There are a series of lies that flow through Christian communities in order to stifle the cause of Christ. Here are some of the most destructive examples.
I. The great Commission was previously fulfilled
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mar 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
One of the Greatest lies that Satan has been able to perpetuate is this very doctrine. To explain away the great Commission is to effectively cut off the gospel. This lie can achieve what the ancient empire’s Rome Islam and communism failed to do. That is to cut off the gospel. Evangelism is central to salvation.
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
II. Spiritual gifts have ceased
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.
Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
1Co 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Rom 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Rom 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Rom 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
In my personal ministry I have shied away from sensational displays of the gifts of tongues and other supernatural manifestations of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit will always bring humility as opposed to pride. Yet a lie of equal strength in the church is that God is somehow less apart of our lives than that of the Apostles of New Testament Christians. Though I believe that office of the Apostles as inspired authors was unique to the Christian experience. The apostles were always careful to remind us of their mortality and humble place.
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.
Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
The phenomena of spiritual gifts is a double edged sword. It is feared by church leaders because it denotes authority. But at the same time could it be that the clergy take too much authority anyway? Certainly church authorities who are rightly ordained should be respected. And many church members may use the Spirit’s name in vain. Yet even the apostles were too quick to take to attack servant competiton.
Mar 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
Mar 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
Mar 9:40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
We must remember that we have been given the gifts so that we can give the gospel all over the earth.
Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
III. We do not ask Jesus in our hearts
Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Joh 7:36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
Joh 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Joh 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
I have heard professor scoff at evangelist over the notion of Jesus being in one’s heart. Yet the scriptures have taught this from their inspiration. We do have a personal relationship with Christ . And never let a religious heathen tell you otherwise.
IV. We are born saved
Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Psa 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Sadly everyone is born a sinner. We are by nature Children of wrath. While I believe that Christ atonement will save babies incapable of understanding the gospel (read my article “babies elected”). Infants are in a stage where they will eventually sin when the opportunity is given. All of us through Adams sin are destined for Hell. So every competent thinking person must hear the gospel of salvation. Otherwise there is only one destination.
V. God will save people without the gospel
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.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
VI. Some prayers can not be answered
Joh 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Joh 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Satan has used this lie many times to hinder our prayer life. Now it is true that God may not answer prayers that are against His Will. But if it is according to “His Will” in other words in “His Name” then He will answer them, period.
Some may argue that God is only going to answer prayers that are according to predestination. The Bible doesn’t say this. It says He will answer our prayers.
Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Here we see that faith is a major requirement to answered prayers. Now God may answer prayers in different ways and they have to be according to His moral will. Yet your prayers will be answered according to scripture. Also God’s knows your prayers from the Beginning of time. Therefore He has already planned to answer them if they are given.
VII. We do not need to interpret the Bible literally
Hab 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
Satan uses many religious authorities push this idea. Because if Christians do not take the Bible literally they will need an interpreter and the Christian Pharisees can take over from there.
VIII. We do not need to follow the Bible literally
Deu 30:11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
Deu 30:12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
Deu 30:13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
Deu 30:14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
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 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.
Every word in the Bible came from God. We can only hope to enjoy it’s treasures if we submit to it without molesting the meaning. Now it is true that there are going to be metaphor’s and phrases that all Bible believers do not agree upon; but the meaning will only be found if we properly understand the grammar and historical context of the writing combined with spirit filled faith and illumination.
When people say they believe the Bible literally they are supposed to understand that they need to read it according to its context. Only when you understand the context can you follow the Bible. When I give my church the title “New Testament” I am not saying that I do not believe in the Old Testament. What I am saying is that the New Testament most directly applies with how I will follow God. There are a few things in the gospel that I must interpret based on the 2nd have of the NT but it all applies. The Old Testament is all-true yet is more focused upon the Jews and the Nation of Israel. As a result the constitution of a biblical Church should be the New Testament.
That being said, the Bible is reliable on all matters of faith and practice. Yet many churches are all talk when it comes to practices. When ever the church has to make a decision whether between elders or at
A business meeting how often do you see the scriptures used? In churches of my experience the scripture are kept to the preaching and away from the action.
IX. The Pastor has the final word on how to interpret the Bible
Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews,
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
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 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
If we are living in the last days (and we are!) then we know many false teachers and prophets have taken over churches we must test our preachers consistently to make sure they are being faithful to the scriptures.
Now do not get me wrong, the pastor is the leading earthly person of the local church. However if the Pastor crosses the directions of the Holy scriptures then he must be put in his place by the congregation. I believe one of the major problems in Christianity is pastors are trained by seminaries and little by churches. Seminaries may be able to provide a high education but they are unscriptural. The New Testament Church defeated the pagan Roman Empire without a single Seminary.
While Seminaries were good tools for the clergy, they also became tools of the devil. A New Testament Church is based upon regenerate church membership. But Seminaries do are based upon academic performance. Even at Baptists institutions this is often the case. Baptist institutions will ask students to give a testimony upon entry. Yet these must not be taken seriously. I remember one year at Bible College a student getting saved in their second semester, also there was a small handful who would eventually go apostate. Seminaries have the ability to lose their core values and have over the last two centuries left the faith quickly. We must make sure that our ministers are more closely aligned to local church and it’s teachings than whatever schooling it receives from the seminary or university.
The bible teaches very clearly.
1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Local churches need to take this as their responsibility. They cannot leave it to para-church ministries or schools. God made churches responsible. Unfortunately, to be frank, most churches act like children and want to sit at the feet of any other group to receive truth. This is how liberal protestants and fanatic Charismatic/word of Faith doctrine has perverted modern Christianity. The local church(and hopefully you as a member ) need to not only be born again, but study to show yourself approved.
X. It is sinful to question the church
2Ti 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Ti 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
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.
We have to be disciples in the faith and know the scriptures. It is only then that the church may be the pillar and ground of truth. Some may say that the church has authority in matters of faith. However if you have been born-again and properly baptized then you are part of the church. God may want you to correct some thing wrong in the Body. The church is not infallible, that is why Jesus had to correct the church.
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Here the church is threatened with loosing it’s (candle stick =light of Christ) thus proving that churches were and are quite fallible.
The place I have seen this lie used to its most destructive end is where Satan has used church leadership to hinder the ministry and evangelism. If someone has it in there hearts to minister to a certain group of people or to evangelize the lost by sharing their testimony. It is not the church’s place to hinder them. Now it is true that the church should only endorse a teaching that is in accord with the New Testament teachings. However, churches must be very careful about abuse.
XI. We need permission from the church to follow Christ in ministry
Luk 9:49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
Luk 9:50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
The problem with this argument hits on several levels. First the you should be a member of a church and therefore equal with various members spiritually.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
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.
If someone is ministering or following Christ in some capacity then it is a good thing. The Church is not the final authority Jesus is 1st through the word of God and secondly through the conviction of the Spirit.
Now of course there is something to be said for church discipline and churches do ordain missionaries, elders, pastors and deacons.
Act 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Act 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Act 13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Now before anything else we see that the church must move according to the movement of the spirit. However this responsibility is limited to the church and the churches ministries.
1Co 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
So if a person is ministering before the Lord outside of the Church, it is not church business. Also we should notice that the only time the church really steps in is ethical or doctrinal controversy. The individual needs to be convicted by the Holy Spirit and edified by the scripture.
XII. Church discipline is judgmental
What moron thinks that we are not able to judge? These people are morons because they can not judge me for calling them morons because that would make them judgemental hypocrites.
1Co 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
1Co 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Heb 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Heb 10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Churches discipline is a natural part of New Testament church life. Because Christians still sin and they need to stop. Since I started my Church every member including myself has needed to be disciplined. When this happened, they were corrected and chastened and forgiven.
The New Testament Church must be a holy church and so it must train its members to be holy. Church discipline is these days an unheard of practice. Therefore, Christians are looking more like hypocrites day by day. Fornication is being more accepted and divorce is more common among Christians than pagans. Up to 50% of Pastors have admitted addiction to pornography. Come to Jesus, he won’t change your life at all!
Churches need to make themselves accountable if they seek to follow God and acquire his blessings.
XIII. Church discipline is permanent
2Co 7:8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
2Co 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
2Co 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
2Co 7:12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
2Co 7:13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
The point of church discipline is restoration. It is not trying to paint people with the scarlet letter. This probably why church people don’t practice it anymore. Because they fear destroying someone permanently. Which they will still happily do, if it is a preacher in sin. The point of God’s chastening is to strengthen the back-slider. The same principle applies to church discipline our goal is a holy Church not a church with holes in it.
XIV. If you sin bad enough, God will stop loving you
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.
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.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Jesus washed all our sins away.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
The only sin which can not be forgiven is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. But many do not understand what this sin is. You can reject Christ and later repent. Yet if treat the Holy Spirit like the Devil then the Holy spirit will never be able to work on your heart. If you have been truly born-again then you the Spirit will give give you the fruit of faith in Christ and you will believe till the end. When you are his child, you will never be lost.
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.
XV. God has predestined people for Hell
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Unfortunately, the majority of the world will probably see the condemnation of Hell. But this is not the fault of God.
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.
God did not predestined people to Hell otherwise Hell would have been creating for the reprobate. Condemnation is the response of God to man’s sin.
Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Now it is true that God foreknew everything. It is true that in God’s providence he has a divine plan.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
The sinner is destined to hell but they are not pre-destined to Hell.
1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
God does not predestine evil, he never tempts anyone to sin.
Jam 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
Jam 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
God also provides all mankind an opportunity to be saved.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
1Jo 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1Ti 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
1Ti 4:11 These things command and teach.
Remember if Jesus died for all men, then it is obvious that all men deserve to here the gospel of salvation!
XVI. God only wants a few people to be saved
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.
Now statistically speaking it is most like likely that only a small population of the world in our generation will accept Christ. However, that small remnant should be multiple millions! I have two-year-old church with a half a dozen members. Most meetings you go to there are about 3-4 present. Yet we have had 50-60 visitors. Plus, my Internet ministry has reach about two thousand people. I have taught or preached to about 1000 people before I started my church. So what I am saying is that even in humble circumstances we are capable of reaching many for Christ.
Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
All we do is preach the gospel.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
XVII. God saves Christians regardless of their faith
Heb 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Million of “Christians” will sadly burn in Hell. Because though they claimed faith. They had none. Our responsibility is not to our religion it is to God. And if you will not trust him he will not entrust you the kingdom.
XVIII. Belief in God proves a person is righteous enough to enter Heaven
Jam 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
While works can not get you to have faith in Christ is not really faith in Christ if you do no bear the fruit of good works.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
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.
Some argue that New Testament Christians teach that Christians have a license to sin. Yet this is not the teaching of the gospel.
Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Good works may not be source of salvation, but it is indeed the salvation. His death saves us and his resurrection gives us a new godly life. Those who know grace properly understand that they will become righteous because of it and not sinful. The love of God changes us. When a Christian lives in sin they are not receiving the love of God. When they receive the love of God in their hearts their hearts will change and they will desire godliness.
Also Faith in the Bible is not merit. It is a key through which we access another righteousness from God.
XIX. Some Christians are spiritual some Christians are not.
Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
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.
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.
If we have all missed the mark of salvation by works then we are all equally saved by grace. Then there is no cause for religious bigotry of the holy and unholy Christians. There is only one slight distinction of mature and immature Christians. Mature Christians have been able to use the grace of God effectively and enjoy the benefits of their salvation. Immature Christians struggle deeply with sin after they have been born again. Usually due to lack of discipleship, inexperience and foolishness; but these are not static categories. The mature can become immature and the immature may finally grow mature. We are all dependent on God and therefore we should not have any bias in the body of Christ.
Jam 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Jam 2:2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
Jam 2:3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Jam 2:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Jam 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Jam 2:6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Jam 2:7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
Jam 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
Divisions in the spirit lead to division of how we treat each other. But this is not the way of Christ.
XX. It is up to the pastor to save souls
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
The point of the Pastor is to minister to the church.
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Act 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Act 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
So if the pastor is busy with the church, then who is responsible to witness to the lost for Christ? A: Everyone!
XXI. Salvation depends on the church you go to.
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Churches will be subject to the Judgement of God. Therefore how can they save?
Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
While church is essential for a healthy Christian living, salvation is promised through the gospel alone. If you trust/believe in the Jesus Christ taught in the gospel, then you may be saved.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
We have the apostolic authority squabbled over by bishops. We have the election fought over between Jews and Gentiles
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
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.
Not according to our works but a result of faith in the grace of Jesus Christ. He has adopted us to be royalty.
XXII. Salvation is based upon our baptism.
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.
Salvation is that which cleans the soul. Soap is that which cleans the flesh. The Devil wants people to do rituals which will make people think they are saved. But if this is all they have they will burn forever in Hell.
XXIII. Salvation is based upon our repentance and obedience
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;
Religion is the work of man. But salvation is the work of God. We do not have the righteousness to be saints. Yet Jesus has the righteousness to inherit the Kingdom of God.
XXIV. Salvation is based upon our confession of Christ
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.
Jam 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Paul said our good works are like dung (animal crap). Only those who humble themselves will come to God and ask for salvation. If you think that your works give you the right to earn heaven you will be sadly mistaken. Also Faith is not a merit to earns gods favor. It is only a key to access the reward he is offering.
XXV. People are too busy to minister
2Co 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
2Co 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
2Co 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
2Co 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
2Co 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
2Co 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
2Co 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
2Co 6:9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
2Co 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
A minister of God is humble and will take up his cross to follow Christ. Many professional clergy will only give at a price; as if salvation was not enough. While wages are allowable, the ministers employment is based upon God’s holy calling and not upon his relationship to the congregation. IF there is no money their should still be ministry.
XXVI. Satan is defeated so he is no longer a problem for believers
1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Sadly many Christians today do not believe in spiritual warfare. They even think it extreme to engage in such activity. While there are unbiblical charlatans who have in the past abused the activity of spiritual warfare. Spiritual warfare is the burden of any born again Christian.
But how do we fight the devil? A cruxifix? Garlic?
A: Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
It is the Bible with which we attack. What do we attack?
2Co 10:2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2Co 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Are battle is on-going and you must fight it everyday.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
As a Christian you will have many attack you in the spiritual world. They will not relent. The only way to deal with your enemies is to give in or defeat them. All you can do is study the word of God, Pray to God for strength and put on the full armor of God. Remember God will not chastise you for obeying him. Whenever you do good for the name of Christ your only opposition is Satan. Now if you are a poor student of God’s word you may need to be corrected to see the truth. But if you are faithful to the scriptures; never back down to one of Satan’s pawn’s because greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world.
In Christ,
Bro. Matt
Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Does Paul teach works based salvation?
A Romanist rival has challenged me that the Bible teaches works based salvation.
I have defended the doctrine of Justification by grace through faith alone on many levels throughout this blog. I have an article treating this claim in the epistle of James and in the teachings of Christ.
Most of the time passages are quoted based upon ignorance. A preacher of works will site thousands of passages without any mention of their context so that that a novice will be overwhelmed by the amount of verses sited so they will not read the Bible in context to find the answer.
The fact is the Bible needs to be interpreted in it’s context. Anyone who tries to overwhelm a person with quotes for their interpretation without providing a context or can explain their proof text beyond their argument then that person has proved themselves to be not of high authority. One thing many have noticed reading my articles is that they are very long and I provide very extensive quotes in order for a reader to gain a good grasp of the passages I mention as a proof text.
The New Testament unfolds itself book by book. The revelation builds on to itself. You will notice matthew and mark are the earlier gospels and are not concerned with discussing the trinity in carnation or salvation. They are focussed upon the concepts that Jesus is the Messiah of OT prophecy and that He is the Son of God. It is John which had written his gospel years after the revelations of Paul, that is later concerned with the doctrine of God and salvation. Luke unveils for us the history of the early church and unveils the historical shift that went from the Jewish Church near the initial resurrection stages and shifts to Paul’s revelations concerning the gentiles.
The particular passage that has been brought to question the book of Romans. Romans is famous for it’s message of grace and salvation free from works.
Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
However the book of Romans has many verses which contradict a legalists interpretation.
Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Rom 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
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.
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 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.
Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
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.
Also Paul elsewhere teaches grace based salvation.
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
2Ti 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
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.
Tit 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
Tit 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
So it would be wise to look at this passage in it’s context.
Rom 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
In Chapter 1 Paul was concerned with the Judgement of the Gentiles. The gentiles had the excuse of ignorance, Yet Paul refuted teaching that we all have a natural revelation about the existence of God and morality through nature. If the Gentiles could be condemned through natural revelation then Jews were definitely condemned by way of Holy Scripture.
Rom 2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
God is against all sins of all peoples.
Rom 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Here the Jew and the religious have been condemned by God because in recognizing the sin of their neighbors they have shown the sin in their own hearts.
Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
The legalist despises any mercy upon the heathen. Yet it is through this mercy that the Heathen is brought to repentance. The grace of God will always make a more righteous saint than any by-product of Man-made religion. Instead those who opposed grace grow in condemnation awaiting the wrath of God.
Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
This is a clear warning against self-righteous religion which claims that good deeds makes sin acceptable. God will still punish sin.
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
The pagans would seek for these very things.
Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Rom 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Legalist begin to leave the truth of scripture and have a tendency to become angry and start fights. This only gathers the wrath of God.
Rom 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Here the legalist has hope, at this point they want to drop the Bible and ignore the rest. Because God is fair and he will respect their good work. Unfortunately those of use who have read the next passage know.
Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
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 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Hence the despair and anger in legalism.
Rom 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Sin condemns all mankind those who worship idols for instance, are idolators no matter what religion they call themselves.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
The fact that others outside the faith are more righteous in certain areas proves that we are responsible for all our sins.
Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Rom 2:17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
Rom 2:18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
Rom 2:19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
The legalist is always confident in there self-righteousness. They teach confidently their legalism wherever they go.
Rom 2:20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
Yet the legalist is only intelligent compared to the foolish.
Rom 2:21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
Rom 2:22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
Rom 2:23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
Rom 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
Rom 2:25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
It is the teacher of legalism that dishonors God because they lead people in sin by their very example. How could a Catholic priest for instance successfully teach against alcohol when they drink it all the time? An alcoholic needs to stay away from this stuff and yet they are taught moderation any way.
Rom 2:26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
Rom 2:27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Religion is obliterated at this point. Why take sacraments if you can live righteously with out them. Organized religion is hereby null and void. Rituals will not be judged like actions (2:27-28).
Yet Paul did not write chapters. He wrote a book. And the way of salvation will be clearly revealed.
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.
Rom 3:29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
Rom 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
In Christ,
Matt Singleton
I have defended the doctrine of Justification by grace through faith alone on many levels throughout this blog. I have an article treating this claim in the epistle of James and in the teachings of Christ.
Most of the time passages are quoted based upon ignorance. A preacher of works will site thousands of passages without any mention of their context so that that a novice will be overwhelmed by the amount of verses sited so they will not read the Bible in context to find the answer.
The fact is the Bible needs to be interpreted in it’s context. Anyone who tries to overwhelm a person with quotes for their interpretation without providing a context or can explain their proof text beyond their argument then that person has proved themselves to be not of high authority. One thing many have noticed reading my articles is that they are very long and I provide very extensive quotes in order for a reader to gain a good grasp of the passages I mention as a proof text.
The New Testament unfolds itself book by book. The revelation builds on to itself. You will notice matthew and mark are the earlier gospels and are not concerned with discussing the trinity in carnation or salvation. They are focussed upon the concepts that Jesus is the Messiah of OT prophecy and that He is the Son of God. It is John which had written his gospel years after the revelations of Paul, that is later concerned with the doctrine of God and salvation. Luke unveils for us the history of the early church and unveils the historical shift that went from the Jewish Church near the initial resurrection stages and shifts to Paul’s revelations concerning the gentiles.
The particular passage that has been brought to question the book of Romans. Romans is famous for it’s message of grace and salvation free from works.
Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
However the book of Romans has many verses which contradict a legalists interpretation.
Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Rom 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
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.
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 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.
Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
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.
Also Paul elsewhere teaches grace based salvation.
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
2Ti 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
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.
Tit 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
Tit 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
So it would be wise to look at this passage in it’s context.
Rom 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
In Chapter 1 Paul was concerned with the Judgement of the Gentiles. The gentiles had the excuse of ignorance, Yet Paul refuted teaching that we all have a natural revelation about the existence of God and morality through nature. If the Gentiles could be condemned through natural revelation then Jews were definitely condemned by way of Holy Scripture.
Rom 2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
God is against all sins of all peoples.
Rom 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Here the Jew and the religious have been condemned by God because in recognizing the sin of their neighbors they have shown the sin in their own hearts.
Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
The legalist despises any mercy upon the heathen. Yet it is through this mercy that the Heathen is brought to repentance. The grace of God will always make a more righteous saint than any by-product of Man-made religion. Instead those who opposed grace grow in condemnation awaiting the wrath of God.
Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
This is a clear warning against self-righteous religion which claims that good deeds makes sin acceptable. God will still punish sin.
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
The pagans would seek for these very things.
Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Rom 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Legalist begin to leave the truth of scripture and have a tendency to become angry and start fights. This only gathers the wrath of God.
Rom 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Here the legalist has hope, at this point they want to drop the Bible and ignore the rest. Because God is fair and he will respect their good work. Unfortunately those of use who have read the next passage know.
Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
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 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Hence the despair and anger in legalism.
Rom 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Sin condemns all mankind those who worship idols for instance, are idolators no matter what religion they call themselves.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
The fact that others outside the faith are more righteous in certain areas proves that we are responsible for all our sins.
Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Rom 2:17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
Rom 2:18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
Rom 2:19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
The legalist is always confident in there self-righteousness. They teach confidently their legalism wherever they go.
Rom 2:20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
Yet the legalist is only intelligent compared to the foolish.
Rom 2:21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
Rom 2:22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
Rom 2:23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
Rom 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
Rom 2:25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
It is the teacher of legalism that dishonors God because they lead people in sin by their very example. How could a Catholic priest for instance successfully teach against alcohol when they drink it all the time? An alcoholic needs to stay away from this stuff and yet they are taught moderation any way.
Rom 2:26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
Rom 2:27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Religion is obliterated at this point. Why take sacraments if you can live righteously with out them. Organized religion is hereby null and void. Rituals will not be judged like actions (2:27-28).
Yet Paul did not write chapters. He wrote a book. And the way of salvation will be clearly revealed.
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.
Rom 3:29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
Rom 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
In Christ,
Matt Singleton
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The modern Roman Catholic Jesus
Now the point of this article is not to say that all Roman Catholics consciously teach against the trinity or incarnation of Christ. In doing research on this project through the current catechism, I am actually impressed with efforts the Church to get this doctrine correct. When we focus on the statements of the ancient creeds as they worked out their theology. There is ample effort to make sure that the trinity and incarnation are explicitly expressed.
Unfortunately, as we look upon more uniquely Roman Catholic Doctrines we find heresy and contradiction. I believe the reason for this is simply that the doctrine of God is based upon the Scriptures. While the other popular Roman Catholic doctrines are based upon the man-made “traditions” of the “fathers”. These evolving traditions are man-made and inevitably lead us to a false Christ. As Catholic tradition has evolved the gospel has become more perverted. As Catholic tradition evolves there is always a remnant to point to their “changes” even while the illusion of unity has been perpetuated. The Donatists and Waldensees witnessed the change to empire religion. The Eastern orthodox witnessed the change toward the superiority of the Roman Papacy. In recovering NT salvation the reformers witnessed the change and denial of scriptural authority. The Old Catholics of the 1800’s witnessed the change to Papal infallibility and the worship of Mary as co-mediator. Now Vatican I Catholics have witnessed the change away from exclusive salvation and towards secularism. All the while it claims to have been unmoved, like a drunk trying to prove it’s sobriety with steady hands. The “Church” only convinces itself of such unity. Meanwhile though the Vatican grows in power, the “Church” shrinks. It was reported last year that the RCC has shrunk from 2.1billion to 1.9 billion (200million). This gives Islam a chance for being the worlds most popular religion. [This fails if you combine all confessors of Christ, plus Islam is counted as if it had no denominations] Any how we must ask ourselves now more than ever who is the Jesus of the Bible?
Resources:
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1995 Imprimi potest Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger [Pope Benedict the 16th ]
Christ Among Us: A modern Presentation of the Catholic Faith: by Anthony Wilhelm
Nihil Obstat: Rev. Charles W. Gusmer Imprimatur: Most Rev. Peter L. Gerety, D.D. Asrchbishop of Newark
Evolution and Jesus
Darwinian evolution
“The Bible’s account of creation can fit in perfectly with science’s teaching on the evolution of the universe, even though, as we said, the Bible is not meant to be a scientific text.” Anthony Wilhelm, Christ Among Us: A Modern Presentation of the Catholic Faith. Pg22
In 1996 Pope John Paul II offered a statement that there were no irreconcilable differences between evolution and the Bible. This may have been a good political move but it is patently false.
Not only does this doctrine effect scripture, it effects our theology and therefore Christology. The following areas are most notable:
A. Theistic evolution leans towards pantheism) No better example of this phenomena than Roman Catholic theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin who was one of the leaders of the theist evolution movement. After working out his theories consistently he became a pantheist. This occurs due to the fact that evolutionary Christians teach creation is incomplete. So God is providentially in the process of creating. The providence of God is then confused with evolution. Evolution is natural chaotic law. Therefore God is not longer distinct from nature. This establishes the unholy God of Pantheism.
B. It downplays the omnipotence of God and therefore Christ
Random chaotic acts are not the same as intelligently designed miracles. The Bible claims a miracle. It is only natural to assume God a failure if it required him billions of years.
Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
Psa 33:7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
Psa 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
Psa 33:9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
C. It downplays the Character of God and therefore Christ
Many a Christian has went from theistic evolution to atheism over this very principle. The god of evolution is sadistic. This god requires the death of millions of species even human looking ones, just to get around to creating Adam and Eve. In the Bible death is a bad thing as well as a punishment for sin. However in evolution death is natural and almost good. Christ looks hypocritical dying for a humanity that was dying without sin anyway.
D. It downplays humanity and therefore the humanity of Christ
Finally humanity is no longer made in God’s image, it is the image of primates and apes. This slanders Christ who is also now a primate. It also makes one wonder if He was simply a random evolutionary leap.
The Logos is not entirely revealed The Word of God being not just the Bible but sacred tradition.
“Christ, the Son of God made man, is the Father’s one, perfect, and unsurpassable Word. In Him he has said everything; there will be no other word than this one.” Pg 27 102
Here we see explicitly that Jesus is the Word of God
“81 Sacred scripture in the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the Breath of the Holy Spirit.”
“And [Holy] tradition transmits in its in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted tot he Apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit. It transmits it to the successors of the apostles so that , enlightened by the Spirit of truth, they may faithfully preserve, expound, and spread it abroad by their teaching.”
82 As a result the Church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation is entrusted, ‘does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from Holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and tradition must be accepted and honored with equal Sentiments of devotion and reverence."”pG52
So the Sacred tradition is the Word of God as well as scripture. And scripture does not fully reveal Christ. The New Testament then, becomes a failure.
Therefore Jesus is not entirely the God of the Bible. Since the Bible is an incomplete revelation then we only have part of Christ and His gospel. Ironically, the catechism is very careful to not identify what the sacred tradition is. It may claim that the sacred tradition came from the apostles and claim that it is handed down to the Bishops. But what exactly is it?
The catechism is even careful to say it is not their many church traditions.
“Tradition is to be distinguished from the various theological, disciplinary, liturgical, or devotional traditions born in local churches over time.”
However , it then adds this clause: “These are the particular forms, adapted to different places and times in which the Great Tradition is expressed.”
So the sacred tradition can never be fully revealed and only partially revealed.
“In the light of Tradition, these traditions can be retained, modified or even abandoned under the Guidance of the churches magisterium.” The above quoted from 83 apostolic traditions and ecclesial traditions pg31
So the Catholic laity could never guess at the missing piece of gospel called ‘Sacred Tradition’. Because they only get pieces which can be added, modified or dropped.
“85 The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in it’s written form or in the form of tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. …This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the Bishops of the communion in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome.”
So the RCC claims to have a sacred tradition which nobody has seen, which is a hidden piece of the gospel of Christ, which the Pope has the right not only to interpret but to combine with the Bible and interpret the Bible as well even though we have no proof that this “Great Tradition” even exist!?
The question is, who has given them authority over reading the Bible and interpreting it as well as a mystery tradition? The Sacred Tradition? How do we know!?
This sounds like Gnosticism. Only they have a secret knowledge and they control God’s gospel so that God is incapable of saving your soul because he needs the permission of the Church.
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.
This is not what the apostles taught.
1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
It appears that tradition and gospel which Paul received from the apostles is that which he has written down in the New Testament.
1Jo 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1Jo 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
1Jo 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
The tradition of that which was seen and heard by the apostle John was declared in the New Testament.
2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Paul teaches that the scriptures are sufficient. That the scriptures of the Bible alreadsy contained the Knowledge for us to receive salvation. And that the scriptures were useful in and of themselves for correction. The Pope never proved himself the authority to correct God.
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1Pe 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Peter (the Pope?) claimed that the Word of God is the Gospel which is preached. That the gospel is incorruptable.
Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
Rom 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
The true gospel of Christ is not hidden away in some sacred tradition. It is preach openly because it is the light.
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Incomplete incarnation
Roman Catholic teachings holds the title of Mary as “The Mother of God” as fundamental to RCC faith. Most have a problem with the title Mother of Christ. Arguing that since Jesus is God that she must be identified as the Mother of God. However the New Testament never uses the title. The New Testament clearly teaches that Mary is the Mother of Christ. Christ is most definitly God. But Christ is by definition more than just God. Jesus is also man. One of Jesus favorite titles was Son of Man. When the title Mother of God is used, it denies the humanity of Christ. This goes back to gnosticism. The Gnostics denied that Christ was a man. Because they thought of the physical as by nature evil. The spiritual worship and ritual would be inherited by the monastic communities
“Also although Gnosticism had been rejected by the church, it’s influence could still be felt in the widely held notion that there was a fundamental opposition between the body and the life of the spirit, and that therefore in order to live fully in the spirit it was necessary to subdue and punish the body.” Justo Gonzales the Story of Christianity 137
So it is not surprising that Monks like Jerome would push the phrase “Mother of God” and claiming the perpetual virginity of Mary. Therefore, while they claimed an orthodox faith, they practiced the Gnostic form spirituality.
1Jo 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
2Jo 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Halfway Savior
The consequence of Mary as co-mediator. In order to downplay the humanity of Christ, the RCC prefers to title Mary as the Mother of God or “Theotokos”. The RCC has always been at odds within itself concerning the role of Mary. Even Roman Catholic Authorities have recognized that some cults worshipping Mary from within there ranks have risen due to their Monophysite tendencies. (down playing the humanity of Christ.)
“There have been, and are, exaggerations paid to Mary. Some particularly among the less educated, have tended to regard her in isolation from the Church, as one who grants favors in her own right; perhaps much of this is inevitable, particularly among those for whom Christ is more divine than human, who would therefore turn to another whom they could more easily think of as human like themselves.” Christ Among Us Anthony Wilhelm Pg 396
Yet the church does not do much to stem the tide of this cult and keeps rituals that cause the confusion.
“It is in this light that we must understand such terms as ‘spiritual mother,’ ‘mediatrix’ ‘co-redemptrix,’ and ‘Queen.’ By her special closeness to Christ and openness to God’s will she does for all what the rest of us do for some. She leads us in our intercession and mediation.” Pg. 394
Catholics know that there is only one mediator.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Also it is clear in the New Testament that the office of Intercessor belongs to the Holy Spirit.
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
There is no scriptural reason to associate with Mary, beyond a desire to associate with any biblical character.
This shows the ongoing monophysite practices of the church which have led to marry worship.
Let’s not get physical!
RCC’s version of the Birth of Christ.
In affirming the virginity of Mary, they decided argue that she was “ever-virgin”. This doctrine claims that Mary never had sex or children her whole life. This was a consequence of the claim that Mary was sinless. Ironically, since Mary was married to Joseph this would make her unfaithful to her husband, not doing the duties of a wife. So the doctrine contradicts itself.
However in this irrational doctrine there is a christological consequence. Christ had to be born without breaking the hymen. This is physically impossible and once again the humanity of Christ is down played.
499 “The Deepening of faith in the virginal motherhood led the church to confess Mary’s real perpetual virginity even in the act of giving birth to the Son of God made man. In fact, Christ’s birth ‘did not diminish his mother’s integrity but sanctified it.’ And so the liturgy of the Church celebrates Mary as Aeiparthenos, the ‘ever-virgin’.
Scripture as always doesn’t match this bizarre tradition. Mary had to go through ritual cleansing. This is symbolic of the fact that their were unclean issues involved as with all women.
Luk 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
Luk 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Luk 2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Too busy to sit at the throne of God
The mass and it’s effect upon the exaltation of Christ
1374 “In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist ‘the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly really and substantially contained.’
1377 “The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of consecration and endures as long as the eucharistic species subsist. Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of the parts, in such a way that breaking the bread does not divide Christ.”
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
1378 “Worship of the Eucharist. In the liturgy of the Mass we express our faith in the real presence of Christ under the species of bread and wine by, among other ways genuflecting or bowing deeply as a sign of adoration to the Lord.”
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 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,
1Jo 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Unless the RCC can show Biblically that they have the right to transform food into God then they are committing idolatry.
The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus physically ascended to Heaven.
Mar 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
It also teaches that Jesus will not return physically until the second coming.
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.
“as ye have seen him” implies that he will not secretly physically return in another form.
Jesus confesses that the substance was not himself.
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.
Mar 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Mar 14:25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
Luk 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
Only places the confession prior to the body and blood statement. Even afterwards there is no mention of a transformation of substance.
Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Act 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
740 artos {ar'-tos}
from 142; TDNT - 1:477,80; n m
AV - bread 72, loaf 23, shewbread + 4286 + 3588 4; 99
1) food composed of flour mixed with water and baked 1a) the Israelites made it in the form of an oblong or round cake, as thick as one's thumb, and as large as a plate or platter hence it was not to be cut but broken 1b) loaves were consecrated to the Lord 1c) of the bread used at the love-feasts and at the Lord's Table 2) food of any kind
When look at the Old Testament Passover always viewed the bread and drink offering as memorial of the lamb with no miracles imagined.
Head of the church only in theory
The Pope as the head of the Church. While the creeds say that Jesus is Lord God, Faithful Catholics are not allowed to listen to his word directly. Every thing must be interpreted according to the will Papacy and the church. The Pope is the head of the Church disqualifying the Lordship of Christ.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
IF the Pope is head of the Church, then he is the Lord and Christ is only Lord in name. The Pope supposedly speaks infallibly Catholics could read the words of the Gospel. And yet if the Pope contradicts the Word then Catholics will follow the Pope.
Mat 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Mat 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Mat 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Not a personal Savior
RCC Christ is dependent on the clergy to save. This limits the power of Christ and the Sovereignty of God. Through the Papal System salvation is limited. Yet through The gospel Christ reaches to the ends of the earth.
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Rom 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
From the gospel Jesus interacts with us personally. From the papacy we have a non-personal relationship with Christ. We also have the possibility of the priesthood coming between us and Christ out of spite or bias.
The wedding has been postponed! Purgatory and the return of Christ.
1030 “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.”
The point is after all of these bloody sacrifices The RCC member is still not forgiven of all sins. This is not the promise of the gospel.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Then of course in the Second Coming the Bible teaches it could take place at anytime. But if this is true then what of the souls in purgatory when Christ comes back?
From the beginning to the end Christ gospel has been perverted in the traditions of the RCC. Only one Christ claims to truly save. The Christ of RCC can make such a claim, because he needs the Popes and Mary and the priest. But Jesus of the NT tell us salvation is only through 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.
Unfortunately, as we look upon more uniquely Roman Catholic Doctrines we find heresy and contradiction. I believe the reason for this is simply that the doctrine of God is based upon the Scriptures. While the other popular Roman Catholic doctrines are based upon the man-made “traditions” of the “fathers”. These evolving traditions are man-made and inevitably lead us to a false Christ. As Catholic tradition has evolved the gospel has become more perverted. As Catholic tradition evolves there is always a remnant to point to their “changes” even while the illusion of unity has been perpetuated. The Donatists and Waldensees witnessed the change to empire religion. The Eastern orthodox witnessed the change toward the superiority of the Roman Papacy. In recovering NT salvation the reformers witnessed the change and denial of scriptural authority. The Old Catholics of the 1800’s witnessed the change to Papal infallibility and the worship of Mary as co-mediator. Now Vatican I Catholics have witnessed the change away from exclusive salvation and towards secularism. All the while it claims to have been unmoved, like a drunk trying to prove it’s sobriety with steady hands. The “Church” only convinces itself of such unity. Meanwhile though the Vatican grows in power, the “Church” shrinks. It was reported last year that the RCC has shrunk from 2.1billion to 1.9 billion (200million). This gives Islam a chance for being the worlds most popular religion. [This fails if you combine all confessors of Christ, plus Islam is counted as if it had no denominations] Any how we must ask ourselves now more than ever who is the Jesus of the Bible?
Resources:
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1995 Imprimi potest Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger [Pope Benedict the 16th ]
Christ Among Us: A modern Presentation of the Catholic Faith: by Anthony Wilhelm
Nihil Obstat: Rev. Charles W. Gusmer Imprimatur: Most Rev. Peter L. Gerety, D.D. Asrchbishop of Newark
Evolution and Jesus
Darwinian evolution
“The Bible’s account of creation can fit in perfectly with science’s teaching on the evolution of the universe, even though, as we said, the Bible is not meant to be a scientific text.” Anthony Wilhelm, Christ Among Us: A Modern Presentation of the Catholic Faith. Pg22
In 1996 Pope John Paul II offered a statement that there were no irreconcilable differences between evolution and the Bible. This may have been a good political move but it is patently false.
Not only does this doctrine effect scripture, it effects our theology and therefore Christology. The following areas are most notable:
A. Theistic evolution leans towards pantheism) No better example of this phenomena than Roman Catholic theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin who was one of the leaders of the theist evolution movement. After working out his theories consistently he became a pantheist. This occurs due to the fact that evolutionary Christians teach creation is incomplete. So God is providentially in the process of creating. The providence of God is then confused with evolution. Evolution is natural chaotic law. Therefore God is not longer distinct from nature. This establishes the unholy God of Pantheism.
B. It downplays the omnipotence of God and therefore Christ
Random chaotic acts are not the same as intelligently designed miracles. The Bible claims a miracle. It is only natural to assume God a failure if it required him billions of years.
Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
Psa 33:7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
Psa 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
Psa 33:9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
C. It downplays the Character of God and therefore Christ
Many a Christian has went from theistic evolution to atheism over this very principle. The god of evolution is sadistic. This god requires the death of millions of species even human looking ones, just to get around to creating Adam and Eve. In the Bible death is a bad thing as well as a punishment for sin. However in evolution death is natural and almost good. Christ looks hypocritical dying for a humanity that was dying without sin anyway.
D. It downplays humanity and therefore the humanity of Christ
Finally humanity is no longer made in God’s image, it is the image of primates and apes. This slanders Christ who is also now a primate. It also makes one wonder if He was simply a random evolutionary leap.
The Logos is not entirely revealed The Word of God being not just the Bible but sacred tradition.
“Christ, the Son of God made man, is the Father’s one, perfect, and unsurpassable Word. In Him he has said everything; there will be no other word than this one.” Pg 27 102
Here we see explicitly that Jesus is the Word of God
“81 Sacred scripture in the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the Breath of the Holy Spirit.”
“And [Holy] tradition transmits in its in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted tot he Apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit. It transmits it to the successors of the apostles so that , enlightened by the Spirit of truth, they may faithfully preserve, expound, and spread it abroad by their teaching.”
82 As a result the Church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation is entrusted, ‘does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from Holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and tradition must be accepted and honored with equal Sentiments of devotion and reverence."”pG52
So the Sacred tradition is the Word of God as well as scripture. And scripture does not fully reveal Christ. The New Testament then, becomes a failure.
Therefore Jesus is not entirely the God of the Bible. Since the Bible is an incomplete revelation then we only have part of Christ and His gospel. Ironically, the catechism is very careful to not identify what the sacred tradition is. It may claim that the sacred tradition came from the apostles and claim that it is handed down to the Bishops. But what exactly is it?
The catechism is even careful to say it is not their many church traditions.
“Tradition is to be distinguished from the various theological, disciplinary, liturgical, or devotional traditions born in local churches over time.”
However , it then adds this clause: “These are the particular forms, adapted to different places and times in which the Great Tradition is expressed.”
So the sacred tradition can never be fully revealed and only partially revealed.
“In the light of Tradition, these traditions can be retained, modified or even abandoned under the Guidance of the churches magisterium.” The above quoted from 83 apostolic traditions and ecclesial traditions pg31
So the Catholic laity could never guess at the missing piece of gospel called ‘Sacred Tradition’. Because they only get pieces which can be added, modified or dropped.
“85 The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in it’s written form or in the form of tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. …This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the Bishops of the communion in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome.”
So the RCC claims to have a sacred tradition which nobody has seen, which is a hidden piece of the gospel of Christ, which the Pope has the right not only to interpret but to combine with the Bible and interpret the Bible as well even though we have no proof that this “Great Tradition” even exist!?
The question is, who has given them authority over reading the Bible and interpreting it as well as a mystery tradition? The Sacred Tradition? How do we know!?
This sounds like Gnosticism. Only they have a secret knowledge and they control God’s gospel so that God is incapable of saving your soul because he needs the permission of the Church.
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.
This is not what the apostles taught.
1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
It appears that tradition and gospel which Paul received from the apostles is that which he has written down in the New Testament.
1Jo 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1Jo 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
1Jo 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
The tradition of that which was seen and heard by the apostle John was declared in the New Testament.
2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Paul teaches that the scriptures are sufficient. That the scriptures of the Bible alreadsy contained the Knowledge for us to receive salvation. And that the scriptures were useful in and of themselves for correction. The Pope never proved himself the authority to correct God.
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1Pe 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Peter (the Pope?) claimed that the Word of God is the Gospel which is preached. That the gospel is incorruptable.
Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
Rom 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
The true gospel of Christ is not hidden away in some sacred tradition. It is preach openly because it is the light.
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Incomplete incarnation
Roman Catholic teachings holds the title of Mary as “The Mother of God” as fundamental to RCC faith. Most have a problem with the title Mother of Christ. Arguing that since Jesus is God that she must be identified as the Mother of God. However the New Testament never uses the title. The New Testament clearly teaches that Mary is the Mother of Christ. Christ is most definitly God. But Christ is by definition more than just God. Jesus is also man. One of Jesus favorite titles was Son of Man. When the title Mother of God is used, it denies the humanity of Christ. This goes back to gnosticism. The Gnostics denied that Christ was a man. Because they thought of the physical as by nature evil. The spiritual worship and ritual would be inherited by the monastic communities
“Also although Gnosticism had been rejected by the church, it’s influence could still be felt in the widely held notion that there was a fundamental opposition between the body and the life of the spirit, and that therefore in order to live fully in the spirit it was necessary to subdue and punish the body.” Justo Gonzales the Story of Christianity 137
So it is not surprising that Monks like Jerome would push the phrase “Mother of God” and claiming the perpetual virginity of Mary. Therefore, while they claimed an orthodox faith, they practiced the Gnostic form spirituality.
1Jo 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
2Jo 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Halfway Savior
The consequence of Mary as co-mediator. In order to downplay the humanity of Christ, the RCC prefers to title Mary as the Mother of God or “Theotokos”. The RCC has always been at odds within itself concerning the role of Mary. Even Roman Catholic Authorities have recognized that some cults worshipping Mary from within there ranks have risen due to their Monophysite tendencies. (down playing the humanity of Christ.)
“There have been, and are, exaggerations paid to Mary. Some particularly among the less educated, have tended to regard her in isolation from the Church, as one who grants favors in her own right; perhaps much of this is inevitable, particularly among those for whom Christ is more divine than human, who would therefore turn to another whom they could more easily think of as human like themselves.” Christ Among Us Anthony Wilhelm Pg 396
Yet the church does not do much to stem the tide of this cult and keeps rituals that cause the confusion.
“It is in this light that we must understand such terms as ‘spiritual mother,’ ‘mediatrix’ ‘co-redemptrix,’ and ‘Queen.’ By her special closeness to Christ and openness to God’s will she does for all what the rest of us do for some. She leads us in our intercession and mediation.” Pg. 394
Catholics know that there is only one mediator.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Also it is clear in the New Testament that the office of Intercessor belongs to the Holy Spirit.
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
There is no scriptural reason to associate with Mary, beyond a desire to associate with any biblical character.
This shows the ongoing monophysite practices of the church which have led to marry worship.
Let’s not get physical!
RCC’s version of the Birth of Christ.
In affirming the virginity of Mary, they decided argue that she was “ever-virgin”. This doctrine claims that Mary never had sex or children her whole life. This was a consequence of the claim that Mary was sinless. Ironically, since Mary was married to Joseph this would make her unfaithful to her husband, not doing the duties of a wife. So the doctrine contradicts itself.
However in this irrational doctrine there is a christological consequence. Christ had to be born without breaking the hymen. This is physically impossible and once again the humanity of Christ is down played.
499 “The Deepening of faith in the virginal motherhood led the church to confess Mary’s real perpetual virginity even in the act of giving birth to the Son of God made man. In fact, Christ’s birth ‘did not diminish his mother’s integrity but sanctified it.’ And so the liturgy of the Church celebrates Mary as Aeiparthenos, the ‘ever-virgin’.
Scripture as always doesn’t match this bizarre tradition. Mary had to go through ritual cleansing. This is symbolic of the fact that their were unclean issues involved as with all women.
Luk 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
Luk 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Luk 2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Too busy to sit at the throne of God
The mass and it’s effect upon the exaltation of Christ
1374 “In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist ‘the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly really and substantially contained.’
1377 “The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of consecration and endures as long as the eucharistic species subsist. Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of the parts, in such a way that breaking the bread does not divide Christ.”
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
1378 “Worship of the Eucharist. In the liturgy of the Mass we express our faith in the real presence of Christ under the species of bread and wine by, among other ways genuflecting or bowing deeply as a sign of adoration to the Lord.”
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 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,
1Jo 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Unless the RCC can show Biblically that they have the right to transform food into God then they are committing idolatry.
The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus physically ascended to Heaven.
Mar 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
It also teaches that Jesus will not return physically until the second coming.
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.
“as ye have seen him” implies that he will not secretly physically return in another form.
Jesus confesses that the substance was not himself.
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.
Mar 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Mar 14:25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
Luk 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
Only places the confession prior to the body and blood statement. Even afterwards there is no mention of a transformation of substance.
Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Act 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
740 artos {ar'-tos}
from 142; TDNT - 1:477,80; n m
AV - bread 72, loaf 23, shewbread + 4286 + 3588 4; 99
1) food composed of flour mixed with water and baked 1a) the Israelites made it in the form of an oblong or round cake, as thick as one's thumb, and as large as a plate or platter hence it was not to be cut but broken 1b) loaves were consecrated to the Lord 1c) of the bread used at the love-feasts and at the Lord's Table 2) food of any kind
When look at the Old Testament Passover always viewed the bread and drink offering as memorial of the lamb with no miracles imagined.
Head of the church only in theory
The Pope as the head of the Church. While the creeds say that Jesus is Lord God, Faithful Catholics are not allowed to listen to his word directly. Every thing must be interpreted according to the will Papacy and the church. The Pope is the head of the Church disqualifying the Lordship of Christ.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
IF the Pope is head of the Church, then he is the Lord and Christ is only Lord in name. The Pope supposedly speaks infallibly Catholics could read the words of the Gospel. And yet if the Pope contradicts the Word then Catholics will follow the Pope.
Mat 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Mat 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Mat 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Not a personal Savior
RCC Christ is dependent on the clergy to save. This limits the power of Christ and the Sovereignty of God. Through the Papal System salvation is limited. Yet through The gospel Christ reaches to the ends of the earth.
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Rom 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
From the gospel Jesus interacts with us personally. From the papacy we have a non-personal relationship with Christ. We also have the possibility of the priesthood coming between us and Christ out of spite or bias.
The wedding has been postponed! Purgatory and the return of Christ.
1030 “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.”
The point is after all of these bloody sacrifices The RCC member is still not forgiven of all sins. This is not the promise of the gospel.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Then of course in the Second Coming the Bible teaches it could take place at anytime. But if this is true then what of the souls in purgatory when Christ comes back?
From the beginning to the end Christ gospel has been perverted in the traditions of the RCC. Only one Christ claims to truly save. The Christ of RCC can make such a claim, because he needs the Popes and Mary and the priest. But Jesus of the NT tell us salvation is only through 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.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
What the Bible teaches on the Incarnation
As we start the study, those less familiar with systematic theology will need to know that Logos means “Word” which is the deity or name of the Deity which is God the Son or Christ. The Word Incarnation means “in the flesh” referring to God becoming human by way of Jesus Christ. This article is focused on the deity& humanity and how salvation isaccomplished through this union.
In the beginning the Word was God.
Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
It is clear teaching starting in the Old Testament that the Messiah would in Fact be deity and that Jehovah is our righteousness and/or savior.
Jer 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
God became a man, not the other way around
Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
made) to become, i.e. to come into existence, begin to be, receive being (Strong’s concordance)
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Manifest: [5319 phaneroo] 1) to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way. (Strong’s concordance)
Here we see the teaching that so many cults misunderstand. There never was any effort for a man to become God. Since God became man there was no meeting or mixture of the two natures of Christ. The humanity of Christ was a form of the Logos.
The Messiah God
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Psa 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Once again the Hebrew text understand the Messiah to be God.
The Virgin birth, all things are possible
Isa 7:10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,
Isa 7:11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
Isa 7:12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.
Isa 7:13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
As you can see Jehovah was interested presenting a sign to the Jews. Liberals and Christ-denying Jews argue that the great sign was supposed to be a pregnant teenager. This in itself is not much of a sign. However, the prophecy declares a pregnant virgin who is called Immanuel “God with us”. If “God with us” is just a pregnant teen, then the child must be adopted with a deity and it could be anyone. The scriptures clearly teach that Immanuel is born of a virgin.
Mat 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Mat 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
We see that Joseph is encountered by the angel. Joseph is recognized for the royal bloodline of David. The Conception is clearly shown to be the work of the Holy Spirit. He is named by Joseph “Jehovah saves” or Jesus. It is clear that Joseph is entirely sure that the child is not his. This is specifically to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah. If Isaiah did not prophecy a virgin birth then why would Christ be born of a virgin? Even if it was a fraud, why make up a story to fulfill a prophecy never made?
Luk 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Luk 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
We notice a few things here. First Mary understood that the power to give virgin birth to the Messiah was obviously not in her, and probably sounded ludicrous. The Angel then claims that this miracle will be performed by the Holy Spirit. The word “overshadow” brings to mind the exodus when the people were “overshadowed” by a great cloud at Mt. Sinai. Mary was then enveloped by a great light which was the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. The angel points out that “Holy thing”. This typologically points us to visions of the Tabernacle and the holy place. In other words it was infant Christ, who was the “theotokos” or bearer of God. Mary was a sinner like all other people and could not be in such a direct contact with God. Instead she was the “Christotokos”. She bore the “Holy thing” which would be the tabernacle of God. Our Lord Christ.
Mat 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
One amazing thing that I have found is that Jesus was careful about this important distinction. While for obvious reasons Mary was referred to as his mother. Jesus himself nowhere in the gospels ever refers to Mary as Mother, not even as a child.
Luk 2:48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
Luk 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
We actually see Christ going to great lengths to make this point.
Mat 12:46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
Mat 12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
Mat 12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
Mat 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Mar 3:33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
Mar 3:34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mar 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
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.
We see instead Jesus refers to her as “woman”.
Joh 2:2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
Joh 2:3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
Joh 2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
Joh 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
Joh 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
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.
One person, Christ
Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Two natures (Logos & Christ)
1Jo 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
1Jo 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
1Jo 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
Here we see all three persons of the Godhead are witnesses to Jesus as the Son of God. So we see that there is a distinction between the deity and humanity.
Mat 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father, which hath sent me.
When we see the phrase “Not as I will” it is obvious that Christ has a will distinct from God the Father. Many may argue this to simply be the Deified will of Christ. Yet in John we see a major distinction. “I can of my own self do nothing”. How could the logos be deity of he has no autonomy? He may be a part of the deity. Yet then he would not be a distinct person of the Godhead. Therefore Christ has a human will.
Some would then argue that Christ must then have two distinct wills and that there are two distinct persons in Christ. However, the problems is not two wills but two worlds. The logos is one person which dwells in the Holies as the spirit Jehovah and on earth is dwelling as the Christ. So the will of Jesus is simply the translated will of the logos.
The Son of God
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Heb 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Heb 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Heb 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
While on occasion the title of “Son” is referred to the logos. The majority of the usage is in reference to the incarnation of Christ. In fact when the title of “Son” is used for the Logos it is referring back to the role of incarnate Son of God which is being played by the Logos.
The Son of Man
Mar 2:10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
Mar 2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Mat 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Crucial to the doctrine of the incarnation. If the humanity of Christ is not affirmed then salvation is virtually impossible.
Phi 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Phi 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Phi 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Phi 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Phi 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Phi 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
This is very much an essential passage in understanding the propitiation of God. While Christ was indwelled with the Godhead, His deity, the Logos was made into the man Christ Jesus thus He was able to not only experience humanity but was able to experience death. The Logos was spirit in nature and thus was not destroyed just as the human soul will be placed in Hades because it is al immortal.
1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
1Pe 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Psalms 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
So the Logos itself was never extinguished but simply through the flesh as Christ experience human suffering and death as propitiation to God the Father.
1Jo 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Satan hates the idea of Christ coming in full humanity and exp[osing himself to mankind in such a loving way. Perhaps he is jealous of the attention which has been bestowed upon humanity. To deny that Christ really came to earth is the equivalent of blasphemy.
Did Jesus have a human soul and spirit?
This is so because of his complete humanity.
1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Along with flesh Christ had a spirit.
Mat 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
Along with the spirit Christ was prophesied a soul.
Psa 22:20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
Mat 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
How can Jesus have a human spirit and a deified spirit?
Jesus human spirit or ghost is but a component of Christ humanity. A human is not just a material being but also a spiritual being. While the deity of Christ, the Logos is a person of the one being which is God. The essence of the Godhead is a spiritual form.
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
The image of the invisible God
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them
Joh 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
The Logos was the “Light of men”; it seems reasonable that this light was in fact the image of God in mankind. Man is therefore in a unique position to be a house for God. Jesus is the true mediator between man and God.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Here we see the man Christ Jesus is the one mediator between man and God. This proves the title of Mary, as mother of God is inappropriate. If She were a temple of God, then she would also be a mediator. However, Paul is very clear that there is only one mediator between man and God and that is Jesus.
One offering of one sacrifice
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;
Here we see that it is the physical body of Christ being offered once and only once sacrifice. The man Christ would be glorified sitting at the Right hand of Jehovah.
Psa 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Mar 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Once again we see that the wrath of God was the demand of a physical sacrifice, not a spiritual one.
The high priest, Christ in Heaven
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 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Not only is Christ a high priest but he is the greatest High Priest offering himself perfectly to atone for the sins of humanity.
Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Heb 9:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
The New Testament gospel teaches that the perfect sacrifice of Christ was only offered once. This is the mediation of a perfect Son of God Reconciling the world to himself.
Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
The Passover Lamb Christ through Jesus
Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Bearing the wrath of God
Mar 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
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 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Gal 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
1Jo 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
1Jo 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
The Logos near you and in you; The logos through the Holy Spirit
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
Rom 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
We can see quite clearly in this passage that it is the gospel which draws man into a saving relationship with God.
Eph 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Eph 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Finally, and most importantly we see that Christian does not simply have a student teacher relationship, but Instead the spirit of Christ dwells in our hearts by faith.
In Christ,
Matt
1John 5:9-13
“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
In the beginning the Word was God.
Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
It is clear teaching starting in the Old Testament that the Messiah would in Fact be deity and that Jehovah is our righteousness and/or savior.
Jer 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
God became a man, not the other way around
Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
made) to become, i.e. to come into existence, begin to be, receive being (Strong’s concordance)
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Manifest: [5319 phaneroo] 1) to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way. (Strong’s concordance)
Here we see the teaching that so many cults misunderstand. There never was any effort for a man to become God. Since God became man there was no meeting or mixture of the two natures of Christ. The humanity of Christ was a form of the Logos.
The Messiah God
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Psa 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Once again the Hebrew text understand the Messiah to be God.
The Virgin birth, all things are possible
Isa 7:10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,
Isa 7:11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
Isa 7:12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.
Isa 7:13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
As you can see Jehovah was interested presenting a sign to the Jews. Liberals and Christ-denying Jews argue that the great sign was supposed to be a pregnant teenager. This in itself is not much of a sign. However, the prophecy declares a pregnant virgin who is called Immanuel “God with us”. If “God with us” is just a pregnant teen, then the child must be adopted with a deity and it could be anyone. The scriptures clearly teach that Immanuel is born of a virgin.
Mat 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Mat 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
We see that Joseph is encountered by the angel. Joseph is recognized for the royal bloodline of David. The Conception is clearly shown to be the work of the Holy Spirit. He is named by Joseph “Jehovah saves” or Jesus. It is clear that Joseph is entirely sure that the child is not his. This is specifically to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah. If Isaiah did not prophecy a virgin birth then why would Christ be born of a virgin? Even if it was a fraud, why make up a story to fulfill a prophecy never made?
Luk 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Luk 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
We notice a few things here. First Mary understood that the power to give virgin birth to the Messiah was obviously not in her, and probably sounded ludicrous. The Angel then claims that this miracle will be performed by the Holy Spirit. The word “overshadow” brings to mind the exodus when the people were “overshadowed” by a great cloud at Mt. Sinai. Mary was then enveloped by a great light which was the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. The angel points out that “Holy thing”. This typologically points us to visions of the Tabernacle and the holy place. In other words it was infant Christ, who was the “theotokos” or bearer of God. Mary was a sinner like all other people and could not be in such a direct contact with God. Instead she was the “Christotokos”. She bore the “Holy thing” which would be the tabernacle of God. Our Lord Christ.
Mat 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
One amazing thing that I have found is that Jesus was careful about this important distinction. While for obvious reasons Mary was referred to as his mother. Jesus himself nowhere in the gospels ever refers to Mary as Mother, not even as a child.
Luk 2:48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
Luk 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
We actually see Christ going to great lengths to make this point.
Mat 12:46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
Mat 12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
Mat 12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
Mat 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Mar 3:33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
Mar 3:34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mar 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
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.
We see instead Jesus refers to her as “woman”.
Joh 2:2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
Joh 2:3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
Joh 2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
Joh 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
Joh 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
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.
One person, Christ
Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Two natures (Logos & Christ)
1Jo 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
1Jo 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
1Jo 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
Here we see all three persons of the Godhead are witnesses to Jesus as the Son of God. So we see that there is a distinction between the deity and humanity.
Mat 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father, which hath sent me.
When we see the phrase “Not as I will” it is obvious that Christ has a will distinct from God the Father. Many may argue this to simply be the Deified will of Christ. Yet in John we see a major distinction. “I can of my own self do nothing”. How could the logos be deity of he has no autonomy? He may be a part of the deity. Yet then he would not be a distinct person of the Godhead. Therefore Christ has a human will.
Some would then argue that Christ must then have two distinct wills and that there are two distinct persons in Christ. However, the problems is not two wills but two worlds. The logos is one person which dwells in the Holies as the spirit Jehovah and on earth is dwelling as the Christ. So the will of Jesus is simply the translated will of the logos.
The Son of God
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Heb 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Heb 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Heb 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
While on occasion the title of “Son” is referred to the logos. The majority of the usage is in reference to the incarnation of Christ. In fact when the title of “Son” is used for the Logos it is referring back to the role of incarnate Son of God which is being played by the Logos.
The Son of Man
Mar 2:10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
Mar 2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Mat 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Crucial to the doctrine of the incarnation. If the humanity of Christ is not affirmed then salvation is virtually impossible.
Phi 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Phi 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Phi 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Phi 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Phi 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Phi 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
This is very much an essential passage in understanding the propitiation of God. While Christ was indwelled with the Godhead, His deity, the Logos was made into the man Christ Jesus thus He was able to not only experience humanity but was able to experience death. The Logos was spirit in nature and thus was not destroyed just as the human soul will be placed in Hades because it is al immortal.
1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
1Pe 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Psalms 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
So the Logos itself was never extinguished but simply through the flesh as Christ experience human suffering and death as propitiation to God the Father.
1Jo 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Satan hates the idea of Christ coming in full humanity and exp[osing himself to mankind in such a loving way. Perhaps he is jealous of the attention which has been bestowed upon humanity. To deny that Christ really came to earth is the equivalent of blasphemy.
Did Jesus have a human soul and spirit?
This is so because of his complete humanity.
1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Along with flesh Christ had a spirit.
Mat 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
Along with the spirit Christ was prophesied a soul.
Psa 22:20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
Mat 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
How can Jesus have a human spirit and a deified spirit?
Jesus human spirit or ghost is but a component of Christ humanity. A human is not just a material being but also a spiritual being. While the deity of Christ, the Logos is a person of the one being which is God. The essence of the Godhead is a spiritual form.
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
The image of the invisible God
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them
Joh 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
The Logos was the “Light of men”; it seems reasonable that this light was in fact the image of God in mankind. Man is therefore in a unique position to be a house for God. Jesus is the true mediator between man and God.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Here we see the man Christ Jesus is the one mediator between man and God. This proves the title of Mary, as mother of God is inappropriate. If She were a temple of God, then she would also be a mediator. However, Paul is very clear that there is only one mediator between man and God and that is Jesus.
One offering of one sacrifice
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;
Here we see that it is the physical body of Christ being offered once and only once sacrifice. The man Christ would be glorified sitting at the Right hand of Jehovah.
Psa 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Mar 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Once again we see that the wrath of God was the demand of a physical sacrifice, not a spiritual one.
The high priest, Christ in Heaven
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 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Not only is Christ a high priest but he is the greatest High Priest offering himself perfectly to atone for the sins of humanity.
Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Heb 9:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
The New Testament gospel teaches that the perfect sacrifice of Christ was only offered once. This is the mediation of a perfect Son of God Reconciling the world to himself.
Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
The Passover Lamb Christ through Jesus
Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Bearing the wrath of God
Mar 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
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 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Gal 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
1Jo 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
1Jo 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
The Logos near you and in you; The logos through the Holy Spirit
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
Rom 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
We can see quite clearly in this passage that it is the gospel which draws man into a saving relationship with God.
Eph 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Eph 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Finally, and most importantly we see that Christian does not simply have a student teacher relationship, but Instead the spirit of Christ dwells in our hearts by faith.
In Christ,
Matt
1John 5:9-13
“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
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