FALSE DOCTRINES, MYTHS AND LIES EXPOSED For accuracy, the Bible translations recommended are the Authorized King James Version or the New King James Version.
Love - myth that the only command we have now is to love each other. However, no clear definition is given of the term " love " so it has come to mean just about anything. The truth is we show our love towards God and our neighbour by keeping the commandments. 1 John 5:2-3 " By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. " There has been a tremendous amount of misunderstandings regarding the term love, when used within the New Testament context. Once again as I have pointed out over and over - it is so very important when studying the Bible to not take one particular scripture out of the Biblical context. You have to look at how it fits in the whole picture. You must be careful not to isolate a few words from the whole, and then blow them all out of proportion. If you do that then their real meaning can very easily become twisted and distorted. A lot of people will say that " you can prove anything by the Bible. " This is not true, if we are really honest, and sincerely seeking the truth. However, if we just want to see only what we want to see - well this is different. The problem is that many people, religions, and churches only see what they want to see, and then conveniently ignore those plain scriptures that contradict their own particular preconceived opinions, prejudices, or official doctrines. Are there contradictions in the Bible ? Yes there are ! Folks - I do not propose to have all the answers. Is Jesus Christ a controversial, and sometimes contradictory figure ? You bet He is ! Jesus Christ is one of the God's in the Godhead. He is the A and the Z. We as small, mortal, limited human beings can never hope to truly grasp such a great and all encompassing Spiritual Being. The God who created the lion and the lamb. The God who brings peace and creates evil. The God who is merciful, but yet who allows so much suffering in this world. Love can mean so many things to so many different people. In my Random House Dictionary there are listed 24 different definitions for the word love !! The Apostle John writes a lot about love. He writes that " God is love, " and that " We love Him because He first loved us," and that " There is no fear in love," and " he that loves God love his brother also." So perhaps it is not to be unexpected that there are so many different interpretations as to what love means. Christ is our Judge. He will judge these matters. I do not propose to know everything about love. The greatest gift of the Holy Spirit is charity, or love (1 Corinthians chapter 13). However, the Bible does teach very clearly that we show our love for God and our neighbour by keeping the commandments. Romans 13:8-14 from the Living Bible " Pay all your debts except the debt of love for others - never finish paying that ! For if you love them, you will be obeying all of God's laws, fulfilling all of his requirements. If you love your neighbour as much as you love yourself you will not want to harm or cheat them, or kill him or steal from him. And you won't sin with his wife or want what is his, or do anything else the Ten Commandments say is wrong. All ten are wrapped up in this one, to love your neighbour as you love yourself. Love does no wrong to anyone. That's why it fully satisfies all of God's requirements. It is the only law you need. " It should be fairly simple. The commandments of God show us how to love God and our neighbour. However, there is more to love than that, but this is a very excellent starting point. Take business for example. If you love others you won't cheat or short change them in your business dealings. You won't take advantage of others in the business world. You will be fair and honest. Take relations with neighbours as an example. If you love your neighbour you won't covet their property. You won't covet their wife or husband. You won't try to steal away their husband or wife. You won't steal what is theirs. You won't slander them, and you won't make up all kinds of lies about them. Stealing is an act of hatred against others. A lot of crooks might think twice about stealing something, if they were to meet the person, or persons who own the property. However, they perhaps don't want to put a personal face to that property. They steal the car, but perhaps don't want to know that the car belongs to someone. Maybe they rationalize their behavior, and say that they don't really mean any harm to anyone - they just want the car. Actually they are displaying hatred towards the owner of the vehicle, when they covet and then steal the property. Someone had to work for that car. They need it for transportation. It hurts them when it is unjustly taken away. Lies hurt others. Lies harm those telling the truth. Not honouring your parents hurts your parents deeply. Do you get the point ? And what about loving God ? This is the greatest commandment. Matthew 22:35-40 " Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. " Luke 10:25-28 " And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. " If we love God we will demonstrate our love towards him, by doing those things that are pleasing to him, and that includes keeping his commandments. However, there are gray areas of the law subject to personal interpretation. As well a good number of Old Testament Laws have been done away by Christ, like the various rituals, and the sacrificial laws. However, much of it is still in place. This is an extremely broad and complicated subject. Christ will judge us as to how well we have loved others. None of us is perfect. None of us has a perfect grasp of the scriptures, and of God's laws. God looks at a persons heart - at our motives and intentions. It is a growing process.
Mary - myth that saints like Mary the Mother of Jesus have been resurrected already and are living in heaven. The truth is that only Christ is risen so far. Let me quote from Roman Catholic doctrine regarding this matter. From this is the Catholic Faith, by R.N. Mugford Session 10, Our Lady and the Saints. " Chief among those in Heaven is the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is there body and soul. Catholics believed this for many centuries and expressed their belief in popular piety and liturgy before Pope Pius X11 defined the doctrine on November 1,1950: " the Mother of God ... obtained as the crowning glory of her privileges to be preserved from the corruption of the tomb and, like her Son before her, to conquer death to be raised body and soul to the glory of heaven...'' If, after our death , God judges us worthy of immediate entrance into Heaven, our soul (personality, inmost being) will be there, our glorified body will join it at the end of the world. Mary is in heaven as a totality. This is her Assumption. " Catholics do not worship Mary; they simply give her highest honour as the one whom God deemed worthy to be the " Theotokos ", Mother of the Word made flesh, the "God-bearer", (Ecumenical Council of Ephesus, 431 A.D.). " Mother of God " in the " hail Mary '' does not mean that Mary in the mother of God the Father, she is the mother of God the Son in human flesh. Catholics believe in the Trinity, not in a '' quaternity " of Father, Son, Holy Spirit and Mary. " Would you not ask a friend on earth to pray for you ? If Mary is in Heaven, and she is your friend, because she is the Mother of our Lord, is it not natural to ask her for her prayers ? " The various forms of piety towards the Mother of God, which the Church has approved within the limits of sound and orthodox doctrine, according to the dispositions and understandings of the faithful, ensure that while the Mother is honoured, the one through whom all things have their being (Colossians 1:15-16) (Colossians 1:19) is rightly known, loved and glorified and His commandments are observed ', Vatican Council 11. Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, #66. " So there you have it. This doctrine which teaches Mary is now in Heaven does not agree with what the Bible teaches on the subject. John 3:13 " And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. " John 8:21 " Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. " John 7:33-34 " Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. " John 13:33 " Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come;............. " The parable of the talents that Christ gave illustrates the fact that Christ was to return to heaven, and His servants were to remain here on earth, and after a long time the Master (Christ) is to return and reward His servants according to their efforts. Matthew 25:14,19 " For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. " verse 19 " After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. "
John 8:23 " And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. " Acts 2:29 " Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. " Acts 2:34 " For David is not ascended into the heavens.............. "
The Bible teaches that the resurrection of the saints has not happened yet. Only Christ (the first fruits) has been resurrected to die no more. 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 " For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. " There is no proof from scripture to indicate that the resurrection of the saints (and Mary specifically) has happened yet. The resurrection of the saints happens when Jesus has returned to the earth. Jesus is the firtfruits to raise from the dead to die no more. The saints are resurrected at the last trump. There are prophecies in Revelation regarding the blowing of seven trumpets by God's Angels. When the seventh, or last trumpet is blown then Christ returns and resurrects the saints. Revelation 11:15 " And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. " 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 " Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. " 1 Thessalonians 4: 15-17 " For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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: 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. " There is no Biblical proof that the resurrection of the saints has happened yet. there is no proof in the world we live in that the resurrection of the saints has happened already. We know very well that Mary the human mother of Jesus is one of the saints. Therefore we can be 100% assured that Mary is still just as dead as David, and she awaits the return of Christ and her resurrection. Therefore it is very futile to waste your prayers by praying to Mary. She is dead and in her grave. Dead persons cannot answer prayers. Pray to God the Father, or Jesus, and you can rest assured your prayers are going out to spiritual persons that are very much alive. In fact God the Father and Jesus Christ are much, much more alive than we are. They will answer your prayers. Praying to Mary is completely in vain. It is like chasing the wind. It is futile. And even if you think that there might just be a very, very small chance Mary may be alive in heaven, so to cover all the bases you will still pray to her just in case she might be alive (although you have absolutely no evidence to suggest such a matter) - well then such prayers are not sent up in faith, since there are severe doubts in your mind she is alive. As well we are supposed to address our prayers to God the Father mostly, although it is certainly okay on occasion to pray directly to Jesus. There is nothing in scripture to even suggest we pray to anyone other than God, and we know there are two members in the Godhead - God the Father and God the Son. So it is okay to pray directly to Jesus at times, but through the example prayer Christ gave us (the Lord's prayer) as a pattern for our own prayers - it is clear we are to address our prayers primarily to God the Father, but ask the prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Christ is our Mediator in Heaven. Folks praying to Mary won't get you anywhere, and in fact praying to someone other than God is very dangerous spiritually. This is because we are to worship only God, and as well we are commanded not to make any image of anything on earth and in heaven and then to worship that image. Exodus 20:3-6 " Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. "
Mother of Jesus (Mary) never had anymore children and is forever virgin - a myth. And that she never sinned.Let me again quote from Catholic doctrine on this matter from this is the Catholic Faith, by R.N. Mugford Session 10, Our Lady and the Saints. " Mary did not commit any actual sin during her life. She is " full of grace." " She is ever virgin: Mary's Perpetual Virginity. She conceived in true reality without human seed from the Holy Spirit, God the Word Himself, who before the ages was born of God the Father, and gave to Him without corruption, her virginity remaining equally inviolate after birth..." (Council of Lateran, 649) " Mary had no children except Jesus. When the New Testament mentions "brothers" of Jesus, this refers to cousins or half-brothers. The fact that Jesus on the Cross told St. John to take Mary into his own home is an argument for her Perpetual Virginity. "
Let us look at these claims very carefully. Yes it is true Mary was pregnant of the Holy Spirit, and gave birth to Christ, who before His human birth was the Word Himself. So God became the Father of Christ. There is agreement on these principles. However, to suggest Mary was without corruption, or sin is to go contrary to the simple teachings of the Bible. None of us has any right or authority to add our own human traditions to scripture, and then claim these traditions of men have equal weight with the inspired word of God the Bible. The foundation and corner stone has been lain down already almost 2,000 years ago. That foundation is the Bible. The Bible is complete the way it is. The foundation has been laid already, and all we can legitimately do is build on that foundation. If you decide you don't like the foundation and want to build yourself another foundation, then you are not part of God's true house the true Church of God. Ephesians 2:19-22 " Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. " So to suggest just because the traditions of your particular church group should deviate from the Bible - then this means your traditions supercede or trump the scriptures is simply folly. The Bible plainly teaches that all (except Jesus Christ) have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 " For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; " Hebrews 5:14 " For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. " Galatians 3:22 " But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. " Romans 5:12 " Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: " Romans 6:23 " For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. " The wages of sin is death. Mary sinned and so Mary died, just like you and I will someday, because all (except Christ) have sinned. However, there is the hope of the resurrection.
Now for the next point, being that there are those who falsely claim Mary the Mother of Jesus never had anymore children and is forever virgin. This is a very easy false doctrine to disprove - a piece of cake. Joseph was engaged to be married to Mary, but discovered she was pregnant. So he was going to break off the plan to marry her quietly, so as to not make her into a public spectacle. However, God send an Angel to him in a dream to explain that Mary was pregnant through the Holy Spirit, and that the child would be called Jesus, or Emmanuel (which being interpreted is God with us). Matthew 1:24-25 " Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. " Joseph knew Mary not until the birth of Jesus. In other words he did not have sexual intercourse with Mary until after Jesus was born. Through this scripture it is clearly implied that Joseph did have sex with Mary, but only after the birth of Jesus - not before. The words " and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn " and also " remained a virgin until her Son was born " explain it pretty well. The living Bible makes this a little easier to understand. Matthew 1:24-25 " When Joseph awoke, he did as the Angel commanded, and brought Mary home to be his wife, but she remained a virgin until her Son was born; and Joseph named him Jesus. " Matthew 13:55-56 " Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? " The neighbours and acquaintances of Jesus in his home town, knew where he had lived and knew that his human father Joseph was a carpenter (God was his real Father though), and they knew Christ's Mother and Christ's sisters and brothers. Four brothers are mentioned and there are sisters mentioned, so there must have been at least two sisters. That gives us at least seven kids in the family, which was probably fairly normal for the times. Mark 5:3-4 " Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. " There isn't really any point in giving more proofs, except from the ancient historian Josephus. Josephus specifically states that James (the apostle James) was the brother of Jesus. Antiquities 20.9.1 But the younger Ananus who, as we said, received the high priesthood, was of a bold disposition and exceptionally daring; he followed the party of the Sadducees, who are severe in judgment above all the Jews, as we have already shown. As therefore Ananus was of such a disposition, he thought he had now a good opportunity, as Festus was now dead, and Albinus was still on the road; so he assembled a council of judges, and brought before it the brother of Jesus the so-called Christ, whose name was James, together with some others, and having accused them as law-breakers, he delivered them over to be stoned. There you have it from the Jewish historian Josephus that James was the brother of Christ, but of course they did not share the same father, but they did share the same Mother. It is really silly to believe that Mary never had anymore children after the birth of Jesus, and is forever virgin. It just flies in the face of the scriptures and logic itself. Where do people get these ideas from ? Certainly not from the Bible, which is the inspired word of God.
New Years - falsehood that the first of January is the beginning of the New Year. This also includes the incorrect teachings that New Year begins on the first of Tishri. In reality God's new year begins on the first of Abib, which is always in the spring, just prior to Passover. Passover is on the 14th of Abib.Exodus 12:1-2 " And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. " Exodus 12:18-31 " (18) In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.(19) Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land (20) Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread. (21) Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. (22) And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.(23) For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.(24) And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. (25) And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. (26) And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? (27) That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. (28) And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. (29) And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.(30) And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. (31) And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. " Exodus 13: 3-4 " And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. This day came ye out in the month Abib. Canada officially follows the Gregorian Calendar, and in that calendar New Year comes on January 1st. The Gregorian Calendar is not God's sacred calendar. In fact to prove this point I will point out some of the pagan origins of the names of the months, and days of the week under the Julian and Gregorian Calendars.
Pagan origins of the names for the days of the week.
The Romans developed the Julian calendar, which served western Europe for more than 1,500 years. But as time progressed, the Julian calendar was in need of adjustments. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced to correct the previously universal Julian calendar. The Julian calendar year consisted of 365.25 days, a little too long since the correct value for the tropical year is 365.242199 days. This error of 11 minutes 14 seconds per year amounted to nearly one and a half days in 200 years, and seven days in 1,000 years. The problem was placed before church councils, but no action was taken since astronomers who were consulted didn't have enough precise information concerning the exact value of the tropical year. By 1545, however, the vernal equinox, which was used in determining Easter, had moved 10 days from its proper date; and in December the Council of Trent authorized Pope Paul III to take action to correct the error. But neither the Pope nor his immediate successors where able to find a satisfactory solution. In 1572, the year of election of Pope Gregory he found various proposals awaiting him and agreed to issue a bull that the Jesuit astronomer Christopher Clavius (1537-1612) began to draw up, using suggestions made by the astronomer Luigi Lilio. The papal bull appeared in March 1582. To bring the vernal equinox back to March 21, several arrangements were made. The day following the Feast of St. Francis (October 5) was to become October 15, therefore omitting 10 days (not every one made the change at the same time - in Britain when they finally went to the Gregorian Calendar they had to shave off eleven days rather than ten). Then to bring the year closer to the true tropical year, a value of 365.2422 days was accepted. This value differed by 0.0078 days per year from the Julian calendar reckoning, amounting to 0.78 days per century, or 3.12 days every 400 years. It was therefore stated that there will be one leap year every four years except when the year is a centennial (1700, 1800, 1900). But the year 2000 will be a leap year since it is a multiple or 400. The Hebrew calendar is God's sacred calendar. God only revealed Himself to Israel (Amos 3:1-2). Hebrew months are 29 or 30 days each. Their years consisting of 12 lunar months or of 354 1/4 days. Therefore about every 3 years (7 times in 19 years) the 13th month Veador (also called second Adar), is added between Adar and Abib. It is known as an '' intercalary month ". The correct time for New Year is the 1st of Abib (Exodus 12:1-2 , 13:3-4). Here is the list of months and the months they correspond to in the Gregorian Calendar. MONTH NUMBER OF DAYS CORRESPONDS WITH
Notice that Tishri is the seventh month, not the first. God's calendar follows nature - it is lunar. Each new month begins on the new moon. Also in God's calendar days end and begin at sunset. The correct name for the first month of the year is Abib, not Nisan.
Rapture of the Church to heaven during the great tribulation - a falsehood. This is a really easy myth to debunk. The Bible teaches very clearly that heaven is not the reward of the saved - go to Heaven is Not The Reward of the Saved for the biblical proof. Additionally there is no proof to suggest mankind has an immortal soul, that goes to hell at death if people have been bad, or goes to heaven if they have been good. Go to Debunking the Myth of the Immortality of the Soul for the proof. The Bible teaches very clearly that the resurrection of the Saints has not happened yet. It will happen at the Last Trump, which signals the return of Christ to earth. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 " Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. " The Bible clearly teaches that the resurrection happens at the last trump. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 " For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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: 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. " These scriptures show us that the resurrection happens when Jesus returns. Christians that are still alive at that time will be changed in a twinkling of an eye from flesh to spirit. This will happen very shortly after the dead saints are resurrected. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 " But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. " This scripture shows us clearly that Christ resurrects the saints when He returns from heaven to this earth. Matthew 24:29-31 " Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. " In the Bible there are three heavens mentioned. One is where God lives, the other is the stars and universe, and the other is the earth's atmosphere - where the clouds float. Christ will appear in the sky, and He will resurrect the saints, and they will come to Him from the four corners of the earth, and meet Him in the sky. So they will be gathered together from one end of the sky to the other. And the saints will be with Christ. And where will Christ be ? It is quite clear from the scriptures. Zechariah 14:4 " And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east .............. Acts 1:9-12 " And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. " Mark 13:26 " And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. " Christ returns to the earth where the clouds are. He prevents mankind from destroying all human life on earth through their hellish nuclear weapons (Matthew 24:21-22). Immediately after that He resurrects the saints. Revelation 11:15 " And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. The seventh angel refers to the one of seven angels that blow the trumpets; Revelation 8:2 " And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets." Regarding the church in the last days. The last two eras of God's true church are described for us in Revelation Chapter 3:7-22. These two eras of God's true church are contemporaries. They exist during the same time period. The Philadelphia era of God's true church is promised a place of safety here on earth in the wilderness during the Great Tribulation. Revelation 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. " The Living Bible makes it sound a little clearer. Revelation 3:10 from the Living Bible " Because you have patiently obeyed me despite the persecution, therefore I will protect you from the time of Great Tribulation and temptation , which will come upon the world to test everyone alive. " This era of God's true church will be protected in the wilderness for 3 ½ years from Satan, and from the world government. This is obviously a place here on earth. Revelation 12:13-17 " And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. " The earth helped the woman, and swallowed up the flood, which the serpent poured out against the church in an attempt to destroy the church. If the church is raptured to heaven, then why is the earth helping the woman ? Obviously because there is no biblical proof of a rapture to heaven. Instead all these things and events happen here on earth. The Philadelphia era of the true church alone is promised a place of safety in the wilderness. The other eras of the true church in the last days - Sardis and Laodicea are not promised this. Christ rejects, or spits out of His mouth the Laodiceans (Revelation 3:16,19). This era and perhaps a remnant of the Sardis era will have to live through the great tribulation, and many of them will probably suffer martyrdom at the hands of the Beast (Matthew 24:9) (Revelation 6:9-11). A lot of preachers teach that Christ could return at any moment, and rapture the true believers to heaven. Yet there isn't any biblical proof of this. Where do people get these ideas ? If you have questions, or concerns please feel free to write, telephone, or send me an e-mail. I would be happy to answer questions, but cannot 100 % guarantee a response. Telephone (403) 274-5253 e-mail Mailing Address: Ray Wegner P.O. Box 475 Stn. Main Calgary, Alberta T2P-2J1 Go to Discussion Page.
Sabbath - why most churches reject the true Sabbath ? - (the true Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset). Exposing the myth that Christ died on Friday and was resurrected on Sunday morning. This is a very difficult subject, but I shall try hard to make it as simple as possible. First of all let me dispel some myths regarding the Sabbath. 1. Myth that the Sabbath was only given to Israel. The Genesis record of creation in the Bible tells us very plainly that on the seventh literal day of the renewing of life here on earth and the restoring of those parts of the universe that were damaged - God rested. Thus he created the Sabbath at that time. This was a few thousands of years before God created the nation of Israel !! This was approximately 2,000 years before God gave Israel the Ten Commandments, and the fourth command is the one that commands us to keep the Sabbath holy !! Genesis 2:1-3 " Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. " God sanctified the seventh day. Let us look into the dictionary meaning of the word " sanctify. " Sanctify def. 1. to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate 2. to purify or free from sin; Free from sin. 3. to impart religious sanction to ; render legitimate or binding: to sanctify a vow. 4. to entitle to reverence or respect. 5. to make productive of or conducive to spiritual blessing. Sanctified 1. to make holy; consecrated; sanctified wine 2. sanctimonious: a sickening sanctified smile. God sanctified the seventh day, which means (from the context of the scriptures) that God set the seventh day apart, consecrated it and made it Holy. Only God can make something, or someone Holy. God made the seventh day (from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) Holy, because God's presence is in that time. This is time that belongs to God. He has set this time aside for His use. The Sabbath was made for man. Made for man to worship God on that day - to take a break from the daily routine of living and think about God and the spiritual, and to have a rest. It is time God has set apart where He can teach mankind about the spiritual. No human government, no church, and no human being has any right or authority to change God's Sabbath from the seventh day to the first day of the week, which is Sunday. Mankind cannot make someone, or something Holy - only God can do that. The Sabbath was given to mankind right from the beginning - to Adam and Eve. It was a time God set apart where He could teach and instruct people about His laws, ways and commands.
2. Myth that the Sabbath is on Sunday. Take a look at your calendar if you have one handy. Sunday is not the seventh day. Sunday is the first day of the week. Saturday is the seventh day of the week. We here in Canada in general have a work week that runs from Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday are customarily regarded as part of the weekend. " Have a good weekend," people say to each other when they go home from work on Friday afternoon. Yet in reality Sunday isn't part of the weekend, since it is really the first day of the week ! However, people call it part of the weekend, because it traditionally is part of the two days that are tacked on at the end of the work week for most people. 3. Myth that days begin and end at midnight. Who created the earth, and the sun, and the moon and the universe ? Did man do this ? Silly to even think it. God created these things, and God caused the earth to spin. One rotation of the earth is counted as one day. One trip by the earth around the sun is counted as one year. God's days begin and end at sunset, not at midnight. This is shown for us very clearly in the Genesis record of the renewing of the earth and life on it.
The way God counts days - the evening starts when the sun sets. Morning starts when the sun rises. This gives us one full day from sunset to sunset. Therefore God's weekly Sabbath begins at sunset at the end of the sixth day, and the seventh day or Sabbath begins at the same time. * What about in the land of the midnight sun ? In far Northern Canada in summer the sun does not set. The sun is still above the horizon at midnight. Well the simple rule there is that new days begin and end when the sun is at its lowest point on the western horizon.
God is the creator of time. He created time when He created the universe and the solar system we live in. Time is simply the relationship of the heavenly bodies between themselves. One spin of the earth on its axis is one day in God's book. God uses the moon and the earth's relationship to it - to count the months. The beginning of the new moon is regarded as the beginning of the new month in God's sacred calendar. The concept of days beginning and ending at midnight is a human concept. God's days begin at sunset - at evening. The morning begins at sunrise. The evening and the morning make up one full day. The old day ends at sunset, and a new day starts at sunset. That is how God counts days. 4. Myth that the Sabbath is just for the Jews and Jewish. The Sabbath was created by God about two thousand years before there was even such a thing as a Jew. And anyways the tribe of Judah (from which we get the term Jew) is only one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Man alive folks - this is elementary stuff here. Israel consisted of twelve different tribes. The Jews are only one of the twelve. The twelve tribes of Israel are as follows: Genesis 35:22-26 " .....Now the sons of Jacob were twelve : the sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun: The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin: And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; Dan and Naphtali: And he sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid; Gad, and Asher......" The weekly Sabbath (as well as the annual Sabbaths) do not belong to the Jews or to Israel. These days belong to God - the Creator of the earth and the universe. Leviticus 23:1-3 " And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. " How can anything be more plain ? The weekly Sabbath is God's Sabbath. It does not belong to any specific tribe, or nation. It belongs to God. He made it. God is the Creator of all mankind. He gives His laws to all mankind, just like the laws that say stealing and lying are sins. There are seven annual Holy Days also mentioned in Leviticus chapter 23. I will digress slightly and just list them for you. Leviticus 23:4 " These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.
These are the Feasts of the Lord. The weekly Sabbath is called the Sabbath of the Lord. These days do not belong to the Jews. They are not the Feasts of the Jews. Yet there are some people who figure the Sabbath is just for Israel, or the Jews. This is nonsense. God commands us to keep the Sabbath holy, and this is the fourth of the Ten Commandments. If the command to keep the Sabbath holy is just for the Jews then what about the other nine commands ? Are they also just for the Jews and Israel ? Is it okay for other peoples to lie, steal, murder, covet, dishonour their parents, commit adultery, take God's name in vain, worship idols, and fall down before foolish lifeless images, but it is not okay for the tribes of Israel (of which the Jews are a part) to do these things ??? Silly to even suggest it. Exodus 20:8-11 " Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. " God sanctified or set aside for Holy use the weekly Sabbath. Only God can make someone, or something Holy. It is God's presence in the day that makes it special, or hallowed. To illustrate. God appeared to Moses in the form of a fire in a bush, out in the desert. The bush was on fire, but it was not consumed by the fire !! Moses was curious and went to investigate. Exodus 3:3-6 " And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 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. " God's presence in the bush made the ground around the bush holy. So God commanded Moses to take off His shoes and show respect. It is the same with the weekly Sabbath. God's presence is in the day, so that space of time is hallowed - set aside for God's purposes, and God expects us to respect Him on that day. Only God can made something or someone Holy. So God commands us to remember the Sabbath each week, and to keep the Sabbath Holy. 5. Myth that Christ died on Friday and rose from the dead on Sunday - thus the myth goes that the Sabbath was changed from the seventh day (Saturday) to the first day of the week Sunday. Christ plainly said that the sign that would prove to the world that He was the Messiah and the Son of God was the fact that He would be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. He said He would be dead for three days and three nights in the grave. That would be the sign that would prove to the world that what He claimed to be was true. Matthew 12:39-40 " But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. " Yet if Christ died on Friday just before sunset (as so many Churches teach), and then rose from the dead on Sunday morning - then how can we fit in this time frame three days and three nights ? Folks it is impossible to get three days and three nights into the period from Friday just before sunset to Sunday morning. You end up on Monday for the resurrection, if Christ died on Friday !! Remember God's days begin and end at sunset. So let us just count three days and three nights, starting from very late Friday, just before sunset (the time many erroneously claim Christ died).
So, if Christ died on Friday (as is erroneously claimed) and was resurrected on Sunday morning - then Jesus is a liar because He wasn't dead for three days and three nights !!! Yet this is the only sign Jesus gave that would prove to the world that He was the Messiah, the Son of God. Christ is no liar. Let me set this matter straight. Jesus was put to death on the Passover - right on the very day. Jesus kept the Passover ceremony with His disciples - it is traditionally called the Last Supper. The Passover begins in the evening. Jesus kept the Passover with His disciples. He then went out in the darkness to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Judas the Betrayer led the authorities to the Garden of Gethsemane, where they had Jesus arrested. This was late at night, and they came with torches blazing. Judas betrayed Christ to the mob, and Jesus was arrested. Peter followed far behind, and before the rooster crowed Peter had denied three times he even knew Christ . Roosters crow in the morning. So now it is morning. During the day light hours Jesus was put on trial and condemned to death through crucifixion. He was crucified right on Passover day. The very next day after the Passover is the beginning of the very special annual Sabbath - the first day of the seven day Feast of Unleavened Bread. The first day of the Feast of Unleavened bread is a Sabbath - a special annual Sabbath (the actual entire Feast of Unleavened Bread is seven days long, and the first day of this annual Feast is a special annual Sabbath). The Jews at that time made preparations to keep this special high Sabbath. Leviticus 23: 5-7 " In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. " John 19:31 " The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day, (for that Sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. " So Christ was not crucified on Friday just before the weekly Sabbath. Rather He was crucified on the Passover, just before the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is an annual Sabbath. So the real day of the week Christ died was on Wednesday just before sunset.
Christ was resurrected on the weekly Sabbath (Saturday), just before it was over at Sunset. This comes to three days and three nights in the grave, or the heart of the earth. When Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early on Sunday, before the sun was risen. She found an empty tomb. Christ was already risen (John 20:1-18). There is no Biblical proof that Christ rose from the dead on Sunday morning. Therefore there is no justification to believe that Sunday replaced Saturday as the Sabbath. 6. Myth that the Sabbath has been done away, and God doesn't expect us to keep any days, because the law has been done away. Since the Sabbath Command is part of the Ten Commandments, a good number of Churches teach that we are not required to keep any weekly Sabbath, since in their judgment the law has been done away. There has been a tremendous amount of confusion regarding this matter. I will now try to make an extremely complicated subject as simple as possible. Has the Law been done away ? Let me quote the words of Jesus Christ Himself. Matthew 5:17-19 " Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. " Romans 7:12 " Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. " Now some might argue that Christ said that all the laws shall continue until all be fulfilled. So they could argue that Christ has fulfilled the Sabbath through His sacrifice, so it is now done away. I will try to clear this matter up. There is this myth that Christ did away with the law on the cross. Chapter 2 in Paul's letter to the Ephesians is often used to try and prove that Christ nailed the law to the cross. Ephesians 2:15 -16 " Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: " It is important when studying the Bible that we not take one particular scripture out of the Biblical context. It is important not to just view one particular scripture in isolation, and then blow it up way out of proportion, so that it is erroneously interpreted to mean something it really doesn't. You have to read the entire 2nd Chapter of Ephesians. The Ephesians were Gentile Christians from Ephesus. They were not Israelites in the flesh - that is they were not descendants of any of the tribes of Israel - they were Gentiles. And they were not Jewish - and the term Jew is derived from the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, namely Judah. Under the Old Covenant God had favored Israel. God only revealed Himself to Israel (of which the tribe of Judah was only one of twelve tribes). So the law and first covenant favored Israel, and excluded the Gentiles. The Gentiles at that time were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:13 " That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: " However, Christ established the New Covenant - through His sacrifice on the cross, and through His shed blood. Now through Christ - the Gentiles can have access to God the Father, and become spiritual Israelites. Christ has broken down the barrier between Israel, and the Gentiles. The Old Covenant favored Israel, and excluded the Gentiles. However, under the New Covenant it doesn't matter what race or ethnic background one is - the New Covenant is inclusive, rather than being exclusive. Galatians 3:28-29 " 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. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. " So the Gentiles are also invited to salvation - through Jesus Christ our Lord. They can become spiritual Israelites, because if they accept Jesus as savior, and if they are Christ's then they are of the seed of Abraham. They are in effect adopted into the household of God, and are now spiritual Israelites. Ephesians 2:19 " Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; " Gentiles, who accept Jesus, and who repent of their sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit become part of the Church - they are then part of the true Body of Christ. They become spiritual Israelites, and are built upon the foundation of the prophets, and apostles, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone. Ephesians 2:20 " And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; " The Gentile Christians are built upon the foundation of the prophets, apostles and upon Jesus Christ the chief corner stone. What does this mean ? It is very simple. The prophets are people like Abraham, Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel), Moses, Samuel, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Daniel and so on - the ones through whom God worked, and inspired through His Holy Spirit to write the Bible - the part of the Bible known as the Old Testament. The Old Testament writings of the prophets is an important part of the foundation for the church. So says your Bible. The Apostles are people like Paul, Peter, John, James, and Jude - the apostles Christ worked through and inspired through the Holy Spirit to record the words of the New Testament. All scripture - whether it be New or Old Testament scripture is given by inspiration of God, with God working through His chosen servants. Luke was not one of the apostles, but he carefully wrote down what the eye witnesses to these events surrounding Jesus and His ministry saw, and heard. 2 Timothy 3:15-16 " And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: " Timothy had only the Old Testament to read. The Bible clearly teaches that all scripture (both Old and New Testament Scriptures) are given by inspiration of God, and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. In fact much of the New Testament is taken from the Old Testament, often word for word - like in the book of Hebrews for example. Jesus Christ is the chief corner stone of the foundation, which makes it complete. Jesus Christ was a Jew. Jesus was born as an Israelite. All the others (prophets and apostles) as well as Jesus Christ, who make up the foundation of the true church were Israelites. Every last one of them were from various tribes of Israel. None of them were Gentiles. Moses for example was of the tribe of Levi. David was of the tribe of Judah. Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin. Jesus Christ was of the tribe of Judah. Samuel was of the tribe of Ephraim, which is one of the half tribes composing the tribe of Joseph. The foundation of God's true church is composed exclusively of Israelites. The foundation is the Bible - both the Old and New Testaments. That is why those Gentiles in the true church are now of the seed of Abraham - and are considered to be spiritual Israelites. That is the foundation of God's true church today, and has always been. We can only build on the true foundation, if we want to be part of God's true building - the true Church. Ephesians 2: 19-22 " Now therefore ye (referring to the Gentiles) are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. " Christ did not nail the law to the cross. Christ paid the penalty for breaking the law, which is death. In that way he won the victory over sin and death. So that we who trust and believe in Christ can be forgiven of our sins. We are then no longer under the law (that is no longer under the death penalty for breaking the law), but under grace. Christ is now our master, not the law. Romans 6: 14-15 " For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. " It is really very simple. The law cannot save us. In our efforts to keep the law, we fail and we sin. The wages of sin is death. We cannot attain salvation through keeping of the law, since none of us keep it perfectly. Romans 6:23 " For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. " We can only attain salvation through Jesus Christ, and our faith in His shed blood, and in His sacrifice for our sins. We are saved through grace. It is God's free gift. However, we must do certain things to qualify for God's free gift of grace through Jesus Christ our Lord. We must repent, believe and be baptized (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16). We must endure until the end . We must work out our own salvation. We must work to overcome our sins, and spiritual weaknesses. We must produce fruits for God. Yes God's gift of grace is free - we cannot earn it through our own good works of obedience to the law. However, there are certain things we must do to qualify for God's gift of grace. Repentance is very important. We must repent, before God will forgive us. But exactly what are we to repent of ? Repent of our sins, naturally, and also repent of following the old sinful nature into sin. What is sin ? 1 John 3:4 " Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. " God's laws show us what sin is. Some of the laws have been fulfilled by Christ, like all the various sacrificial laws. Also under the Old Covenant there was a combination of Church and State, and there were various civil laws and statutes given to Israel. Various laws like how to deal with neighbours who have their animals damage your crops, and various civil rules and regulations. Laws concerning the borrowing of property for example. A good number of such laws are no longer in effect. However, many of them still are, since they are spiritual in nature. What I teach is that the command to observe the weekly Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments. In the tabernacle made here on earth, there was the Holy of Holies. In that area was the ark, which was symbolic of God's throne. Inside the ark (among a few other things) was the stone tablets upon which were written the Ten Commandments. The Sabbath Command is one of the Ten Commandments. Therefore I teach that it is very important we observe the weekly Sabbath (from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) because it is part of the Ten Commandments. Additionally the Sabbath is the great test command. It is a test of faith. Are we willing to trust God to see us through, and enable us to have a job and survive in this world, while still keeping the Sabbath ? God is no weakling. He can help us. As well observance of the Sabbath sets us apart, and is one of the identifying signs (among others) that show we are indeed God's servants. Exodus 31: 13 " Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. " Exodus 31: 16-17 " Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. " Keeping the weekly Sabbath is in my judgment very important, because it is a weekly reminder for us to remain focused and keep God first in our lives. It helps us keep our spiritual bearings straight. It helps us immensely to stay focused and orientated around God. As well it is a time when God and Christ teach us, and God's lessons are very important and valuable to us. Remember that it is not days that save us. Christ, a living person, saves us. So don't get so caught up in the observance of the Sabbath, that you forget the one the Sabbath points to, which is Jesus Christ. Days cannot save us. Only Christ can save us. However, observing the weekly Sabbath in the correct way, will really aid you in your spiritual life, and will really help you keep focused and orientated around God, and Jesus Christ. It will help you keep the greatest command, which if we do so, and continue to do so - our salvation is assured. Luke 10: 25-28 " And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. " Matthew 22: 36-38 " Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. " Mark 12:29-30 " And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. "
Sexual Relations - myth that evil spirits were involved in sexual relations with women. The scriptures people will refer to in order to promote this myth are the following: Genesis 6:1-4 " (1) And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, (2) That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. (3) And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. (4) There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. " Once again it is very important when studying and reading the Bible to not take one particular scripture out of the biblical context. It is so easy to take a small number of passages and blow them completely out of proportion, or so twist them that they take on a completely different meaning from the original intent. From the scriptures quoted a lot of Bible teachers have come to the erroneous assumption and conclusion that evil spirit beings were involved in sexual intercourse with women during the day's of Noah. They take the words " sons of God " to mean evil spirits, or fallen angels. I guess the good Angels never bothered to father any children according to their twisted logic, just those nasty devils bothered to get involved in fun things like sex !!! So-called Biblical scholars who teach you such silly thrash are just ignorant. Nowhere in the Bible does God call any of the angels (either the holy angels and fallen angels) sons of God. Angels do not enjoy a family relationship with God. Therefore none of them can be even considered as sons of God. Hebrews 1:1-3 " God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when he had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Hebrews 1:4-7 " Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. " Do you get it ? Hebrews 1:5 " For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? " Perhaps the Living Bible will make it a little more clear for you. Hebrews 1:5 (from the Living Bible) " For God never said to any angel, " You are my Son, and today, I have given you the honour that goes with that name, " God never called any of the angels (either holy angels, fallen angels or arch angels) His sons. That is exactly what your Bible says. So why in the world are people trying to get you to swallow the myth that spirit beings were sexually involved with women in Noah's time, and fathering children with earth women ? Such silly nonsense. Nowhere in the Bible does God tell us that angels can reproduce, or have a family. The Sadducees, who believed there was no resurrection, came to Christ with a trick question (Mark 12:18-23). They mentioned a story about a woman who married a man , who had six brothers. She married the eldest brother, but he died without any children, so the next brother in line married her. He also died without having children with this woman, and so the next brother stepped up to the plate but he died, and so on until all seven brothers died, yet not one of them could make the woman pregnant. They asked Jesus, which man in the resurrection will be the woman's husband, since they all had her once ? Here was Christ's reply. Mark 12:23-25 " In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. " Do you start getting the picture ? The angels in heaven do not marry - period. Well someone might try to twist this simple scripture around and say - yes the holy angels in heaven do not marry, but that doesn't apply to those " clever, smarter " fallen angels here on earth, who married earth women and even had kids with them during the time of Noah. This is just silly nonsense of course. Whether the angel is a holy, or fallen angel won't change the reality that none of the angel's marry, and none of them are allowed to have a family relationship with God and Jesus Christ. The " sons of God " referred to in Genesis, simply refers to men. Men are frequently referred to as the sons of God in scripture. As well the term " sons of God " can even include women, because quite often the Bible includes women within the use of the words " sons of God. " It all depends on how the words are used in the sentence and the context of it. So to clear this matter up. The sons of God, who took daughters of men as wives simply refers to human men. Genesis 6:2 " That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. " There is no point in trying to read something into this scripture that isn't there. There is the lie that the devil is the author of sex, and sex is evil and ......devilish. You know the silly idea that if it is fun, it must be evil, or something. The truth is that the devil and the fallen angels are sexless beings, who cannot reproduce and cannot have a family. God and Jesus Christ can reproduce and have a family. They are doing this through humans. Us human beings have the potential to be born into God's Kingdom and Family as the children of God. Christ will marry the church at the resurrection. God will be our Father forever. We will be part of God's family. The angels are not permitted this privilege. Satan, the enemy of God, isn't happy with the idea that God and Christ are creating a family. So Satan and the fallen angels have done all they could to damage and corrupt the human family. They are in conspiracy against the human family, and have done all they could to pervert sex, and twist the relationships between men and women. Satan and the fallen angels hate the human family, because it is a type of God's family. The Godly human family (the family build around God, and that follows God's government in their family) is a type, or example of God's family. God works through human families to bring up and nurture His spiritual children. Strong Godly families are excellent places where God can call and bring to salvation more of His spiritual children. This sexless being Satan (who can't have a family) has even palmed off the lie and myth that he and his fallen angel cohorts are able to have sex and even have children with human women. Such senseless rubbish. The relationships Satan and the fallen angels have among themselves is a perverted twisted one. It has to do with power and domination. They are the perverted authors of the homosexual movement, since the perverted relationships they have among themselves is similar to the power relationships between homosexuals. The feminist movement is in conspiracy against fatherhood, and is a tool these twisted evil beings have used to damage and pervert the family. The essence of feminist is that it rejects the authority of the husband and father in the home, and human family. Satan absolutely hates a Godly father and husband, because such men are following God. Satan knows full well that in such a human family (where the father and husband puts God first), it will be much easier for God to call and raise up spiritual children for Himself. Satan hates the idea of God having children, because these children of God will be his enemies, and will further weaken Satan's power and further hamper his mad schemes. Satan is God's and Christ's enemy. God is the author of sex, not the devil. God can reproduce and have children (not the devil), and God works through the physical human family, and the church to create spiritual children for Himself. In fact the spiritual relationship the church enjoys with God the Father and God the Son Jesus Christ is likened and compared to the sexual intercourse a man has with his wife. However, there is nothing physical about it - it is a spiritual union. The church is in Christ, and Christ is in the Father, and they are all united in one. This is all done through the Holy Spirit, which is the bonding element in God's Kingdom and Family. It is a love story that God's enemy Satan hates and try's continually to pervert. John 17:20-23 " Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. "
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Temple - false doctrine the physical Temple need not be built before Christ returns. The physical temple must be built in Jerusalem, prior to Christ's return. The pattern that needs to be followed is explained in Ezekiel chapters 40 to 48. The actual measurements are given. As well the temple is essential for some very key prophecies to be fulfilled. The Temple The prophet was given visions of the temple, and even given specific measurements (Ezekiel chapters 40 - 48). When rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem - the pattern shown us in the book of Ezekiel is the one that must be followed. Matthew 24:15 " When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) " Daniel 12:11 " And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. " The abomination of desolation is to stand in the holy place. The daily sacrifice shall be taken away. The daily sacrifice is a ritual connected with the physical tabernacle and the temple. The " holy place " is obviously referring to the temple. Exodus 29:38-44 " Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually. The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even: And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering. And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meat offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD. This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee. And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory. And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office. " Numbers 28:3-8 " And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering. The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even; And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat offering, mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil. It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD. And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering. And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer it, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
The temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is part of the Jewish state in the Holy Land called Israel. Most of the Jews practice the religion of Judaism. Most do not follow the Christian religion. Therefore when the temple is rebuilt it will very obviously be run by the Jews in harmony with their religion of Judaism. The daily sacrifice is part of the religious ceremonies of the tabernacle. So there will be a restored daily sacrifice, when the temple is rebuilt.
Ten Commandments - false teaching that the Ten Commandments and the weekly Sabbath were only given to the Jews. First of all let us deal with a very elementary Biblical doctrine, which is really a very simple concept. However, so many still get it wrong. Yet it is an extremely easy and simple Biblical truth to understand. The Jews are only one of the twelve tribes of Israel. They are indeed a part of Israel, but they are only one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The word Jew is a nickname for the tribe of Judah. Judah was only one of the twelve sons of Jacob, and Jacob's name was changed to Israel. Judah is only one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Jews are part of Israel, but they are not all of Israel, but only the tribe of Judah. The twelve tribes of Israel are as follows: Genesis 35:22-26 " .....Now the sons of Jacob were twelve : the sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun: The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin: And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; Dan and Naphtali: And he sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid; Gad, and Asher......" Will you please notice that there are eleven other sons of Jacob mentioned besides Judah. God had led the children of Israel out of Egypt, and then led them to Mt Sinai, where He gave them the Ten Commandments. God did not just lead the Jews out of Egypt - He led all of the the children of Israel out of Egypt - all twelve tribes - which naturally included the tribe of Judah. Exodus 19:1-9 " In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD. " Notice that God is dealing with the children of Israel, not merely the children of Judah. Now God thundered the Ten Commandments to the children of Israel from Mt Sinai. The people heard the loud thundering, and the sound of trumpets and they saw the mountain smoking, and they were afraid. And they said to Moses " You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die. " So God talked to Moses and said: Exodus 20:21-22 " And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. " So there you have it - God talked to the children of Israel - not with just the children of Judah. God spoke to all the assembled 12 tribes of Israel, of which Judah, or the Jews, were just one part of the twelve tribes of Israel. And God gave the weekly Sabbath to them all - not just the Jews. The fourth of the Ten Commandments is the one regarding keeping of the Sabbath. And the annual Sabbaths and weekly Sabbath do not belong to any particulate race, religion or church. The annual Sabbaths and the weekly Sabbath belong to God. They are the Feasts of the Lord. They do not belong to the Jews. These are God's Holy Days - and that includes the weekly Sabbath. Leviticus 23:1-4 " And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. 1. Leviticus 23:5 " In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S Passover. 2. Leviticus 23:6 " And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. " 3. Leviticus 23:15-16 " And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD. " Leviticus 23:21 " And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. " The Holy Day mentioned in the previous scriptures is the Day of Pentecost, which is 50 days after the last weekly Sabbath in the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 4. Leviticus 23:24 " Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. " 5. Leviticus 23:27-28 " Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. " 6. Leviticus 23: 34 " Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. " 7. Leviticus 23:36 " ....on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein. " The last and seventh annual Holy Day is the Last Great Day. All these are the Feasts of the Lord - including the weekly Sabbath, which is from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. These feasts do not belong to any particular race or religion - they belong to God. God's presence in these days make them Holy. There are references and prophecies in the Bible concerning the Feast of Tabernacles, and how in Christ's Kingdom here on earth (after He has returned) all the world will be required to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, which is just one of the seven annual Holy days mentioned in the Bible. Zechariah 14: 16-19 " And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. " It is absolutely ridiculous to think that God would expect and command the children of Israel only to keep God's laws, while all the rest of humanity are exempt from God's commands. This would mean God is unfair and unjust - which certainly is not the case. It is ridiculous in the extreme to think that only the children of Israel are commanded to not steal, lie, cheat and murder, etc. - but the same law doesn't apply to the rest of mankind. This would mean the rest of mankind have license to do whatever they please, and steal, lie, murder, cheat and covet, and take other men's wives, and God will still accept them, because the Law only applies to Israel and the Jews. The argument that God only gave His commands to Israel and the Jews is totally nonsensical. This would mean that other people's could kill and murder the children of Israel, and could steal from them and rape and plunder them, and it would be okay - because the law was only given to Israel. And this would mean the children of Israel could not retaliate against these crimes against them, because it would be a sin for them to do so. Man alive when will some of these people start using their minds, and when will these people stop twisting and perverting the scriptures ? Romans 2:9-13 " For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. " Acts 10:34-35 " Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. " 1 John 3:4 " Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. " Hebrews 4:14-15 " Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. " Hebrews 5:8-9 " Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; " 1 John 5:2-3 " By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. " Matthew 5:17-19 " Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. " Matthew 19:16-17 " And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. " Romans 7:12 " Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. " 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 " Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. " Revelation 21:6-8 " And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. "
Tradition - falsehood that tradition has equal weight with the scriptures, specifically Catholic tradition, but this matter is in no way restricted to the Catholic Church. Actually the church foundation has already been laid, and you can only build on that foundation. Let me quote from Roman Catholic doctrine regarding this matter. From this is the Catholic Faith, by R.N. Mugford Session 3 : God Speaks: The Transmission of Divine Revelation Through Scripture, Tradition and the Church's Magisterium " Major Wingfield, the founder of Tennis, taught the game by word of mouth before he wrote down the Rules. Even today, Tennis does not consist simply of the Rule Book, but it is also comprised of matches played, instruction by coaches and by one player of another and by books on "how to play successfully". There is also an official international governing body which interprets the Rules and helps make Tennis a living game. By all these means Tennis is "traditioned" (i.e. transmitted, handed on). " This illustration helps us to understand God's appointed way of "traditioning" (passing on) His revelation. There is the key book, the Bible, or Sacred Scripture, but there are two other ways in which God's words and deeds in Salvation History are transmitted. (For Salvation History, see synopsis of Session 2). These are Tradition and the Magisterium. " The word "Tradition" can be confusing, so carefully note: " 1. Tradition can mean: " A. "Handing on" - the process of transmitting. In this sense, the Church has "traditioned" to us Sacred Scripture, as well as other elements of the Revelation entrusted to her. " OR, it can mean: " B, "What is handed on". (Actually we could include Scripture here. However, it is more convenient to talk of Scripture and Tradition). " IT IS IN SENSE (B) THAT WE GENERALLY USE THE WORD TRADITION. " 2. There is a difference between Tradition (with a capital "T") and tradition (with a small "t"). " One example of a tradition in the Church would be the former requirement of Mass (in the Western Rite) being celebrated in Latin. Today, Mass is normally celebrated in the language of the people. The Church has changed, and can change in the future, such non-essentials of her life. However, she will not - she cannot - change Tradition. " 1.SACRED SCRIPTURE : " The Bible consists of inspired books written under the special assistance of God the Holy Spirit and, therefore, teaching " without error the truth which God wanted to put in the sacred writings for the sake of our salvation ". Vatican Council 2, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, #11. It consists of the Old Testament (46 Books written approximately between the years 900 B.C. and 160 B.C.- that is, before the coming of Christ) and the New Testament (27 Books- Gospels, Acts, Epistles and Apocalypse- written approximately between the years 50 A.D. and 100 A.D.). Most of the Bible was transmitted by the word of mouth before being written (e.g. the Prophetical Books of the Old Testament and the Gospels of the New Testament). The Church did not include in the Bible writings which were not an authentic witness to the Revelation. " 2 SACRED TRADITION: " This has several elements. There are writing of: " A. The Fathers of the Church: Saintly writers of the early centuries A.D., whom the Church recognizes as superb commentators on the Faith. " B. The teaching of the Doctors of the Church: Some of the Fathers, plus writers and preachers from later periods of Church history. " C. The basic forms of the Church's liturgy (her worship). " D. The doctrine defined by Ecumenical (universal) Councils: From Nicaea 1, 325 A.D. to Vatican Council 2, 1962-1965. " E. Professions of the Faith: e.g. the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds- from "credo", "I believe". " F. The teaching of the Popes throughout the centuries. " Together, BOTH SCRIPTURE AND TRADITION " form one sacred deposit of the Word of God, which is committed to the Church". Vatican Council 2, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, #10. The Church transmits by Scripture and Tradition what was handed on by the Apostles, the inner core of Jesus' followers. Scripture and Tradition are "like a mirror, in which the Church, during its pilgrim journey on earth, contemplates God, from whom she receives everything, until such time as she is brought to see Him face to face as He really is". Vatican Council 2, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, #7. "...the Church does not draw her certainty about all revealed truths from the Holy Scriptures alone. Hence, both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal feelings of devotion and reverence". Vatican Council 2, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, #8. " The Catholic Church differs form Orthodox and Protestant churches in the exact role she assigns to Tradition. " A. The Orthodox churches place great emphasis on Tradition (Paradosis) but deny the place of the Pope in interpreting it. " B. Historically, most Protestant churches have confined Revelation to Scripture alone. "The Bible and the Bible alone is the religion of Protestants". (Wm. Chillingworth, Anglican Theologian, 1602-1644). The Anglican Church does recognize some element of Tradition but asserts that nothing can be taught as necessary to eternal salvation but such as can be proved from Scripture. " The Catholic teaching that both Scripture and Tradition are ways of coming to know God's truth matches our everyday experience. Doubtless you learned the "Our Father" ("Lord's Prayer") by word of mouth from someone, then saw it in a book outside the Bible, before you ever saw it in Scripture! " 3. MAGISTERIUM: " This is the teaching authority of the Church. Expressed in the Pope, The Bishop of Rome, and in the Bishops acting in communion with him, it passes on and interprets Revelation (Scripture and Tradition). "... the task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ. Yet this Magisterium is not superior to the Word of God, but is its servant. It teaches only what has been handed on to it. At the divine command and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it listens to this devotedly, guards it with dedication and expresses it faithfully. All that it proposes for belief as being divinely revealed is drawn from the single deposit of faith." Vatican Council 11, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, # 10. "
So let me summarize this a bit. In summary Catholic doctrine teaches " the (Catholic) Church does not draw her certainty about all revealed truths from the Holy Scriptures alone. Hence, both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal feelings of devotion and reverence " So they believe their own traditions handed down by the (1) The Fathers of the (Catholic) Church, and the (2) The teaching of the Doctors of the (Catholic) Church, and (3) The basic forms of the (Catholic) Church's liturgy, and the (4) The doctrine defined by Ecumenical (universal) Councils, and additionally the (5) Professions of the Faith, and the (6) The teaching of the Popes throughout the centuries, must be accepted and honoured by Catholics with equal feelings of devotion and reverence to that of the Bible. So essentially their doctrine places a great deal of weight upon tradition, and does not therefore believe the Bible to be the sole authority that we must look to in matters of doctrine and moral standards, but rather their own traditions have equal weight to that of the Bible. Additionally they claim that only the Catholic Magisterium has the right and authority to interpret scripture let me quote Catholic doctrine regarding this " ... the task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. " They claim only the Pope and the Catholic Bishops working in communion with him are able to give an authentic interpretation of the Word of God !! Then they make the further claim that they cannot make mistakes in regards to doctrine !! They also claim the Catholic Church will never stray into error in believing and teaching God's words and deed among us !! And to top it off they claim that when the Pope speaks ' ex cathedra ' that he is infallible in defining doctrine regarding faith and morals. They claim the Catholic Church is infallible and that the Pope is infallible. Do you sense that somebody is trying to control you here ? None of us has any right or authority to add our own human traditions to scripture, and then claim these traditions of men have equal weight with the inspired word of God the Bible. The foundation and corner stone has been lain down already almost 2,000 years ago. That foundation is the Bible. The Bible is complete the way it is. The foundation has been laid already, and all we can legitimately do is build on that foundation. If you decide you don't like the foundation and want to build yourself another foundation, then you are not part of God's true house the true Church of God. Ephesians 2:19-22 " Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. "
So to suggest just because the traditions of your particular church group should deviate from the Bible - then this means your traditions supercede or trump the scriptures is simply folly. The Bible teaches that the Bible itself is the inspired word of God. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 " And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. " 2 Peter 1:20-21 " Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. " The Bible teaches all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and that the foundation has been laid down already (which consists of the apostles, and prophets with Christ being the chief cornerstone). The prophets include people like Moses, David, Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Zechariah, and so on, and the apostles are of course also the twelve apostles of Christ (like Peter, John, Matthew, etc.) and the apostle to the Gentiles (Paul) and naturally Jesus Christ Himself. These are the individuals God worked through and inspired to have the Bible written and put together. It was not done in one day. We who speak the English language today have various translations we can use. The original Old Testament was written in Hebrew, and the original New Testament written in Greek. The most accurate English translations I have come across are the Authorized King James Version and the New King James Version. Even in the Authorized King James Version there are a few translation errors, but basically it is very, very accurate. Some translations like the Living Bible, put the text in modern language, but unfortunately are full of doctrinal errors. For accuracy I would strongly suggest you stick to the Authorized King James and New King James Versions. Not many of us understand Hebrew or Greek, so we must rely upon translations. Do not make the mistake, or assumption that just any Bible translation is good enough. This is because translators have quite often simply interpreted the scriptures to fit in with their particular viewpoints, and narrow doctrinal points of view. The Catholic version of scriptures differs from the Protestant version. The New Testament Books are the same, but the following books have been added by the Catholic Church to the Old Testament namely: Tobit, Judith, Baruch, Sirach, the Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Young Men in Daniel 1, some sections of Esther, Wisdom and 1 and 2 Maccabees. Jewish rabbis in around 100A.D. at the Council of Jamnia rejected any such additions to scripture, regarding Old Testament Books. So we can be very confident that translations like the Authorized King James Version are complete the way they are. There are dire warnings in the book of Revelations against adding to or taking away anything written in that particular book. Revelations 22:18-19 " For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. " There are also other warnings to make sure not to add to or diminish what God has passed down to us through His servants. Deuteronomy 4:2 " Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. " Joshua 1:7-8 " Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. " The foundation of God's church was completed almost 2,000 years ago. We can only build on that foundation. We have no right or authority to add anything to the foundation. If we do not want to build on that foundation, and decide our particular group will create a different foundation - then we are simply not part of God's true building, since we are not built on the foundation, and are not built on the Rock. Matthew 7:24-27 " Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. "
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Trinity False Doctrine A very common mainstream doctrine among most churches is that of the Trinity. The dogma being that there are three God's in the Godhead - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Some churches will cloak this whole matter in a veil of mystery, yet still expect members to accept the doctrine, even though they cannot explain it. The Trinity is one of the greatest false doctrines you can come across. If people believe this they become completely confused. If you can't understand it, then why on earth should you blindly accept it ? Let us use our minds and reasoning powers. God reveals the truth to us through our minds. To just accept a doctrine blindly without Biblical proof is folly. The Holy Spirit is simply the life and nature of God. God the Father and God the Son are both part of the Godhead and share the same nature. God's Spirit is the bonding element in the true church and in God's Kingdom and family. John 17:20-23 " Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. " How else could the Father be in Christ, and Christ in the Father, and Christ be in the true Church - other than through the power of the Holy Spirit ? In fact the biblical definition of a Christian is someone who has the Spirit of God and Christ living in them. Romans 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. " If the Holy Spirit is one of three Gods then the Holy Spirit is Christ's Father. Yet Christ repeatedly said God was His father, not the Holy Spirit. Many people will take the references Christ made in the scriptures, where He referred to the Holy Spirit as " he " and as the Comforter, as proof that the Holy Spirit is a third person in a Holy Trinity. It is so important when studying the Bible that we not take one particular scripture out of context. Christ was just using a figure of speech when He referred to the Holy Spirit as " He." John 14:26 " But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost(Spirit), whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. " John 15:26 " But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: " God calls us and reveals the truth to us through His spirit. God opens people's mind to understand the spiritual, and the Bible by and through His spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 " But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. " God's spirit was working with Christ's disciples, during the 3 1/2 years of His ministry. Their minds were slowly being opened to understand the spiritual. John 14:15-18 " If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. " The Holy Spirit entered the believers on the Day of Pentecost, and thus God's spirit that before was merely with the disciples, entered into them and was within them (Acts 2:1-4). There is nothing substantive in the Bible to prove or even indicate that there is a third member of the Godhead called the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 15: 24-28). If you read the book of Revelation we are given a picture of God the Father on His throne, the 24 Elders before God's throne, the strange beasts full of eyes, Angels and the Lamb of God, which is Jesus Christ. Yet there isn't a picture or vision painted of the Holy Spirit. That is because the Holy Spirit is not a literal spirit being, but is simply the life and nature of God. It is through His spirit that God works and does things. It is something like energy, or power coming from God. If you don't understand what the Holy Spirit is then you can't understand how we can receive a new nature at baptism. You can't understand how we are to put down the works of the carnal mind and follow the lead of the new nature. You can't understand how Christ is creating a new man, in God's spiritual image. People especially are very confused if they also believe the false doctrine that we are born with an immortal soul at birth. I have already disproved the false doctrine of the immortality of the soul. Yet if people believe that, then they are unable to see the need for the gift of eternal life that God provides through the giving of the Holy Spirit. They think they have an immortal soul already, and so make no effort to insure their salvation, by working to repent and follow the other conditions God expects of us, before we can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This trinity dogma is an extremely serious false doctrine. 2 Peter 1:3-4 " According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. " How else can we be partakers of the divine nature, unless we receive the new nature the Holy Spirit after repentance, belief and baptism ? Acts 2:28-39 " 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 Spirit. 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. " If you have questions please feel free to write, phone, or send an email.
Women as Property - false teachings Christian women are property of their husbands. We shall strive to stay out of the war of the sexes in this article. We will just look honestly at what the Bible teaches regarding this matter, and will avoid getting involved in gender and sexual politics. Let us look into the New Testament Biblical laws regulating the family. Ephesians 5:22-24 " Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. " Ephesians 5:25 " Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; " Ephesians 5:28 " So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. " Ephesians 5:33 " Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. " Ephesians 6:1-4 " Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. " Colossians 4:18-21 " Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. " See also 1 Peter 3:1-7, In summary New Testament law regarding the family is quite simple:
The Bible teaches that the husband is the head of the wife. This does not mean she is his property. He is commanded to love his wife. The husband and father has no right to abuse their authority. There is a big difference between leadership ,and domination. Dominating the family is wrong. Husbands are supposed to serve the family, and other family members are supposed to respect the God given authority of the husband and father. Children are supposed to obey their parents in the Lord. This means they do not have to obey if the parents expect them to do something sinful, or illegal. And children are commanded to obey their parents. Once you are no longer a child - then you are no longer required to obey your parents. However, you are still expected to honour them. Honouring and obeying your parents is different. When you become an adult you need not any longer obey your parents (but if the child is handicapped perhaps then this would be different), but are required to honour them. It has a lot to do with the family situation, and there are certain matters that confuse the issue. Wives do not have to go along with anything sinful. " Colossians 4:18-21 - Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. " Notice the words here " as it is fit in the Lord. " They are to put God first, not their husband or children. So if the husband wants or expects his wife to go along with something that is sinful, - then she has full rights to refuse. She is not sinning in that case. She is just putting God and Christ first, which is what the Bible teaches we must do. Matthew 10:37 " He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. " The Biblical principle here is to simply put God and Christ first in your life. The wife must not have her husband, and his wishes first in her life, or her children first. She needs to put God first. She needs to love Christ first. Therefore she must not follow her husband, if he expects her to do something sinful. The same thing applies to the husband - he must put God first - not his wife.
The Biblical principle regarding leadership is simply that if one wants to be the leader then they need to be the servant. The Biblical brand of leadership is based on service, not domination. Mark: 10:41-45 " And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. " Husband's are supposed to love their wives as Christ loved the church. Christ served the church, and still does today. There is a lot of flexibility in the New Testament principles governing the family. It depends on the kind of relationship the man and woman have. It depends on their personalities. The husband is supposed to be the leader. However, if he happens to have a very assertive and strong wife - who has strong leadership characteristics then he and her can simply work out an arrangement where she can assume much more or most of the leadership duties. No she is not to usurp the man's authority in the family, but there is a lot of flexibility within the rules. There is nothing in the Bible that commands wives, and women to be weak, passive and slave like in their relationship with their husband. However, they are supposed to respect their husband's and their God given authority in the home. A husband may have a very weak woman as a wife. She may be in ill health perhaps, or be just a weaker type personality. So in that case it would not be unexpected for the man to be more forceful, and exercise stronger leadership. It depends a lot on the situation. There is nothing in the Bible to even suggest the woman is to sit here like a passive Patsy, not speaking unless spoken to, just waiting for instructions from the big boss domineering husband. If that is what a husband expects, well then that is wrong, and a woman doesn't have to put up with that form of abuse. You don't have to put up with anything sinful in your relationship. You don't have to put up with abuse. There has to be give, and take, and none of us is perfect - yet this is absolutely no excuse for sinning or condoning sin. The Bible encourages women to be strong, not weak. Proverbs 31:10-31 " Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." This is no weak woman described here. Not that every woman can be like that. But there is nothing in the Bible that says that now that a woman is married she has to give up everything, and just stay at home a slave of her husband - barefoot and pregnant. It depends on the relationship the man and woman have. If a man really loves his wife then he won't try to keep her down, and will support her in her efforts to be a stronger person. Many women are better business managers then men. The two should compliment each other. However, a lot of women would like nothing more than to stay home and raise kids. Fine. It is up to couples to work things out. There is nothing in the Bible that says a woman can't make suggestions to her husband, or even disagree on something's he suggests. Who is stopping her from pointing out certain flaws in her husband's plans. It would be negligent on her part - for her to not point out some mistakes he is making. And who is stopping her from making suggestions, and from giving her opinions, and her ideas. If they are good ideas - then why would her husband not agree with them ? Active feedback from ones mate is important. The wife is supposed to be a help mate (Genesis 2:18). A lot of men need a lot of help. Cultural matters often confuse the issue here. Just because certain men-women, male-female and husband-wife matters are acceptable in your particular culture, doesn't mean they are acceptable to God. So if the cultural norms in your society are not Biblical, and indeed are sinful - then we need to refuse to follow these matters. If the cultural norm is to condone physical abuse of women by men - then this is wrong. If the cultural norm in your particular society is to condone woman disrespecting their husband's then this too is wrong. To use one's culture as an excuse to exploit, enslave and abuse women, and sin against women is just plain wrong - period - end of discussion. This is a long and difficult subject - more may be added later on.
As you may know we have a very powerful feminist movement that basically started in the United States in the late 60's and early 1970's. It spread to Canada and many, many other countries. The essence of feminism is that it is in conspiracy against Fatherhood, because feminism rejects the idea that the husband and father have any God given authority in the home, and family. For more information on the subject you can go to some articles I have already done on the subject:
Biblical teachings do not support the concept of woman priests, or woman ministers in the true church. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 " Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. " 1 Timothy 2:11-14 " Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. " These scriptures refer specifically to official church services. Where a minister, or priest teaches church members on the spiritual, and on the scriptures at church meetings. These can be regular Sabbath services, or other church functions, where a teacher stands up and teaches the church. The Bible specifically says that this sort of official teaching role in the church is not open to woman, but men only. This in no way suggests women are somehow inferior in the church (Galatians 3:28). It just means that this role in the Body of Christ is not open to a woman. And there is nothing in these scriptures that prevent a mother from teaching her children about the Bible and on spiritual matters at home. Nothing here prevents a woman from being a strong spiritual figure. It is sometimes strange how people reason. God gives us certain rules and laws in the Bible, and then so many people just look at what this prevents them from doing, and on the things they can't do. However, they don't seem to think much on what these laws and principles don't stop them from doing. There are so many roles and jobs open for women in the true church - it is just that the role of being an official teacher at church is closed to them. There is nothing in the Bible that says women are supposed to just listen slave like to their husbands, and that they can't do anything without the permission of their husbands, and that they should just stay at home barefoot and pregnant. We are supposed to put God first in our lives. And if a woman puts her husband, or children first in her life - then she is sinning, since she is breaking the greatest commandment. Yes she should follow and respect her husband, but she is under no spiritual obligation to follow her husband or family into sin. She has no legitimate right to usurp, or undermine her husband's God given authority in the family - she is supposed to help and support her husband in his role. What if the husband doesn't perform his responsibilities and proper role in the family ? What if he is abusive, and just a rotten sinner ? Tough questions these. Just keep putting God first, pray and trust in God to see you through. There are all kinds of roles and possibilities for each of us within the laws of God. In fact Christ demands all of His true servants love Him far more than they love members of their family, like Father, Mother, or children (and naturally this includes ones husband). So the wife is perfectly within her rights to stand up to her husband and children and refuse to go along with sinful matters. Matthew 10:37-38 " He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. " Luke 14:25-27 from the Living Bible translation " Great crowd were following Him. He turned around and addressed them as follows; Anyone who wants to be my follower must love me far more than he loves his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers or sisters - yes, more than his own life - otherwise he cannot be my disciple. And no one can be my disciple who does not carry his own cross and follow me. " Woman, who are followers of Christ need to look at the legitimate authority, powers and rights God has given them already. Instead of harping on what God through the Bible says you are not supposed to do (like being a Minister, Priest, or teaching the congregation) let us look at what powers you can legitimately exercise. There are all kinds of possibilities. And there have been woman who did prophesy (Act 2:17) (Acts 21:9). What about the prophetess Miriam (Exodus 15:20) , Deborah (Judges 4:4) , Huldah the prophetess (2 Kings 22:14, 15-20), and Anna (Luke 2:36) ? Raising children may not seem important to many, but it is. The first five years of a child's life are the most important. That is the time to instill in them the right attitudes, that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. No matter what society, or others say - raising children is a very important job. You are shaping and molding a new life. If we are faithful in little things, Jesus can trust us with greater things. Luke 16:10 " He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. " Matthew 25:21 " His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. " There is a right and wrong way to do any job - no matter how humble the job may seem. Believe me, I have done a lot of very so-called humble kind of work in my few years under the sun like: garbage man, shoveling manure - and lots of it, cleaning (and this includes toilets), changing diapers - and lots and lots of them, washing clothes and dishes for my kids and family, sweeping, shoveling snow, and so on. If we handle the supposedly little, or humbling jobs and responsibilities well, then God can trust us with greater responsibilities. It is the quality of the service that counts. God has given each of us certain responsibilities, according to our abilities - within the church and of course we also have roles and responsibilities in the world. The church is destined to rule the world under Christ - after the resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6) (Daniel 7:27). Do you think there will be only men, who will qualify for these positions of authority in Christ's Kingdom ? Nonsense ! There are many women saints too, and they will be resurrected as spirit beings, and will exercise great power in Christ's Kingdom.
Guarantee of Rights and Freedoms and Fundamental Freedoms (from the Canadian Constitution) " The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: (a) freedom of conscience and religion; (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; (c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and (d) freedom of association. " Readers are encouraged to point out biblical errors in all of my material and writings on spiritual matters. If you can find scriptural errors in my teachings - teachings that cannot be backed up by hard, concrete biblical doctrine - then I will gladly accept the constructive criticism and make the changes needed. So please go ahead and point out my mistakes, but your criticism must not be based on mere opinion, but must be able to be proved from the Bible.
This web site built, designed, and owned by Ray Wegner
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