Archive for the ‘Doctrine’ Category
I Didn’t Tell You, Because You Didn’t Want Me To.
I Didn’t Tell You, Because You Didn’t Want Me To.
The old preacher sat on a rock at the fork in the road. The many years of struggle showed on his face, and in the stoop of his shoulders. He watched as travelers passed him by.
Some of his preacher friends and acquaintances stopped a moment or two to chat before continuing their journey. Many came in groups, others by themselves, but they all walked down the road.
The children of his friends walked the road too, some of them walked with their parents, others walked alone.
Most everyone nodded in acknowledgement and smiled at him while continuing on their journey. A few stopped and sat on the rock beside him to visit for a while before walking on.
The old preacher noticed that a large number did not hesitate when they came to the fork in the road. They as if by some predetermination chose which path to walk.
There were those who paused and stared at the signposts, as if unsure. One or two fumbled for their map as if to verify which road would be best.
Those who still seemed unsure of which path to choose, changed from looking at the road signs, to looking at the other travellers. If by chance they happened to see a friend that looked like they knew what path to choose, they simply followed without further ado.
Every now and then one of the young travellers that stood reading the signposts turned to the old man for advice.
“Which fork in the road should I choose?” They asked.
The old preacher would look up at their sincere faces and without hesitation point in the direction that he knew was best. Some sneered, and walked down the other road anyway. Some followed his advice.
Occasionally travelers would return to the fork of the road to look at the signs again, as if to confirm their choice.
One young preacher who had walked down the wrong path quite a ways returned to the old man and began to chastise him.
“Why didn’t you stop me? Why didn’t you tell me that was the wrong path? Why didn’t you tell me how much I would lose if I walked down that path? Why didn’t you tell me I was in delusion to believe it was a better road? I thought you were a friend to my family, and me but you didn’t stop me and tell me which road to go! Why?
The old man didn’t get offended. He looked at the son of his friend, and then began.
“You know I love you, I love your father too. You know what road he walked down, but you felt comfortable in ignoring that fact because your friends and popular people have influenced you.
“I noticed you watching me as I pointed out the right way to others. You chose to ignore this old man’s advice.
“The reason I never told you personally which road to walk down is because you never wanted to know bad enough to ask. Maybe you didn’t want to hear the word, NO! I didn’t tell you because you didn’t want me to.
“If I had told you which path to choose without you asking, you would have taken that as an insult to your intelligence. You would have felt I was interfering in your business, so I held my peace as I held my breath.
“Those who ask for direction really want help. Those who don’t ask will soon need help. It’s a mistake of youth to reject the paths of their fathers in serving the Lord.
“You once believed your choices to always be accurate. Your delusion made it feel that it was God that was guiding you, now you have fear and regret because of your great losses. It’s the mercies of the Lord that you have returned to this point.
“The bad news is there are some things you will never regain. But, the final chapter has not been written. Remember hearing your father singing the song, “It’s Not the First Mile”?
“The real question my son, is now that you know which road is right, which one will you choose?”
With a thankful embrace and a sincere apology, the young man turned and walked back to the fork. This time he chose the one marked, “The Old Path.”
He Didn’t Know Anything About Sin.
He Didn’t Know Anything About Sin.
The little lamb watched as the two men approached. He continued to graze as they slowly walked among the flock and took a long time looking at each lamb with a critical eye.
He hadn’t been around humans very much. He knew little of them. He had no understanding of their nature. They were different from him. They were bold, loud, and they made him uneasy. He was a just a lamb.
As a lamb, all he had ever known was the peace of the morning sun, and the gentle breeze of the afternoon as he napped. He enjoyed the lush green grass of the pasture and the cool still waters of the little brook. He even liked the evening dew on his back. But, he knew nothing of anything else.
He didn’t know anything about sin.- He knew nothing of shame or condemnation.
- He didn’t know the meaning of stealing or robbing.
- He knew nothing about hatred, or bitterness.
- He didn’t know about addictions or substance abuse.
- He knew nothing of impurity or immorality.
- He didn’t know about lying or deception.
- He knew nothing about not honoring his father or mother.
- He didn’t know about idols or graven images.
- He knew nothing of coveting or lust.
- He didn’t know about jealousy or strife.
- He knew nothing about sin.
He watched as their eyes focused on him. Soon, the older one reached down and held him while the younger began to examine him.
The lamb stood silently still as a hand rubbed down his backbone.
“Perfect,” the younger man said.
The hand ran down his front leg as the man continued his commentary.
“He’s not bow-legged, or knock-kneed. He’s not splayed or pigeon-toed.
“He’s perfect!” The younger man said again.
Then firm hands held him still as the men critically examined his head.
“Perfect,” the old man said.
They looked at his ears, and their placement on his head.
They looked into his eyes, to see if he was wall-eyed, bug-eyed, cross-eyed, blind, or injured.
They also examined his eyelids to see if they worked properly.
“Every thing looks perfect on his head too,” the old man said.
Then, the hands rubbed down his nose, checking for bumps, lumps or dips, before pulling his lips apart to look into his mouth. They looked at his teeth placement and checked for any abnormality.
“Check him for a over bite or under bite,” the old man said.
The lamb felt the hands turn his head sideways as the two examined his jaw.
“He’s Perfect,” the younger man said.
“Let’s check him for scars, or scratches.” The young man suggested.
Hands slowly examined his back, sides and legs through the wool.
“He perfect!” the younger man said again.
“Does he have scabies, or eczema?
Oh, and check his conformation again, and look once again for any other deformity.” The older man ordered.
When the examination was finished, the older man turned to his son and became serious.
“When you go to the priest today seeking forgiveness for your sins, it will not be you, that the priest examines. He will only examine the lamb. As much as I love you son, you can’t pass inspection. Neither can I.
“If the lamb is perfect, then we are forgiven! Only the blood of a perfect lamb will cover our sins. Just like in the Garden when a perfect lamb was slain for the sins of Adam and Eve.
“Now, this lamb is perfect, so take it to the priest and your sins will be forgiven. You have found the perfect lamb.”
The young man picked up the lamb, held it carefully in his arms as he walked towards the Tabernacle.
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Old Testament – The Only Way To Remit Sin Was By The Blood Of The Lamb.
Exodus 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
New Testament – The Only Way To Remit Sin Was By The Blood Of The Lamb.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
1Pet 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1Pet 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Today – The Only Way To Remit Sin Is By The Blood Of The Lamb.
How Does This Story Apply To My Life Today?
Only the blood of the Lamb of God can cover our sins. That happens when we are baptized and the name of Jesus is called over us in obedience to Acts 2:38! (Just like everyone in the New Testament Church was baptized.)
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Are Your Sins Remitted?
1. If not, and you would like a Home Bible Study in your home, please let me know. I will be happy to assist you.
2. Also, It would be my honor to direct you to a great Apostolic church near you!
Some Apostolics Are Happy Their Pastor Ignores A Few New Testament Scriptures.
Are Apostolics Happy Their Pastors Ignore Some New Testament Scriptures?
Apostolics by nature should be firm believers in “coming out from among them” and being separated from the world, and unto Christ. Yet, Christian approved sins may number more than we might first think. There is also a crowd that would ignore Biblical cautions and warnings because in their mind, that was only a guideline, not an actual sin.
It is our understanding that Holiness in both inward and outward. I find it safe to also say that what is on the inside will soon show on the outside.
We sometimes hear the subject of modesty talked about behind the pulpit. We also have many new choruses about God being a holy God. Yet, if we made a list of things we are comfortable not hearing about, it just might include a few of these New Testament Scriptures. There just too many to post here.
Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
- Bitterness (Holding a Grudge)
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put 
away from you, with all malice:
- Wrath, Anger
- Clamour (A Big Outcry)
- Throwing Fits
- Evil Speaking (Criticism)
- Malice
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
- Be Tenderhearted
- Forgiving one another
1 Tim 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
- Gossipers
- Busybodies
1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
- Love of Money (Includes putting job before church?)
- Coveting To Be Rich
1 Tim 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
- Envy (Jealousy)
- Strife
- Railings (Words of Criticism)
- Evil Surmisings (Imagining the Worst about someone)
1 Tim 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
- Getting Caught Up In Twisted Doctrines And Beliefs
1 Tim 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
- Costly Array
- Modest Clothing
- Gold,
- Pearls
Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
- Obey (The Pastor)
- Submit Yourselves (One may obey without submitting, but it is impossible to submit without obeying.)
1 Tim 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
- High mindedness
2 Pet 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
2 Pet 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
2 Pet 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
- Lust of Uncleanness
- Despise Governments (Don’t want to be told what to do.)
- Presumptous
- Self-willed
- Not Afraid to speak evil of dignitaries (Especially means your pastor)
- Railing Accusations
- Speaking evil of things they don’t understand.
Jude 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
- Murmurers
- Complainers
- Walking after their own lust (Doing whatever they want)
1 Pet 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
- Fleshly lusts
Matt 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
- Emotional Adultery
2 Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- Flee Youthful lusts (If it includes more than the sensual, could it also include sports?)
2 Tim 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
- Avoid Foolish and Stupid Questions (They just start fights)
1 Cor 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1 Cor 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
- Men – Get A Haircut.
- Women – Don’t Ever Cut It
Matt 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
- Don’t Do The Minimum
Matt 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
- Love The Neighbor (Neighboring Countries Too?)
Matt 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
- Love Your Enemies
- Bless Them That Curse You
- Do Good Things To Them That Hate You
- Pray For Them That Are Unkind To You
1 Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
- Love Not The World
- Love Not The Things In The World
- Lust of the Flesh
- Lust of the Eyes
- Pride Of Life
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
- Humility
Jas 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
- Speaking Evil And Unkind Things Of One Another
1 Tim 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
- At Least Two (or Three) Witnesses Needed Before Accusing An Elder.
1 Tim 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
- Saints That Sin Should Be Rebuked In Church?
Jas 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
- Not Saying, “If The Lord Wills)
Jas 4:16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
- Boasting
Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
- Ignoring The Word
Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
- Not Watching What You Say
Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
- Visit The Sick Orphans And Widows
- Keep Yourself Unspotted (Unaffected by) The World
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, 
implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
- Surely This Doesn’t Need To Be Explained Further
2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
- There’s A Reason For Every Scripture In The Bible.
- Don’t Ignore
- Don’t Pick And Choose.
Acts 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
- Peter Wasn’t Afraid To Say What Needed To Be Said
- May God Help Us All
Pentecostal Spin Doctors?
Pentecostal Spin Doctors?
Car Race Story
Mr. Madden, my teacher from South Bend Central High School, told a story one day to make a point during our Speech and Debate Class in 1961.
He repeated a story that TASS, the official news source of the U.S.S.R. had released during the Cold War.
The news article was a report of an automobile race between an American Ford, and an unnamed Russian vehicle. Only two cars were in the race.
The Ford blew the doors off of the Russian vehicle. Ego was at stake. The Russians refused to lose face, so they skewed the details, without actually lying.
TASS reported that in an International Stock Car Race, the American car came in next to last, and that the Russian car placed second. That type of reporting, Mr. Madden told us, was called Propaganda. Today, we are uncomfortable with using that term. We choose to use the word spin and those who spin, are called Spin Doctors!
Even Husbands And Wives Are Good At It!
Spin Doctors are not always highly paid professionals. Some are folks just like you and me. We may not get paid for doing it, but most of us have tried it on some level.
He – May Try To Put A Spin On Why He Needs A New:
- Boat
- Truck
- Deer Rifle
- iPad 3
- MacBook Pro
She – May Try To Put A Spin On Why She Needs A New:
- Dress
- Pair Of Shoes
- Couch
- iPhone 5
- Mini Van
The Old Testament Even Had Spin Doctors.
The Prophet Isaiah decried the use of Spin Doctors nearly 740 years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
This generation has nothing new in Spin Department. It was in use before the church was ever born in Acts Chapter 2.
To feel more comfortable in our waywardness, we mortals try to:
- Justify our sin,
- Justify ourselves,
- Justify our compromise.
Today, some Church Members have done it, some Backsliders have done it, and worse than that, some Preachers have done it too. God, especially, detests the work of Spin Doctors!
For Centuries, Some Have Wanted A Spin Doctor For A Pastor.
Isaiah 30:8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
Isaiah 30:9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
Isaiah 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
Carnal people have always wanted the preacher to leave them alone. “Preach, but don’t preach,” seems to be the message they convey to their pastor. Hirelings have no problem adjusting.
The New Testament Had Spin Doctors.
Paul Warned The Church
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Paul Warned Timothy
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Some congregations love the Pop Psychology they hear in the pulpit. But, deaf ears are turned to the preaching of doctrine. Not every congregation is willing to sing the song, “Preacher Preach To Me.”
Preacher, preach to me,
Preacher, preach to me,
whatever it takes,
I must be saved.
Preacher, preach to me.For many years I served sin
But a preacher preached to me.
I’ve come thus far, but not on my own
A preacher preached to me.Preacher, pay me no mind.
Preach it right down the line
There’s one thing for certain,
regard not my person
Preacher, preach to me.Preacher, preach it right
Lord knows we need to hear from Heaven tonight
The word itself is pure, there is nothing it can’t cure
Preacher, preach to me.
Preacher, preach to me
Preacher, preach to me,
Whatever it takes, I must be saved,
Preacher, preach to me.
Preacher, preach to me.(Lyrics and music by Bro. Wayne Lawhorn)
Jesus Even Warned His Followers Of Spin Doctors
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Judas Was A Spin Doctor
John 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Spin Doctors:
- Write Bible Translations they think people will like better!
- Hate to call sin, Sin! So they rename it or rephrase it.
- Think the mention of the Blood is not necessary.
- Tell you that fat meat is not greasy.
- Want their churches to be seeker friendly.
- Believe they can win more of the world by looking like the world.
- Are in Chat Rooms.
- They are on Forums.
- They have Facebook Accounts.
- They are found in Religious Organizations.
- They are also among Independents.
- They no longer say they spoke in tongues. They say they prayed in their prayer language.
- They no longer say they will baptize in you Jesus Name. They now baptize you, “Into Christ.”
No Apostle Ever Put A Spin On The Gospel Message. Their Preaching Was:
- Straight forward
- Simple
- No-nonsense
- Practical
- Their accounts were accurate and not self serving
- Their words benefited the reader
- Their advice served others, not themselves
- More importantly, it was truthful and anointed.
Satan Was The First Spin Doctor!
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Genesis 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Genesis 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
We all should have learned our lesson from this example alone!
Nathanael Was NOT A Spin Doctor!
John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
The Lord Jesus chose him to be a Disciple. He knew Nathanael could be trusted with handling the Truth!
In whom is no guile. That is the very first comment out of the mouth of Jesus when He saw him. Would Jesus be impressed with you as a disciple, because you had no guile?
1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
The Punishment Of Spin Doctors.
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
The Truth Still Matters!
I’m Sick And Tired Of You Judging Me!
“I’m Sick And Tired Of You Judging Me!”
How many times have we heard someone say that, whether it was directed to us or to someone else? It’s easy for most of us to get offended when others express disapproval of our actions.
By nature, most of us are very private. We resent outsiders intruding uninvited into our personal lives. We automatically throw up a defensive barrier. Somewhere in all of us there is a storage room that houses cryptic phrases designed for rebuttal and justification. We quickly grab one and use it with the hopes of silencing our accuser. Sometimes, it works.
Most church members and ex-church member alike consider the act of judging a grievous fault. So, since most of us have been judged at one time or another, let us look at the subject of judging others.
As citizens, we are used to being judged every day on our skills, behavior, and performance.
Judgment Is Common In Every Day Society
- Television shows, such as American Idol, judge contestants on their ability to sing and perform.
- At the County Fair, someone will judge which pie is the best.
- There are judges at dog shows, and the dollar value of someone’s beloved pet may be at their mercy.
- When a prospective new driver turns 16 years old, his or her driving ability is judged. Someone must determine if they should be issued a driver’s license.
- To be promoted to the next grade and even graduate, a teacher must determine the student’s academic ability.
- To become a licensed minister in an organization. An applicant’s worthiness is determined when he appears before a licensing board.
- Every new pastor that is voted on by the church has his qualifications judged by the congregation’s yes or no vote. The same holds true for politicians.
- The Bank Officer judges the applicants credit rating and payment history before loaning any money. Speaking of which, I recalled when my friend ran out of cash travelling in Europe, she used www.XN–LNA-PENGAR-15A.BIZ to get financing to get back to her country.
- The Miss America beauty pageant uses Judges to determine who should represent the U.S.A.
- There are multitudes of judges for every Olympic event.
- The gardener judges whether or not the tree’s branches need pruned, or if the tomatoes need watered.
- Someone will be a judge over who gets custody of the child, and who gets what, in the divorce settlement.
- The Traffic Cop judges whether or not you should be pulled over and cited.
- Every employee knows the meaning of a “Performance Review.” Someone must sit on the other side of the desk and judge the employees worthiness.
- Actually, everyone that wants the bragging rights of being the best, the fastest, or the most gifted, must first meet the judge.
We seem to be comfortable with the idea of being judged according to our fleshly activities. We understand that no one receives approval without a judgment of some kind. However, it’s man’s judgment of our spiritual pursuits, or lack thereof, that brings the fire into our reactions.
Webster Defines The Word, “Judge” As:
Judge
1: to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises.
You’re Sick And Tired Of Others Judging You? I Understand. Let’s Look At The Subject Of Judging In The Bible.
Is it true that Christians are told not to judge? The surprise answer is no. In fact, according to Scripture those who do not judge are more likely to be led astray by false doctrines and are less than effective witnesses for Jesus Christ.
Most People Who Cite The Lord’s “Command” Not To Judge, Use Following Quotation:
Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Matthew 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Matthew 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Matthew 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
To Whom Were These Words Spoken?
This whole passage is addressed to the religious hypocrites of the day. Jesus warned these self-righteous people who criticized others, but were guilty of the same things… or worse.
You’re Sick And Tired Of Others Judging You? As Much As Our Flesh Doesn’t Like It, Church Members Must Make Judgments.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
- False prophets are to be recognized (judged) by their fruits.
Should Christians Judge Each Other? Absolutely!
The Lord is pleased with those that judge righteously.
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Some Lukewarm Church Members Feel That A Preacher Should Not Be Their Judge.
I would point them the Lord’s instruction to the Priest Joshua.
Zechariah 3:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
Remember John The Baptist saying:
Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Mark 6:17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her.
Mark 6:18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.
- John had guts enough to tell King Herod that he was wrong, that he was living with his brother’s wife. Herod had John thrown in prison and finally beheaded. John was not afraid to make a righteous judgment.
The Prophet Nathan Looked King David In The Eye And Judged Him.
2 Samuel 12:7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
There Has Always Been Resentment In The Congregation Against Messages That Judge.
Isaiah 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
- Even in the days of Isaiah, men wanted to be left alone by the man of God. They only were willing to hear smooth preaching. Not much has changed. They wanted to do what ever their conscience allowed them to do.
Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
- Without accountability, even the people of God sink to this level. The shocking news for our flesh is that what is right in our eyes may not be right in God’s eyes. We all need help. We just need it in different areas.
What About Discernment Of Spirits?
1 Corinthians 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
- This is a gift that God provided for His body, whereby Holy Ghost filled people may be able to determine what spirit another is manifesting. In a way, it’s like being able to see what’s on the inside of another person.
Try The Spirits. (Judge Them)
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Samuel
The Prophet learned about judging spirits the hard way. He found out quickly that God looked not only on the outside, like humans, but He looked especially at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
(Note: They that are spiritually wayward love to justify their carnal and maybe even sinful outward appearance by saying that God looks on the heart. (As if that were the only place He looks.) This passage strongly makes the point that God did not even like what he saw on the inside. Maybe the self-righteous should not use this verse as their defense.)
If You’re Sick And Tired Of Others Judging You, Be Glad You Weren’t There When The Apostle Paul Preached.
Paul Judged Situations Publically Without Being Present.
- Case 1. Immorality
1 Corinthians 5:3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
1 Corinthians 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
(Called a…)
- That person’s lifestyle resulted in the church judging them guilty and calling them by the name of their sin.
1 Corinthians 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1 Corinthians 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
- Case 2. Church Factions During The Lord’s Supper
1 Corinthians 11:17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
1 Corinthians 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
- Paul Openly Judged Sensitive Situations.
Judgment Is Required Of All Spiritual People.
1 Corinthians 2:14 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.
1 Corinthians 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
(The Message) 1 Corinthians 2:15 Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God’s Spirit is doing, and can’t be judged by unspiritual critics.
Spirit Filled Saints Are To Judge All Things.
Godly Spirit-filled saints are required to judge all things. Judge spirits? Yes! Judge things as well? Absolutely!
We Are To Judge All Things By God’s Standard Of Judgment. Things Such As:
- Life Situations
- Events
- Relationships
- Friendships
- Music
- Internet Activities
- Entertainment
- Hollywood Presentations
- Sports
- False Doctrines
- Styles of Dress
- Compromise
- Immodesty
Just To Name A Few
(Note: EVERYONE that I have seen who re-evaluated their Holiness Standards or Convictions has not grown closer to God or resembled the Old-time Pentecostal lifestyle, but rather moved closer to looking and acting like the present world.)
The Apostles Judged A Situation Correctly And The Holy Ghost Confirmed It.
Acts 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
Paul Wasn’t Afraid To Have His Brethren Weigh His Words.
1 Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
1 Corinthians 10:15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
You’re Sick And Tired Of Others Judging You? I Understand, But Even Prophets Are Subject To Being Judged.
Prophets Judge Other Prophets.
A Prophet’s reward is not money or fame. It is simply that his prophecy comes true. If the prophecy does not come true he is, by all standards of measurement, a false prophet.
1 Corinthians 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
The Pastor Must Make Judgment Calls.
Some situations a Pastor has to deal with are not mentioned specifically by name in the Bible. So, he must make a judgment call, or a ruling. Hence, they that make good rulings are worthy of double honor.
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
There’s No Doubt A Good Reason Why Some Make A Loud Noise About Not Wanting Anyone To Judge Them.
Scenario 1
Maybe They Are In Rebellion And Don’t Want To Change.
- Because they are not doing right, and they do not want anyone reminding them.
- They know what they have been taught.
- They remember how they used to live.
- They chose to ignore the Word of God and the Pastor.
Scenario 2
God Has Turned Them Over To A Delusion.
- They feel they are right and will debate you tirelessly in their attempt to justify themselves.
- They feel saved and content even though they have never been farther away from Truth.
- They wouldn’t love Truth, so God handpicked their delusion and gave them something they would love. Error.
Scenario 3
A Humble Heart Will Repent When Judged And Correct Their Error.
2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
Preacher… Preach The Word. It Is God’s Plumb Line.
- Preach Without Fear or Favor.
- Be Not Afraid Of Their Faces.
- You Must Answer To God For What You Preached And Didn’t Preach.
- Preach It Even if It Affects Your Friends Or Family.
- Preach it Because It Is Truth.
Correction Must Be Given When The Actions Of A Saint Are Judged To Be Wrong.
1 Timothy 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
Titus 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
If We Willingly Receive Correction and Instruction, We Show Evidence Of Being God’s Son.
Hebrews 12:5 … My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Hebrews 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
If You’re Still Sick And Tired Of Others Judging You…
- How Then Can Anyone Help You?
- You Don’t Want A Pastor.
- You Don’t Even Want A True Friend.
- You Choose To Do What You Want.
- No One Can Be Helped Without First Being Judged To Be In Need Of Help.
- Please Don’t Put Up A Wall Of Defense Any More When Your Life Is Judged To Be Not Pleasing Unto God.
You’re Sick And Tired Of Others Judging You?
- A Tender Hearted Person Would Never Speak Those Words.
- Have You Become Unteachable?
- Are You Past Help?
- Have You Become Hard Hearted?
- Do You Want A Tender Heart?
- Do You Want To Be Saved?
- Then Start By Humbling Yourself And Submitting To God’s Word.
Do You Own A Copy Of The Jefferson Bible?
Do You Own A Copy Of The Jefferson Bible?
Mr. Thomas Jefferson is rightly honored as one of the most brilliant minds in American history. He is remembered for many achievements in his public life and in his service to our nation.
- He served as Governor of Virginia.
- U.S. Minister to France.
- Secretary of State under President George Washington.
- Vice President in the administration of John Adams.
- President of The United States from 1801-1809.
His tombstone makes no mention of those accomplishments. It says rather, that he was the “author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia.”
What a man. What a mind. Yet, with all of his understanding, somehow Mr. Jefferson could not actually believe anything about the supernatural, or stories of miracles, as found in the Bible.
He loved the principles of life as taught by Jesus Christ. He approved of almost all of the Lord’s teachings. What he could not accept was anything supernatural. So, he did what he thought best. He made his own bible.
He calmly sat down with two exact Bibles, and began to cut out the parts that he liked. He would then paste all of the verses he liked into a scrapbook. Now, there would be nothing in his new bible that would make him uncomfortable.
Beliefnet Blog: Separating The ‘Diamonds’ From The ‘Dunghill’
“Done with his official work for the day, Thomas Jefferson sat in the new presidential mansion in Washington in 1804, and opened his Bible — not to pray, but to cut. He scoured the text for Jesus’ greatest teachings, sliced out his favorite portions and glued them into an empty volume. He called it “The Philosophy of Jesus.” In 1819, he started over and created a new version called “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth,” often referred to now as The Jefferson Bible. In Jefferson’s version, Jesus was not divine.”
The virgin birth – gone.
Christ’s bodily resurrection – gone.
The miracles of the loaves, walking on water, raising Lazarus – none of them made Jefferson’s book.
The bad news is that the story doesn’t end there. Although Thomas Jefferson did that 200 years ago, almost everyone is doing it now. It happens in personal lives, homes, churches and denominations. Folks are only taking from the Bible, the parts they like best and they are leaving the rest on the table.
Even some Apostolic Pentecostals have problems in this area. Listen to the audience when the preacher preaches next time. Do they say amen or do they remain quiet? To the preacher, it would be easy to judge the silence of the congregation as non-acceptance. Maybe it is.
The Preacher Can Expect A Good Response If He Preaches On:
- Love
- Mercy/Forgiveness
- Faith/Miracles/Healing
- Blessings/Prosperity
- Winning Souls
- Baptism In Jesus Name
- Receiving The Holy Ghost
- One God
However:
- What happens if the same man preaches on Worldliness?
- What happens if he preaches against the ungodly influence of Hollywood?
- How loud is the sound of amen, when the pastor reads Bible passages about women Cutting their Hair?
- If he reads scriptures about not Loving the World, does the crowd get silent?
- Maybe, it’s when he reads the part about women not Wearing Men’s Apparel?
- Does the crowd grow silent when scriptures warning about Ornamentation are read?
- What about the subject of Tithes? Can they still say amen?
- How about when the preacher reads verses about Modest Apparel?
- What if he just reads verses about Doctrine, is anyone bored yet?
Let’s Talk Some More:
- What does the crowd do when the man of God reads verses on Forgiving One Another and Bitterness?
- Does is tense up when he reads about Gossip and Backbiters and Hatred?
- What do they do when he finds a verse about Jealousy and Envy?
- How about the verses on Submission and Pastoral Authority?
- What about when he reads verses on Loving your Neighbor as yourself, while preaching against Racism? What is the response then?
- What about the audience’s response when the pastor reads verses on Fornication and Adultery?
- What is the reaction when the pastor reads verses about Rebellion?
- How about the ones on Unity?
- When he reads verses about being Faithful to God’s House, what is the reaction of the crowd?
- Do they get uncomfortable when he reads the one about, “not setting any wicked thing before my eyes?’ How does that go over?
Pentecostals have openly talked about having their ‘candy sticks.’ As a rule, that’s a good thing. The downside is that some have taken only their candy sticks, and thrown most of the rest away. It’s kind of like swallowing a camel and straining a gnat.
- All some want to see in their Bible, are verses on Love.
- Others may only be in search of New Birth scriptures in their Bible.
- Then there are those that are only interested in Holiness subjects
- A few hang up on themes like: Faith, Healing, Miracles, Worship, Prophecy, Divorce, Pastoral Authority, and Prayer, to name a few.
Why not just take it all? Let no one be guilty of only taking the part of the Bible they like, and leaving the rest for others. I am convinced that the Jefferson Bible is alive and well in most Jesus Name Pentecostal churches today.
We easily break fellowship with those who have not cut out the same portions of the Bible that we have.
I submit to every gentle reader, that many are crippling their walk with God because they refuse to take the entire Bible. Do not treat God’s Word like a buffet line, and only choose what you like. Choose it all.
Do You Own A Copy Of The Jefferson Bible?
The New Math Of Pentecost
The New Math Of Pentecost
When the Russians sent up Sputnik, American educators panicked. The National Science Foundation was expanded in 1957 to promote changes in science and math beginning with the Middle Schools.
The main thrust was to switch from the teacher, “instructing” the student”. Now, the pupils were encouraged to “discover” on their own. No more student recitations were necessary. The New Math was born.
- Teachers didn’t like it and the parents were up in arms.
- Books began to hit the shelves decrying the changes found in the new math.
Morris Kline, in Why Johnny Can’t Add: The Failure of the New Math, wrote that “with near perfect regularity, [teachers] applaud the return to tradition content [and] instructional methods, and higher standards of student performance.”
Wikipedia wrote:
Parents were concerned that they did not understand what their children were learning and could not help them with their studies. In the end it was concluded that the experiment was not working, and New Math fell out of favor before the end of the decade, though it continued to be taught for years thereafter in some school districts.
- Why the need to change from the old Arithmetic to the New Math?
- What was to be gained?
- Was the change because one generation didn’t like the answers they got from the older generation?
- What it because they were sick of be told what the answers were to the problems and wanted to discover them for themselves?
- Arithmetic is about numbers, and New math is about concepts.
The basic difference between the new math and the old arithmetic might be explained this way.
1962: (Arithmetic) A farmer sells a load of hay for $150. His cost in raising the hay is 2/3 of this price. What is his profit?
1972 (Arithmetic): A farmer sells a load of hay for $150. His cost of raising the hay is $100. What is his profit?
1977 (New Math): A farmer exchanges a set H of hay for a set M of money. The cardinality of set M is 150 and each element is worth $1.
- (a) Make 150 dots representing the elements of the set M
- (b) The set C representing costs of production contains 50 fewer points than set M. Represent the set C as a subset of the set M.
- (c) What is the cardinality of the set P of profits?
1990 (Dumbed-down math): A farmer sells a load of hay for $150. His cost of production is $100 and his profit is $50. Underline the number 50.
2010 (New Math): By cutting down a field full of hay, a farmer makes $50.
- (a) What do you think of this way of making money?
- (b) How will the birds and animals be affected?
- (c) Draw a picture of the field, as you’d like it to look.
Some Americans felt we were falling so far behind in the Space Race, so we had to do something to catch up. Evidently, (they thought) the old way isn’t working. So they changed. It took many years to realize their reaction to the problem only made things get worse.
How Does This Math History Lesson Apply To Pentecost?
To the older generation, looks at it this way…
The New Math Concept Of Not Wanting To Be Taught, Is Deeply Embedded In This Newest Generation Of Pentecost.
They freely flaunt words like, “relationship.” At they same time, they scorn the words, “commandments” and “rules”.
- They say they love the Lord; but they just don’t want to be bogged down with any rules.
- The New Math people do not welcome standards. They resent being told “NO”.
The New Math of Pentecost Says, “Every Time Jesus Met A Hurting Person He Chose A Relationship, Over Rules & Regulations.”
Really? Every Time?
- Jesus once said, “You are of your father the devil.” How did that relationship turn out?
- He called some, “Hypocrites? Did that hurt the relationship?
- He turned over the tables and drove them out of the Temple for turning His House of Prayer into a den of thieves? He made a whip and thrashed it at the people? Really now, does that sound like a normal relationship?
- Why would Jesus do that? Could it be those Jews were doing something wrong? Surely not.
A relationship with Jesus begins with our accepting His ways, not Him accepting ours.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
There cannot be ANY Relationship with God without Obeying His Commandments.
Brothers and Sisters, we MUST have a relationship with God. It’s imperative. It’s necessary. It’s extremely important.
- But if we do not obey His word, we have NO relationship.
- If you receive correction, you’ve just proved your sonship.
- And if you resented and rejected correction, you showed who you really are.
Hebrews 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
- What kind of relationship can we have with Him if we don’t want to do what He wants us to do?
- What kind of relationship can we have with Him if we reject His correction?
- Can you figure that out with your New Math?
Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
The New Math of Pentecost Says, “Rules & Regulations Have Nothing To Do With Sin.”
What is considered sin today anyway? What? Name it? Not much. Adultery? Fornication? Don’t make me laugh. Like you, I can read some Pentecostal’s Facebook pages too. There are some that openly flaunt the fact that they are in a Domestic Relationship. Yet they still go to church. Yes, they have a relationship, with God and they also have a relationship with who ever else is willing to have one.
- How many “Spirit filled” women in your church wear slacks?
- How many cut their hair?
- How many wear make up?
- How many have on more jewelry than a Dillard’s Christmas tree?
How many of these still feel they have a true Relationship with Jesus?
If rules have nothing to do with sin, then how do you know when you have done something wrong? Or is there any… ‘wrong’ anymore?
The New Math Of Pentecost dislikes the concept of being told anything. They desire to discover the things of God on their own. If they are not convicted, then it must not be wrong.
The New Math of Pentecost Says, “Rules Can’t Save You.”
They don’t have to give up much to live for God, since they they’ve been studying this “New Math of Pentecost Doctrine.”
Every Jake-leg in Pentecost now knows more than their pastor about the things of God. They’ll argue with him. They look for every scripture they can twist, to get out of living like a Holy Ghost filled person should. They are quicker to take what some compromiser on the Internet has to say about Salvation, than their own pastor.
New Math believers resent being told anything by a preacher, but they have no reservations about getting on Facebook and hollering at the top of their voice to all who will listen, saying that “Rules” are not necessary.
- They don’t want to be told. They just want to tell.
- Evidently, their condemnation makes them defensive.
- Rebellion, is what this whole thing boils down to.
The New Math of Pentecost Says: You Can Have A Relationship With God, Without Rules
My friend, Pastor Kenneth Bow said it well:
- “The Ten Commandments represent the two great relationships in man’s world.
- The first four commandments are about man toward God.
- The second six commandments are all about how to exist with our fellow-man.
- To love God and to love our fellow-man is the basis for the Ten Commandments. It provides the foundation for all man’s relationships.”
The Kenneth Bow Blog
New Math? What Answers Did It Change?
- Tithe is still 10%
- Holiness is still required, no matter how hard you try to get around it.
- God’s Word hasn’t changed for this generation.
- He is still going to require of this generation, what he has always required… Being separated from the world. Not just separated from the world, but separated unto Him.
- It is still Holiness or Hell.
- The Bible didn’t change, just because you did.
- Well, one thing it did change. It seems, most New Math “teachers” don’t even own a suit. They dress very causal in the pulpit.
Man’s Interest In New Math Was Prophesied In The Bible
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
The New Math of Pentecost Proudly Proclaims That To Win The Lost:
- We should not teach Standards at our church.
- We should not teach, we should let you discover convictions on your own.
- We should not teach standards. It is easier to win the lost by dressing like them.
- We should not teach against Women to cutting their hair.
- We should not teach against Women wearing man’s apparel.
- We should not teach against wearing shorts in public.
- We should not teach against women’s low necklines and tight clothes.
- We should not teach against mixed swimming.
- We should not teach against Hollywood.
These New Math folks don’t want an old-time preacher to preach where they are living. They have a negative reaction to any Holiness preaching.
Why Don’t They Want To Be Told?
They are like a toddler about to do something Mommy already told them not to do. Then turning to their parent say, “Don’t you tell me don’t.”
Americans doing the New Math finally figured out that it was a mistake, and they quit.
Those doing the New Math of Pentecost may not be so fortunate. They may not find out they were doing it wrong until they get to the Judgment.
One thing for sure, you can’t tell them that. They want to find out for themselves.
*My personal thanks to Bro. Bow for making me think about the New Math, and how it applies to Pentecostals today.
Why I Don’t Own A Revised Standard Version Of The Bible.
Why I Don’t Own A Revised Standard Version Of The Bible.
First Of All, It Is A “New” Bible, Not A Translation. Over 6,000 changes are found in the RSV.
It is a modernistic interpretation. Liberals who reject the fundamental doctrines of the Word of God produced it. A modernist is one who:
- Denies the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.
- Denies the Deity of Jesus Christ.
- Denies that the blood of Jesus saves from sin.
It Makes Drastic Changes That Are Unacceptable. Here Are Just A Few.
KJV Genesis 6:3 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.
RSV Genesis 6:3 Then the LORD said, “My spirit shall not abide in man for ever, for he is flesh, but his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.”
- The meaning is completely changed.
KJV Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
RSV Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
- There is a major difference between virgin and young woman.
KJV Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remissionof sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
RSV Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Remission is more than forgiveness. It is the complete removal of the cause of the offence.
KJV Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
RSV Hebrews 12:2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
KJV Luke 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
RSV Luke 24:6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,
- What happened to “He is not here, but is risen:”?
KJV Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
KJV Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
KJV Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
KJV Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
RSV Mark 16:9-20 is left out of their Bible.
KJV John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
RSV John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.
KJV John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
RSV John 1:18 No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.
- They do not like the word “begotten”.
KJV Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
RSV Colossians 1:14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
- The blood is missing again.
Any Bible that denies the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, His Deity, and Redemption through His shed Blood, has no place of my book shelf.
Work Referenced:
Wolff, MJ (1953) “The New Bible” – The Pentecostal Herald November 1953, page 4, 13
Professional Wine Connoisseurs Are In Your Church!
Professional Wine Connoisseurs Are In Your Church!
They’re a snobbish lot. Some, if not most, may consider themselves a marked cut above the general population.
After all, their sensory gifts are able to determine the “great” from the “mundane” or even from the “good.”
Some are so good, that just by tasting they can tell you the name of the wine and the year it was bottled.
They also run in very elite circles and hobnob with the movers and shakers in town. Good wines cost a lot of money. So it they aren’t blessed with the green stuff, they hang out with those that are.
From time to time in the upper-crust circles, wine tastings are hosted. Often, it is even a black tie event.
The Sniff
The connoisseurs know their stuff. They all know that judging the color is the first step in tasting wine.
There are five basic steps in tasting wine I am told: These are sometimes known as the “Five S” steps: see, swirl, sniff, sip, savor.
The Sip
Then comes the scoring of the wine.
1. The appearance of the wine,
2. The nose or smell,
3. The palate or taste, and
4. Overall.
After watching the wine tasters swirl the wine in the goblet, sniff the bouquet, sip it and then hold it momentarily in their mouth… they spit it out. That’s right.
The Spit
There are even websites that boast that they can teach you how to spit wine like a pro.
Expectoration may have been the last thing some would have expected. But the connoisseur, the professional wine taster, chooses not to swallow. He is not here to drink. He has come to judge.
I suppose that in the secular world their logic makes sense. The problem is, that the same thing is being done in God’s House.
Who would have thought it? Of all the places wine tasters could have met, most of them seem to meet in our churches.
“What are they doing in our churches?”
“Why, they are wine tasting of course!”
“During the service?”
“Sure!”
“During the preaching?”
“Why, that’s when they do it the most!”
They sit there listening.
They can’t afford to get inebriated like others around them.
They look at the color as they swish it around in their glass.
They sniff at the thought process of the sermon.
They take a sip of it and hold it in their mouth.
They are so gifted; they can identify in their mind the very vineyard it came from and the year it was bottled.
Umm… that was “Worship 1977.”- I think that was “Holiness 1962.”
- That was “Doctrine AD 34.”
- “New Birth, Day of Pentecost!”
Oh yes. They know it when they hear it.
Then they spit it out.
They hear the Word, but they refuse to apply it to themselves. They feel they are superior in doctrine, and quite possible in intelligence, to almost every one in the church. Including the pastor.
They’ve heard it all before. They know it all forwards and backwards. But if you think they are going to swallow what they hear in church today, “you got another think a coming.”
They’ve been spitting it out for years! They will keep spitting it out too, until they die. To change and start swallowing would draw too much attention. They would lose their place in the church as a ‘deep’ saint of God. they would also lose face.
Actually they are not deep at all. Anyone can spit. That doesn’t require a gift or ability. They are not connoisseurs of the preached Word of God. They are only critics.
The reason they spit it out is because they are truth rejecters. (While I am on the subject, it seems like God mentioned spewing some folks out of His mouth too.)
The greatest danger you can do to yourself is to hear the Word and not apply it to your own life. Receive it and prosper. Receive it and live. Reject it and die.
They didn’t spit it out when Peter preached to them on the Day of Pentecost!
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
The only way to grow in God is to be a doer and not just a hearer.
James 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
James 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
So… What are you going to do the next time you hear preaching?
Spit it out, or receive it?
Apostolic Expository Series
Christy Ballestero (My Beautiful DIL)
http://marciaballestero.com/
Pastor Anthony & Kim Ballestero, New Destiny Worship Center, Clearwater, FL (My Son)
Pastor Bryan & Christy Ballestero, Temple Of Pentecost, Raleigh, NC (My Son)
James Groce Blog – "Toward The Mark"
Kenneth Bow Blog
Kingdom Speak Podcast
Philip Harrelson – "The Barnabas Blog"
Verbal Bean Ministries
Holy Ghost Radio
The Ballestero Blog 