“Hail holy Queen, enthroned above, O Maria!… Turn then most gracious Advocate, O Maria!” Hail Holy Queen enthroned Above #38
“Hail Queen of Heav’n the ocean Star, Guide of the wand’rer here below!
Tossed on life’s sea, I claim thy care, save me from peril and woe. Mother of Christ, Star of the Sea, pray for wand’rer, pray for me.” hymn 72vrs.1 Hail Queen of Heaven Parish Mass book and Hymnal In accordance with New Revised Liturgy Catholic Publishing Company NY(1967)
E. Unrepentant idolators will never make it into heaven.
1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, 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.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
VI. Those who have blasphemed God’s Word will be condemned
Deu 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Deu 12:28 Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.
Deu 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Pro 30:4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?
Pro 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Pro 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Luk 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Catholics add their teachings to Gods word, books to God's word and deny the inerrancy of the Bible, falsely translate the Bible and deny it's core doctrines.
VI. Good works cannot save you
Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Gal 1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
Gal 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 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.
Gal 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
Gal 2:18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
Gal 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Rom 3:19 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.
Rom 3:20 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.
Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Rom 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Essentially we can’t depend on our own righteousness
But don’t Catholics believe in Christ?
A: Acknowledging Jesus is not saving faith
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Even if the catholics claim miraculous power if they do not follow Gods Word they are not christian
Jam 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jam 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jam 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jam 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
But don’t Catholics ministers preach the gospel?
A: How can they?
1. How can they believe in God when they don’t follow His Word?
2. How can they believe Jesus is Lord when He has to listen to Mary?
3. How can they believe in the virgin birth when they deny that Jesus was born naturally?(the immaculate conception teaches Jesus floated through the womb)
4. How can they believe in the incarnation when they argue that Mary was born sinless and therefore Jesus was incapable of being tempted?
5. How can they believe that Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate when they blame the Jews for Jesus’ death?
6. How can they believe that Jesus was a high priest when they give that honor to the Pope?
7. How can they teach that Jesus meant to save us from our sins, when they argue he really meant to ensnare the devil? (the ransom theory)
8. How can they be justified by faith alone when they teach to do so would send us to hell?(Council of Trent)
9. How can they believe in the resurrection when they refuse to let Jesus off the cross?
10. How can they believe in the ascension when they believe the priest have his body and blood at every mass?
11. How can they believe in the resurrection when most people will still be in purgatory if Christ comes back? How can they be in communion while still in purgatory?
12. How can they believe in the Holy church when no one on earth is a saint?
13. How can anyone be forgiven of sin when everyone on earth never has any assurance of salvation?
14. How can Jesus comeback when there is no rapture?
15. How can they believe in a kingdom in heaven when the Catholic Kingdom is in Vatican city Rome?
So how can we believe that Roman Catholicism preaches the Gospel?
Can a Catholic be saved?
Yes!
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance..
If Catholics would repent of their sins and place their faith in Christ alone as their real Savior and Real Lord then can be really saved!
You may have been “born” or “grew up” Catholic but you too can be a “born-again” saint! You would not be a slave any longer, instead you would be an adopted child of God.
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Gal 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Reject your man made rulers and find salvation in the Son of God Jesus Christ!
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
A. Forgiveness is the exclusive right of God
Mar 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Psa 130:3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
Psa 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
Before anything else we see that God is Sovereign over the entire process of forgiving sins. No sin can be truly forgiven without His authority and agreement. If priest can at all divinely forgive they must have God’s specific permission.
B. The office of the Apostles ceased
Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
Heb 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
1Co 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Typically Roman Catholics claim the apostolic authority to forgive sin. But do they have this authority? They can not be apostles since apostles were first eye-witnesses of Christ ministry, they would have to perform miracles. But Paul claims to be the last of the Apostles. Therefore the priest and Bishops could not be apostles.
C. The Priest and Catholic Bishops are not qualified to be biblical pastor/Bishop/elders
1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1Ti 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1Ti 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Act 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Tit 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.Tit 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
Tit 1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Tit 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Tit 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
One question, which ironically is never asked, is if Catholic priests actually qualify as New Testament ministers. Surprisingly, no. First of all New Testament Pastors/bishops have to be family men who have monogamous marriages and possibly children, and they must run their household well. Catholic priest are always single and are never to have a family. The priest can be celibate and they have at times been fornicators, homosexuals and child molesters yet they are only truly punished for excluded because of marriage.
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
Secondly many priest fail to live up to the New Testament standard due to their drinking. The Priest are encouraged to take the Mass daily. They make sure that juice is highly fermented and the ritual is for the priest drink all of the remaining wine if it is not finished off by the congregation. This leads the majority to occasions of drunkeness and develops alcoholism. But the New Testament is clear that ministers should be sober.
Act 14:23 And when they had ordained[chosen/voted] them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Another issue is that the New Testament to be elected by the congregation which Catholic priest are not. Not to mention the pastor must not be given to Jewish fables, which is exactly what the apocrypha is and ultimately the origin of the doctrine of purgatory.
D. They have the wrong priesthood. (all born-again Christians have the true priesthood)
1Pe 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
1Pe 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.
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1Pe 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;
1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Peter speaking to the saints told them they were the New Testament priesthood. Therefore, Roman Catholic priest are alternative competitors.
II Catholic Baptism is false.
A. Baptism is a transliteration of Baptizo the proper translation is immersion
907 baptizo {bap-tid'-zo}
from a derivative of 911; TDNT - 1:529,92; verb
AV - baptize (76), wash 2, baptist 1, baptized + 2258 1; 80
1) to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk) 2) to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe 3) to overwhelm ++++ Not to be confused with 911, bapto. The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C. It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words. Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be 'dipped' (bapto) into boiling water and then 'baptised' (baptizo) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptising the vegetable, produces a permanent change. When used in the New Testament, this word more often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to our water baptism. e.g. Mark 16:16. 'He that believes and is baptised shall be saved'. Christ is saying that mere intellectual assent is not enough. There must be a union with him, a real change, like the vegetable to the pickle! Bible Study Magazine, James Montgomery Boice, May 1989.
B. The Baptized cannot be infants since they must:
a. Repent
Mat 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
As you can see the New Testament clearly links baptism with the act of repentance, this is an act that infants can not perform.
b. Believe
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Act 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.
Faith/belief is demanded for baptism to be properly performed. Once again this is something an infant cannot do.
c. Be orthodox (trinitarian)
Mat 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:
Act 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Act 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Baptism must be done to those who are orthodox disciples and believe in the triune Godhead. Infants cannot do this either.
C. Water cannot save
Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
The idea of baptismal regeneration is false. The act of being immersed into water has no effect on the soul. Salvation is brought about by grace through faith alone. This is a prerequisite to baptism, so to seek salvation at baptism is almost entirely a different ritual.
D. The grace of God is received through faith not works
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Once again the grace of God is not limited to baptism, instead it depends upon the faith of those who have received the gospel. It specific does not come to us through man-made acts/rituals.
In the final analysis, if Baptism is not done at all according to the New Testament then is it Christian baptism. If Roman Catholics are not biblically baptized then did they ever enter Christ’s church? I am afraid not.
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
III. Catholic Mass is false
A. The elements were never supposed to change and Jesus was physically present at the first communion.
Mat 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Mat 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Most Catholic apologist acknowledge that transubstantiation did not occur at the first Lord’s Supper. Yet if it did not originally occur when does the New Testament say it did?
B. Jesus Ascended into heaven where He will remain until the 2nd coming
Act 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Act 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Act 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. Jesus went to heaven alive, the scripture says absolutely nothing regarding him having to rip off his flesh and bring it to the earth as a sacrifice. There is absolutely nothing about priest who could do the magic trick of turning bread into his body. If they could do this then why not gather a man sized loaf filled with wine and take a small army of priest and turn them into Christ!
C. Jesus only made one eternal sacrifice for sin
Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Heb 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Heb 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Heb 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?
Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
The greatest blasphemy of the masses is that it insinuates that Christ never finished his work on the Cross and in Stead of reigning in victory he is still tortured day night for our sins. This is practically a satanic statement. When the priest parade their crucifix’s as if Jesus were still dead, it blasphemes his resurrection. The Bible is clear Christ made only one sacrifice for sins, he accomplished salvation in one act. His death was in the past and He is the reigning sovereign LORD! The LIVING GOD! If they are not careful the Blasphemy of death will be avenged by the Lord himself.
Cannabalism is ungodly
Gen 9:4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. The whole idea of consuming literal human flesh is an abomination before the Lord and it always has been.
IV. The Pope is False
A. Peter was not a pope
Gal 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
1Pe 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
1Pe 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock
Peter was not considered infallible and his philosophy of ministry was not to rule over people much less the world. Peter would have never been the pope. Neither does the Bible mention Peter having the ability to confer apostolic powers to anyone.
A. The Pope can replace Jesus for salvation
Isa 45:21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Isa 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Act 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.1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
V. The Worship of Mary is false
A. Mary was a sinner in need of a Savior
Luk 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Luk 8:20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
Luk 8:21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
Many of the catholic doctrines of Mary are Mythological bunk. The New Testament contradicts these stories which were made up about Mary to confuse her with the Messiah.
B. Jesus fulfilled all his earthly obligations to her
Joh 2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
Joh 19:26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Joh 19:27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
Jesus fulfilled all obligations to His Mother and owes her nothing.
C. We may not make graven images to anyone
Deu 4:16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
Deu 5:8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:
Deu 5:9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
Deu 5:10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Mat 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Act 10:25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
Act 10:26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man
Rev 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
1Jo 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
The Bible is clear that we should not give any form of worship to anyone but God, not Angels or apostles.
D. The Queen of Heaven is an abomination to the Lord
Jer 7:18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.
Jer 7:19 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?
Jer 7:20 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.
Jer 44:18 But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.
Jer 44:19 And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?
Jer 44:20 Then Jeremiah said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had given him that answer, saying,
Jer 44:21 The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind?
Jer 44:22 So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.
“Ave ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria! In heaven, the blessed thy glory proclaim, On earth, we thy children invoke thy fair name.”Immaculate Mary #37
“Hail holy Queen, enthroned above, O Maria!… Turn then most gracious Advocate, O Maria!” Hail Holy Queen enthroned Above #38
“Hail Queen of Heav’n the ocean Star, Guide of the wand’rer here below!
Tossed on life’s sea, I claim thy care, save me from peril and woe. Mother of Christ, Star of the Sea, pray for wand’rer, pray for me.” hymn 72vrs.1 Hail Queen of Heaven Parish Mass book and Hymnal In accordance with New Revised Liturgy Catholic Publishing Company NY(1967)
E. Unrepentant idolators will never make it into heaven.
1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, 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.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
VI. Those who have blasphemed God’s Word will be condemned
Deu 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Deu 12:28 Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.
Deu 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Pro 30:4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?
Pro 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Pro 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Luk 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Catholics add their teachings to Gods word, books to God's word and deny the inerrancy of the Bible, falsely translate the Bible and deny it's core doctrines.
VI. Good works cannot save you
Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Gal 1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
Gal 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 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.
Gal 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
Gal 2:18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
Gal 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Rom 3:19 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.
Rom 3:20 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.
Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Rom 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Essentially we can’t depend on our own righteousness
But don’t Catholics believe in Christ?
A: Acknowledging Jesus is not saving faith
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Even if the catholics claim miraculous power if they do not follow Gods Word they are not christian
Jam 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jam 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jam 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jam 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
But don’t Catholics ministers preach the gospel?
A: How can they?
1. How can they believe in God when they don’t follow His Word?
2. How can they believe Jesus is Lord when He has to listen to Mary?
3. How can they believe in the virgin birth when they deny that Jesus was born naturally?(the immaculate conception teaches Jesus floated through the womb)
4. How can they believe in the incarnation when they argue that Mary was born sinless and therefore Jesus was incapable of being tempted?
5. How can they believe that Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate when they blame the Jews for Jesus’ death?
6. How can they believe that Jesus was a high priest when they give that honor to the Pope?
7. How can they teach that Jesus meant to save us from our sins, when they argue he really meant to ensnare the devil? (the ransom theory)
8. How can they be justified by faith alone when they teach to do so would send us to hell?(Council of Trent)
9. How can they believe in the resurrection when they refuse to let Jesus off the cross?
10. How can they believe in the ascension when they believe the priest have his body and blood at every mass?
11. How can they believe in the resurrection when most people will still be in purgatory if Christ comes back? How can they be in communion while still in purgatory?
12. How can they believe in the Holy church when no one on earth is a saint?
13. How can anyone be forgiven of sin when everyone on earth never has any assurance of salvation?
14. How can Jesus comeback when there is no rapture?
15. How can they believe in a kingdom in heaven when the Catholic Kingdom is in Vatican city Rome?
So how can we believe that Roman Catholicism preaches the Gospel?
Can a Catholic be saved?
Yes!
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance..
If Catholics would repent of their sins and place their faith in Christ alone as their real Savior and Real Lord then can be really saved!
You may have been “born” or “grew up” Catholic but you too can be a “born-again” saint! You would not be a slave any longer, instead you would be an adopted child of God.
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Gal 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Reject your man made rulers and find salvation in the Son of God Jesus Christ!
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Communion: opened or closed?
This is blog I am writing seems like a subject that is not on the highest priority of Bible believers today.
Yet, I think it should be at the heart of our ecclesiology. For whom is the commuion(representing the Bod of Christ meant?
I have a dear minister friend who has focused a lot of his time on this issue and leans towards closed/close commuinion. I have known many Baptist ministers and read authors of whom I respect who carry this position.
Yet, I have disagreements with their viewpoint.
Before I critique them I think it would be fair and first to lay out and defend their positions since it is unpopular for worldly Christians.
The thesis of close/closed communion
1. As born-again believers in Christ we are to followers his commands.
2. The first commandment we recieve from christ is to Baptized in the trinitarian name.
3. This command precedes our entering into the local church.
4. The ordinance of the Lord's Supper was given to the church.
5. The ordinance of the Lord's Supper is not to be taken by unbelivers.
6. It is out of order for christians who have not been baptized thereby joining the church to partake in communion.
7. The Bible says to refuse communion with those in fornication and other sin.
8. The only biblical baptism is immersion. Therefore denominations who baptize differently are excluded from comunion.
let me answer these thesis'
1. true (John 13:15-17)
2. true (Matt. 3:15-17,John3:22-23,26, Mark16:15-16 Mat.28:19)
3. true(Acts 2:41)
4. yes and no. The Lord Jesus commanded the church to eat and drink.
Yet, the gospels nor the rest of the New Testament tells the church to distribute the elements. First of all Christ gave it to everyone. Christ even allowed Judas to partake whom he knew was not born-again Matt26:24
5. This is true(1Cor 11:27)
yet the book tells us that we should let people examine themselves and partake (1 Cor11:28-30)
closed communion advacates tend to argue as if we are defileing the communion. But God is concerned with the heart and not the food) We can not judge others only they cna judge themselves.
6. It is true that a believer ought to be baptized ideally before they partake in communion. yet it is not the churches job to distribute but the individuals job to properly partake.
7.Church discipline involves more than communion but all fellowship, until the person is brought unto godly repentance. so the communion is only a minscule example and they would not be present to be rejected.
8. This is true, but a conviction for the individual. They need to get themselves to a church that will baptize them biblically(immersion). (why because the word baptism just means immersion, sprinkling is a contrdiction in terms!)
It is also important for us to observe the communion the way the bible states. That our hearts are right as well as their doctrine on this issue.
But it is our own responsibility just like salvation.
I think a better strategy for a church is to have communion at believers services where we do not try to bring non-believers.
To all those who hold cor close communion I do really have respect for your position and simply ask that you consider this argumant.
We all need to know that which portrays the heart of the gospel.
In Christ,
Matt
Yet, I think it should be at the heart of our ecclesiology. For whom is the commuion(representing the Bod of Christ meant?
I have a dear minister friend who has focused a lot of his time on this issue and leans towards closed/close commuinion. I have known many Baptist ministers and read authors of whom I respect who carry this position.
Yet, I have disagreements with their viewpoint.
Before I critique them I think it would be fair and first to lay out and defend their positions since it is unpopular for worldly Christians.
The thesis of close/closed communion
1. As born-again believers in Christ we are to followers his commands.
2. The first commandment we recieve from christ is to Baptized in the trinitarian name.
3. This command precedes our entering into the local church.
4. The ordinance of the Lord's Supper was given to the church.
5. The ordinance of the Lord's Supper is not to be taken by unbelivers.
6. It is out of order for christians who have not been baptized thereby joining the church to partake in communion.
7. The Bible says to refuse communion with those in fornication and other sin.
8. The only biblical baptism is immersion. Therefore denominations who baptize differently are excluded from comunion.
let me answer these thesis'
1. true (John 13:15-17)
2. true (Matt. 3:15-17,John3:22-23,26, Mark16:15-16 Mat.28:19)
3. true(Acts 2:41)
4. yes and no. The Lord Jesus commanded the church to eat and drink.
Yet, the gospels nor the rest of the New Testament tells the church to distribute the elements. First of all Christ gave it to everyone. Christ even allowed Judas to partake whom he knew was not born-again Matt26:24
5. This is true(1Cor 11:27)
yet the book tells us that we should let people examine themselves and partake (1 Cor11:28-30)
closed communion advacates tend to argue as if we are defileing the communion. But God is concerned with the heart and not the food) We can not judge others only they cna judge themselves.
6. It is true that a believer ought to be baptized ideally before they partake in communion. yet it is not the churches job to distribute but the individuals job to properly partake.
7.Church discipline involves more than communion but all fellowship, until the person is brought unto godly repentance. so the communion is only a minscule example and they would not be present to be rejected.
8. This is true, but a conviction for the individual. They need to get themselves to a church that will baptize them biblically(immersion). (why because the word baptism just means immersion, sprinkling is a contrdiction in terms!)
It is also important for us to observe the communion the way the bible states. That our hearts are right as well as their doctrine on this issue.
But it is our own responsibility just like salvation.
I think a better strategy for a church is to have communion at believers services where we do not try to bring non-believers.
To all those who hold cor close communion I do really have respect for your position and simply ask that you consider this argumant.
We all need to know that which portrays the heart of the gospel.
In Christ,
Matt
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Deity 2 (of Christ)
this is continued from the next article.
So because of previous statements and reason's it is logical that God may in fact have the motivation to become a human being(incarnation)to meet with mankind. Those who are secular would have a hard time believing this because anti-supernatural bias.
However If God is Deity and all-powerful, nothing could stop him from doing this. Therefore if he has motive this is plausible.
Now the question is, is this what we see in the revelation of scripture?
After all God needs to give signs He would do this.
First we look at the Old Testament.
In Genesis 1:26 there is two pieces of evidence. First God states "let us make man man in Our image". This indicates that the Godhead/Elohim is plural in person. Secular scholars may argue this to be refferring to the angels. Yet the scripture is clear in verse 27 "God created man in his own image" Not the image of any other being like that of the angels.
Second this "likeness" gives more weight to the idea of God choosing man over the rest of Creation as well as God being most comfortable with the casing of human flesh.
In psalm 2 we see the messiah given authority over the earth. Why would God want glory to be given to Jesus?
Isn't that idolatry.
In matthew4:10 Jesus implies it is because he could not bow down to Satan. So why if he is not deity should we bow down to him?
In psalm 110:1
David sings of God and his lord. David being a king had no earthly authorities over him. How can their be on one lord as eph4:5 if David is serving both Adonai God and another Lord?
Finally in Isaiah 7:14 a virgin is to concieve the Messiah. who name is Emannuel meaning God with us.
Now Jehovah's Witnesses Claim that Jesus is only Godlike.
If so why is he worshipped, according to Jesus that would be idolatry.
The Mormon Church claimed the Jesus was one an offspring of God and that there were many gods. But the Bible claims only one God Deut 6:4,1Cor.8:6
The Muslims claim that Jesus was virgin born, but only a prophet.
But why was He only a prophet?, why was His name emmanuel(God withus) and Jesus(Jehovah saves)If God was not Jesus' Father who was? Everyone knows it wasn't Joseph.
How could such a miracle happen and why? Why did it not happen to anyone else.
We must look at a few of the miracles of Christ.
star of bethlehem
A sign seen by Asian astronomers
A virgin Birth
Showing Him to be unique to all humanity
water into wine
power over molecular structure
casting out a thousand demons
power over all supernatural beings
walking on water
power over the laws of nature
raising the dead
ability to give life to others
calming the storm
power over the forces of nature.
resurrection
power over death
ascension
transcending time and space.
Jesus shows signs of deified power.
Jesus claimed to be deity
John 14:6-11
The Bible claims him deity
Phil 2:6 Colossians 1:17 Tim 3:16 Hebrews 1:8
NOw the final authority on this issue is the Word of God which in the beginning was with God and was God.(John1)
I don't know why I was led to write on this subject and usually take more time to develop these ideas. But it is my hope that maybe someone needed this information for such a time as this.
IN Christ,
Matt
So because of previous statements and reason's it is logical that God may in fact have the motivation to become a human being(incarnation)to meet with mankind. Those who are secular would have a hard time believing this because anti-supernatural bias.
However If God is Deity and all-powerful, nothing could stop him from doing this. Therefore if he has motive this is plausible.
Now the question is, is this what we see in the revelation of scripture?
After all God needs to give signs He would do this.
First we look at the Old Testament.
In Genesis 1:26 there is two pieces of evidence. First God states "let us make man man in Our image". This indicates that the Godhead/Elohim is plural in person. Secular scholars may argue this to be refferring to the angels. Yet the scripture is clear in verse 27 "God created man in his own image" Not the image of any other being like that of the angels.
Second this "likeness" gives more weight to the idea of God choosing man over the rest of Creation as well as God being most comfortable with the casing of human flesh.
In psalm 2 we see the messiah given authority over the earth. Why would God want glory to be given to Jesus?
Isn't that idolatry.
In matthew4:10 Jesus implies it is because he could not bow down to Satan. So why if he is not deity should we bow down to him?
In psalm 110:1
David sings of God and his lord. David being a king had no earthly authorities over him. How can their be on one lord as eph4:5 if David is serving both Adonai God and another Lord?
Finally in Isaiah 7:14 a virgin is to concieve the Messiah. who name is Emannuel meaning God with us.
Now Jehovah's Witnesses Claim that Jesus is only Godlike.
If so why is he worshipped, according to Jesus that would be idolatry.
The Mormon Church claimed the Jesus was one an offspring of God and that there were many gods. But the Bible claims only one God Deut 6:4,1Cor.8:6
The Muslims claim that Jesus was virgin born, but only a prophet.
But why was He only a prophet?, why was His name emmanuel(God withus) and Jesus(Jehovah saves)If God was not Jesus' Father who was? Everyone knows it wasn't Joseph.
How could such a miracle happen and why? Why did it not happen to anyone else.
We must look at a few of the miracles of Christ.
star of bethlehem
A sign seen by Asian astronomers
A virgin Birth
Showing Him to be unique to all humanity
water into wine
power over molecular structure
casting out a thousand demons
power over all supernatural beings
walking on water
power over the laws of nature
raising the dead
ability to give life to others
calming the storm
power over the forces of nature.
resurrection
power over death
ascension
transcending time and space.
Jesus shows signs of deified power.
Jesus claimed to be deity
John 14:6-11
The Bible claims him deity
Phil 2:6 Colossians 1:17 Tim 3:16 Hebrews 1:8
NOw the final authority on this issue is the Word of God which in the beginning was with God and was God.(John1)
I don't know why I was led to write on this subject and usually take more time to develop these ideas. But it is my hope that maybe someone needed this information for such a time as this.
IN Christ,
Matt
Friday, August 24, 2007
Deity
I know that their are many people who may ask the question why is Christ God?
Some people get mixed up with this. By this we mean Jesus was a man as well.
We also mean that he was one of three persons of the godhead.
Yet Jesus was in fact God.
Why?
God needed to communicate to us personally.
The prophets and angels could only go so far. If we are to truly recognized God we must know him personally.
Authority
People don't take the word of a religious teacher or prophet seriously because there is question of fallibility or true authority. We are Christian because his name is above all names.
Reconciliation
since we do not fullly follow God we need someone with the authority to mediate our relationship with God. Who would have more authority than God?
Why Christ?
1. He has effected the most people.
2. he has made miracles that were of God
I will continue this blog later
Some people get mixed up with this. By this we mean Jesus was a man as well.
We also mean that he was one of three persons of the godhead.
Yet Jesus was in fact God.
Why?
God needed to communicate to us personally.
The prophets and angels could only go so far. If we are to truly recognized God we must know him personally.
Authority
People don't take the word of a religious teacher or prophet seriously because there is question of fallibility or true authority. We are Christian because his name is above all names.
Reconciliation
since we do not fullly follow God we need someone with the authority to mediate our relationship with God. Who would have more authority than God?
Why Christ?
1. He has effected the most people.
2. he has made miracles that were of God
I will continue this blog later
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
going home 4 church
As some of you may nottice I have had my profile changed from Rev. to Pastor.
The reason for this is more than liking the title Pastor more than Rev. I was recently elected Pastor of I house church which me and my wife are conducting. We chose to start very small so to focus on dicipleship and be prepared once we start evangelistic outreach. The experience was rather exhilarating. I never realized how much artificial legalism we place in modern/tradition American Church. We are so constrained by time and driven by programming that the idea of fellowship in the church has been crushed. One reason why I wanted the house church model is that our evangelism is many times strangled by other financial burdens. (Building utilities, rent, insurance, taxes employment etc.)
I think older members become trapped in the sin of caring about materialism more than the mission. But young people need to remember that this is also because they are lazy and hardly ever tithe!!
But if their is no burden of a building then the only thing we need to be concerned with is the gospel!!
It was a good time had by all we eveng got to go to a park for a while and eat my wife's turkey sandwhiches.
So now I am studying a book on house churches. It seems good in many ways but I think those of us who are in house churches need to remember that a church is an organized body.
Many strive for freedom so much they forget this. The book I am reading has the flaw of not being congregational.
But I will comment on this more later.
In CHrist,
Matt
The reason for this is more than liking the title Pastor more than Rev. I was recently elected Pastor of I house church which me and my wife are conducting. We chose to start very small so to focus on dicipleship and be prepared once we start evangelistic outreach. The experience was rather exhilarating. I never realized how much artificial legalism we place in modern/tradition American Church. We are so constrained by time and driven by programming that the idea of fellowship in the church has been crushed. One reason why I wanted the house church model is that our evangelism is many times strangled by other financial burdens. (Building utilities, rent, insurance, taxes employment etc.)
I think older members become trapped in the sin of caring about materialism more than the mission. But young people need to remember that this is also because they are lazy and hardly ever tithe!!
But if their is no burden of a building then the only thing we need to be concerned with is the gospel!!
It was a good time had by all we eveng got to go to a park for a while and eat my wife's turkey sandwhiches.
So now I am studying a book on house churches. It seems good in many ways but I think those of us who are in house churches need to remember that a church is an organized body.
Many strive for freedom so much they forget this. The book I am reading has the flaw of not being congregational.
But I will comment on this more later.
In CHrist,
Matt
Thursday, August 9, 2007
The case for Biblical freedom
Satanic freedom is to choose what is right and wrong.
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
God’s Law must be followed instead of judged. This type of freedom made the way for evil. God had to cut mankind off from immortality, otherwise they would be fixed in damnation like the demons.
Mysticism) the view that God has annihilated the law in exchange for listening to the Holy Spirit. Mystical freedom is insufficient, since it views God’s Law as an error in need of correction and focuses away from the Word of God.
1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2Pe 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
2Pe 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
2Pe 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Deu 18:20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
The New Covenant places the Law on our hearts
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
The Authority of God is in the Law and word of God
Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
2Pe 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2Pe 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior:
2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 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.
Yet the law of God is meant to liberate us!
Exo 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Exo 13:3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Deu 30:20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Jos 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.
Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Jos 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Mar 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Mar 2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Joh 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
Joh 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
Joh 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Joh 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
Joh 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
Joh 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
Joh 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
The Law points us to Christ who will set us free
Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The only thing which makes the law enslave us is the doctrines of man
Mat 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Mat 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
Mat 15:5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
Mat 15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Col 2:16-23 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Legalism is when the Law is warped
Mat 23:2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
Mat 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
We are free from legalism
Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Gal 3:4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
Gal 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Gal 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Gal 4:10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
Gal 4:11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Freedom from the penalty of sin
Joh 8:15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Freedom from the doctrines of sin
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Freedom from the authority of sin
Joh 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Joh 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Joh 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
Freedom to worship God and grow in Him. (power of spirit)
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Gal 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Gal 4:2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
Gal 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
We must contend to preserve our freedom in Christ
Gal 4:21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
Gal 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
Gal 4:23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
Gal 4:24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
Gal 4:25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Gal 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Gal 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
Gal 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Gal 4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Gal 4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
Gal 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, 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.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Therefore freedom is a blessing given to us by Christ. We must strive follow the word of God in order to preserve and experience this freedom. The more we succumb to legalism or lawlessness the more we will become slaves to sin.
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
God’s Law must be followed instead of judged. This type of freedom made the way for evil. God had to cut mankind off from immortality, otherwise they would be fixed in damnation like the demons.
Mysticism) the view that God has annihilated the law in exchange for listening to the Holy Spirit. Mystical freedom is insufficient, since it views God’s Law as an error in need of correction and focuses away from the Word of God.
1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2Pe 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
2Pe 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
2Pe 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Deu 18:20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
The New Covenant places the Law on our hearts
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
The Authority of God is in the Law and word of God
Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
2Pe 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2Pe 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior:
2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 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.
Yet the law of God is meant to liberate us!
Exo 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Exo 13:3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Deu 30:20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Jos 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.
Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Jos 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Mar 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Mar 2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Joh 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
Joh 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
Joh 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Joh 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
Joh 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
Joh 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
Joh 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
The Law points us to Christ who will set us free
Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The only thing which makes the law enslave us is the doctrines of man
Mat 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Mat 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
Mat 15:5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
Mat 15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Col 2:16-23 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Legalism is when the Law is warped
Mat 23:2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
Mat 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
We are free from legalism
Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Gal 3:4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
Gal 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Gal 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Gal 4:10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
Gal 4:11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Freedom from the penalty of sin
Joh 8:15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Freedom from the doctrines of sin
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Freedom from the authority of sin
Joh 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Joh 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Joh 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
Freedom to worship God and grow in Him. (power of spirit)
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Gal 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Gal 4:2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
Gal 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
We must contend to preserve our freedom in Christ
Gal 4:21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
Gal 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
Gal 4:23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
Gal 4:24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
Gal 4:25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Gal 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Gal 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
Gal 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Gal 4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Gal 4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
Gal 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, 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.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Therefore freedom is a blessing given to us by Christ. We must strive follow the word of God in order to preserve and experience this freedom. The more we succumb to legalism or lawlessness the more we will become slaves to sin.
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