FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE YEAR 1994 At THE HOUSEHOLD OF
GOD ONITSHA By
The BRIDE OF CHRIST MINISTRY WORLD-WIDE “Truth
has no substitute” © BRIDE OF CHRIST MINISTRY WORLD-WIDE
SECTION B (CONTINUATION)
1
THE
LORD’S SUPPER
The discussion here concerning the
Lord’s supper is an extract from the book “Traditional
Christianity” Truth or Deception by Ewald Frank PP-106 - 111. It offers
a good biblical treatment and understanding of the subject.
2.
First
we must deal in short with the significance of the Pass-over instituted in the
Old Testament. The last supper was celebrated by our Lord Himself during the
Passover. He said “Go into the city to such a man, and say
unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.” (Matt.26:18, KJV).
3.
At
this Passover, Judas dipped his hand into the same dish and therefore Jesus
said, “He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.” (Vs..
23).
4.
The
Evangelist Mark records what happened in detail, “And as they did eat, Jesus took bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave to them, and said, take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup,
and when he had given thanks, he
gave it to them; and they all
drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” (14:22-25,
KJV).
5.
Hardly
no other text in the whole Bible is being so much misunderstood and
misinterpreted as this one concerning the Lord’s supper. According to the above
passage, the new covenant was about to come into existence. The blood of this
New Testament was not shed at this Passover or Lord’s Supper but rather on the
cross of Calvary.
6.
At
this meal, the godly blood was still pulsating in the Redeemer and it was hot
in the cup. We have to read this scripture in the light of the significance of
the institution of the Old Testament covenant to rightly comprehend the
significance of the Lord’s Supper just before the inauguration of the covenant.
7.
The
Lord God gave to Moses all the instructions. He in turn conveyed them to the
people. “And he took
the book of the covenant, and read
in the audience of the people; and they said, All that
the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses
took the blood, and sprinkled it on the
people, and said. Behold the
blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you
concerning all these words.” (Ex.24:7-8, KJV).
8.
The
children of Israel in the Old Testament had experienced redemption and
deliverance and they were
led out from bondage. This happened at the moment when the divine order was given to them to slay a lamb in every house, prepare the same, eat the flesh and put the blood on the lintel and the door posts for protection.
led out from bondage. This happened at the moment when the divine order was given to them to slay a lamb in every house, prepare the same, eat the flesh and put the blood on the lintel and the door posts for protection.
9.
It
was a sign which the destructive angel had to respect. A home with the sign of
this blood could not be touched and the first-born was spared. In this
connection, we have to read the following text.
10.
“And
the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are; and when I
see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be upon you to
destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (Exo. 12:13, KJV).
11.
This
was God’s decision, and therefore the first-born of the Israelites could not be
touched. The blood was the security at the time of destruction. The covenant
God made with His people was thereby valid. In the 14th verse, we read about
the passover.
12.
“And
this day shall be unto you for a memorial and ye shall keep it a feast to the
Lord throughout your generations” A memorial of the saving - delivering
and keeping of God’s people.
13.
Two
things are to be noticed here. First, by the shed blood the covenant with
Israel received its validity, and therefore the lives of the redeemed were
saved. Secondly, the celebration of this feast was to be a memorial and
reminder to the children of Israel of what God had done to them. These two
facts are confirmed in the New Testament supper.
14.
The
redeemed were first to declare their willingness to obey and to do all of God’s
word. After Israel did that, Moses sprinkled the blood as a visible sign upon
the redeemed Church which stood henceforth under the protection of the blood.
For a memorial of this great event experienced by Israel, the Passover was to
be observed.
15.
In
Luke 22, our Lord says, “... With
desire I have desired to eat this
Passover with you before I suffer …. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and
broke it, and gave unto him, saying, This is my body which is given for you;
this do in remembrance of me.” (Vs. 15 + 19).
16.
While
taking part in the Lord’s supper, the New Testament believers are reminded of
the redemption which happened through the blood of the new covenant that was
shed for the people of the new covenant.
17.
In
a symbolic way, the Lord showed forth the true significance. The bread He broke
was prepared for the Passover, and therefore it was without leaven. The wine in
the cup He gave to His disciples was from the vine.
18.
According
to Matthew, the Lord said, “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
(26-29).
19.
As
the bread was broken in the eyes of those present, the Body of Jesus Christ was
delivered, beaten and crucified. As certain as wine was in the cup, the blood
of the lamb of God was shed for the forgiveness of our sins.
20.
It
was not the bread which was broken and eaten that suffered but rather our Lord
suffered in His Body of flesh, when He took upon Himself all that was laid upon
humanity. The wine was not changed nor was it shed. Those present at the supper
drank the same.
21.
The
holy blood of the Redeemer was shed by which He Himself went into the Glory as
a high priest. “... but
by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained
eternal redemption for us” (Heb. 9:12, KJV).
22.
Therefore,
the following great truth could be said, “How much more shall the blood
of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (vs. 14).
23.
Nothing
is said or written about the changing of the two elements, bread and wine,
while the Lord held the bread in His hands, He said “This is my body ...”
Then it is no more necessary to change the same by a ceremony. When the Lord
said, “This is my blood …” There is no more need for anyone to
change the element, He certainly did not give His literal flesh and blood to
eat and to drink and this should be clearly understood. We only find it
expressed in a symbolical way.
24.
It
is also being taught that Christ offers Himself every time afresh for the
living and the dead as it is supposed to happen in the wafer which transforms
to be God Himself who then is eaten up by those participating. What a terrible
thought! The holy scriptures certainly do not teach such a thing.
25.
It
is in direct contradiction to the teaching of Christ of whom the scripture
says: “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever ... for by one offering he hath perfected
for ever them that are sanctified ... This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days ... And their sin and iniquities will I
remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering
for sin.” (Heb.
10:12-18, KJV).
26.
Whoever
reads on in this chapter will find the thought pertaining to salvation
expressed, that through the blood of Jesus Christ the new and living way was
made free to enter the heavenly sanctuary. What happened at Calvary is once and
for all for those, who through faith in Jesus Christ, have received the
forgiveness of their sins and obtained the eternal life.
27.
The
Bible says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this
the judgement; so Christ was once
offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto
salvation.” (Heb.
9:27-28, KJV).
28.
Christ
does not offer Himself repeatedly and every day millions of times. That is
impossible and totally unscriptural. The Catholic terms “Consecration” and “Sacrifice
of the Mass” are
expressed in a meaning that the substance of bread and wine is transferred into
the actual Body and Blood of Christ. It is being assumed that He offers Himself
always anew and is then being eaten.
29.
If
that would indeed happen, it would be terrible and not only for the vegetarians!
But it does not happen. It is not promised, nor was there any such idea in the
early Christianity and also the Christians of the first centuries did not know
such a superstition.
30.
It
is very peculiar because in the tabernacle only the wafer is placed. The priest
puts it on the tongue of the participants and the wine he drinks himself for
all. The altar bells and incense, the shouting “Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus” as well as the kneeling down in
front of the tabernacle and the prayer etc. all these were not known to the
true Church of Jesus Christ. In fact, they are totally strange to real Gospel
believers.
31.
The
early Church celebrated the Lord’s supper in a simple manner. It was called
breaking of bread and was practised here and there in houses. “And
they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and
in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42, KJV).
32.
The
exposition given by the Apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 10 and 11 is of great
importance, “I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The blessing which we bless, is it
not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not
the communion of the body of Christ? For we, being many are one bread, and one
body; for we are all partakers of that
one bread.” (10:15-17)
What a clear testimony.
33.
Even
today Biblical Churches administer the Lord’s supper as it was done at the very
beginning. They take one wheat bread, of course not being baked with leaven,
according to the number of those who would participate.
34.
The
shepherd of a local assembly takes the bread, gives thanks unto God and broke
and blesses the same in the name of the Lord. Then it is being broken in small
pieces, and the elders hand it around to all, whereby everyone takes a piece of
this broken bread.
35.
The
whole assembly exists of many members making up the one Body of Christ. The
bread denotes the oneness of the body, that is to say of the Church, and the
breaking into small pieces speaks of the single members as is being expressed
in verse 17.
36.
During
the Lord’s supper, the true believers who are part of the body of Christ are
assembled in the fear of God for special fellowship with the Lord - the lamb of
God who died for us - and with one another. After the bread is served and the
cup is being taken, thanks is being offered and the same is blessed in the name
of the Lord.
37.
After
this, all participate in drinking from the same cup. As the apostle has
written, so it is - the cup of blessing. The fellowship of believers who
participate therein remembering the suffering of Christ and the shedding of His
blood.
38.
In
the 11th Chapter, the apostle Paul emphasized having received of the Lord what
he gave unto, “for I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the
Lord Jesus, the same night in which he
was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks he broke it, and said take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you:
this do in remembrance of me…”
39.
In
His body He was resurrected and taken up to heaven. To receive the full light,
we must use all Bible references which speak about this subject. The importance
is with the divine life that was in this godly blood here on earth. “In
Him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). “... God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his son. He that hath the Son hath
life; and he that hath not the son of God
hath not life.” (I John
5:11-12).
40.
“For
the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the
altar to make an atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that maketh an
atonement for the soul. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who
sojourneth among you eat blood.” (Lev. 17:11-12, KJV).
41.
It
is not the blood as a chemical substance but rather the life of God existing in
this blood which should come into all the redeemed. It should be said that
whosoever has a part in the shed blood receives the life which is therein into
himself.
42.
In
Christ was God’s life, therefore, here we are dealing with eternal life. That
is the main thought which the Holy Scripture expresses through the proclamation
of the Gospel and also is transmitted through the Lord’s Supper.
43.
The
eating of blood was prohibited as later confirmed in Acts 15:29. If the wine in
the cup would be truly changed into blood, then the believers would act against
God’s expressed order. We need spiritual understanding also in this case.
44.
At
the Lord’s Supper, the question is not about changing the substances which are
only visible symbols to express the divine sense, but rather we are clearly
told that we must receive the life of Christ and be reconciled with God.
45.
The
redeemer said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if any
man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and
the bread that I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world ... As the living Father hath sent me, and I live
by the Father, so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” (John
6:51-57, KJV).
46.
In
reference to the so called “Consecration “, it would be good if
all would read about the first miracle Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee where
He changed water into wine. The excellent quality astonished the Chief Steward
at the wedding.
47.
The
wine which was changed from the substance of water was even better than the
original. The people did not drink water and deceived themselves, saying, “We
are drinking wine”
48.
On
the contrary, they were drinking real wine. Up to this day, not one person
dating the wafer has had the impression that it was changed into flesh, also no
one while drinking wine have had the taste of blood. It is nothing but a
mystery-cult.
49.
The
bread symbolises firstly the body of Christ which was offered and secondly the
body of believers - the Church, as referred in I Cor. 10:15-17.
50.
The
emphasis with the bread was laid in the statement, “... this do in
remembrance of me.” “After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This
do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 11:25, KJV).
51.
Whoever
partakes of bread has the taste of bread, whoever drinks the wine, has the
taste of wine. That is the plain truth. The Lord rose bodily and ascended into
heaven. No one can change any kind of bread on earth into His body.
52.
As
already spoken of in this exposition, that’s not even in question. We are only
dealing with God’s life that was in Christ and now within us. “But as
many as received him, to them gave he power to become the children of God, even
to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12, KJV).
53.
The
cup shows forth that the blood of the new covenant was shed. The bread and wine
need not to be changed to become Christ, but rather the old man in us must be
changed by receiving the new life of Christ within by believing in the full
redemption through His blood.
54.
Whoever
experience God in a Biblical way can participate correctly in the Lord’s
supper. This memorial is meant to be kept in remembrance of what happened on
Calvary, right to the end of the end of the time of grace.
55.
“For
as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” (1 Cor.11:26).
56.
It
is noteworthy to pay attention to the precise wording. It does not say, “as
often as you eat this
... flesh “, but rather, “For as often ye
eat this bread, and drink this cup...”
Only what is placed before us can be eaten, and what is in the cup can we
drink.
57.
The
practice of the Roman Church is outside the will and word of God. The fuss
about the terminologies “it means”
or “it is” was not
even necessary. No philosophy has any place here. Also this theme must be
viewed in the light of God’s revealed word. Amen.
2
THE
FOOT WASHING
This discussion concerning foot washing
is an extract from the booklet “Baptism, Lord’s supper, Footwashing” by E. Frank pp. 29-31. It
offers a good scriptural treatment and understanding of the subject.
2.
After
we dealt with the Lord’s Supper, we briefly must touch on the subject of foot
washing. Before reading the rest, pertaining to this ordinance in the New
Testament, we must see how the priests were commissioned to do things in the
Old Testament, Before entering into the Holy of Holies, there was a layer
available for the purpose according to the divine order.
3.
It
was placed between the altar upon which the sacrifice was placed and the
tabernacle. We shall read Exodus 30:19, “... For Aaron and his sons shall
wash their hands and their feet thereat.” They could not enter the
tabernacle, nor come near the altar without first washing their hands and feet
(verse 20).
4.
Really,
while washing the feet, one washes ones hands automatically. In the New
Testament the true believers are called holy priesthood. We must come to God
and approach Him in reference and have to respect His word in all things.
5.
In
John 13, 4-10, our Lord gave the following example, “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his
garments, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and
began to wash them with the towel with
which he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter; and Peter saith unto
him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
6.
Jesus
answered, and said unto him, what Ido thou knowest not now, but thou shall know hereafter. Peter
said unto him, thou shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, jf I wash
thee not, thou hast no part with
me. Simon Peter saith unto him,
Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not except to wash his
feet...”
7.
If
we look upon this scripture just to be a recording of what took place, we don’t
even feel that God is speaking to us. At that time the Lord spoke to those who
were present, and today He speaks by the same word in the same way to those who
come to appear in His presence. Now for a moment, we must consider what Peter
actually went through.
8.
He
asked, “Lord dost thou wash my feet”. The Lord answered, “What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter” Peter
asserted his decision and thought to make it clear what he meant by saying, “Thou
shalt never
wash my feet.”
9.
He
did not want the Lord to humiliate Himself before him and do what the least of
the servants was meant for, if somebody entered house. But the Lord and master
gave His disciples a very practical teaching, “whosoever will be great
among you, let him be your servant.”
10.
The
Lord of glory served in humility, complete by surrendering Himself to service.
He put off His clothes and took the apron instead, bowed down and became as one
of the least of the slaves in a household. This was an example for His
disciples that everyone should esteem the other higher than himself. Here in
this case, He showed in a practical lesson how it is done.
11.
When
the Lord said to Peter, “If I wash
thee not, thou hast no part with me”, he was shocked and only could say
with a deep desire the following words, “Lord,
not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.”
12.
How
can we understand that he would have no part with Him, if this ordinance and
commandment would not be kept? Does anyone have a part with Christ, the Lord,
because of foot washing? The point here is obedience to what the Lord said.
This we owe unto Him and also to one another.
13.
Even
if something He says does not seem to be important, if He says it and it’s a
request, or as ordinance, we must just do i in simple child-like faith without
questioning Him why He requires it.
14.
We
cannot ask, “why must we do this?” If
we do not obey what He said, we cut the connection to Him, because He gave the
ordinance. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Of us it is required
to do according to every word and ordinance, and we must do it willingly and
seriously to please Him.
15.
In
John 13:12-17, we read the following text, “So
after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was seated
again, he said unto them, know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master
and Lord; and ye say well; for so I am.
16.
If I, then, your Lord and master, have
washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given
you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say
unto you, the servant is not grater than his lord; neither he that is sent
greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do
them.”
17.
The
words of the master are very clear. They cannot be misunderstood by someone who
takes them, as they were spoken. He said, “If
I, then, your Lord and master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one
another’s feet.”
18.
There
is no need for anybody to explain or to give his private interpretation. When
the Lord said that we should wash one another’s feet, He meant what He said, “... Ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” This
has nothing to do with the oriental custom.
19.
He
was not speaking of something that was generally practiced. He knew about that,
but very clearly He stated, “For I
have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
That is a precise ordinance which cannot be questioned in any way. He
emphasized this commandment with the words, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his
Lord, neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.”
20.
Every
time the Lord said, “Verily, verily”
we should take special heed and pay real attention to what He said, because
He was emphasizing something of importance. Here in John 13, He did it a number
of times.
21.
About
the foot washing nothing much can be said. At the beginning of the New
Testament Church, it was understood and practiced without it being mentioned
too often. Paul once refers to the condition of the widows who should be taken
by the local Church for support.
22.
And
this was one condition laid down by him as found in 1 Tim. 5,10: “... well reported of for good works, if
she hath brought up children, if she hath lodged strangers, if she hath washed
the saints’ feet, if she had relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently
followed every good work.” KJV
23.
We
showed according to the Bible that our Lord inaugurated the foot washing and
gave the practical example Himself. Therefore, no one who is truly honest could
discuss these things away. They must be done and obeyed.
24.
If
somebody explains any scripture and guides the listeners into disobedience to a
commandment He gave, what is motivating him? To every believer, the word of God
should be holy and we must be ready to obey and do the least commandment.
25.
In
such a case, the word of the Lord applies, “If
ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” The blessing from
beginning to end rests upon those who do the word of God, and not on the
listeners only who disobey. May the Lord make us such people who follow in His
ways and do as He commanded us, even in this case.
26.
Do
not ask why, don’t say it is foolish, and don’t believe that it is not
necessary. The Lord said it, He commanded it, He practiced it, and He said, “I have given you an example that ye
should do to one another as I have done to you.” That is THUS
SAITH THE LORD in His word. Amen.
3
WOMEN
MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH
For God is not a God of disorder but of
peace as in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the
Churches. They are not allowed to speak but must be in submission, as the law
says. If they want to enquire
about something they should ask their own husbands at home.
2.
For
it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the Church. Did the word of God
originate, with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? if anybody thinks he is a
prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to
you is the Lord’s command. if he
ignores this he himself will be
ignored” (1
Corinthians 14:33-8. NIV).
3.
This
is the day of the revelation of the true Church of God and since the Word of
God abides in her, she lives by the Word of God in order to make the mind of
God known to all.
4.
The
Church of the living God therefore holds and practices only what the Bible
teaches and upholds in all matters of Christian living and doctrine. This
situation also is obtainable in such issues as the role and the ministry of
women in the Church.
5.
Much
trouble has been generated and caused among people in the world today with regards
to the status an work of women not only in the Church but also in the society.
The reason however is not far-fetched. Widespread existence of errors and
falsehoods has led to God’s Word being rejected and denied.
6.
Modern
men and women in line with age long practice in spite of every amount of
religious worship going on purporting to be in the name of God has refused to
accept the authority of the Word of God over their lives. God is denied, not
tolerated, blasphemed, insulted and disobeyed yet in His name.
7.
This
situation is clearly seen in attempt to overthrow and displace God’s order
given to us in the Holy Scriptures concerning the ministry and role of women in
the Church and in wider society in general.
8.
For
sure the Word of God honours men and women equally making no difference between
them as long as they believe God and accept His Word in their lives (Gal.
3:26-28) for He is not a respecter of persons and shows no partiality in
anything (Gal. 2:6; Acts 10:34; James 2:1).
9.
However
in calling, gifts and service there are differences (Romans 12:5-8; 1
Corinthians 12:4-12, 28-30; 14:33-35; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 1 Peter 3:1-7).
According to the infallible Word of the living God men have their God-given
role while women have their own too.
10.
Any
attempt to change this order speaks of nothing than outright disobedience to
the Almighty God. Whoever does this must know for sure that he or she is
incurring the wrath of the Almighty God upon himself or herself. Because of:
this it becomes necessary on all no matter the existing situation in any place
to take only what God’s Word says about women position.
11.
To
understand women ministry in the Church it is necessary to trace this from the
beginning for the Holy Spirit in Paul referred us back to the law which was
from the beginning. “Unto the woman He said, I will greatly
multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth
children; and thy desire shall
be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee” (Genesis 3:16, KJV).
12.
This
may smack of male chauvinism to modern day women today but this word is very
much authentic and effective today as it was when God first spoke it to the
hearing of Eve, Nothing can change it.
13.
Furthermore
“a woman should learn in
quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For
Adam was formed first then Eve.
And Adam was not the one deceived. It was the woman who was deceived and became
a sinner. But women will be saved through child bearing - if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety” (1 Timothy
2:11-15, NIV).
14.
It
is God’s mind through His Word that no woman should be allowed to preach or
teach or have authority over the man. The Scriptures referred us back to the
law, and there is no place in the law throughout the Scriptures in which a
woman was ordained a priest
15.
“And
take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother
and his sons with him from
among the children of israel, that he may
minister unto me in the priests office even Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazer and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons” (Exodus 28:1, KJV).
16.
God
did not speak of Aaron’s children knowing what He is doing but specifically
spoke of Aaron and his sons. No woman can offer sacrifice like Aaron and God
receives it. “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying take Aaron and his sons with him and the garments and the anointing oil…” (Leviticus
8:1-2, KJV).
17.
God
did not want to leave Moses in doubt for if He spoke of children then will the
daughters be included so He stressed the fact again that it was to be Aaron’s
sons. “And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the
tabernacle of the congregation and thou shall wash them with water.”
18.
“And
the Lord appeared unto Abram and said, unto thy seed will I give this land and
there builded he an altar unto the Lord who appeared unto him” (Genesis 12:7, KJV).
19.
And
Noah builded an altar unto the Lord and took of every clean beast and of every
clean fowl .and offered burnt offering on the altar” (Genesis 8:20, KJV). The uniform testimony of the Scriptures
shows that no woman has ever built an altar unto God no matter how great she is
even if God appeared to her. They normally inform their husbands whenever God
appears to them (Judges 13:3-23).
20.
All
the altars built in the Old Testament were built by men whom God revealed
Himself to. No woman therefore can ever stand boldly and say truly that God
spoke to her to preach the
gospel in the same way as men. If she ever hears such voice it is from the
devil for God can not go contrary to His Word.
21.
It
becomes clear then that women who today abandon their God-given role to be
ordained as Reverend Sisters. Evangelists, Pastors, General Overseers and
Superintendents and founders are completely outside God’s will. “And he
builded an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his
tent there; and there Isaac’s servant digged a well” (Genesis
26:25, KJV).
22.
In
all the places in the Old Testament whenever God appears to a man, that man
must leave a memorial there. “And the Lord spake unto Moses in the
wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of
the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of
Egypt saying, Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of
Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers with the number of
their names every male by their polls. And the children of Reuben, Israel’s
eldest son by their generations, after their families by the house of their
fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from
twenty years old and
upward, all that were able to go forth to war” (Numbers 1:1-2, 20 KJV).
23.
In
God’s infinite mind in the genealogy women and little children are not
mentioned but that of men. Women are silent in the Scriptures before men
whenever it comes to spiritual matters.
24.
A
sure sign of the fact that people of God has strayed away from faith is the
fact that both women and children rule them “As for my people, children
are their oppressors, and women rule over them, 0 my people, they which lead
thee cause thee to err and destroy the way of thy paths” (Isaiah 3:12)
25.
“And they that had eaten were about five
thousand men, beside women and children” (Matthew 14:21, KJV).
26.
“And
they that did eat
were four thousand men, beside women and children.” (Matthew 15:38).
27.
Genealogies
traced in Genesis of Adam and that of Jesus Christ as recorded in Luke and
Matthew was not done through women. Does it mean then that there are no
spiritual women? No, it is because Adam was first formed then Eve and Adam was
not deceived but the woman being deceived was in transgression (I Timothy
2:13-14).
28.
In
spite of the clear teaching of the Scriptures on this matter of women’s role
people because of spiritual blindness that swept over the whole land cannot
understand that there are matters and levels of activities in the Church of the
living God that exclusively belong to men and that which also belong to women.
29. There are lots of women that played
important role in the Scriptures but this didn’t make them to take the placeof
men. “And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time “(Judges
4:4). Deborah was a prophetess and a judge, but she was not a priest for women
never were priests. She was not sent to war but a man Barak. So no matter how God can anoint a woman to
see vision, dream dreams, speak in tongues, dance in the Spirit, if she ever
raise herself up above the Word of God it is sure sign that God has left her.
30. “So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the
prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of
the wardrobe: (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college) and they
communed with her” (2 Kings 22:14, KJV).
31. Women as prophetesses are God given
gift to them but such women are always subject to their husbands for
God can’t put His gifts on a disobedient woman. Such women don’t take authority
over the men or start
becoming itinerant Bible preaching pastors, teachers, apostles or evangelists
or prophets (Ephesians
4:11, KJV)
32. "There was also
a prophetess, Ann the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very
old, she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage and then was
a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped
night and day, fasting and praying" (Luke 2:36-37, NIV).
33. God cannot and does
not use arrogant women, filled with pride and full of themselves and who are
not ready to be subject to their husbands. It is not surprising that women that
God used like Deborah, Huldah, Anna and the rest of them had their homes being
married unlike the modern women today that over-throw their husbands and do
without husbands like so called Reverend Sisters and Mothers.
34.
It is a shame that such things are going on in the name of God. For sure
God will judge and mete out the just punishment to every disobedience to His
Word.
35.
It is this God rejecting and insulting women that fill the denominations
with women leaving their homes and children to travel from place to place in
the name of preaching the gospel as Evangelists; Pastors, etc. For sure God is
not in such things for the Word of God requires that women should be silent and
be in subjection in all the churches of the Saints (I Corinthians 14:34).
36.
The true church obeys this Scriptures since subjection does not mean
dehumanisation, oppression and bondage. God’s children are subject to Him and
yet they enjoy His blessings being as free as they can be.
37.
"I will therefore that men pray
everywhere lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting, in like manner
also that women adorn themselves in a modest apparel with shamefacedness and
sobriety, not with broided hair or gold or pearls or costly array but which
becometh women professing godliness with good works" (I Timothy 2:8-10).
38.
"But I suffer not a woman to teach nor to
usurp authority over the man but to be in silence" (I Timothy 2:12).
Instead of obedience to this explicit instruction of God’s Word so called women
ministers of God in the denominations, lacking shamefacedness, sobriety and
godliness with good works being filled with arrogant spirit wear costly clothes with chains and bangles with
all worldly appearance, sexy clothes and dresses and jump from place to place
in outright disobedience to God’s word.
39.
Those who are not ready to obey God’s word that they should obey their
husbands being fully submissive to them in all things cannot be God’s servant
though they answer Reverend Evangelist, Prophetess, Pastor, etc.
40.
"The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way unto the city
and saith to the men, Come see a man, which told me all things that ever I did.
Is not this the Christ" (John 4:28-29, KJV).
41.
This scripture often used to justify women preaching nowhere
justifies it all. The Samaritan woman here was not preaching rather she was
simply telling her people of somebody who revealed to her all her life
character. Being a harlot and living a sinful life, to see a man telling her
all her evil works she went and told her people the man who revealed this,
42.
"the woman saith unto Him, I know that Messiah cometh which is
called Christ: when he is come He will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her
I that speak unto thee Am He.” (John 4:25-26, KJV)
43.
"And many more believed because of His own word and said unto the
woman, Now we believe not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him
ourselves and know that this is indeed the Christ, the saviour of the world.” (John 4:41-42, KJV).
44.
One see then
that the woman was not preaching or teaching for one teaches and preaches what
he is certain. But she said come, see the man who told me all that do, is
not this the Christ?
45.
Women rather
than take over pulpits and jump up and down in the name of being ministers of
the gospel or preachers have their God given role. "And it came to
pass afterwards, that He went throughout every city and village preaching and
shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God and the twelve were with Him,
46.
And certain women which had bee healed of evil spirits and infirmities,
Mary called Magdalene out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of
Chuza Herod’s steward and Susanna and many others which ministered unto-Him of
their substance (Luke 8:1-3).
47.
Here we find therefore a clear presentation of the ministry
of women in the church These women mentioned here ministered to Jesus Christ
and His disciples with their substance leaving the preaching to those who were
called to do so.
48.
"After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also and sent
them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself
would come. And the seventy returned again with Joy saying Lord even devils are
subject unto us through thy name" (Luke
10:1,17 KJV)
49.
"And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples He gave them
power against unclean spirits, top cast them out and to heal all manner of
sickness and all manner of disease. These twelve Jesus sent forth and commanded
them saying Go not into the way of the Gentiles and into any city of the
Samaritan enter ye not" Matthew 10:1,5 KJV).
50.
Jesus Christ Himself
separates ihe men from the women. He did not send out the - omen; whenever it
was time to preach He only sent forth men. If Jesus did it by then how can He
turn today against His word.
51.
"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain
where Jesus nod appointed them. And when they saw Him they worshipped Him but
some doubted and Jesus came md spake unto them…” (Matt.
28:16-18, KJV).
52.
Jesus Christ gave the eleven
the commission of preaching die gospel and among them was no woman. “Afterward He appeared unto
the eleven as they sat at meat and unbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart
because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen., And He
Laid unto the, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every
creature" (Mark 16:14-15, KJV).
53.
“Until the day in which He was taken up after that He through the Holy
Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen" (Acts 1:2, KJV).
54.
In the scriptures
therefore we see that Jesus Christ commanded His
chosen apostles through the Holy Ghost. To
reject it is to reject eternal life. In all the places the Lord
commissioned people, women were not among those
to preach the gospel or being called into the five fold ministry.
55.
"And He gave some apostles and some prophets (not prophetess) and some evangelists and some pastors and
teachers for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." (Ephesians
4:11-12, KJV).
56.
There is no portion of the scripture where a woman was called either an
apostle, an evangelist, a pastor or a teacher or preacher of the gospel, Instead, scriptures show that
men were always called to these positions and not women (2 Timothy 1:11; 2:2, Acts 21:8, 1 Peter 1:1).
57.
It is then necessary that
women should strive to play only the specified role which the word of God gave
them. "The aged women likeness, that they be in behaviour as becometh
holiness, not false accusers not given to much wine, teachers of good things,
that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to
love their children to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to
their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed" (Titus
2:3-5, KJV).
58.
The gospel preaching for
women is their holy life (1 Pet. 3:1-6). This is the only thing that makes them
acceptable before God as Sarah was. No matter one’s persuasion, the phenomenon
of women liberation, the philosophy of what men can do women can do the same even better
and such other things like them. The Word of God has spoken and must be
strictly obeyed.
59.
No other thing is acceptable
before God than obedience to His word "Whosoever rejects what God is saying
is teaching false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our
Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, such a one is conceited and
understands Nothing, has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels
about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk evil suspicious and
constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the
truth, and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain (1 Timothy 6:3-5 NIV).
60.
There is no doubt about it, the condemnation of God is upon such one.
People therefore must set aside their quarrelling with and rejection of God’s
word with reference to the place and status of women in the church of the
living God that the wrath of God do not fall on them. Amen.
4
CHURCH WORSHIP
O worship the Lord in the beauty of
holiness fear before Him all the earth" (Psalm 96:9).
2.
The
true church of God is called to worship God and she obeys. The church is taught
to gather in holiness and in the fear of God for God said "Be ye holy for I am holy " (1 Peter 1:16).
3.
The true church
with her members must worship God in holinesss for that is the purpose of her
calling "For God
hath not called us unto uncleanness, but uno holiness" (1 Thess. 4:7).
4.
Having
seen that holiness is important in worship God’s Church is very careful in all
they do
5.
“Do
all things without murmurings and disputings, that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God,
without rebuke in the midst of a
crooked and perverse nation among
whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15, KJV).
6.
The
worship of the Church incorporates a number of things which include - the
preaching and teaching of the word, prayers, giving and songs/praises. In terms
of the preaching and teaching of the word it is evident that the Lord Jesus
commissioned his Church to preach and teach the word to every creature in the
world
7.
“And
that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all
nations beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47, KJV).
8.
The
Church in their preaching of repentance and remission of sins must do it in the
name of 3vo No group that call itself the Church of God can afford to
compromise on this issue of preaching and teaching of God’s word.
9.
That
disqualifies such group from laying claim to be of God. The word of God must be
preached and taught at each point if any true worship will go up Unto God.
Without the word of God worship is in vain and this is why God requires that
from His people.
10.
The
scripture commands “preach the word; be instant in season and
out of season, reprove, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (I
Tim.4:2). The preaching of the word is the important work the Church has to do
for there is a warning not to allow sin come in but that it should be rebuked
and reproved without respect of persons.
11.
“Wherefore
brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy
Ghost and wisdom whom we may appoint over this business, but we will give
ourselves continually to prayers and to the ministry of the word”(Acts 6:3-4). The Church is not
meant to give themselves over to the things of this life, but to the word and
prayers.
12.
Today
however the commission of the preaching and teachings of the word have been
commercialized through flamboyant, denominational and money minded preachers
Sin is no more condemned among the people. People are not told the truth of
God’s word, the spiritual weapon which God gave to His Church. Which when truly
used is potent to destroy the kingdom of darkness.
13.
It
is all gospel of prosperity which cannot be reconciled in the scriptures. The
admonition that “the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans
14:17, KJV) is ignored with emphasis always being laid on material prosperity.
14.
The
Church of God besides giving herself constantly along with all her members to
the word of God, studying it in order to stand on the unadulterated word of God
give herself also to prayers. While the teaching and preaching of the word gets
out carnality and every worldly lusts out of her members, prayers keep her in
constant communion with God.
15.
God
requires the prayers of His people to come unto Him “I will therefore
that men pray everywhere lifting up holy hands ithrnit wrath and
doubting (I Timothy 2:8). The scripture permits only men to lead in
prayers and all the activities which the Church carry out. The Church in their
prayers intercede for others for God answers her prayers
16.
“Exhort therefore that first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions and. giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings, and for all
that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and honesty, for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
saviour who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (I Tim. 2:1-4, KJV).
17.
Aside
from the Church of God no man or group of people can God accept their prayers
or intercession for God answereth not the prayer of a sinner (John 9:31).
18.
Many
however pray in bid to worship God only to be praying amiss or wrongly. Widespread
errors exist and are prevalent in Christendom concerning prayers. If it is not
the Roman Catholic Angelus, Hail Mary, using of chaplets and other fetish prayer
mechanisms they invented along with the vain repetitions accompanying it
contrary to God’s word (Matthew 6:7, KJV)
19.
It
is the instant prayers of the Protestants including the Pentecostal with heart
only centred on praying in tongues or material prosperity and entertainments.
However prayers, intercessions, supplications and thanksgiving from those who
hold firmly the word of God form part and parcel of God ordained worship.
20.
Another
dimension of worship which is clear is giving or offering. The scripture
admonishes “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him
give not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 C or.9:7).
21.
This
scripture has been used in all denominational Churches in falsehood. They
collect money from the people and thereby fulfil the scripture which said their
god is their belly or stomach
22.
“Join
with others in following my example, brothers and take note of those who live
according to the pattern we gave you for as I have often told you before and now say again, even
with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ, their destiny is
destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame,
their mind is on earthly things” (Philippians 3:17 - NIV).
23.
God
in His word do not force people to give anything without willing mind for
anything given grudgingly will not be acceptable by God. True worshippers of
which only are members of the true Church give cheerfully and as God prospered
them.
24.
They
do not bring themselves under the influence of deceitful lies to freely offer
their sacrifices of giving unto God. In the Old Testament people were required
to give freely
25.
“And
the Lord spake unto Moses saying speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering of
every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering” (Exodus 25:1-2).
26.
God
wants His people to give their offering with a willing heart. For sure God
cannot receive a man’s offering without receiving the man first. If God rejects
a man He rejects his offering. God normally rejects people when they reject His
word in their day.
27.
This
is why the denominational world cannot truly give acceptably to God and thereby
engage in true worship. As far as the word of God is concerned their worship is
unacceptable to God for they reject God’s word and accept man-made system of
worship which they delivered to the people like Bazaars, lotteries launchings,
anniversaries, opening ceremonies and a lot of other things which smack of
nothing but business and commercial activities all in the name of God.
28.
There
is God’s approved way of giving and anything short of it is of the devil “I
know my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity, all these things have I given willingly and with honest
intent. And now I have seen with joy
how willingly your people who are here have given to you” (Chronicles
29:17 NIV).
29.
In
spite of this people still coerce people and force them to give even against
their will with the name God. In the New Testament there is no limit nor
restraint as to how much a man should give as long it is done with a willing
and cheerful heart. “And all that believed were together, and had all things common and sold their possessions and goods and parted them to
all men, as every man had need” (Acts
4:34-35,
KJV).
30.
“Every
man according as he purposeth in his heart so let him give; not grudgingly, or
of necessity: For God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7, KJV).
31.
Ignoring
these scripture false preachers parading themselves as ministers of the gospel
extort money from people for their personal and selfish interests forgetting
the fact that whatever is given is for the need of all, not the extending of
the personal estate aid luxury of only leaders. In every case it ought to be
the word of God that must be kept if worship must be accepted by God.
32.
The
scripture admonishes us by Apostle Paul “I have shown you all things, how
that so labouring ye ought to support the weak and to remember the words of the
Lord Jesus how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts
20:35, KJV).
33.
Today
this scripture is not regarded by many people. Instead of those that are
supposed to help the weak to do that, they dupe them of their money falsely in
the name of the Lord through such things as “sowing the seed of faith”.
34.
The
advance fee fraud “419” in Nigeria is also rampart in the denominational
world. Preachers of today, pastors, “Reverend Fathrs”, Superintendents
etc. live in luxury and simply ignore God’s word. Such people concerned loses
their opportunity of being acceptable worshippers before God and God do not
accept their worship.
35.
The
final aspect of worship which one would want to point out is praises. The
scripture testifies “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to the
which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of
Christ dwell in you richly in all
wisdom teaching and admonishing one
another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians
3:15-16, KJV).
36.
Before
any man can render any service to God in an acceptable way it must be in
accordance with His word. Since the Holy Scriptures said “Let the word of Christ dwell richly” not the word of man,
system of man or denomination, the acceptance of the worship or praise song
from people by God will depend on the word of God dwelling in them. When the
word of God is dwelling in all wisdom it will teach the worshipper the
acceptable way to worship God.
37.
Since
the denominations lack the truth of God’s word their worship is unacceptable to
God because it is out of the order which God gave man.
38.
“Therefore
I urge you, brothers in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living
sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God: this is your spiritual act of worship. Do
not conform any longer to the pattern
of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will
be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect
will” (Romans
12:1-2 NIV).
39.
Praises
and songs are sacrifices and spiritual act of worship to God. So God demand an
absolute separation from the pattern, the world used to worship their own gods.
40.
God
hate mixture but love the separation of light from darkness. He has an approved
way of worship and that is through His word. When this word dwells in people
they teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs
singing with grace in their hearts.
41.
Since
God’s word is not dwelling in the midst of the denominational people it is
evident that their songs, praises, special numbers, music nights and all the
spiritual songs so called is not acceptable before God.
42.
The
denominations have and use musical instruments and bands, and train their men
and women to only be interested in the singing and beating of those
instruments; and think that God receives their praises contrary to the
testimony of the scriptures.
43.
The
scriptures testifies against them as it did in the Old Testament against the
false worship of the children of Israel “I hate, I despise your religious
festival, I cannot stand your assemblies, even though you bring me
burnt offerings and grain of offerings, 1 will not accept them, though you
bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with
the noise of your songs; I will not
listen to the music of your
harps. But let justice roll on like
a river, righteousness like a never falling stream” (Amos
5:21-24 NIV).
44.
This
is the time the word of God must be proclaimed without compromise, seeing the
evil which people do in the name of the Lord. The religious feasts of today can
no denomination justify in the word of God.
45.
The
Roman Catholic, the Orthodox protestants and Pentecostal cannot expect God to
receive the noise of their organs, drums and all kinds of instrument without
the word of God in their midst having forsaken it.
46.
God
has said “I hate and despise your religious feasts “, Why,
because of the rejection of His word by these people. So all that is going on
now in the name of praising and worshipping God by many is unacceptable to God
and pleasing to the devil that has deceived people to do it.
47.
In
Isaiah 1:15 the scripture testifies “When
you spread out your hands in prayer, I
will hide my eyes from you, even if you offer many prayers I
will not listen, your hands are
full of blood “.
48.
For
sure the same thing is true today for spiritually the people ii the
denominations are dead, killed with false doctrines. Those that will sing
spiritual songs that God will receive are those that make up the true Church
who have the word of God dwelling in their hearts and sing not for fleshy
entertainment because, their carnality has been put to death.
49.
They
fulfil the scriptural admonition “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord (Ephesians
5:19). All others outside cannot offer acceptable praise and thereby not giving
acceptable worship to God.
THE COVERING OF THE BRIDE OF CHRIST
50.
“Now
I want you to realise that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of
woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies
with his head covered dishonours his head.
51.
And
every woman who prays or prophesy with her head uncovered dishonours her head – lt
is just as though her head were shaved, if a woman does not cover her
head, she should have her hair cut
off, and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or
shaved off, she should cover her head
… Judge for yourselves; Is it proper
for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not the
very nature of things teach you that
if a man has long hair it is a disgrace to him but that if a woman has long hair it is her gloly? For long hair is given to her as a covering. If any one wants to be contentious about this, we
have no other practice - nor do the Churches of God” (1
Cor. 11:1-16 NIV)
52.
“In
like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with
shamefacedness and soberity; not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly array, But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good
works” (1 Tim. 2:9-10,
KJV)
53.
“Whose
adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and wearing of gold,
or of putting on of apparel, But
let it be the hidden man of the heart
in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,
which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Pet. 3:3-4).
54.
God
has an approved covering He gave to man. As far as God is concerned dressing
must be according to His word - both for men and women. The scripture (1 Cor.
15:15) shows that the hair of a woman is given her for a covering not head tie.
Also it is clear that God in His word (I Tim.2:9,10, I Pet.3:3-4) is against
immodest dressing gripping many people in the world.
55.
Extravagant
and flamboyant dressing by people is unacceptable before God. God expects us
not only to be properly dressed in clothing but also in character. Men and
women of God have their dressing both outwardly and inwardly. What pertains to
a man should not be worn by woman.
56.
“The
woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man neither shall a man put
on a woman’s garment; for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God” (Deut. 22:5, KJV).
57.
In
line with the word of God women wearing trousers are committing abomination
unto God. One can imagine how many today are committing abominations against
God both women and men who allow their wives and daughters to do such things.
58.
So
God is against all worldliness that has gripped many in the world - perming of
hair for they burn their hair and change their nature contrary to God’s word,
paintings both in the face and fingers making people look like masquerades.
Because of gross blindness hardly are people told the truth on this matter.
Whatever be the case God will judge all and deal with every disobedience to His
word whosoever he or she is.
59.
Just
as God expects people to be properly dressed and covered so He does the same
for the bride His Church. The bride dresses herself with that which God gives.
As the hair God gives a woman is her head covering (1 Cor. 11:15) so also is
the bride of Christ covered by that which God gives which is His word.
60.
This
is the entire word of God without any addition or subtraction. When the Lord
comes to take His Church as a bride she shall be ready for her Husband fully
dressed. Revelation 19:7-8 shall be a reality, “Let us be glad and rejoice and give honour to Him for the marriage of the lamb is
come and his wife had made herself ready, And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints “,
61.
There
is no doubt that righteousness cannot be except by the word of God which is the
only force that can produce it in a man. The entire word of God which is found
in all the doctrines or teachings of the Bible is the ornament and the adorning
of the Bride of Christ. It is therefore the doctrines of the Bible that must
adorn a Church in word and indeed to qualify to be the bride of Christ which He
is coming to take away.
62.
As
such the many denominational groups whether Roman Catholic, Orthodox,
protestant and Pentecostal are nothing but false bride or Church.
5
CONCLUSION
Time has be taken to set forth the truth of God’s word on
a number of the doctrines of the Church of the living God. Doctrine simply
defined means teachings and many are the various doctrines or teachings today
which men and women all over the world believe. They hold to it and defend it
even to the point of death.
2.
Things
believed and taught by people identifies and separates them from others who do
not believe the same thing. Everyone however great or small has his or her life
determined by the teachings he or she receives.
3.
Having
seen therefore that the true Church of God has been noted for definite
doctrines since the time she was founded, whatever is not in accordance with
these doctrines have nothing to do with God. It is the teachings or doctrines
which the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has that distinguishes her from the
false Church of the anti-Christ.
4.
For
sure Christ (not Peter or any other man whatever his title) the founder and
Head of His Church left and handed down to His Church teachings or doctrines
which she must teach and enforce in her midst. These teachings or doctrines
constitute the doctrine of Christ. The scripture testifies that Christ has
doctrine
5.
“Whosoever
transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath
not God, He that abideth in the
doctrine of Christ, he hath both
the Father and the Son. If there come
any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not in your house,
neither bid him God speed. For
he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 9-11, KJV).
6.
In
spite of the pressure through ecumenism to compromise the doctrine of Christ
the true Church of God must hold to it regardless of the intimidation and
harassment of the anti-Christ system.
7.
The
doctrine of Christ is directly from God and is only revealed to those that will
do God’s will “Jesus answered them and said; my doctrine is
not mine, but his that sent me, if any man will do his will he shall know of
the doctrine, whether it be of God or whether I speak of myself” (John
7:16, 17).
8.
Since
the true Church belongs to Christ it is Christ’s teachings that forms her
doctrines. Whatever teaching that is not of Christ found in any individual or
group (Church or religious organisation) makes such a one or group to be
something other than the Church of God.
9.
It
is this that condemns the denominations and so called Christian organisations
that teach people today contrary to the teachings of the Bible. They are not
only guilty of resisting the truth, but also guilty of rejecting doctrine that
is according to godliness.
10.
Thus
lie the root of the evils of the apostate Christianity (whether in form of
Roman Catholicism or Protestantism - Orthodox or Pentecostal) with all its
manifestation of all kinds of wickedness, unrighteousness and disobedience to
God’s word. It is men and women in the name of Christianity defying the
Almighty.
11.
Herein
lies the purpose of the message contained in this book - to open your eyes to
an evil system which God is crying out against to show to as many as will
hearken that it is contrary to His ways “The voice says, cry out against it”. Against what? Against the system -
the system of man which has been lifted up to make of no effect the word of the
living God.
12.
The
Almighty God has been defied, challenged and insulted by men and women whom He
created. They have refused Him and set Out to cut off His presence on the face
of the earth by harassing and intimidating those who dare to uphold the truth
of God’s word in their life.
13.
It
is an open defiance yet with every amount of deceit. It has been rebellion yet
with every amount of religion. God has been hated, maligned and crucified by
people whom He made yet they have been religious. They have a form of
godliness. God says yet deny the power thereof.
14.
The
highest level and the greatest amount of the denial of God on the face of the
earth yet in the name of God What a paradox? What a mystery?
15.
Can
God deny Himself? No a billion times. No, There must be another God which
because there could
not be two Gods (because there is one true God) is a false God - an impersonator, a deceiver, a liar and an:
impostor. He is called Satan, devil, the evil one, wicked one etc.
not be two Gods (because there is one true God) is a false God - an impersonator, a deceiver, a liar and an:
impostor. He is called Satan, devil, the evil one, wicked one etc.
16.
He
is the god of this present evil religious and other aspects of the world system.
He is against the one and true God - the Creator of heaven and earth (he
teaches men and women to act the same way). He is against Christ, the very
manifestation of this God and directs every worship to himself rather than to
God. The cover is gone, Satan, the devil, the evil and wicked one is behind all
that seems today to be of the true God.
17.
A
system is in place profaning and blaspheming the God of heaven and earth. It is
anti-Christ, ungodly, wicked and evil yet has every amount of religious fervour.
It is arranged in form of Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Pentecostalism and
all kinds of denominational systems.
18.
God,
Christ and the Bible is mentioned and used yet with the opposite effect of
making and rendering it ineffective in the lives of people according to the
purpose of the author. Oh! a terrible system going on in the name of God but
committing the worst kinds of offences against God It is greed, anarchy,
avarice, rebellion and every sorts of wickedness.
19.
God
is against it, the cover has been take off. it is open. It is the devil and all
part of his rebellion against God No wonder the cry of God today, is against
the system like that whosoever will line up by the side of God will echo the
same thing. It is wrong, false, wicked,-evil, ungodly, devilish, anti-Christ
and has nothing to do with Christianity.
20.
It
is purely apostate, Christianity. It is denominationalism and denomination is
of the devil. It is not Christianity. God is against it with all the teachings
or doctrines that it propagates. God is angry and His wrath must be poured on
that which He is vehemently against. Oh what a wrong, deceitful, wicked, evil
ungodly and unrighteous system. God hates it and must destroy it.
21.
The
Pope must go in for it except he repents. So likewise the Cardinals, the Arch
Bishops, Bishops so called, Archdeacons, Deacons so called General
Superintendent or Overseers, President and founders. All the whole lot of those
that have refused to place themselves under the authority of the word of God as
revealed in the Bible.
22.
All
without exception making boast of the true God will suffer the wrath of the
Almighty. God has never and will never compromise anything (no matter how good
looking) for His word but philosophies, intellect, ideas of man, titles, money,
human glory and mechanism has been substituted in place of the word of God.
Such a system God cries out against and surely has purposed to destroy. The
best you can do is to “flee and
escape for your life “.
23.
What
is responsible for all these things? No other thing than false teachings and
doctrines contrary to the sound doctrine of the word of God. God by His word
requires one to separate from such “If
any man (whoever he or she is) teach otherwise (something other than
that taught and received from Christ through the apostles - (John
17:20) and consent not to wholesome
words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is
according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing doting about questions and
strives of words whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputing of men of
corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness;
from such withdraw thyself” (1 Tim. 6:3-5, KJV).
24.
Many
things people have been taught has produced more ungodliness in their lives
instead of godliness. Is there any doubt then that the doctrines established in
denominational Churches today are not doctrines of the Church of God.
25.
Instead
of being God it is man-made and has its origin from human foundations. For the
true Church of God and all that will worship God in truth it must be the word
of God as revealed in the Bible or nothing else. This is the only thing that
can produce godliness. All we see today in denominational world of Christianity
is nothing but doctrine according to ungodliness rather than according to
godliness.
26.
The
Church as revealed in the Acts of the Apostles (properly called the Acts of the
Holy Spirit) patterned their life, conduct and faith according to the word of
the Lord Jesus Christ and the apostles
27.
“And they continued steadfastly in the
apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers. And
fear came upon every soul and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
And all that believed were together and had all things common and sold their
possessions and goods and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
28.
And they continued daily with one
accord in the temple and breaking of bread from house to house did eat their
meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favour with
all th people. And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:42-47, KJV).
29.
It
is evidenced here what the doctrine of the apostles produced in the lives of
those who received their ministry. It produced people who were not covetous,
materialistic and ungodly. All the teachings of the Church flushed out and
never tolerated any evil among God’s people.
30.
The
wicked were put away according to the scriptures “Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person”
(1 Corinthians 5:13, KJV). God’s true Church today does the same thing,
allowing holy and godly life to flourish through planting and upholding of true
teachings and doctrines.
31.
True
teachings from the word of God which God’s true Church lays down for her
members cannot but produce godly life and conduct. All the wickedness then
today in Christendom shows that false teachings which are teachings contrary to
the word of God is in fact the order of the day.
32.
Men
lay claim to God’s word while at the same time deny it and render it
ineffective in their lives. The scripture speaking says “... well hath Esaias prophesied of you, hypocrite, as it is written. This people honoureth me with
their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain
do they worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men for laying aside the commandments of God, ye hold the traditions of men as washing of pots and
cups and many other such like things
ye do. And he said unto them full well ye reject the commandment
of God that ye may keep your own tradition which ye have delivered; and many such like things do ye” (Mark
7:6-9, 13 KJV).
33.
The
many therefore that disbelieve and disobey the word of God can only be part of
the anti-Christ system and God for sure will not spare this system with all its
false teachings and doctrines that produced only disobedience, ungodliness or
unrighteousness, wickedness etc. and all kinds of evil before God.
34.
The
judgement and wrath of God for sure will come upon this system. All every man
or woman, great or small should do is to flee and escape for his or her life. Amen.
SECTION C
RESTORING THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
1
RESTORING THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
T
|
he falling away from the truth was
predicted by the Holy Bible for the future i.e. apostasy. Jesus Christ himself
said that “many false prophets would arise and deceive many” (Matthew
24:11, KJV).
2.
The
Holy Spirit, speaking through St. Paul warned “In later times, some shall depart from the
truth (faith) giving heed to
seducing spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Tim.4:1).
3.
He
predicted that this apostasy would ultimately manifest by one standing in the
holy temple of God and speaking in God’s place (11 Thess. 2:2-7).
4.
He
also warned that the apostasy would begin among the Church’s bishops (Acts
20:28- 30). During the first century, evil forces were already working to
produce the apostasy (2 Thess. 2:7; 2 John 7).
THE APPEARING OF THE APOSTATE
CHURCH
5.
The
apostate Church developed through gradual changes in the original Church’s (1)
Organisation (2) Doctrine and worship (3) Conduct. A few examples of these
changes are as follows:—
APOSTASY IN ORGANISATION (1)
6.
New
Testament Churches each had many bishops (elders) of equal rank whose authority
did not extend beyond the limits of the local organisation (Acts 14:23; 20:17)
and even Vs. 28. (Phil. 1:1) Jesus Christ was the only chief bishop over all
Churches (I Peter 5:1-4).
7.
However,
during the first and second centuries, the bishop presiding over the bishops
was elevated to a higher office and was called “The Bishop “.
Gradually the others ceased to be called bishops, retaining only designation
elders (Presbyters). The Church’s organisation was changed again during the
third and fourth centuries.
8.
Some
bishops became the chief officers of several Churches in an area. Later the
bishops of the more important areas like Jerusalem, Rome, Antioch, Alexandria
and Constantinople, grew in power and were exalted to “Patriarchs” and
later called “Archbishops.”
9.
The
Catholic Encyclopaedia (II page 583 and IV page 44) admits that this
newly acquired power, originated in the fourth and fifth centuries. These
archbishops were equal in power. The bishop of Rome had no more power than the
bishop of Antioch. This equality existed up till the 8th century.
10.
Gregory
I. Bishop of Rome, 590 AD, and later declared Pope, Saint and Doctor,
wrote Eulogius Bishop of Alexandria that the “See of Peter, in three
places is the see of one over which three bishops actually preside
by divine authority “.
11.
He
named the three places as Alexandria, Antioch and Rome. Later when John the
Faster, Bishop of Constantinople, called himself “Universal Bishop” Gregory
I denounced the title as profane, proud and wicked. However, Gregory’s
successor in Rome, Boniface III, did not object to the title and assumed it for
himself in 607 A.D.
12.
Thus
papal authority continued to grow through the ages, however as late as 1837,
John B. Purcell, Bishop of Cincinnati, declared in a formal debate (Debate in
the Roman Catholic Religion Page 22).
13.
“No
enlightened Catholic holds the Popes infallibility to be an article of faith.” Yet, forty-three years later, (1870)
the Vatican Council declared the opposite. Now complete submission to the Pope
is demanded “as unto God himself.”
14.
He
is said to hold the place of God Almighty (Great Encyclical letters pages 193
and 304). This fulfilling the prophecy in II Thess. 2:3-4 -“Let no man
deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a
falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who
opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is
worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself
that he is God.”
APOSTASY IN DOCTRINE AND WORSHIP (2)
15.
The
Church exaltation of uninspired men led to many changes in doctrine and
worship, a few of which are noted as follows: The Priesthood: The Bible
says that all Christians are priests (1 Peter 2:5; 9, Rev.
1:6) and are all subject to Jesus Christ the only high Priest (Heb. 4:14-16).
16.
Later,
the presbyters changed to be a special priesthood separate from the rest of the
Church. Patterned after the Jewish Priesthood, the newly exalted bishop became
the high priest; the elders (presbytery) became priests and the deacons,
Levites.
The Lord’s Supper:
17.
The change
in priesthood also caused a change in worship. The simplicity of New
Testament worship replaced with ritualistic ceremony conducted only by priests.
The primary function of the Jewish priest was to offer sacrifices for sin (Heb.
5:1).
18.
Accordingly,
the Lord’s supper (Eucharist) was changed from a memorial of Christ’s death (1
Cor. 11:22-26) to an actual sacrifice. Although the Bible clearly says that
Christ’s one and only sacrifice was offered for sins, once and for all time.
(Heb 9:25-26, Heb. 10:10-12), the Church began to say that Christ’s sacrifice
for sin must be offered continually by changing the bread and wine into Jesus
Christ’s literal body and blood. Later the priests refused the wine to the
other members though all Christians are commanded to drink it (1 Cor. 11:28-29)
Exaltation
of Jesus Mother - Blessed Virgin Mary to be a Mediator between
the Church and God
19.
All
true Christians acknowledge the wonderful blessing ‘Mary received as mother of
the divine Jesus (Luke 1:48). However, such influences as pagan worship of
goddesses resulted in Mary’s being exalted above her rightful position.
20.
The
Bible references to Mary do not mention her name even once after the
establishment of the Church (Matthew 1:16-25, 2:11- 21; 12:46-50; 13:55-56,
Mark 3:31-35;
6:3, Luke 1:27-56; 2:5-7, 16-22, 27, 35-51; 8:19-221;
11:27-28, John 2:1-12; 6:42; 19:25-27; Acts 1:14).
21.
Concerning
Mary’s exaltation, the Catholic Encyclopedia admits, “Evidence regarding
the popular practice of the early centuries is almost
entirely lacking” (XV, 460). Doctrines such as Mary’s Immaculate
Conception, Perpetual Virginity, Bodily Assumption, and Mediatorship, all
appeared in later centuries without any scriptural or historical basis.
22.
Mary’s
Perpetual Virginity was developed because of the later exaltation of celibacy.
Matthew 1:25 says that Joseph “knew her not till she brought forth her first born son. “Later
Christ’s brothers and sisters are named with Mary (Matt.12:46-50;
13:55-56).
23.
The
Bible says that a good wife should always practice normal marriage relations (1
Corinthians 7:3-5, 1 Timothy 2:15). Mary’s having other children is normal,
noble and pure, for “marriage is honourable in all, and the bed
undefiled” (Hebrews 13:4).
24.
Jesus
expressly denies that Mary should be exalted above other Christians. When a
certain woman told Jesus, “Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou has sucked”, Jesus answered, “Yea rather blessed are
they that hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke
11:27-28, KJV).
25.
Also,
Mary’s being a mediator through which Christians pray is plainly opposed to by
1 Timothy 2: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the
man Christ Jesus.” Christians are commanded to do everything in
Christ’s name (Colossians 3:17) and promised that all prayers in His name will
be answered (John 14:13-14). The Christians need no other name, or mediator,
but Jesus the Lord.
(3) APOSTASY IN CONDUCT
26.
Concerning
false teachers, Jesus predicted, “shall know them by their fruits ... Every
good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree
bring forth evil fruit” (Matthew 7:16-17, KJV).
27.
Jesus
told Churches of Asia that they would be removed if they did not repent of
their negligence and wicked works (Revelation 2:4-5, 14-16; 3:2-3, 15-17). The
Roman Church was to be cut off if they did not “continue in His goodness”
(Romans 11:22).
28.
It
was thus natural that the Church’s apostasy in doctrine would also be seen in
its conduct. During the second and
third centuries celibacy (the
unmarried state) and abstinence from food was exalted.
29.
The
spread of monasteries in the fourth century exalted these ascetic practices
even more and in 385 A.D. the Western Church prohibited its presbyters from
marrying.
30.
This
directly contradicted the Bible requirement that a bishop “must be the
husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2), but fulfilled the prophecy, “In
the latter times some shall depart
from the faith forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats”
(1 Timothy 4:1
-3).
31.
Forbidding
marriage led to the opposite extreme of immorality. Whereas in New Testament
times, bishops were to be blameless (1 Tim.3:2-7), the Church later permitted
scandalous men to continue as bishops and even Popes.
32.
The
following Popes are branded by the Catholic Encyclopaedia as wicked and immoral
men: Popes John XII (son), Benedict IX, Innocent VIII, Alexander VI, Julius II
etc. (Vol. I Page 1,289; II Page, 429; VII Pages 20, 426, 562).
33.
Teenagers
sometimes occupied the office of Pope, Cardinal and Bishop. (Catholic
Encyclopaedia, VIII Page, 426). Selling the office of bishop to the highest
bidder was the common practice of this day (Catholic Encyclopedia, VIII, Page
20).
34.
The
Popes bad examples led to widespread immorality among the bishops, priests and “Lay
members.” This picture of habitual immorality is in complete contrast
to the early Church’s purity (I John 2:4-10) and dis-fellowship of any immoral
members (I Corinthians 5:1-13).
35.
While
immorality was overlooked, opposition to the Pope’s authority was literally
exterminated. For example Pope Innocent II’s declaration in 1206, resulted in
the massacre of two-thirds of the population in Southern France, “We
exhort you wholly to destroy this wicked heresy of the Albigeneses” ... “persecute them with a strong land, deprive them of their lands and possessions, utterly
banish them and put Roman Catholics in their rooms.”
36.
The
inquisition soon followed in Italy, France and Spain. Hundreds and thousands
were tried and delivered by the Roman Catholic Church to be killed by the
Secular authorities as heretics. The Pope later granted indulgences to all that
participated in this ‘wicked work’ (Inquisition Page 43).
37.
Innocent
III’s action and the Inquisition are defended by Modern Catholic works (The
Catholic Encyclopedia, VII, 262; VIII, 31). What a contrast to true
Christianity; “Recompense to no man evil for evil ... If
thine enemy hunger, feed him ... Overcome evil with good Love
worketh no ill to his neighbour” (Romans 12:17, 20-21; 13:10).
38.
The
lack of love proves that one is not God’s true child (1 John 3:10-15). Jesus
had said, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.”
2
EFFORTS TO REFORM THE APOSTATE CHURCH
Through the centuries many groups tried
to reform the apostate Church, but their efforts usually formed another
apostasy. However, history does not record the characteristic teaching of a
number of groups and undoubtedly some of them were the true Church for God
promised a kingdom that would never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44, Matthew 7:14).
2.
Remember
that only eight were faithful in Noah’s day (1 Peter 3:20) and only 7,000 in
Elijah’s day (Romans 11:2-5). God’s true people have always been few and
persecuted by the majority (2
Timothy 3:12), but God has ever known “them that are His” (2
Timothy 2:19).
3.
However,
by the 1500’s the apostate Church had grown so bad that the Roman Catholic
Church was clamouring for its• own reform. In various parts of Europe, Martin Luther, John Knox)
Ulrich Zwingley, John Calvin, etc., attempted to reform the apostate Church.
4.
Unfortunately,
what began as a just protest against a corrupt Church resulted in a mass of
Churches divided by denominational creeds and names. Some of the apostate
doctrines and practices of the Roman Church carried over into each of the
denominations. Calvin, for example, began Inquisition against Catholics in
Switzerland.
5.
Later
their followers accepted as final their leaders conclusions: Luther’s followers
became Lutherans; Calvin’s followers, Presbyterians; later John Wesley’s
followers became Methodists, etc., and such has been the history of Christendom
as every year there are more Churches.
6.
While
Protestantism corrected many evils of the apostate Church, it also created a
sinful state of division with many bodies, faiths, baptisms and names
all in violation of Christ’s will (John 17:20-21; Ephesians 4:4-5, 1 Corinthians 1:10-14); 3:3).
all in violation of Christ’s will (John 17:20-21; Ephesians 4:4-5, 1 Corinthians 1:10-14); 3:3).
7.
Consequently,
most modern men feel they are faced with a puzzling dilemma: either return to
the apostate Church, or join one of the sects of divided Protestantism. Is there
a solution to this perplexing problem of denominationalism and system of carnal
men against the Word of God.
RESTORATION
OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
8.
Yes,
we have a choice other than the apostate Church or divided Protestantism. We
can restore the original Church. But how? The solution is twofold:
9.
(1)
Leave that which causes error and disunity, and (2) return to that which
produces truth and unity.
10.
The
cause of both divided Protestantism and the original apostasy is the same:
departure from God’s word (1Timothy 4:1): All Churches claim to follow the
Bible, but they also follow Church traditions, creeds, manuals, councils, etc.
11.
Religious
tradition caused the Jews of Jesus’ day to apostatize (Matthew 15:3-9). These added sources
of religious, authority also cause error within Christianity. We must leave
human tradition and authority if the original Church is to be restored (II
Timothy 2:19; II Corinthians 6:17).
12.
Next,
we must return to the source of all truth and unity: the word of God. In the
first century God’s word produced man’s salvation (James 1:21), Church
membership (Acts 2:41, 47), doctrine and growth (Ephesians 4:14-15). By
God’s word the local Church was governed (Titus 1:9), and protected from error
(Acts 20:28-32). God’s word thus produced and preserved the unity of the early
Church.
13.
Jesus
promised, “if ye continue in my word, then are ye may disciples indeed” (John
8:31). We thus prove that we are Christ’s true disciples, or Church, not by
tracing from the beginning a line of succession of bishops, but by continuing
in the same word of God revealed in the beginning: God’s word is living seed “and
endures forever” (I Peter 1:23-25).
14.
Regardless
of its age, seed always reproduces after its kind. Wheat seed stored in an
Egyptian pyramid thousands of years ago will produce today the same plant it
produced then: wheat. Likewise the same seed of God’s word will produce the
same Church in the twentieth century that its produced in the first century.
15.
As
we previously studied, the Bible contains all of God’s will (2 Timothy
3:16-17). Thus, by planting only the seed of God’s word from the Bible, we will
produce the same Church, united in the same doctrine, love, name, organization,
worship, etc. In the times of king Josiah, the Jewish Bible had been lost in
the temple.
16.
Consequently,
God’s law was forgotten and the Jewish religion corrupted. But, when the Bible
was found, read and obeyed, the true religion was restored as it was originally
(2 Kings 22:1-20). Even so
today, when the Bible is obscured by hunt tradition, corrupt religion results.
17.
But
when the Bible alone is followed, then the pure, non-denominational Church of
Christ is restored. The Bible only makes Christians; one must get back to it.
THE
END TIME MESSENGER AND WORD BRIDE MINISTRY
18.
God’s
plan and purpose is to have an individual group of individuals that takes the
Word of God alone to be their Absolute. It is the only way one can become like
Christ (the Word, as Christ never fails to do all the will of God “Then said I, lo, I come ( in the volume
of the book it is written of
Me,) to do thy will, O God” (Hebrews
10:7);
19.
“Jesus
said a them, My meat (food) is to do the will of Him sent Me, and to finish His
work” (John
4:34). Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom of His true Church, the Bride) who are
recognised by their ability to do the same works of God by staying fully with
the Word of God
20.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do; because I go unto My Father
(because I go back to the Spirit)” (John 14:12).
21.
God’s
way of upholding His Church in the truth had been by sending messengers to His
people. These messengers would bring God’s people back to God’s word. He sent
Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt and to hand down God’s command to the
people. Elijah was sent to bring Israel out of idolatry introduced by false
prophets of Baal. John the baptist came and pointed the nation of Israel back
to the Word of God - Jesus Christ.
22.
In
the history of the Church, Jesus Christ came to bring the Church back to
Himself “... I go to prepare a place for you. And if l go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again, AND RECEIVE
YOU UNTO MYSELF; that where I
am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2-3).
23.
Saint
Paul in the Holy Ghost spoke the same thing in Ephesians 5:23-27 “... Christ is the Head of the
Church: and He is the Saviour Body ... the Church is subject unto Christ, ... Christ also loved
the Church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with
the washing of water by the Word, That He (Christ, the Word of God) might
present it to Himself (back to the word) a glorious Church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
24.
The
Church must remain in Christ and His doctrine in order to be found before
Christ in glory. The apostles had the revelation that the true Church must
remain in Christ’s word in order to be acceptable to Him therefore they upheld
the Church and the apostles doctrine (Acts 2:42) which were the teachings of
Christ to His apostles.
25.
However,
as the Church gradually drifted away from this truth during the Church ages,
God in His un-changing pattern, never failed to send men whose mission were
only to reform the Church by the truth. All these men like John Wycliffe,
Martin Luther, John Wesley etc. which have been earlier mentioned in this book
did their best to reform the apostate Church.
26.
Moreover,
the emergence of the Pentecostals with the restoration of the gifts of the
spirit was another move of God to bring God’s Church to the scriptures and the
entire truth of God’s word. Those denominations relaxed their holiness way of
living in order to attract a larger and more “refined” following,
with laws legislated by men that tend to overrule the leading of the Lord.
27.
Their
vision was limited to the part they held speaking in tongues, miracles and
prosperity, and they [quickly built a wall around their part. It was obvious
that those movement never restored the Church to the position of the Church of
Acts. But God was bent to restore the Church to Acts of the Apostles with Jesus
ministry as He promised in His word in Joel 2:25 and Acts 3:21 - the
restoration of all things back to the original pattern of the word of God.
28.
This
ministry of restoration had to be done with the anointing of the Spirit of God
used in Elijah the Tishbite because of the apostasy on the land, as God
normally use that nature to resist the idolatry and adultery on the land.
29.
Therefore,
God promised to send a prophet to the Gentiles in this end time before the
great and dreadful day of the Lord to restore the Gentile Church back to the
faith of the apostolic fathers
30.
“Behold
I will send you ElUah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful
day of the LORD. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children,
and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth
with a curse” (Malachi
4:-6).
31.
This
prophecy does not mean the literal coming of Elijah the Tishbite, rather the
coming of a man with that same anointing to resist every idolatry, adultery and
immorality against God’s word with every boldness of speech and without respect
of persons.
32.
Elijah
the Tishbite had such nature as recorded in 1st King Chapters 17 through 21.
His ministry was full of power of God. He withstood every denominational and
organised religion of the false prophets of Baal. He resisted Jezebel and
challenged her idolatrous life style. He condemned immorality as found in
Jezebel and rebuked Ahab (the government in power) for introducing paganism on
the land.
33.
Next
was Elisha ordained by Elijah at the end of his ministry (1 Kings 19:15) “... The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha...” Even the double
portion of Elijah’s spirit (2 Kings 2:9-10) did Elisha receive with which he
continued the same work to eradicate idolatry and unfaithfulness in Israel.
34.
There
was no other mention of this spirit working until the time of John the baptist
whom Jesus confirmed that he came in the spirit (anointing) of Elijah “But
I say unto you, that Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have
done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the son of man suffer
of them. Then the disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the
Baptist” (Matthew 17:12-13, KJV).
35.
This
anointing upon John the Baptist gave him the boldness to withstand the
organised religion of denominational Pharisees and Sadducees in his day. His
sermon in Luke 3, shows his type of spirit. He rebuked Herod for His adultery
and Herodias the queer, for her immoral life same way Elijah the Tishbite
rebuked Ahab and Jezebel.
36.
One
peculiar nature of this spirit of God is that it hates immoral women which
results to people calling them “woman hater.” John the Baptist
never spared any ungodliness in His day for which he was beheaded as Elijah was
threatened to be killed by Jezebel. These women in the natural types the
denominational Churches who will threaten the end time Elijah to the Gentile
Church.
37.
The
fourth time the spirit of Elijah was used was in the Messenger of the 7th Church
age to the Gentiles. We shall not talk much on the 5th and last time, which is
to be among the Jews as recorded in Revelation 11:3, out of the two witnesses
sent to Israel.
38.
A
close study of the chapter will enable one recognise by revelation that God will
use the spirit of Elijah and Moses - the ministry of the two witnesses will
have such characteristics. However, we have to deal mainly on the messenger to
the last gentile Church age - Laodicea, which is of more significant to us in
this book.
39.
One
should take note of the fact that the ministry of John the Baptist was the
fulfilment of Isaiah 40:3-5 and Malachi 3:1, as confirmed in the Gospel of: “... The beginning of the gospel of
Jesus Christ, the son of God: As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send
my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice
of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths
straight” (Mark 1:2-3, KJV).
40.
In
reference to the ministry of John the Baptist, the angel of the Lord said to
Zacharias: “And he shall go before
him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the
children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people
prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17, KJV).
41.
The
angel knew exactly which scripture passage was to be fulfilled with the
ministry of John. He did not say that he was the Elijah, who was to come “before the great and dreadful day of
the Lord.” He took only the following part from Malachi 4:6 “... to turn the hearts of the fathers
to the children ...“ which was fulfilled at the first coming of Christ,
whereas the rest of that verse was to be fulfilled at the end of the “day of grace.”
42.
Because
the one portion of the prophecy given in reference to the Elijah, who was to
come before “the great and dreadful day of the Lord”, was fulfilled in
the ministry of John, one can now understand why Jesus called John “Elijah”
- “And if ye will
receive it, this is Elijah, which was to come” (Matthew 11:14.
KJV).
43.
“But I say unto you, that Elijah is
come already, and they knew him not but have done unto him whatsoever they
listed...” (Matthew 17:12).
44.
Almost
two thousand years have passed, and the “great
and dreadful day of the Lord” still lies before us, of which scripture
says: “Behold, the day of the Lord
cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay desolate: and he shall
destroy the sinners thereof out of it” (Isaiah 13:9, KJV).
45.
“The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come” (Joel 2:31).
46.
Everyone
must know that the remaining part of Malachi 4:5-6 reads: “Behold, I will send you Eljjah the prophet before the coming of the
great and dreadful day of the Lord... And he shall turn the hearts of the
children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”
47.
In
Luke 1:17, we find a similar mystery as in Luke 4:19, where Jesus Christ
stopped in the middle of the verse and mad reference to the “. . . acceptable year of the Lord”,
but not the “day of vengeance “,
“the great and dreadfa day of the
Lord.”
48.
In
Matthew 11:10, Jesus identified John the Baptist with Mal.3:1 “For this is he, of whom it is written,
Behold, I send My messenger before thy face” and not with the
passage of Mal.4:5 which says “... the
prophet before the coming of th great and dreadful day of the LORD”;
as John the Baptist was not actually the Elijah that will turn “th heart of the children to their
fathers” rather he turned “the
heart of the fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of
the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17).
49.
John
the Baptist pointed the faith of the Jewish fathers the faith of Jesus Christ
and Apostles who were just children before those elders, however, the messenger
to the Church in respect of Mal. 4:5 and a part of verse 6, is fulfilled among
the Gentiles because the Apostles are their fathers in the faith, therefore he
points them back to the faith of the Apostolic fathers at a time when the Gentiles
have drifted away from the faith
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet befw the coming of the great and
dreadful day of th LORD. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers the
children, AND THE HEART OF Till CHILDREN TO THEIR FATHERS, lest I come an smite
the earth with a curse. John knew exactly which portion of the
scripture applied to his ministry.
50.
All
who are acquainted with history will know that already Mohammed, and a number
of others have claimed to be the prophet referred in Malachi 4:5 who
was to come before the great and terrible Day of the Lord. In fact some have
openly called themselves “Elijah” or spoken about the “Elijah
ministry”, but not one of them has turned the hearts of God’s people
back to the Lord and His word.
51.
On
the contrary, they themselves were far away from the true apostolic and
prophetic teaching and made their own followers.
52.
However,
all these imitations will not hinder God to accomplish His promise at His time.
Knowing the Bible and taking into consideration how God has dealt in the past
we can testify that there was supernatural move of God in our day to restore
the Church back to the New Testament standard.
53.
God
did fulfil His word in accordance with
Bible promises and prophecies in sending an end time prophet in our
day. In spite of the fact that the majority do not recognize it, God sent His
end time prophet.
54.
WHO
THEN IS THIS MAN? The answer must be a scriptural one for we cannot use any
other criteria as mere success, impressions or personalities will not do but
God’s choice. In spite of the fact that many outstanding men exist in the
denominations, we declare without hesitation before God Almighty that what
followed the ministry of William Marrion Branham of Jefferson-Ville in the
United States of America qualified him to be the prophet messenger with the
message to restore the Church of the living God to the entire word of God.
55.
Through
his ministry, incredible things happened right during his ministrations. The
blind received their sight, the lame could walk, the dumb could talk, the deaf
could hear instantly, and every kind of healing took place, even to that of
cancer cases.
56.
Gordon
Lindsay reporting as an eye witness and as one who accompanied this humble man
for many years in his book “William Branham - A man sent from God” testifies
of astounding things. He testifies of having seen the same signs and wonders in
his ministry as recorded in the days of Jesus Christ and the apostles.
57.
A
unique powerful and divine vindication with a world-wide impact characterized
his ministry. And thousands experienced the infallibility of the gift of
discernment and divine knowledge in the meetings right to the end of his
ministry in December 1965.
58.
Regardless
of country, continent and language, through an. open vision this humble man saw
who the person was, what sickness they had, where they came from - even cities,
streets, and the names of the individuals were shown to him. Each vision was
perfect every time not one missed in his world-wide meeting for so many years.
59.
Those
who, witnessed the prophetic ministry of Bro. Branham could easily admit that
it was under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and based on divine revelation
that he did say “Thus saith the Lord” in any
matter.
60.
At
no time did anything he proclaimed in the Name of the Lord failed to come to
pass. It became clear that he was a prophet sent to this generation being
chosen from his mother’s womb and ordained from birth like John the Baptist to
be the prophetic forerunner of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ as
John was for the first advent.
61.
The
hand of God was fully manifested in the life of this humble man of God with
supernatural manifestation showing even from birth fulfilling the fact that
prophets are foreordained by Almighty God.
62.
Jeremiah
was told “Before I formed thee in the womb I knew thee, and
before thou cormeth forth out of
the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah
1:5, KJV).
63.
Again
the scriptures testifies “... for the gifts and calling of God are without
repentance” (Romans 11:29, KJV).
64.
A
supernatural light was recorded to have entered the room on April 6, 1909,
around 5A.M. at the time of his
birth. The audible Voice of God even began to speak to him when he was only 3
years old.
65.
At
the age of seven the same Voice Spoke to him again saying “Never drink,
smoke or defile your body in anyway, for I have a work for you to do when you
get older.” which
by God’s grace the prophet maintained. And no time therefore did Almighty God
fail to vindicate His prophet.
66.
In
Houston, Texas, in January of 1950, an amazing photograph was taken by the
Douglas Studios. In the photograph, there appeared a light above the head of
Brother Branham in a halo-like form. The negative was taken to George J. Lacy,
Examiner of Questioned Documents, in order to determine whether or not the
light could have been the result of improper exposure, developing or
retouching.
67.
This
investigation served to completely authenticate the fact that the unusual
brightness was definitely caused by a light striking the negative. Mr. Lacy was
quoted as saying, “Rev. Branham, you will die like all other mortals, but as long as there is a Christian civilization, your picture will live
on.”
68.
There
are two main characteristics which one could use in identifying the ministry of
a true prophet of God. It is not just by signs and wonders alone as we have
seen that great signs and wonders followed the ministry of Brother Branham.
69.
Firstly whatever a prophet says in the name of
the Lord must come to pass (Deuteronomy 18:20-22) and secondly his
teaching on God must he correct. If what the man says comes to pass, hut he
presents other gods and doctrines contrary to the word of God and instead of
the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob he is still a false prophet and God is only
testing the people whether they’ll forsake His approved way (Deuteronomy 13:2-
6).
70.
Bro.
Branham had these two characteristics and was identified to be a true prophet
of God. As part of his ministry, Bro. Branham taught and expounded all the true
scriptural doctrines. Later his ministry merged into the prophetic phase -
speaking on the Seven Church Ages, the Seven Seals and the mysteries hidden in
the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
71.
A
new religion was not started neither was another Bible given through the
ministry of Bro. Branham. But God used a man as He normally does to bring forth
His word to the people. This is why Bro. Branham stood between all
denominations and religious movements, preaching the true word of God to call
out a people for the Lord.
72.
Whatever
he preached must be seen in the proper connection with God’s word, where unto
nothing can be added or taken away. Brother Branham placed the Bible as His
absolute for his life or doctrine. Hear him “I love this old Bible, it straightens you out” (Hebrews Pg.348 par 350).
73.
“Well,
every denomination is an ultimate to their believers. But to
me and to the ones that I hope that
I’m leading to Christ, and by Christ,
the Bible is our ultimate, because God said, “Let every man’s word be a lie, and Mine Truth.”
74.
And
I believe that the Bible is God’s ultimate. No matter what anyone else says,
it’s the ultimate. (CHRIST IS REVEALED IN HIS OWN WORD, page 12 par. 50, Aug.22,
1965 Jeff.) “That’s the reason the genuine Christian separates himself
from everything but the word of God, no matter what the people
think, what anybody else says”
75.
(WORKS
IS FAITH EXPRESSED Page 23
Par. 158, Nov. 26, 1965 Shreveport). He took sides with the word and never came
to build a denomination but to raise people for Christ by the Word of God To
prove this, he called his fellowship centre “Branham Tabernacle” and
he never raised “Branham Tabernacles” all over the world,
although, he had better privilege because of the gift that God lavished on him.
76.
The
purpose of God sending Bro. Branham was not to raise big denominations around
the world, nor:
to point people to himself hut to raise individuals that teach and live totally by God’s Word - THE BRIDE OF CHRIST.
to point people to himself hut to raise individuals that teach and live totally by God’s Word - THE BRIDE OF CHRIST.
77.
It
is not surprising to note that
some blind followers of Branham message did their best to idolise the man by
making him their Absolute instead of the word he pointed them to. All that
William Branham; preached could be easily proved by the scriptures, yet those
blind followers replaced the infallible Bible with the sermon books of the
prophet whereas he pointed; them back to the Bible some of them turned the pure
and spotless message into “a cult” before the public with their “7
thunders revelations.”
78.
So
many sincere Christians became scared as a result of such manner they present
themselves and so called “revelation.” William Branham himself was at a
time warned by God not to present mysteries to the “babies” by a
vision of the shoe and the lace.
79.
So
he charged people to make the message so simple for the hearers to help people
understand the “A B C of Christ” before the “Algebra.” He
taught mysteries, but not to the public rather to them who have been weaned and
decided to walk with God’s word in His entirety.
80.
It
is a fact that “7 thunders” is recorded in Revelation
10:4, yet it is not an
article of faith rather a revelation only to them that it’s meant for. But
Satan through deceived hypocrites go about branding the message of Branham as “7
Thunders Blood”, “7 Thunders the Saviour” etc.
81.
However
what Bro, Branham presented to the elect is only “the simplicity that is
in Christ” - the doctrines and life of Christ Concerning the “7 Thunders” he said “it
will speak for itself, only be a Christian.”
82.
The
impatient followers like the two followers of Paul, Hymenaeus and Philetus, who
erred by “saying that the resurrection is past already; and
overthrow the faith of some” (2 Tim.2:17-18), went ahead presenting to the
world that “they are in Millennium,
the 7 Thunders have sounded already”, thereby making the public
believe that such was what Bro. Branham stood for.
83.
Even
the confusion among them is enough to prove that such are not the Bride that
God used Branham to prepare for Christ. Many even have blasphemous names that
the prophet condemned, answering various denominational names “Bible Believers Fellowship, Ministry of
Reconciliation, Bride of Christ Tabernacle, Little Flock, End Time Message, etc.
contrary to the Churches in the Bible that were named after their location like
Church at Ephesus, Church at Corinth, Church in the house of Priscilla and
Acquilla, etc. How can Pot call Kettle black.
84.
So
many of them garnish the tomb of the dead prophet, praise him and even lift up
a man higher than the Word of God. In spite of this they still live in sin,
covetousness, quarrelling and fussing among themselves, going to law courts
with one another, living immorally, even some pastors vie for chieftaincy
titles, yet they go ahead with sermon books of prophet Branham saying they are
products of his message.
85.
They
are cursed for holding the truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18). Dupes, that
defraud one another, coveting tithes and offering. Did not Branham pastor a
Church for 17 years without taking a dime from the coffers of the Church? They
have become Pharisees who do not want to enter in nor allow others to enter -
seating on Moses seat. COME BACK TO THE BRIDE FAITH OR YOU REMAIN FOOLISH
VIRGIN.
86.
Fanaticism
follows every revival but that cannot nullify the validity of the truth
produced by the revival. God promised that the message will get [ready the
Bride of the word.
87.
And
so has it done this by raising groups of individuals around the globe men and
women who stay true to the entire word of God as predicted by prophet Branham “... In these last days the true Bride
Church, (Christ’s Seed) will come to Headstone, and she will be the super
Church, a super race, as she nears Him. They will be one They in bride will be
so much like Him that they will even be in His very image. This is in order to
be united with Him.
88.
They will be one. They will be the very
manifestation of the word of the living God. From A LITTLE GROUP OF THE TRUE
SEED OF THE WORD, GOD WILL PRESENT
CHRIST WITH A BELOVED BRIDE. The members of the virgin bride will love
Him (the word of God), and they will have His potentials, for He is their head,
and all powers belong to Him.” (Church
Ages pg. 66, 171, 172).
89.
Bro.
Branham predicted that the Bride that God sent Him to prepare must be one with
the word of God and must do exploits like Christ. Their group will be filled
with the power of God, signs and wonders following as they stay with God’s
word. Until now, impersonators have been parading themselves as the bride.
90.
The
Bride is not a public figure. She is hated and despised by the world as the
Husband. She has unity of faith in the Word coupled with the character of
Christ. Holiness and perfection is their watch-word.
91.
One
has to bear in mind that when Bro. Branham died, God never died with him. He
pointed the Church back to Ephesians 4:11-16 to walk with the 5- fold ministry approved of
Go having “Apostles, prophets,
Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers” bearing in mind that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,
and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8)
92.
And
that Jesus said “Verily, verily, I
say unto you, he that believeth on Me (The True Word of God), the works that I
do shall he do also; and greater (more) works than these shall he do, because I
go unto My Father” (John 14:12).
93.
The
Bride or the Apostolic Ministry has begun in the midst of the little groups
that have gone back to God’s word in obedience to the Voice of the last
messenger to the Gentile Church.
94.
They
are led by the Holy Ghost in the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and
teachers with the same conduct, order, doctrine, signs and wonders that followed
the Apostolic fathers. This little group will be persecuted, as they will have
a time of great trouble.
95.
They
will have a showdown with the denomination like Elijah and false prophets of
Baal. They will be forced to close their Churches and stop preaching because of
the truth they have. It will be a horrible persecution by the confederated
denominations to the point that they will close their Churches and convert same
to store rooms.
96.
They
will be denied all rights by the constituted religious bodies with the
assistance of the government. Some of them will be shot and martyred. Yet they
will not be discouraged because they were told ahead of time by the Holy Ghost
in her ministry.
97.
One
must bear in mind that the ministry of the Bride is the ministry of Christ, as
Jesus Himself was the first Apostle (Heb.3: 1). “... consider the Apostle
and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” Because the ministry
is Christ ministry as in the Book of Acts, It will produce only Christ-like
people - Christians, in life and doctrine.
98.
The
disciples were first called Christians in Antioch only because they resembled
Christ in their teachings and life, not that they move about with Scrolls,
Sermon Books, or Jewish Garments. Their lives in line with the Word of God
displayed what they were before the public.
99.
One
can easily see now why multitudes of people including those that go about
branding themselves “Branhamites”
following the letters of the prophet’s (Spoken Word) without the spirit
must fulfil the foolish virgin.
100.
For
they have the message - the Word of God - A lamp to a Christian’s feet (Psalm
119:105), but they have not enough spirit - Oil in the vessel of their hearts
to know that God did not die with Bro. Branham.
101.
Their
Pastors reject higher ministries like the Apostles to operate in their midst
because they do not want to be reproved. Each of the foundation of their groups
is laid upon Pastors or Evangelists and Teachers, whereas they reject God’s way
of Eph. 2:20 that the foundation of God’s Church is laid by Apostles and
Prophets.
102.
These
self-proclaimed ministers are interested only to milk their flock of “the tithes and offerings” that they claim belongs only to the
five fold. They love to break marriage vows, etc.
103.
They
refuse to excommunicate the evil men from their midst although they know that
the lives of such men are full of “heresy,
fornication, covetousness, idolatry, railing,
drunkenness, extortioning, arguments, rebellion, disputes etc.
104.
But
the true bride Church will not regard anyone guilty of such evil as a “brother”
but must excommunicate such an one for God’s Church to be free from
sin. However, this denominations in the name of End-Time Message believe in
covering up sins, especially of their ministers, but God’s Church is not so.
105.
The
Bride Church is very strict with the Word of God, although they will suffer
despisement and rejection for the entire truth of God’s Word.
106.
Surely
because they have dared to return back to the pure unadulterated Word of God
with their lives lining up with all that God says in His word they are outside
every other denominational system and contrary to everyone else.
107.
Because
they are back again to the New Testament standard of the Church of the Lord
Jesus Christ as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles the same persecution that
followed the early Christians will follow them from the hands of denominational
Pharisees and Sadducees, and from false brethren.
108.
Since
religious authorities in alliance with secular authorities persecuted the early
Church it will still repeat against this group. They are not misled and
deceived by the anti-Christ system no matter the subtlety, signs and wonders
taking place in the name of God, for the promise of God in Matt.24:24
conditions their minds:
109.
“For
there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs
and wonders; insomuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Their eyes are always on the Word of God reveal to them by
the Holy Ghost.
110.
They
know the image of the beast is the World Council of Churches and that she has
the mark of the beast. They know that the ecumenical movement is taking people
back to papal Rome - that Roman Catholicism is the anti-Christ. They understand
that all the so called Christianity today is nothing but Babylon (Rev. 17;18)
which is no longer a mystery to them.
111.
All
that is the anti-Christ its systems, teachings and practices they reject that
they may be a Church that is holy and perfect. Such a Church is the bride of
the Lord Jesus Christ and very soon He comes to take them away (when the great
tribulation - the wrath of God is on the earth it means this Bridal Church has
gone).
112.
Since
the whole Christendom is in darkness and ignorance and the true scriptural
faith is rare today everyone has to make his own decision. Who then is willing
to heed to the call according to Rev. 18:4 to come out of the religious Babylon
(confusion) of this time.
113.
Who
has eyes to see and ears to hear and an heart to understand what the spirit
says to the Churches? Who can differentiate and discern between the Word of God
and all man-made interpretations. God always separates light from darkness. Who
has the courage to take instructions to believe and practice what God says?
114.
All
the scriptural and spiritual things cannot
be made known by flesh and blood. One cannot teach [the other except
by God’s word and Holy Spirit. The judgement of God upon this world with its
wickedness through false religions (whether it goes in the name of Christianity
or not), social, political and economic systems is no longer lingering.
115.
The
world of Noah and that of Sodom and Gomorrah were examples that God will not
spare (Jude 7) “Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them in like manner,
giving themselves over to fornication (spiritual and physical), and going after strange flesh, are set
forth for an example suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” BE WARNED FOR TIME IS NO MORE.
116.
If
you want to be in glory hear finally this Word of admonition. God has
overlooked the times of ignorance but now reveals His perfect will through Ills
word that men might repent.
117.
“And the times of this ignorance God
winked at; but now hath commanded all men
everywhere to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which He
will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained;
whereof he hath given assurance unto all
men, in that He hath raised Him (The Word of God) from the dead
(denominations)” (Acts
17:30-31).
118.
God
expects everyone (no exemption) to believe Him and to act according to His
Word. Therefore one must forsake all unscriptural doctrines like Trinity, false
baptism, Ordaining of Women Preachers, Celibacy, Adoration of Saints and
Angels, Exaltation of Mary as the Mother of God, commercialization of the
Gospel by false prosperity teachings, approval of denominationalism, Ecumenism,
Popery, false teachings on speaking in tongues as initial evidence of Holy
Spirit etc.
119.
Even
if one loses his popularity and friends it must be done in order to return to
the original Bible teaching, pattern and practice. Don’t wait until it is
too late.
THIS IS THE WAY - WALK YE IN IT
120.
“Seek
ye the Lord while He may be found, call upon him while he is near; Let the
wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him
return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for He
will abundantly pardon.”
(Isaiah 55:6-7)
BECAUSE WE ARE
ALL SINNERS
121.
“For all have sinned, and come short of
the glory of God”
(Romans 3:23, KJV). “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans
3:10, KJV).
WE MUST REPENT
(Turn around. Change our mind)
122.
“Except ye REPENT, ye shall all
likewise perish”
(Luke 13:3, KJV) “REPENT ye therefore, and be converted,
that your sins be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the
presence of the Lord.” (Acts3:19, KJV).
EVEN
THE CHURCHES HAVE BEEN COMMANDED TO REPENT
123.
“Unto the Angel of the Church of
Ephesus, write, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first
love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and REPENT, and do the
first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy
candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:5,
KJV).
124.
“As many as I love, I rebuke and
chasten; be zealous therefore, and REPENT!” (Revelation 3:19, KJV).
WE
MUST BE BAPTISED
125.
Jesus
said, “He that believeth and is
baptised shall be saved” (Mark 16:15, KJV). The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not
the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience
toward God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ ...” (I Peter 3:21, KJV).
BY IMMERSION IN WATER
126.
“And
as they went on their way, they
came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder
me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine
heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ
is the Son of God.
127.
And
he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the
water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were
come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the
eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:36-39, KJV).
ACCORDING
TO APOSTOLIC PATTERN
128. “Behold,
to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22, KJV).
129.
“Then opened He their understanding,
that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it behoved
Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
130.
And that repentance and remission of
sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
And ye are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of My
Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with
power from on high.” (Luke
24:45-49, KJV).
131.
“Therefore let all the house of Israel
know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified,
both Lord and Christ. 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?
132.
Then Peter said unto them, REPENT and
BE BAPTIZED everyone of you in the NAME of JESUS CHRIST for the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the GIFT of the HOLY GHOST. For the promise is unto
you, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:36-39, KJV).
THOSE
NOT BAPTISED IN THE TRUE NAME WERE COMMANDED TO BE REBAPTIZED
133.
“And it came to pass, that, while
Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to
Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, have ye received the
Holy Ghost since ye believed; and they said unto him; we have not so much as
heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
134.
And he said unto them, unto what then
were ye baptized? And they said, unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John
verily baptised with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that
they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ
Jesus. When they heard this, they were BAPTISED in the NAME of the LORD JESUS.
And when Paul laid his hand upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they
spake with tongues and prophesied” (Acts
19:1-6, KJV)
135.
Read
Acts 10:48. The baptismal formula was given to the gentiles as well as the
Jews.
WHICH
DENOMINATION SHALL I JOIN
136.
NONE!
SERVE JESUS CHRIST! You can join the kingdom of God. For Jesus said, “... Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3, KJV)
137.
“But though we; or an angel from heaven,
preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let
him be accursed”
(Galatians 1:8, KJV).
EVEN
A PROPHET MUST NOT DISAGREE WITH THE SCRIPTURE
138.
“If any man think himself to be a
prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto
you are the commandments of the Lord”, (I
Corinthians 14:37).
WE
MUST RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT
139. “And,
being assembled together with them,
COMMANDED them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but WAIT for the
promise of the Father, which, saith he,
ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye SHALL
BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST not many days hence.” (Acts 1:4-5,
KJV).
140.
“And we are his witnesses of these
things; and is also the Holy Ghost, whom GOD HATH GIVEN TO THEM THAT OBEY HIM” (Acts 5:32,
KJV).
141.
“ Nevertheless I tell you the
truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away,
the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him
unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of
righteousness, and of judgment:
142.
Of
sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my
Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this
world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear
them now.
143.
Howbeit
when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:
for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he
will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive
of mine, and shall show it unto
you.” (John
16:7-14, KJV).
144.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me” (Acts
1:8, KJV).
145.
“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. And if Christ be
in you, the body is dead
because of sin; but the Spirit is
life because of righteousness.
146.
But
if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that
raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his
Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Romans
8:9-11, KJV).
147.
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on
all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were
astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was
poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
148.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify
God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not
be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he
commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they
him to tarry certain days.” (Acts
10:44-48, KJV)
WE
MUST WALK IN THE LIGHT OF HIS
WORD
149. “This
then is the message which we have heard
of and declare unto you, that
God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have
fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth; But IF WE WALK IN THE LIGHT, as HE IS IN THE LIGHT, we have fellowship one with
another, and the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST his son CLEANSETH us from ALL sin.” (1 John 1:5-7, KJV)
3
TESTIMONY OF GOD’S UNCHANGEABLE MOVE IN
HIS CHURCH
Nowadays, very many people overlook or
underrate this powerful passage of the Scriptures “Jesus Christ the same
yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). The confidence of
every true Christian is based upon this scripture that our Lord is alive and
unchangeable.
2.
He
is forever Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent. What could have Christianity
looked like if Christ the Founder is dead and rotten in the grave? It will be
nothing less than a hopeless religion.
3.
The
Lord promised to be among His people until the end of the consummation, to
perform the same, genuine signs and wonders as in the Church of Acts to serve
as a confirmation of His holy presence in the midst of His true Church that
teaches His sound doctrine.
4.
One
must not deny the existence of true manifestation of God’s presence in His
Church because of the various impersonations witnessed among the preachers of
today who dubiously claim to have “powers
of healing, miracles, signs, wonders and even abilities to speak in unknown
tongues without interpretation and to prophesy” only to extort
money from the people.
5.
In
fact genuine gifts ought to operate in the true Churches of Christ, as one must
take note of the fact that the Lord Jesus Himself said “... these signs shall follow them that believe; in My name shall they cast out devils, they
shall speak with new tongues; 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” (Mark 16:17-18,
KJV).
6.
It
says “THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW
THEM THAT BELIEVE” (them that believe the entire Word of God). The
believers are not to follow the signs; rather the signs are to follow the
believers. One wonders then why people run to and fro in search of signs and
wonders.
7.
The
only thing necessary is for a Church to believe the true Word of God, and stay
with it, then the Lord Himself will confirm His presence with genuine signs and
wonders as He did in the Church of Acts, without diminishing one thing.
8.
That
was the secret which the Apostles and Prophets of old had, they only spoke the
Truth from the Holy Scriptures and God did the confirmation by miracles, signs,
and wonders, because the Gospel is not preached.
9.
“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's
wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith
should not stand in the wisdom of men (which is philosophy and Bible college experience), BUT
IN THE POWER OF GOD.” (1 Corinthians 2:4.5).
10.
Every
true Church that have been rightfully restored to the faith of the Apostolic
fathers must have the true doctrine of Christ in her midst, followed by the
true life of Christ operating in the members, then the presence of God
manifesting among them with genuine supernatural signs and wonders following
them.
11.
We
have to testify truly that the Lord has not tailed to move among His Bride
Churches around the globe as He did in the days of the early Apostles. From
Krefeld, in German Democratic Republic, it is on record of what the Lord has
been doing in the midst of the Bride Church over there.
12.
Apostle
Ewald Frank and other ministers of God in the Church there have witnessed the
great power of Almighty God in their local Church. Bro. Ewald Frank received an
audible Voice of God commissioning him to “store
the food” which is the Word of God to be shared among the saints
in the later days. God told him “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 4:3, KJV).
13.
With
this commission from, the Lord, Ewald Frank and the local Church in Germany
maintained their stand upon the infallible Word of God. Consequently, the Lord
God identified Himself in their midst with great signs and wonders confirming
their scriptural doctrines that they are travelling on the right road to the
kingdom of God.
14.
The
same testimony has been received from other local Churches around the globe
which space might not permit us to enter in this edition. However, we will not
fail to testify of what the Lord is doing among the Africans who have
faithfully upheld the Word of God.
15.
In
the city of Onitsha, Anambra State of Nigeria, we have an outstanding testimony
of what the Lord has been doing among His people since December, 1992, when it
pleased the Lord to identify fully with His people there.
16.
The
local Church started in 1986 at Abagana, from where they moved to Nkpor. At
Nkpor they pitched tents like wilderness Church from place to place, between
1989 and 1993, making use of three different locations in the community within
the period.
17.
By
1992, it became evidently clear that the hand of God was in the midst of His
people as God fully came down and identified Himself among’ these people in an
audible voice that was recorded on tapes. Testimony from Pastor Okechukwu
Nwankpa, and other ministers confirm that the move of God was fully identified
among them when God raised an Apostle in their midst.
18.
Apostle
Peter Odoemena, has been greatly used by God in the midst of God’s people.
Since the beginning of the Apostolic ministry, the Church has witnessed great
signs and wonders, healings, tongues and interpretation of tongues, prophecies,
infallible visions and dreams etc. in their midst; bringing to pass the true
prophecies of William Branham that the restored Church must be a continuation
of the ‘Book of Acts’.
19.
Above
all, this local Church uphold the Word of God far above every other things in
their midst as they believe in practical holiness and perfection
through God’s Word.
20.
From
Enugu State Nigeria, Pastor Ifeanyi Ezeh and Deacon Christian Orjiakor confirms
the same testimony of God’s move in their midst as in the Church of Acts.
21.
The
story is the same from Abia State, Nigeria,
as Pastor in charge, Chikezie Ukasanya confirms that God is the same as
He was in the days of the Apostles.
22.
From
Imo State Nigeria, Evangelist Ben Okezue testifies that the true signs and
wonders that followed the Apostles are among them as a true Church of God today
that stays with the sole doctrine of Christ.
23.
We
also have testimonies from Bro. Ignatius Anonye, Overseer of the Church at
Abuja, Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. He testifies of witnessing genuine
discernment by the Holy Ghost, exposing a sinner as in Acts chapter 5 Ananias and Saphirra) and
other great manifestation of God’s move in the Church as in the Church of Acts.
24.
All
the true Churches both in Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern part of
Nigeria, though they are in the minority and are hardly known, have the same
testimony. But one peculiarity is that their doctrine is only based upon the
entire Scriptures which is their “Absolute”.
25.
They
are very strict concerning every portion of the Bible. They ex-communicate any
member no matter his position, that lives contrary to the Scriptural standard
and refuses to repent in accordance with 1 Corinthians 5:9-13. They believe in
unity of the body through the unity of the Bible faith and so they separate
from every group that teaches or lives contrary o Bible Doctrine and standard.
26.
Going
by their standard of doctrine and life, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in
their midst, one will not fail to see the Church of Acts back on the Land. The
[story is the same in other nations in Africa, Europe, America, Asia,
Australia, etc. where the true Churches that have gone back to the Bible faith
in doctrine and life are found.
27.
Indeed,
God has restored His saints back to the Apostolic faith as He did promise. His
promise was I not to restore the people to William Branham or his sermon books
(although it has its role), BUT THE PROMISE IS TO RESTORE THE CHURCH BACK
TO THE BIBLE AND APOSTOLIC FAITH
with the same doctrine, life, signs and wonders manifested, We thank the Lord, that His purpose has come to pass among His people. Glory be to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.
with the same doctrine, life, signs and wonders manifested, We thank the Lord, that His purpose has come to pass among His people. Glory be to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.
4
LATIN AMERICAN GOVERNMENTS THREATEN TO
REGISTER AND CLOSE CHURCHES
G
|
uatemala’s decisive presidential
election points out the big gains Protestantism is making all across the region
of Latin America at the expense of Roman Catholicism. Rome is not happy about
it and is beginning to use her quietly formed hand of trump cards
to begin cutting that cost.
2.
In
Mexico, Rome is using an up-until-now unenforced law to begin shutting down Protestant
Churches. Venezuela is also now feeling the effects of allowing Rome to appoint
their Director of Religion. Closure of Protestant Churches is in the wind there
also.
3.
The
Director has proposed new laws for the operation of the Department of Religion.
If passed, these new laws will force all churches to be registered or closed
within 6 months of passage. The Department of Religion would also fix quotas
for the entrance of foreigners, and regulate prison ministries, public
religious activity, all Seminaries and Bible Schools.
4.
Any
soul-winning activity with the native Indians would be permitted only by those
who have a treaty made with the government. The Churches will not be allowed a
word against any person or religious organization. No more preaching about the
errors of Catholicism.
5.
Pastors
and ministers must demonstrate their titles of studies that qualify them to be
head of the congregations. Many pastors of Bible-believing Churches have no
diplomas. All pastors must be native Venezuelans. Of course this does not apply
to Rome’s priests and nuns who are mostly from Spain and other
countries, they continue under their own private law in a privileged position.
6.
The
head inspector for The Department of Religion must be an attorney with studies
of the Canon law, meaning he must be Catholic and probably a Monsignor. The
office will be authorized to call on all the police organizations to aid them
in the dissolution of the evangelical Churches.
7.
This
can be done for disobedience of this law, for putting in danger the country,
for ignoring the symbols of the country (they claim that the images of the
virgin are symbols of the country), for the organization demonstrations that
are religious, for offending in word, or by writing, or by belief, any other religious
belief of people or organizations, or if they cause any disturbance of the
peace by their meetings, or disobey any law of the country.
8.
In
article 26 the department would be authorized to stop any meetings, or
conferences, or forbid the printing of any articles or publications
permanently. The activities of witchcraft, parapsychology, etc. would be exempt
from this law. If this
proposal becomes law great persecution will result and the Church will have to
go underground. If the law can be passed in Venezuela it will then be applied
in other countries in Latin America.
9.
In
Mexico under their existing Constitution, all Churches must be registered with
the government. According to a Mexican Church expert, “The law is obscure
and rarely enforced, but it is the law and the government is within its
rights to carry out this apparent crackdown. The crackdown has begun with
strict enforcement of registration laws in the central state of Hidalgo.
10.
On
March 13, 1990 State Director of Government in Hidalgo, Beatriz Franco summoned
the president of the Independent Pentecostal Christian Church, Rev. Aroldo
Espinoza, to notify him that all evangelical Church buildings lacking proper
registration documents as religious centers would be closed within two weeks.
11.
She
added that Hidalgo was the first state to put into effect a new ruling which
would close all non- registered Churches nationwide within a minimum of three months. The catalyst that seems to
have brought the issue to a head is the recently announced results of the 1990
census.
12.
The
census revealed in some areas of Hildalgo state that the evangelical population
has experienced significant growth, and in the Valley of Mesquital, 60 percent
of those declaring themselves Christian are evangelicals. “Two
months later we are seeing a
crackdown on unregistered Churches which is suspected to be originating from the Catholic Church,” Espinoza said.
13.
In
the past three or four years, the Roman Catholic Church has increasingly pressured the Mexican government to limit the
activities of evangelical or Protestant groups, publicly demanding evangelicals
be expelled from the country, even if they are Mexican citizens.
14.
Increasing acts of violence and persecution by Mexican Catholics against
even the mainline denominations in Mexico demonstrates that Rome simply bides
her time until she gains enough power. “It is a very serious situation.” said
Methodist Bishop Ulises Hernandez of Mexico City. Americans who do not believe
that Rome will do the same in America should look closely at what is going on
in Mexico.
15.
Although
tensions between Catholics and Protestants in Mexico have simmered for many
years, Pope John Paul (II)’s visit to Mexico has brought the situation to a
boiling point, says Hernanclez. the Pope gave numerous televised speeches
urging the populace to “defend the continent from all non-Catholics or ‘sects’,
Bishop Hernandez continued.
16.
Most
Mexican Catholics reportedly believe that all Protestant denominations are
“sects” or ‘cult.’ The Catholic News service of Mexico reported that much of
the Pope’s trip to Mexico was ‘an effort to reconvert the growing number of
Catholics lost to Protestant
fundamentalism and sects.’ Pope John Paul II believes the inroads of unnamed “sects” could come “disastrous.”
BATTLE CRY May—June 1991
JOHN PAUL WANTS TO
VISIT ‘‘HOLY LAND’
Pope meets Jewish leaders
Pope meets Jewish leaders
17.
VATICAN CITY
(Reuter) — Jewish leader Seymour Reich urged Pope John Paul last week to
establish diplomatic relations with Israel, and said he was worried about new
anti-Semitism in the pontiff’s native Poland. The pope, speaking at the end of
the highest-level meetings between Roman Catholics and Jews in three years,
told Jewish leaders that he would like to visit the Holy Land one day.
18.
In
a significant gesture of goodwill, the Pope approved a $100,000 Vatican Contribution
toward the building of a prayer center to house nuns who will move out of a convent at the former Nazi
death camp at Auschwitz in Poland. a spokesman said.
19.
The
dispute over the nuns, who last February
agreed to move to the nearby prayer centre when completed, brought
Catholic-Jewish relations to one of their lowest points.
“We believe that full and formal diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the State of Israel will dramatically and substantively advance the cause of the peace,” said Reich.
“We believe that full and formal diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the State of Israel will dramatically and substantively advance the cause of the peace,” said Reich.
20.
Reich,
chairman of the International
Jewish Committee on inter-religious Consultations (IJCIC), told the Pope in a
reference to hard-line Arab countries such s Iraq and Syria: “The normalization
of relations will send a strong signal
to those nations that are still
committed to the destruction of Israel.”
21.
The
Vatican supports Israel’s right to exist and its needs for safe borders. But before establishing diplomatic tics it wants a resolution to the Palestinian question and international
protection for Jerusalem as a city
sacred to Christianity. Judaism and Islam. At the end of the meeting the Pope told
Rabbi David Rosen of Jerusalem “I hope one day to be able to visit the
Holy Places.” “That would be our joy,” Rosen responded.
22.
In his address to tile Pope, Reich said the return of democracy in Eastern Europe had brought with it “a
familiar and frightening” pattern of
anti-Semitism. “We cannot be
unconcerned over signs that anti-Semitism has once again become political and populist currency
in these countries, in desecrations
of synagogues and cemeteries, in graffiti on campaign posters. in innuendoes and sometimes more blatant
pronouncements in the media.
from political leaders and occasionally a Church leader,” Reich said.
23.
But the Jewish leaders said they were happy that the
Pope endorsed a joint
statement last September by an
international Catholic-Jewish liaison committee in Prague which branded
anti-Semitism as “a sin against God and humanity”. ‘This is the
beginning of a new chapter for us. We are back on track,” Reich said.
24.
The
two days of meetings commemorated
the 25th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council document Nostra
Aetate (In
our Time). It flatly repudiated
the notion of collective Jewish guilt for Christ’s death and urged inter-faith dialogue.
POPE WANTS TO SHEPHERD A “NEW EUROPE”
25.
As Communism take a back seat in the affairs of
Eastern Europe, the Roman Catholic Church is rapidly rising in prominence. From
the Pope, all the way down to the area’s Bishops, the word is out; the time has
come for the church to exert political authority in Europe.
26.
Writing
in the August 31st Miami Herald, Mike Leary quotes the public statement
of a priest speaking in St. Michael’s Catholic Church of Warsaw. Reading from a
recent bishop’s letter he said, “I don’t need to remind anyone of the
extraordinary role the Church played in the victory over totalitarianism.
27.
Now,
the time has come to define the role of the Church in the life of the nation.
The letter went on to demand government-mandated religious instruction in all
public schools, Directed by the Pope, the bishops of Europe are boldly
proclaiming a new era of religion in Europe.
28.
Concerning
the Pope, Mr. Leary wrote, “At an age when many people consider retiring, the 70-year-old
Pope is guiding the Church into an ambitious path with political overtones: He
wants to be shepherd of a new Europe, united by its 2,000-year Christian
tradition. He has already summoned the continent’s 1,000 bishops (a third of
the world’s total) to a synod next year to plan strategy.
29.
Speaking
in Czechoslovakia in April, the Pope said, “A united Europe is no longer a
dream. It is an actual process which cannot be purely political or purely
economical. It has a profound cultural, spiritual and moral dimension.
Christianity is at the very roots of European culture.”
30.
Recently,
the Pope has conferred with the Bush administration, known for its continuing
proclamation that we are at the crossroads of a “new world order.” The new
order is rapidly coming—political, economical and religious in its
implications. And the Pope is playing a very large part in its planning.
One-World Church WCC welcomes
anti-Christian pagans! By
Ralph G. Griffin
31.
The
World Council of Churches, meeting in its Seventh Assembly, February 7 to 20,
1991, in Canberra, Australia, sent a letter the Council hopes will be received
by “all Churches, Christians and peoples.”
32.
Their
message is therefore presumed to be directed to every human being on earth. The
letter, which summarizes the unified beliefs “of all religions,” which were
affirmed at the Assembly, was released in order to gain acceptance of all
Christians, non-believers, atheists, Buddhists, Hindus, Hare-Krishnas, paeans,
Wiccans, Satan worshipers, and everyone else not otherwise listed.
33.
The
purpose of the Assembly, as well as the avowed mission of the WCC is to bring
all religions together as one.... One religion. One Church. One united Super
Church. One- World Church. Unity! Unity.... at the sacrifice of doctrine.
34.
A
new doctrine. Doctrine so watered down and meaningless and unholy that it
really does not matter if one believes that Jesus Christ is the way, the only
way, to God. By all means, let’s have unity!
35.
It
is being said in small meetings, large meetings and in nearly all Churches all
over the world these days that UNITY is the only important thing the body of
Christ should be striving for. It is being said (by self-acclaimed BELIEVERS,
even) that “there will be only ONE Church in the end-time, so let’s just forget
about DOCTRINE and join together in UNITY!
Such ignorance!
Such ignorance!
36.
These
so-called “Christians” do not read -- or do not discern -- the Bible. There
WILL be One Church in the last days. it is the apostate Church. It is called
the Great Whore in Revelation 17. It is MYSTERY, BABYLON and God hates it
God says, in Revelation 18:4: “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”
God says, in Revelation 18:4: “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”
37.
The
One-World Church is being established NOW! Listen to the prattle of the World
Council of Churches:
“This journey to God’s rule and the unity of the Church and of humankind.... Come, Holy Spirit.... Come, most splendid adornment of all living beings, the sole salvation of all who are mortal.”
“This journey to God’s rule and the unity of the Church and of humankind.... Come, Holy Spirit.... Come, most splendid adornment of all living beings, the sole salvation of all who are mortal.”
38.
Do
they not realise that all men are not going to have salvation? Many have
already and many more will die in their sin without asking for or receiving
forgiveness; and will spend eternity with their ‘father, the Devil. Arid
neither is the Holy Spirit their sole salvation. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit,
in John 16:14: “He shall glorify me.”
39.
The
letter continues, “The Spirit calls the Churches to a commitment to seek
visible unity..., we seek ... ways to he more accountable to each other and to
the Lord Christ who prayed that we ‘may be one’.” This scriptural reference is
found in John 17:20-23, where Jesus is testifying to the one ness in the faith
and spiritual life of all who believe and have been reborn Belief and unbelief
cannot be united. Believers and unbelievers in Jesus Christ as God cannot be
“one.’
40.
The
fourth paragraph of their letter states, “The presence of representatives of
other world religions as guests in the Assembly reminded us of the growing need
to respect the image of God in all people, to accept each other as neighbours
and to admit out common responsibility with them for God’s creation, including
humanity. This viewpoint needs to be
exposed for the heresy it is.
41.
All
those outside of Christ are dead in sin; they have no image of God, they have
no righteousness. Only in Christ is God’ image of righteousness restored. It
Christ’s righteousness that is given the redeemed. 1 John 1:6,7 tells us, we
say that we have fellowship wit him, (Jesus Christ] and walk in darkness, we
lie, and do not the truth. “But
if we walk in the light, as he in the light, we have
fellowship one with another.”
42.
The
fellowship of the New Testament Churches did not include the yoke with
unbelievers: “Be ye not tie equally yoked together with us believers:
for what fellowship he righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion
hath light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14).
43.
This
WCC letter to “all church Christians, and peoples” is very deceptive, it has no
value for Bible believing people except to point the seduction of Christianity
and Satanic deception coming over true Church in these last days.
44.
The
unbeliever—the people of the world—must be led to Christ and His salvation, and
then fed the meat of the Word in faithful, Bible-teaching Churches. Such
Churches do not have “fellowship” and affiliation the World
45.
The
avowed mission of the World Council of
Churches is to bring all
religions together as one. Above
is an interfaith service held in
San Francisco on the eve of the 1984 Democratic National Convention.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN ASIA MINOR
Committee
on Missions
Paul
the Apostle
c/o Aquila
the Tentmaker,
Corinth,
Greece.
Dear Paul,
46.
We
recently received a copy of your letter to the Galatians. The committee has
directed me to inform you of a number of things which deeply concern us.
First, we find your language to be somewhat intemperate.
First, we find your language to be somewhat intemperate.
47.
In
your letter, after a brief greeting to the Galatians, you immediately attack
your opponents by claiming they “want to pervert the gospel of Christ.” You
then say that such men should be regarded as “accursed”; and, in another place,
you make reference to “false brethren.”
48.
Wouldn’t
it be more charitable to give them the benefit of the doubt at least until the
General Assembly has investigated and adjudicated the matter? To make the
situation worse, you later say, “I could wish those who trouble you would even
cut themselves off!” Is such a statement really fitting for a Christian
minister? The remark seems quite harsh and unloving.
49.
Paul,
we really feel the need to caution you about the tone of your epistles. You
come across in an abrasive manner to many people. In some of your letters
you’ve even mentioned names; and this practice has, no doubt, upset the friends
of Hymenaeus, Alexander, and others.
50.
After
all, many persons were first introduced to the Christian faith under the
ministries of these men. Although some of our missionaries have manifested
regrettable shortcomings, nevertheless, it can only stir up bad feelings when
you speak of these men in a derogatory manner.
51.
In
other words, Paul, I believe you should strive for a more moderate posture in
your ministry. Shouldn’t you try to win those who are in error by displaying a
sweeter spirit? By now, you’ve probably alienated the Judaizers to the point
that they will no longer listen to you.
52.
By
your outspokeness, you have also diminished your opportunities for future
influences throughout the Church as a whole. Rather, if you had worked more
quietly, you might have been asked to serve on a presbytery committee appointed
to study, the issue. You could then have contributed your insights by helping
to draft a good committee paper on the theological position of the Judaizers,
without having to drag personalities into the dispute.
53.
Besides,
Paul, we need to maintain unity among those who profess a belief in Christ.
The Judaizers at least stand with us as we confront the surrounding paganism
and humanism which prevail within the culture of the contemporary Roman Empire.
The Judaizers are our allies in our struggles against abortion, homosexuality,
government tyranny, etc. We cannot afford to allow differences over doctrinal
minutiae to obscure this important fact.
54.
I
also must mention that questions have been raised about the contents of your
letter, as well as your style. The committee questions the propriety of the
doctrinaire structure of your letter. Is it wise to plague young Christians,
like the Galatians, with such heavy theological issues? For example, in a
couple of places, you allude to the doctrine of election.
55.
You
also enter into a lengthy discussion of the law. Perhaps you could have proved
your case in some other ways, without mentioning these complex and controverted
points of Christianity. Your letter is so doctrinaire, it will probably serve
only to polarize the differing factions within the Churches. Again, we need
to stress unity instead of broaching issues which will accent divisions among
us.
56.
In
one place, you wrote, “Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become
circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.” Paul, you have a tendency to
describe things strictly in black and white terms, as if there are no gray
areas. You need to temper your expressions, lest you become too exclusive.
Otherwise, your outlook will drive away many people and make visitors feel
unwelcome. Church growth is not promoted by taking such a hard line and
remaining inflexible.
57.
Remember,
Paul, there is no such thing as a perfect Church. We have to tolerate many
imperfections in the Church, since we cannot expect to have everything at once.
If you will simply think back over your own experience, you will recall how you
formerly harassed the Church in your times of ignorance. By reflecting on your
own past, you might acquire a more sympathetic attitude toward the Judaizers.
Be patient, and give them some time to come around to a-better understanding.
58.
In
the meantime, rejoice that we all share a common profession of faith in Christ,
since we have all been baptized in his name.
Sincerely
,
Charles Phinney,
Charles Phinney,
Coordinator,
Committee
on Missions