Freedom Baptist Church Confession of Faith

I. God
A. We believe in the one true living God, self-named Jehovah [Y/J.H.W/V.H]. (Though also titled El, Elohim, Adonai, Theos, Kurios etc.) He is beyond all perfection. He is a spiritual, intelligent, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver and Ruler of the universe. He is all-powerful, omnipresent, omniscient, self-sufficient, unchanging, immanent, transcendent and eternal. Even greater than His attributes is His Character. God is the most Holy, all Loving, all Righteous, all Merciful, and all Wise Sovereign Lord of All. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience
B. There is one God-head/substance of God (Elohim), which is composed of three Persons: The Father, Son/Word, and Holy Spirit. These are three distinct persons ye they composed of one ultimate substance. They are equal in power and standing. Yet submit in order to the Father and secondly the Son and Holy Spirit for the sake of order.
C. From before the beginning of Creation was the Logos/word also known as the Son. He is the second person of the Godhead trinity. According to the Father’s purpose and plan, He was manifest in the flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus originated in the virgin womb of Mary. Jesus is the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament from the blood-line of Abraham and royal bloodline of David. He is the same person as the Son, yet complete in his humanity, including the mind, soul, and spirit. Though Jesus is the reflection of God and one in person He is dueled in His nature. He is both completely human and completely God.


II. Creation
A. We believe that Jehovah created the Universe out of nothing. We believe that this took place in the first week of creation, which were literal days. We believe the spiritual realms were created during this time as well. This consists of the place of terrors, the chasm and the bosom of Abraham; which are together recognized as sheol/Hades. We believe in the realm of Heaven were God manifest his presence and sits on the throne. He created multitudes of Angels of various ranks and likely races. Through the fall there was a spiritual war and were left many mutations across creation whether they are unclean animals, fallen angels, demons, nephilum or reprobate.
B. We believe in the history of Adam and Eve and the fall in the Garden of Eden. We believe, in the historical account of the curse of the worldwide flood. We believe in the additional rebellion of mankind in the building of the Tower of Babel where ungodly religion was invented. As well as God’s curse of cultural confusion which led to a multitude of languages, ethnicities, and religion.


III. Man
We believe Man (male & female) is the crown of creation. God decided to create Man in his image. In other words, man is a reflection of God’s attributes Man and is composed of a body soul and spirit. God directly makes the spirit of man. The first man was Adam and his wife was Eve made from his rib. Through the deception of Satan, Adam gave away his inherited perfections by disobeying God’s commandment not to eat of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. As a result, all people have inherited a sinful inclination across the totality of their being and been imputed the curse of death. Every person has had his or her spirit independently formed by God. The essence of man is Body, Soul, and Spirit. God made only one race of Mankind, though they split into many nations, cultures, languages and even religions. We believe that the traditional family consists of the marriage between one man and one woman. We believe that Christians ought to choose a mate that is also a believer, and that in the process of engagement they ought to honor their father and mother. We believe that the man and woman are encouraged to have as many children as capable. Men are to be supervisors of the family and spiritual guardians of the household. Women help fulfill the man’s destiny and are placed as the heart of the family nourishing the household.

IV. The Bible
A. We believe that God has chosen to reveal His will through the revelation of Holy Scripture. The Holy Bible is ordered according to the traditional protestant Canon. The 39 books of the Old Testament agreed upon by Protestants and the Jews, as well as the 27 books of the New Testament agreed upon by Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant. God has perfectly providentially preserved these books, for us in the Hebrew Masoretic text and the Greek Textus Receptus manuscripts. The Authorized Version nicknamed “King James Version” has been the most outstanding and productive translation of these texts into the English language. God inspired the authors of the Bible to write His very words. In His infinite knowledge God presented His revelation in a way consistent with the style, personality and character of these elect prophets to enable them to best present His words. Every author was willing to present, and was specially sanctified by God for this purpose. So though the Prophets and Apostles have written the Bible, every word finds its origin with the Father.
B. Consequently, the Bible if properly translated and interpreted has no error in what it says directly or implies. The Bible is authoritative for all in what it says and interprets and the Christian is bound to every thing it specifically says to Christians and everything it implies; though the Christian is bound not to add to His divine revelation. The Scriptures must be judged only in light of the whole of scripture. The Bible can be understood using the historical-grammatical method of study in search of the “plain sense meaning”. With this, diligence, a godly desire to learn, and the illumination of the Holy Spirit, the Christian can eventually understand the complete direct meaning of the Bible. The centerpiece of the revelation of God is Christ Jesus.

V. The Law
We believe that God in his infinite love has provided mankind with a direct revelation of his love, they we may follow Him and not trespass His laws, which would incur his wrath. He has provided mankind with the holy law to point us towards the light. In the Old/Mosaic covenant the Hebrews followed all the OT law in order to be sanctified and draw closer to God. In the New Testament we have a better Covenant. We draw closer to God the same way that we are justified, through faith in the saving work of Christ, living out our lives removing the sins of the flesh and growing the fruits of the spirit. The Holy Law of God is still of great use to us. The Ten Commandments serve as an infallible compass of truth. The Old Testament Law of God serves the believers as a way of wisdom, and the non-believers as a convicting schoolmaster pointing us all towards our need for Christ.
The purist summary of God’s law is that we shall love the Lord with all our heart, soul and might. And that we are to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.


VI. The Dispensations
Through the ages God has chosen to progressively reveal His will concerning his relationship with mankind. He has revealed this through several different covenantal relationships that are known as “Dispensations”. Each dispensation is a new relationship in history whereby man is obligated to follow and God establishes blessings and curses based upon obedience. Man’s own sinful condition, and inability to have self-righteousness continuously spurs on the next dispensation. Each dispensation builds upon another drawing us to deeper need for Christ and a closer relationship with God through the history of redemption.
We understand that there are seven major dispensations, which precede the New Heavens and the New Earth. The age of Innocence which is prior to the fall in the Garden of Eden. The age of Conscience, which governed from the days of Adam to Noah. The age of Government which governed Noah to Abraham. The age of Promise, which governed from Abraham to Moses. The age of the Law which governed from Abraham to John the Baptist. The age of Grace which governs from Paul till the Second Coming of Christ. The millennial reign will last for a 1000 years closing the cycle of the heavens and earth.

VII. Israel, the Kingdom of Heaven and the local church and the Great Whore
A. Through the ages and dispensations God’s elect has been composed of both literal and spiritual bodies. They have always been a part of one spiritual body, the Kingdom of God. In the earthly realm the elect were historically congregated in the nation of Israel. Yet the nation transgressed God’s Law and as a result loss the blessings from God. Then they rejected the Messiah Jesus Christ. As a result, they were to be the most cursed people on earth and had a partial hardening of their people so that few have received the benefits of the New Covenant and salvation. Yet, God in his great mercy blesses the Jews when they follow him and he will not revoke his promises. Therefore in the end-times the Jews will be restored to all of their blessings, they will repent to serve Jesus Christ, they will receive the blessings of His salvation, and He will rule the world from their throne.
B. The Local Church is the designated body of God’s elect. They are armies of the Kingdom of Heaven and the Body of Christ. However most confessors of Christ have not been born-again but fallen into apostasy. The faithful and obedient bride of Christ will stay faithful and pure to God’s Word and as a result will be Raptured away to be forever with Christ. But the unfaithful will become seduced by the Great Whore of Babylon and be in danger of God’s Judgement and condemnation.


VIII. Salvation
A. Election) Before their was time, God the father purposed to present a bride to the Son, This chosen Bride is in fact a vast body of believers whom we know as the Elect. Election is the gracious purpose of God, by which He regenerates, Justifies, Sanctifies and Glorifies sinners. It is in harmony with God’s Foreknowledge of man’s free agency and choices. Though it is not founded or based upon their acts of will or work; instead upon God’s loving and gracious nature. Through this mystery God works all things for good to those who love Him.
B. Drawing) Due to its depravity, mankind has a sinful inclination to draw away from God. Therefore upon hearing the gospel, the Holy Spirit draws the recipient and reasons with their souls making them responsible to believe.
C. Propitiation) The act of Christ which can reconcile mankind with the father. As Law–breakers, mankind has fallen from the intended glory of God. Instead they are separated from all fellowship with God. They are destined to rot in Hades for ages until the day judgment when they will receive penalty, which is the unhindered, wrath of God. Jesus of Nazareth was the only suitable Sacrifice, being the only begotten Son of the Father. This blood propitiation was made potentially for all mankind. Though only effective for those who believe.
D. Justification) is the process where God judges a saint to be righteous and having their sins atoned for, they are imputed Christ Righteousness and therefore declared righteous, while their sins were propitiated by Jesus upon the cross. This deed is accomplished through faith alone and not with works.
E. Adoption) this is the first-fruits of justification where we have the status of adopted children of God. We’re no longer slaves but children awaiting inheritance. We are also part of the vast family of God and no longer alone. Because we are adopted however, we still retain our creaturely nature and are not to be confused with deities.
F. Regeneration) the process by which a Christian is born-again. When a saint first places faith in Christ they are indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Their spirits are given life. Their mind begins a process of being renewed. They proceed to bear the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patients, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control.
G. Conversion) is the natural by-product of regeneration. Where by a non-believer becomes a disciple and Christian. When they are born-again inwardly they must convert outwardly. The confession of sin, confession of faith, repentance, baptism and the joining with a local church mark this act. This marks the entrance in New Covenant Life and church life.
H. Sanctification) The process where we empowered by the Holy Spirit cultivate our new spiritual nature and conquer the old nature of our flesh. For the believer this is a life long on-going battle. Though we can move from immaturity to maturity in our execution of the Christian life, we are spiritually equal with one another being sinners saved by grace. The lifelong (yet unattainable) goal of sanctification is to obey God and abstain from sin.
I. Perseverance) All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, we thereby they grieve the spirit
J. Glorification) The final process of perfection for the saints. Saints at this point are conformed to the image and likeness of God. They are now clean and morally perfected. Their life is everlasting in the presence of God.

IX. Church
We believe that the Christian church is a congregation gathered together based upon the faith that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God”. This group was designed and formed by Jesus Christ himself. Members of Christ Church are also called his Body. They are identified as those who have confessed Christ and believe in Him and have surrendered to the New Covenant joining the church through Baptism. They preserve new Covenant membership through continued Congregation attendance and observance of the Lord’s Supper. Christ governs the church, primarily through democratic process within the membership of each autonomous congregation. The administration and teaching is headed by the Pastor/Bishop; this ministry of word is inclusive of other elders depending upon the Occasion. The New Testament limits the office of Pastor/elder to men, as do we. Deacons have an office of servitude to the community and congregation in terms of lay ministry. They are servants who by example lead the congregation in ministry and evangelism.
The New Testament implies that the Kingdom of Heaven is a Church. It also refers to the eschatological raptured church of the End-times. Though according to the Bible there is no such thing as the invisible New Testament church.

X. Baptism
We believe Christian Baptism to be the immersion of a born-again believer into and out from the water in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old Life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony of their faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership. This is the only Christian ordinance of Baptism.

XI. The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His Second Coming. This is a time of self-examination encouraging the sanctification of the believer. Unbelievers and those in sin should restrain themselves for Fear of the Lord.

XII. The Lord’s Day
This is a day commemorating the first day of the week when the Lord arose from the grave. It is a Christian Institution for regular observance. It is not the Old Covenant Sabbath. (The Sabbath was on the 7th day of the week) Though Christians have the freedom to consecrate it as their Sabbath. If this be the case, then it would be proper to refrain from secular and unnecessary work, to meditate throughout the day on Godly things and to refrain from worldly chatter. The day includes the observance of the Lord’s supper, the collecting of tithes and/or offerings, and the reading and preaching of the word of God. The day is inclusive of other forms of Christian worship such as prayer, music (psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs), fasting, charity, evangelism, teaching, church business etc. Though these practices are not bound to the Lord’s Day.




XIII. The Great Commission
It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. The New Birth of man’s spirit by God’s Holy Spirit means the Birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests upon a spiritual necessity of regenerate life, and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. The Lord Jesus has commanded the preaching of the gospel to all nations.
The gospel means God’s Word and good news. It is concerning the Life of Christ and the New Covenant. It can be summarized by the Death, Burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. It is proper to emphasize major doctrines, such as the virgin birth, the baptism of Christ, the work of Christ his crucifixion and atonement as well as the resurrection and ascension to the right Hand of the Father. The gospel can be amplified by the preaching of the word. Through the preaching of the gospel, the ministry of the Holy Spirit can be enchanced to draw the lost to Christ. Prayer may also be proper for the sake of the spiritual war.
It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal witness under girded by a Christian lifestyle, and by other methods in harmony with the gospel of Christ. The Great Commission can never be fulfilled without the fruits of the Spirit, discipleship, conversion and baptism.

XIV. Cooperation and separation
We understand ourselves as humbled sinners. The preaching of the gospel is an honor. There is no hierarchy in the proclamation of the gospel and as a result, we are never to hinder anyone else in this duty, but instead to encourage such activity. If others want to join with us in ministering unto God and thereby ministering unto those in need then they are our friends. We welcome all in the cause of God.
However, being the church the local body of Christ, we are to strive to be set apart and holy. While mission labor may allow for cooperation with various Christians, in order to preserve the gospel and doctrines of the New Testament, the local bodies must be separate from error and sanctified from open and blatant ungodly sin. The church must strive for and hopefully accomplish being a consistent regenerate body.

XV. Religious Liberty
A. God alone is Lord of the conscience, and he has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A Free Church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.
B. While it is the divine right of the secular government to wage a “Just War”. It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war. The true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The Supreme need of the world is the acceptance of his teachings in all the affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of His law of love. Christian people throughout the world should pray for the reign of the Prince of peace.

XVI. The Christian and society
A. All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. The Christian church is the only everlasting institution whereby we may properly conduct the New Testament Gospel. However other means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful, though only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ.
In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless and the sick. We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death.
Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth.

XVII. The work of the Spirit
The Baptism of Christ marks the regulative advent of the Holy Spirit. Christ promised the work of the Holy Spirit. At the day of Pentecost, after the ascension, The Church was Baptized/immersed with the Holy Spirit as evidenced by the Tongues of Fire. The local church then receives power from the Holy Spirit to fulfill the great commission. Born-again Christians then independently receive His gifts. The church has retained all gifts that it was endowed with that Paul recognized. Though the offices of prophet and apostle have ceased due to the completion of the canon and we no longer have their unique sign gifts. The church has retained its gifts regardless of the classification of natural or supernatural.

XVIII. Satan and our war
We believe that there is a real spiritual person named Lucifer, Satan or the Devil. We believe He is the first being to act contrary to God’s moral Will. We believe that he is the being that tempted mankind (Adam and Eve) to bring sin into the earthly realm. We understand that Lucifer was a high ranking Angel. We understand that he has authority over a third of the angels, who are called demons. We also understand that Satan is the “god of this world” and thereby has influence over all power in worldly affairs (economic, political, religious etc.). We also understand that mankind, as a result of the fall is a child of Satan and under his dominion. We understand that Satan was cast out of Heaven, and will never have either dominion or Sovereignty. We know that Satan was also defeated through the cross of Christ and he loses authority over all that are saved by Jesus Christ. We are confident that Satan will be bound to the pits of Hades after Christ returns. We know that Satan will be thrown into the Lake of Fire at the Great White throne of Judgement.

XIX. End-times
We believe in the immanent and bodily return of Christ. We believe the specific date of his return is permanently removed from man’s record. We know that Jesus will return very quickly to rapture (snatch) all born again Christians into the Bride (end-times church) in the air. The will receive the bema/crowns judgement and then the 7 year tribulation period will begin. Jesus will then descend to the earth with the saints and angels to separate the sheep from the goats and begin to 1000-year reign of Christ. During the period of worldwide peace the devil will be restrained in the pit of Hades. At the end of which he will be briefly released for a finally battle. This will be followed by the obvious victory of Christ and the Great White throne judgement. Saints will be approved to live forever in the New Heavens and New Earth. All-non Christians will be resurrected to be Judge according to their works. Once properly indicted they will be thrown into a literal lake of Fire in which they will burn for all Eternity in what is known as the second death.


P.S. This is my personal confession of Faith for futur reference. It was accepted this year as my Chruches confession of Faith.
I originally entitled it the confession of "Saints Baptist Congregations of Christ" this would be the title of a theoretical movement if my ministry was expanded by God into a movement or denomenation. Saints emphasizing our philosophy about a regenerate church. Baptist referring to our heritage and theology. Congregations of Christ referring to us being the New Testament model Church.

Does James teach works based salvation?

2:14 What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit? 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 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. 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
James 2:14-24 KJV




I came across this issue recently. This passage can be easily interpretted to endorse works based salvation.

The problem is if that were true then salvation is based on works and no one is perfect enough to make it to heaven. Even greater problem would be the fact that James would be contradicting the apostle Paul makine the scriptures the works of man and not God. However I know in my heart that this is not the case.

Many times when we practice our faith or are reading the Bible we see roadblocks too our faith. These "problem passages" can give a sinner the excuse of denying God and leaving the faith.

Why would an all powerful God allow this room for confusion?
Alan Dershewitz a Jewish atheist intellectual was claimed if he were confronted by God, why did God not allow him evidence?

As a defender of the Bible I have read an interesting answer by KJV defender and scholar Ed Hills.

God in his providence leaves somethings around but hidden so that the believer will search for him will the unbeliever will shown fo his lack of faith. If you love God you must search for him. He is there, but he wants a relationship.

So what about this passage?
first the context.
1. James may have been the earliest written epistle. Well before Paul's Epistles.
2. Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, He would begin a period of the NewCovenant we call the age of GRace. Before this Between John the Baptist and him we had a short period of time called the Gospel of the Kingdom. The Apostles were Apostles of the Jews trying to reconcile the nation of Israel to Christianity. When Israel rejected the gospel, paul was commissioned to bring the gospel to the Gentiles and allow them to posess the spiritual benefits. We call this the age or reign of grace.
3, here James is speaking to Jewish Christians.

1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
James 1:1 KJV

4. His focus is upon the gospel of christ as it relates to proper religion

1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain. 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world. 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with respect of persons.
James 1:26-2:1 KJV

5. When it is discussing faith in this epistle,(2:1) the emphasis is upon faith for religion, not faith for salvation.

6. Paul would write later in the book of romans discussing the faith of Christ which is his perfect religion which helps him acquire the righteousness of God.

3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 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: 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 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; 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. 3:27 Where [is] boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Romans 3:21-27 KJV



4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 4:23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 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.
Romans 4:18-5:2 KJV

So Paul will later show us the difference of the faithfulness of Christ and our faith to recieve Christ for Justification.

7. So James is writing his epistle without Paul in mind.
8. He is speaking to Jewish christians who obvious have an idea of salvation in Christ yet are interpretting salvation as religion. They are assuming because christ was righteous I have no need to be righteous.
9. James is explaining to them that Faith makes us become righteous and so he is discussing to faiths for Christian religion.
on point nine James is referring to religion and delineates between two faiths

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.
James 2:18 KJV


10. So Faith alone is correct for salvation. But faith alone is heretical for religion
So then the question is what is right for perfect religion?
It is good works that perfects religious faith.

2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
James 2:20-22 KJV

Here we see James argueing that in terms of religion you can not have just religious faith but also religious action and try to make a difference in our society.
Look back on james discussing faith and works, it is obvious that he is concern about the community and not the soul.

2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit? 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:15-17 KJV


James is attacking those Christians who preach a good game but do not back up there preaching with action.

11. Final james mentions abraham being justified by faith before works
Finally James brings up the imputation passage.

2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
James 2:23 KJV

Years before Abraham had faith in God. God counted Abraham as righteous. the works Abraham would do years later authenticate that faith. However before he did any works Abraham had already Justified by faith alone.
So here James admits Justification by grace through faith alone. However saving faith is the faith at will bring for the fruits of right religion. But good religion unlike salvation can not be justified by faith alone.

2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
James 2:24 KJV

But once again do not be confuse this is not justification as the declaration of God but this is justification to show righteous. For example

16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Luke 16:15 KJV

So I think James would agree that we should first be justified by God by grace through faith. Then we should make our faith justified by good deeds making a good witness.
In Christ,
Matt

The Audacity of Adventism

There are many churches and sects and cults that have popped up over the years that have used the Bible to establish their authority and kingdom on the earth. Many of these groups warn of the destruction of the earth, and the evils of society. They argue that we should follow the God of the Bible and covenant to live holy Lives. They remind us of the soon return of Christ. All these points, we who are New Testament Christians can agree on, and therefore these churches become very attractive for those of us in the Faith. Yet for all this agreement, these groups are not under the New Covenant and what they offer in the end is man-made religion and counterfeit-Christianity.
There is great variety in these groups some heretical and others more orthodox; some are pure cults while others are Christians who are simply a little off. These groups include. Seventh day Adventist, The church of God (not the Pentecostal group) The United Church of God, The Worldwide Church of God, The Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Branch Davidians etc.
Typically we can trace the origins of these movements back to the movement of William Miller of the Millerites. Miller used the historicists system of Bible prophecy interpretation. HE predicted the end of the world repeated only to be proven wrong with every prediction. We also start to see a pattern with these particular groups. And so this article is written to address these corresponding issues.


I. Prophet or prophet? (Or maybe profit!)
1Co 14:32-33 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Many Adventists sects have a fascination with their leaders as Prophets. Most of the sects will claim a prophetic leader with visions of some sort.
Now I believe that the spiritual gifts are for today and that includes the gift of prophecy. Yet the Old Testament Office or administration of the Prophets ceased with the dawning of the New Testament and the ministry of John the Baptist. The New Covenant office or administration of Apostles ceased in the 1st century after the death of those who knew Christ.

Mat 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
Act 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Now it is true that we have people with the prophetic gift. There were also those considered messenger apostles (missionaries). These gifts still function yet no one has any authority to ad or take away from the written word of God.
Pro 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Pro 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

II. Getting God right
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Exo 3:6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
Mat 3:16-17 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
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.
Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
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.

Many of the Adventist sects had trouble accepting the doctrine of the trinity. Early seventh-day Adventist as well as Jehovah’s witnesses and others have tried to find other explanations for the Godhead. Yet these arguments are always brought up and they have been consistently refuted as these passages indicate.


III. Did He come yet? … Did He come yet? … Did He come yet?
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

One key in interpreting Bible prophecy is that the attainment the date of the Second Coming is impossible. As we read this passage Christ not only makes it clear that no one will know the Second Coming, but that this will happen when the Second Coming is not expected.
Yet won’t the church always be expecting the 2nd Coming?

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ

If the Church has been taken up in the rapture, then this is all worked out. Many Adventist then rail against the pre-tribulation rapture because it gets in the way of this unbiblical historicism philosophy.
How do we know that end-times philosophies are contained in this tribulation period?

Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Dan 9:25-27 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Here we see that after the Messiah is cut off. (The cross) Jerusalem would be taken over. (72AD) Then after this the anti-Christ will make a covenant with the Jews in Israel for one week.(symbolizing sever years) In the middle of the tribulation period the Antichrist will take over and end the sacrificial system.

2Th 2:2-4 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

So the Second Coming will be after this tribulation period. Yet doesn’t that mean that we could calculate this tribulation period finding the 2nd coming of Christ? Yes, unless believers are taken up prior to the Second Coming. There is evidence of this because Jesus will be celebrating His marriage to the Bride(Church) before the second coming during the tribulation.

Luk 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

Believers are commanded to be ready and to have oil in their lamps(the Holy Spirit) because we do not know when the Christ will take us to the wedding.

Mat 25:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Here we see again the focus for the Christians is to be ready for Christ gathering and not on the oppression of the Antichrist. In fact, there several verses implying the escape from great tribulation wrath.

1Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Finally we see that the tribulation was made for the unbeliever not for the believer.

2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness
Therefore, the rapture has sealed the 2nd coming off from us. We need not speculate on this truth, but simply be ready for his soon return.

The 3 legs that uphold an Adventist cult:

Many cults have started as a result of the Millerite/Adventists movements these previous key issues are what supplies these cults with there stronghold. First, they raise up the leaders authority claiming their prophetic gifts. Then claim to have unique insight over other religious groups due to their strange style of interpreting the prophets. Finally they claim a heretical view of God asserting their authority over the very theology of the parishioners this makes the parishioner more depended upon the leaders of the church than upon God. At this point they demand separation from the world which leaves the congregation under the power of these cults. We must always be careful to maintain accountability in New Testament churches.

IV. Ya gotta have soul! … Where’s you spirit?

2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2Co 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2Co 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2Co 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
2Co 12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
2Co 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Most Adventists make the astounding claim that man does not have an immaterial spirit. This puts an awkward spin on their doctrine, leaving them with more secular a philosophy. It is probably a speculation based off of modern Jewish rabbis and in opposition to Greek philosophy. The most prominent passage they would use in support of this concept is found in the book of Ecclesiastes.

Ecc 9:4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
Ecc 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
Ecc 9:6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

Here the passage teaches the dead know nothing. However, is Solomon talking about the dead spirits or simply the corpse? Remember that Ecclesiastes is a wisdom book and the only Bible book dealing in philosophy. This genre strictly deals with observational knowledge. He could observe the inactivity of a corpse but he could not deal with the spiritual world since he has not experience that.

Ecc 3:20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
Ecc 3:21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
Ecc 11:5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

Yet at the end of this book we see that indeed Solomon believes in a spirit which escapes the body.

Ecc 12:5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
Ecc 12:6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
Ecc 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

The scriptures are also clear we have a spirit and a soul.
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.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.


V. Who is your husband?…
Rom 7:1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
Rom 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
Rom 7:3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Rom 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
Rom 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
Rom 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

The majority of Adventists tend to see the law as a part of the gospel and thereby infusing good works with salvation. Here, we see in this passage that having fidelity to both covenants would be like trying to have fidelity to two husbands. They simply can not co-exist simultaneously.

Gal 2:16-3:3 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Here we see in the raw works of Paul the refutation of works based justification by faith plus works. In order to raise up works we have to decrease the work of Christ upon the cross.

VI. A Sabbath by any other day…
Mar 2:18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
Mar 2:19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
Mar 2:20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
Mar 2:21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.
Mar 2:22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.
Mar 2:23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
Mar 2:24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
Mar 2:25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?
Mar 2:26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?
Mar 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Mar 2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Many Adventist claim not only that Christians are under the Sabbath but that to reject the Saturday Sabbath is apostasy and joining the Beast of Revelation. But let us look at what Christ is really teaching concerning the Sabbath.

We see in Jesus’ first reaction to the Pharisees that the disciples were not bound to rituals; but to Christ, who was now with them, and it was a time of celebration. He also declares that there is a new covenant with new rituals about to take place with the new Bottles.
The Pharisees try again to bind the apostles with tradition, yet Jesus shows David “the man after God’s Own heart” not being enslaved by religion and therefore Christ would not let his followers be enslaved either. The purpose of Sabbath Keeping is not to be burdened, but to in fact set the follower free. That’s why you are not supposed to work on the Sabbath. How could not working be counted as a good work? (… It’s just ludicrous.)

Rom 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Rom 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Rom 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
Rom 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
Rom 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Here we see the scriptures actually telling us that we have religious liberty in terms of the subject. How can militant Sabbath keepers be taken seriously as Biblicists?

Heb 4:2-11 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. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

The Sabbath was looking forward to a future rest. The People of God rested on the seventh Day in order to better understand the hope of salvation. They would labor six days a week illustrating the toils of this life. But the world would under go a seventh dispensation in which we will enter the rest of God.

VII. Burn baby burn! Is there an everlasting fire?
Mar 9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Mar 9:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Mar 9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Mar 9:46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Mar 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
Mar 9:48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

It is quite obvious that the fires of hell are never going to die down. Quite frankly it is quite odd for Godly people who claim to believe in the scriptures attempt to reject the doctrine. Could it be that they reject this doctrine because they fear it themselves? Earlier we have seen where they doubt the power of salvation and if this is so then perhaps they are trying to escape damnation by other means. This points us back to the fact that the Adventist churches are not New Testament Churches.
Many might argue that the annihilation hell would fulfill the action of burning. However scripture teaches that the unsaved are resurrected.

Joh 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Therefore they will not perish as they are in a permanent state of destruction.
1Co 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
We must pray that Adventists would cling to the true faith of the New Testament, and not to the counterfeit of the NT, or else they will learn of the truth of eternal fire.

In Christ,
Matt

Biblesmack ministries is going radio!

I have started a new radio show on the net!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

goto www.blogtalkradio.com/Bible Smack Radio
It airs LIVE Saturday nights at 7pm
you can listen to it recorded throughout the net.
you can listen to the first episode at www.blogtalkradio.com/jamesy

I also have a new book out
"What would Jesus say to Evangelicals?"
for a free excerpt and the e-book on sale goto
www.cmyrick/biblesmack.net!

Pentecostal problems

Every so often I try to critique theologies and denominations. For the purpose of biblical discipline. I do recognize that Pentecostalism, as a movement has been very productive for the cause of Christ in terms of evangelism, charity and worship. However, I also believe that Satan made the focus of many on spirituality to become an obsession for sensationalism and as result the start of many heresies.



Being faithful to God
Like the Seventh-day Adventist Pentecostals have struggled with whether or not to remain orthodox. Unlike the Seventh-day Adventist I believe that the majority of Pentecostals still are. (At least enough to receive the saving gospel) However there are groups of ministers who are what we call “Jesus only”. They believe that God is one, only that he has several names. The scripture however teaches that God has three different persons.
Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
The name Elohim has a plural dimension to it. So the one God is shown here as a plurality unlike the modallist God.

Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Here we see God in the Heavens as the Father, God descending in the form of a dove as the Holy Spirit and God as the Son Jesus being baptized.

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Here the three names of the trinity are invoked as responsible for the new covenant. Only God can forgive sin. Secondly, we see the word Kai(and) used twice to give a distinction between the persons of the trinity.

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.
Though this scripture is often challenged as to it’s validity once shown to be scripture it is very obviously proving three witnesses who are three persons of the God head.

Therefore, there are three persons of the godhead as taught in the doctrine of the trinity.

Are there still prophets and apostles?
Act 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
The office of the 12 Apostles must have ceased since no one after a century had seen Christ on a one on one basis. The angels promised Christ would only return the way he left. (Acts 1:11)

1Co 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Here we see Paul identify himself as the last of the Apostles.

2Pe 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2Pe 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
When we see the use of past tense and “remembrance” in the apostles teaching seems like it is either past or about to be. Therefore there are no new Apostles in the canonical sense.

Please test the spirits!
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.
1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
In the majority of the Charismatic movement there is a sense of acceptance of every spirit that comes down the pike. Many Charismatic are easily fooled into the idea that if one is spiritual speaks in tongues and claims to be an apostle then they must obviously be. (not true of all Pentecostals but many)
The scriptures remind us that the devil is in the business of sensationalism as well.
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Therefore, although we should be inviting to the Holy Spirit we should be prepared for the infiltration of demonic spirits.

So great Salvation

The blood that will never lose it’s power!
Many Pentecostals have been guilty of legalism. They have carried the Holiness idea of losing ones salvation simply by committing sin. But salvation is not something done by us but by Jesus(his name means “Jehovah Saves”).
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.
Joh 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
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.
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Many Pentecostals whom I have talked to have though of an incomplete forgiveness which must be sought upon every minor sin. But Jesus’ blood has the power to forgive all our sins in our lifetime. Therefore there is one sacrifice and we can be sure of our salvation.

Real healing
There are many Pentecostals who like Benny Hinn take the gift of healing to the extreme who say that healing is guaranteed as part of the atonement.
They use Isaiah 53 as their key text.
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.
Now it is true that this passage has to do with the atonement. But when we read the phrase “we are healed”, what does that mean? Pentecostals interpret this to mean all people who are Christians are healed from all illnesses hear and now. Yet the passage doesn’t say when the healing happens. Another question to ask is what are we all supposed to be healed from? There are thousands of different types of sicknesses out there. Even if we say all sicknesses what about people who do not get sick. There is a small minority of people out there who never get sick their whole lives. The text doesn’t say a thing about this. Therefore I do not believe the universal healing is speaking towards miraculous healing revivals but instead it is speaking of salvation.
After all, Isaiah is speaking about Christ work on the cross. Secondly, universal healing does take place in the sense of the future resurrection. The scriptures testify to this.
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
There are limitations on the gift of healing. Jesus didn’t heal every one at the pool of Bethesda. Just the blind man.
Joh 5:1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Joh 5:2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
Joh 5:3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
Even the Apostle Paul was not healed on earth of his thorn in the flesh.
2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Someone healed must not be living in sin and the person healed must have faith. Even though this healing is still not necessarily for everyone.


Proper baptism
Most Pentecostals and charismatic argue that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an act that happens after salvation. This a hard doctrine theologically since it implies that there are Christians who are more spiritual than others as oppose to equality since we are all sinners saved by grace. However, the Bible places the baptism of the Holy Spirit along side salvation.

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
If we have been baptized in the name of the trinity then it is implied that we have been Baptized in the name of the Holy Spirit. Which of course implies that we were baptized in the Holy Spirit.
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.
It is implied and accepted that Pentecost witnessed the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Therefore the “gift” of the Holy Spirit would be with Baptism which is promised alongside salvation and conversion.

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.
Act 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
We notice that the promise of the Holy Spirit is universal and the implication of the followers being saved placing the baptismal near salvation.

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?
Here we notice that the speaking in tongues was a sign of the Holy Spirit. This was used as evidence of their salvation qualifying them for baptism.

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.
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Here again we see proof that Baptism of Holy Spirit is universal .


Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Eph 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
If we have one spirit, then why would we need to be immersed in the Spirit after we have already been indwelled by the Spirit? And if everyone one has received gifts from the spirit wouldn’t it then mean everyone was first baptized in the spirit?





Mar 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
Mar 16:10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
Mar 16:11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
Mar 16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
Mar 16:13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
Mar 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mar 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
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.
Mar 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Now many traditional Pentecostals hang their hat on this verse. They claim that the “full gospel” is with these signs accompanying them. So they will cast out demons and lay hands on the sick and speak with tongues.
Yet how many of them will carry snakes? Only a few microscopic sects out of millions across the globe do. Yet how many of them will drink poison? One? Two? So how many people are getting saved at all?
(of course with the terrible reputation modern drugs, maybe we are all taking in poison!)

Most Evangelicals deny this passage even existed, through the discovery of 2 Egyptian manuscripts translated by heretics. But, for those of us who know the truth, how do we interpret this passage?
Well, this is not the only passage with High ideals.
Act 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Act 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
We may see many people talk about having things in common, We may see people talking about having church every day. But how many people share all their possessions? How many really give up all their possessions? How many go to church all day?
So how many of the people who do not have possessions and drink poison and raise up snakes? Any? So how many of us are going to Heaven, if this is all part of the gospel?
Now at this point I have seen dozens, if not hundreds of Seminarians solve this mystery by simply saying that these passages were somehow hyperbolic and it all points to Christ so just praise the Lord and pass the Turkey. But as beautiful and sadly moronic these essays are, I believe there is something more going on.
By the way I have to start by saying that many of these ideas, I got from Bible teacher Les Feldick. So basically when we look even earlier at Prophecies concerning Christ we see prophecies about the first and second coming right together.
For instance:
Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
Isa 11:3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
Isa 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
Isa 11:5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
Isa 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
Isa 11:7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Isa 11:8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
Isa 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Now, here we can see some basic and miraculous predictions that as Christians we see to be fulfilled in the millennium. However, if a Jew reads this they are going to see the two prophecies as one. Catholics and mainline Protestants will condemn the Jewish reader for taking their passage literal and essentially condemn the Jew to Hell. You wouldn’t let a Muslim or Mormon say the same about you would you? So here is the answer to both.
1. The Kingdom was offered to the Jews.
Act 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
2. The time of the gospels was a time when the offer was quite valid

3. The gentiles were allowed to partake in the spiritual promises
Act 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
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.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

4. By the end of the book of Acts the vast majority of Israel rejected the New Covenant.

5. The age of grace would be therefore a time of the spiritual fulfillment of the New Covenant.
Rom 11:15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

6. The millennial reign will be a time of both spiritual and physical fulfillment of the New Covenant.

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Taming the tongue
Jam 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
In the last fifty years we have seen the spread of the charismatic movement. And with this spread of speaking tongues we have seen groups speaking in tongues in a more wilder and unorthodox way. Many people who visit Pentecostal groups may hear people speak in tongues yet they never see the interpretation of tongues.
We must remember that confusing tongues are demonic.
Gen 11:9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Confusion is a product of sin. Yet it is the very mark of unorthodox tongue speaking.
Isa 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
Isa 28:12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
This was a curse on the Hebrews that Gentiles would have to be witnessing to them and yet it is a greater curse when unintelligible.
1Co 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
One problem that manifest itself in the tongues debate from both sides is the doctrine of tongues in Acts being equivalent of the tongues in Corinthians.
First of all we need to demystify the term. A literal translation of tongues is “languages”
In the Book of Acts the languages are instantly given a label.
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
In Acts we see a miracle of these spiritual tongues coming upon believers.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Here we see that now that the Christian have Holy Spirit they can speak in other
Languages, so long as the spirit allows
In the book of 1 Corinthians 13 we see another label
1Co 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
Here we see Paul speaking a spiritual language.

Let’s look at what Paul is saying later
1Co 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
This language of men and angels is describe as unknown and not specifically earthly.
2Co 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Hear we see the heavenly language cannot be uttered. Therefore the manifestation in the book of Acts known as the tongues of fire are a different manifestation of the spirit.

Act 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
Act 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Act 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Act 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Here Paul brings the disciples of John into the new stage of the Covenant into the age of grace. Therefore they prophesy and speak in tongues. Yet this is different from the apostles because the apostles spoke in worldly tongue in order to show all gentiles were allowed into the new covenant. These followers of John would be presumably Jewish. However they probably spoke in the language of men and angels indicating that they are part of a spiritual nation in the covenant of grace, for now they have the Holy Spirit.





Here many a Pentecostal will hang their hat with the conclusion that the gospel will be accompanied by the sign of speaking in tongues. Yet you do not have a command to speak in tongues and you also do not have a specific occasion.


Even though we ain’t got money!
There has been a sect of heretics to infiltrate Charismatic Christianity. It goes by the name “Word of faith” movement. This group is dangerous for the simple fact that they take the focus off of heaven and focus on worldly wealth.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
If money is the blessing of God which you are to seek after and have right after then shouldn’t you love and covet money?

Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Here is the key difference between the prosperity gospel and the New Testament Gospel. The prosperity gospel is one that promises earthly gifts in this generation. But the New Testament gospel is one which promises eternal treasures in the new heavens and new earth.
Rev 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
Rev 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
Rev 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Mammon) a Chaldee or Syriac word meaning "wealth" or "riches" (Luke
16:9-11); also, by personification, the god of riches (Matt.
6:24; Luke 16:9-11).
Money becomes it’s own god. Acquiring worldly riches runs in contradiction with the gospel. If you have become massively wealthy, you will not be able to keep it when you know that there is so much need for charity and the great commission. Wealth has an addictive nature and you will have to become its servant.




Mat 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Mat 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Mat 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Mat 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Mat 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Mat 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Though it is good to pray to God for our needs; it is at the same time not the object of our affections. We know that God is our sovereign Lord and Father. He knows our needs better than us. Therefore our ability to prosper is not based on our ability to pray it through to us or anything that is in us.
It is instead primarily based on God’s sovereign will and secondly based on our following of his wisdom.
And so in the world of Penticostalism we a hunger for spirituality. But we must be careful that we do not drink from the wrong fountain and quench the Holy Spirit.

Are you sure?

A couple weeks ago I got a newsreport of the death of of a contemporary theologian whom will remain nameless. This theologian I actually had a book of. The report was from a missionary who carefully gave short biography of his life.

What was found was that he did not have a proper testinmony on being born-again. Instead He simply confessed to a time where he needed to get more religious.
Over the years, he moved less and less conservative until he started to embrace heretical or at least false doctrine. Ultimately he denied the Gospel of salvation by grace through faith.
Another famous Evangelical whom you may know by name also had a poor testimony without trying to give his name and be a gossip let me give you examples of why this "evangelical" may never have been born-again and therefore saved.
Poor testimony
a. he was a late convert yet his rebirth"experience" was anything but. He explained as it one day changing his mind and worldview. Late converts are especially know for having deep experiential changes but not this one.

Poor life style
a. after his "conversion" he was known for living with a misstress.
b. He was known among peers as a "cusser"
c. he frequented bars and drank and smoked.

Poor theology
a. He partaked in sacrements and was considering converting to catholicism
b. He denied exclusive salvation
C. He denied salvation by grace through faith
d. He denied blood atonement

Considering these factors this figure was probably not born again.
The gospel ask for repentance upon conversion

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.
Acts 2:38 KJV


2:14 What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit? 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 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. James 2:14-18 KJV




The gospel is by grace through faith alone and it those who distort the Gospel will be condemned to Hell

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


1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 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.
Galatians 1:7-9 KJV




Thinking about this, it became apparent to me that one could be raised in the evangelical church with strong biblical parents and even attain high status as a leader among evangelical Christians and yet still not be saved. So how do you know, and how can you be really sure that you are saved?

Here are some things to remember. First of all, can you be sure of salvation?
5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith. 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 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. 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. 5:10 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. 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 5:13 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. 1 John 5:0-13 KJV

Obviously the Apostle John is arguing that we can indeed know and be assured that we have salvation.
So what is it that makes us sure.
The work of God.

3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ, 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Philippians 3:7-11 KJV



We can not work our way to heaven. But Jesus can! It is the work of God that saves since we can not do it our selves. It is not even our own faith but the faithfulness of Christ!(vrs.9)

But how does that salvation reach us do we have to earn that?
No, it comes through the gospel!

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.
Romans 1:16 KJV

But most people hear that so arn't most people saved?

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].
Hebrews 4:2 KJV

"So do all people who believe in God get saved when they hear the gospel, what about those leaders talked about earlier? "

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.
Matthew 7:21 KJV


"So how do I know If I have followed God enough to make it? I thought you said I just had to believe?"

You have to know that your faith is real and not false.

2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 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. 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
James 2:17-19 KJV


How do you know that?

11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 KJV


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. 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9-10 KJV



8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Romans 8:9 KJV


5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 KJV

Can I sense being born again?

2:37 Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do? 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. 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. 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:37-41 KJV



8:36 And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, `here is' water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 8:37 `And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 8:39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. 8:40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
Acts 8:36-40 ASV


16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 16:32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed [their] stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 16:34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Acts 16:30-34 KJV


From the book of acts we see a pattern. The gospel is preached conviction is felt. A person is to believe with their heart.(the heart symbolically is the center of emotion) The person usually rejoices in their salvation.
You can actually feel being born again! Because you know when your heart has changed.

"But, some may ask, what if it was just emotion?"
Before anything we know that one must have faith. So it is faith that we experience and express emotionally. Secondly, we will see the fruits of the spirit.
If you have experienced the fruits of the spirit then you know that you will be preserved in your salvation.

10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.
John 10:28 KJV

"What if I went through those emotions But I just don't believe in the gospel that you preach from the New Testament?"

1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:11-12 KJV


2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Colossians 2:8 KJV

If the gospel of Jesus Christ or "God's Word concerning Jesus Christ" is distorted from the New Testament is distorted it will not bring you caving power. So you never start to be saved and need to be saved with the real gospel.

Remeber these things and take it to heart. It is God's grace which gives the motivation to live for Him.

In Christ,

Matt