There Are Many Ways to Hell

There Are Many Ways to Hell

by David J. Stewart

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” -Matthew 7:13,14

Matthew 7:13-14 teaches us that there are many ways to Hell, but only one way to Heaven. Jesus said in John 10:9 “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” Jesus clearly stated in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.“

There is a devilish doctrine that is becoming increasingly popular in these last days, even infiltrating into our churches–NEW AGE! The core belief of New Age is that there is NO one way to the light. This, of course, is the exact OPPOSITE of what the Word of God teaches. New Agers teach that sincerity of heart is all that matters, and that there are many paths to enlightenment, and afterlife. New Age has crept into most churches today, convincing it’s victims that there is NO one way to Heaven. I frequently hear people say such things as “If you are sincere, that is all that matters to God” or “What makes you think you’re religion is superior to others?” Here’s a video of Oprah Winfrey (Ms. New Age herself) saying that Jesus couldn’t possibly be the ONLY way to Heaven. Is it any wonder why Jesus said in Luke 18:8 “…Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?“

Perverting the Gospel

There are MANY ways to pervert the Gospel of Jesus Christ, each perversion leading many people into Hellfire! Galatians 1:7 states: “…there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” 2nd Thessalonians 1:8 WARNS: “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is a serious matter, friends. Your soul’s eternal destiny, whether you will be happy or indescribably miserable, hinges upon what you do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ (i.e. whether you obey the Gospel, or reject it). Obeying the Gospel is very simple and easy:

First, you must realize that you are a sinner, under the condemnation of God’s Law (Romans 3:19). You are GUILTY in God’s eyes–a sinful person who deserves to be cast into Hellfire as punishment for your violations of God’s Law. Humanity is guilty by the Law of God: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” We are all wretched and desperate sinners (Romans 3:10,23).

Second, you must repent, i.e. turn to Jesus Christ in faith, as your personal Saviour, asking Him to forgive your sins, and take you to Heaven when you die. Acts 20:21 states: “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is the blood of Jesus that takes away our sins (1st Peter 1:18,19); NOT a prayer, self-righteousness, or a religious experience. Self-righteousness is a sure road to Hell if you trust upon it (Romans 10:3-4; Mark 7:6-13). If you’ll simply believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, because of the blood He shed for your sins, then you will be saved eternally (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:13).

One of the most common perversions of the Gospel is to ADD something to it. For example: Roman Catholics ADD good works and keeping of the Seven Sacraments to faith for a person to be saved. This is a false religion because they have perverted the Biblical Gospel. Romans 4:5 plainly states: “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” The Catholic Church also requires their followers to submit to the authority of the Church, claiming that the only way to Jesus is through their organization. That is a big lie of the Devil. Christianity began as a relationship with Jesus Christ. When it went to Greece it became a philosophy. When it went to Rome it became an organization. When it spread throughout Europe it became a culture. And when Christianity came to America it became a business. How tragic! “Ye must be born again” (John 3:3), i.e. you must have Him (Jesus) who is the beginning (Revelation 1:8) born in you. When you place your faith in the SEED of God’s Word (1st Peter 1:23), by obeying the Gospel, the Holy Spirit of God works the miracle of regeneration in you. You are BORN for the second time, but this time SPIRITUALLY into God’s family. Salvation is of God, and we have nothing to do with meriting, maintaining, or keeping it. Our part is to believe upon Christ, trusting in His finished work of redemption to pay for our sins with His precious blood.

Adding to the Gospel

Other religious groups which pervert the Gospel by ADDING works to faith are Church of Christ, Hutterites, Amish, Lutherans, United Church of Christ, Jehovah’s Witness, Mormons, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Baha’i, Lordship Salvationists, Seventh Day Adventists, and many others. Lutherans for example require baptism to be saved, while hypocritically declaring that baptism itself does not save. Their reasoning is that water baptism itself does not save, but saving faith is manifest through the act of being baptized. Nothing could be further from the truth. Romans 10:13 DOESN’T say: “For whosoever shall be baptized shall be saved“; NO, RATHER, it says: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” There’s NO mention of baptism! In 1st John 5:13, the Apostle John said: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” Carefully notice that John NEVER mentions baptism in the Epistles of 1st, 2nd, or 3rd John. Yet John says he wrote the Epistle of 1st John so that we could KNOW THAT WE ARE SAVED. Now if baptism were required for salvation, why DIDN’T John mention it even once? The answer is obvious: baptism has absolutely nothing to do with being born-again! I took the time to expose Baptismal Regeneration (i.e. the teaching that baptism is required to go to Heaven) here because MOST so-called “Christian” churches today mandate baptism for salvation. This is unscriptural and a sure road to Hell. Why a road to Hell? Because you are trusting in your own self-righteousness instead of Christ’s blood to wash away your sins. So many Lutherans and Catholics grow up thinking that they are going to Heaven because they were baptized as an infant. No sir! You will burn in Hell if you don’t get born again! Baptism gets you wet, nothing more! Getting baptized cannot make you a Christian any more than walking into a garage would make you an automobile. Salvation is of the heart (Romans 10:10).

I could write an entire book just concerning things that people ADD to the Gospel; thus perverting it’s biblical message. To add anything to the plain and simple good news of Christ crucified is to PERVERT it’s meaning. So many religious teachers, ministers, and priests today are telling people that they must have good works to accompany their faith. They ignorantly base their teachings on James 2:17 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” Yet they ignorantly fail to mention James 2:21 “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” Folks, Abraham offered up Isaac in Genesis chapter 22!!! Do you know which chapter of Genesis records Abraham being SAVED? Genesis 15:6 “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Clearly, James is NOT talking about Abraham’s salvation (the ROOT of his faith); but rather, the FRUIT of Abraham’s faith, i.e. being justified in the eyes of men. With God we are justified by faith, because God sees the heart (1st Samuel 16:7); but with men we can only be justified by works, because men cannot see our hearts as God can. James was NOT speaking about salvation, which is clearly evidenced by the fact that Abraham didn’t offer up Isaac until many years after being saved. In Romans, Paul addresses the ROOT of our faith; but James addresses the FRUIT of our faith. MANY false doctrines are being taught today because of this horrible misunderstanding of James 2:17. You must not ADD works to faith, or Hell will be your eternal destination “When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it” (Ezekiel 33:13). God will reject your own self-righteousness just like He rejected Cain’s bloodless offerings. You need HIS (JESUS’) Righteousness! The biblical Gospel EXCLUDES all forms of good works and self-righteousness.

Subtracting from the Gospel

There is much talk these days about trusting Jesus, calling on Jesus, receiving Jesus into your heart, having faith in Jesus,…etc; BUT we don’t hear much about the GUILT OF SIN, i.e. mankind being under the condemnation of God’s Law. There can be NO salvation without the Law of God, i.e. the guilt of sin. If you are not guilty, then you don’t need a Saviour. Many people today readily admit that they have faults, bad habits, and some sins; BUT FEW people accept the notion that they deserve to be burnt in Hellfire for all wrongs they have done. They cannot be saved until they BECOME GUILTY as Romans 3:19 proclaims “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Many televangelists and pastors nowadays are preaching a shallow gospel, a perverted gospel, that doesn’t place any guilt upon people’s sins. People are simply led to live for Jesus, or to make a commitment to Christ. Oh! How wrong they are! Hell will be their home! You can’t just turn over a new leaf, or decide to clean up your life, to get to Heaven. You need the blood of Jesus Christ to take your sins away (1st John 1:7). It’s not enough to join a church, decide to live for God, or adopt a Christian philosophy to be saved eternally. Regarding eternal Salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ clearly states: “Ye must be born again” -John 3:7 and that is the biblical message we should preach to all unsaved people in this world.

“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” -Matthew 7:14

The Heresy of Last Rites

The Heresy of Last Rites!

by David J. Stewart

The following article appeared in the November 24, 2003 Chicago Sun-Times newspaper

Man dies in fall from scaffold at Wabash Ave. building site November 24, 2003 BY MAUREEN O’DONNELL Staff Reporter Worshipers at St. James Cathedral were leaving Sunday services when they heard a sound like a car crash. Cathedral officials ushered them out a side door to help prevent them from seeing what caused the noise: A man had plummeted to his death from scaffolding across the street as the 10:30 a.m. mass was dispersing about noon, authorities said. The Rev. Ralph Blackman tried to help the man, who had not been identified as of Sunday evening. “I just grabbed some holy water with me and gave him the last rites,” said Blackman, dean of the Episcopal cathedral at 65 E. Huron. He said two physicians at the service attended the man, but they could not get a pulse. The man plunged from sixth-floor scaffolding at 672 N. Wabash, said Officer Matt Jackson of Chicago Police News Affairs. Blackman said it is the site of new residential construction. Wabash was temporarily closed between Erie and Huron, Blackman said. Police and Blackman said no one was working on the building Sunday and that no foul play was suspected.

I was saddened as I read this article. Here’s a man who suffered a tragic fall and died. Death is sudden for many people, we just never know what will happen next. There was an article in yesterday’s paper about an elderly couple who was killed when high winds blew over a large tree onto their car as they were driving by. Death was sudden for them. The man killed in the article above fell six stories to his death. You could be next. I could be next. There is no guarantee of tomorrow. We do not know whether he was a Christian or not. We do not know whether he is is heaven or not.

Even more sad to me was the fact that so many people have been blinded by the heresy (false teaching) of Last rights. What is Last rights? It is the unbiblical teaching that a minister has the power to forgive a person’s sins on their death bed. It is one of the Seven Sacraments of Catholicism. The “Reverend” Blackman of the church in the article above said:

“I just grabbed some holy water with me and gave him the last rites.”

Of course, there is NO such foolishness taught in the Bible. No priest or minister has the power to forgive anyone’s sins. There is NO SUCH thing as “holy water“! Holy water is a superstition manufactured by the Catholic religion. The Pope has no power to forgive anyone’s sins. Holy water will just get you wet. Those priests are in dyer need of forgiveness themselves! It’s hard to imagine people so blinded by religion that they would actually stoop to confess their sins to another sinful human being (priest, minister,…etc). The Bible teaches that ALL people have sinned (Romans 3:23). The Pope is a sinner himself. Every minister is a sinner. You are a sinner. I am a sinner. There is ONLY one way to get our sins forgiven, through the blood of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:14). We are taught in the Word of God to confess our sins to God (1st John 1:9).

The teaching of “last rights” (also called “Extreme Unction”) is NOT found in the Scriptures, but prayer for the sick certainly is:

“Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” -James 5:14-15

We are advised in the Scriptures to call for the elders of the church when we are sick. It is the “prayer of faith” which heals the sick. Notice that the Catholics and Lutherans observe the last rights only in death. The Bible speaks of healing, not death. The prayer of faith was intended for physical healing, not to prepare you for death. ONLY a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ by faith can guarantee anyone admission into heaven, all else leads to destruction in hell. You get that personal relationship by admitting to God that you are a dirty-rotten sinners, deserving of hell, and then turning in faith to the Lord Jesus for forgiveness. Jesus died on the cross for you and me, He paid the price for our sins. ONLY Jesus has the scars in His hands and feet, so ONLY Jesus can save us.

EXTREME UNCTION is one of the sacraments of Rome, and as such, is held to “confer grace on the receiver;” it is therefore placed on the same level with the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, Baptism, and Confirmation. Such is its position in the standards of Papal doctrine. The Council of Trent has pronounced its ever-ready anathema on every soul of man who shall deny that it is “truly and properly a sacrament instituted by Christ our Lord,” so that every Papist is shut up to the faith of the dogma on peril of damnation! Let the Protestant reader ponder this! Popery is as profuse in its curses, as it is parsimonious in its blessings; it never blesses but for money, while its curses are dispersed gratuitously! In this case, as usual, it builds upon a single portion of the Word of God, that of James v. 14, 15, which has thus been made instrumental of working a world of misery, and of extorting incalculable treasure from the human family. It is a sight to make an angel weep, to see a creature who has been duped, deceived, and plundered through life, on having reached the end of his journey, and lying on the brink of eternity, attended by the priest, for the purpose of administering the said Extreme Unction! -Dr. Ian Paisley (Read the complete article by clicking on that link)

When my grandmother was in the hospital dying, she was in horrible pain; her leg had just been amputated, then a heart attack, then kidney shutdown, and several other medical problems. There was no doubt that it was soon her time to die. Thankfully, she was a born-again Christian. While she lay dying, a foolish Lutheran minister came to perform last rights on her. Evidently, he didn’t know that once you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour that all your sins are forgiven forever. She didn’t need last rights, she needed to get saved. She did die a week later. I’m confident that she’s in heaven. Hopefully that minister will come to repentance before it’s too late. I’m saddened to realize that so many people are blinded about this thing of last rights. Folks, no one can forgive your sins except Jesus Christ. You had better go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to forgive your sins and take you to heaven when you die. Relying upon the priest or minister is a sure road to hell-fire. Holy unction (last rights) is of the devil, no minister can help your soul. YOU must do that yourself through Christ Jesus! I would like to quote Dr. Paisley once more:

It is a sight to make an angel weep, to see a creature who has been duped, deceived, and plundered through life, on having reached the end of his journey, and lying on the brink of eternity, attended by the priest, for the purpose of administering the said Extreme Unction!

So many billions of people have gone to hell because of false religion. So many people have placed their soul’s eternal fate into the hands of a heathen priest. By the way, any minister or priest who claims to have the power to forgive sin is an imposter, a phony. Any minister who administers last rights (extreme unction) is an imposter, a counterfeit. Let God be true, but every man a liar (Romans 3:4). Last rights of of the devil, a false teaching not taught in the Scriptures. If you or a loved one is about to die, all that matters is this, “Have you been born-again?”

Have you been born again?

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. -John 3:3

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” -John 3:5

There is NO OTHER WAY TO HEAVEN! You MUST be BORN-AGAIN! You get born-again by having the Spirit of Christ born in you. The physical birth was of water. Now you need the spiritual birth, which is of God’s Spirit. The moment you confess that you are a heathen sinner to God and beg His forgiveness, God comes to live in your heart. God the Father and God the Son move into your heart in the form of God the Holy Spirit (John 14:23).

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” -Revelation 3:20

Is Jesus knocking at your heart’s door? Will you send Him away? No minister can let Jesus in for you, it is a personal decision that you alone MUST make. Every human being makes the decision either to accept or to reject the knowledge of the truth of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, most men and women reject Christ (Matthew 7:14). Although some people are sincerely blinded by Satan (2nd Corinthians 4:4), most people reject Christ because of their love for sin (John 3:20). Where do you stand? It is sad concerning the man who died in the scaffolding accident in the article above. It is even more sad that he more than likely is burning in hell right now. It is most saddening for me to know that foolish and stiff-necked ministers are teaching damnable heresies to the masses, the blind leading the blind, offering false hope to families. For someone to put their faith in last rights or holy water is a sure road to hell. I say “stiff-necked” because they know the truth, but reject it (just like the religious Pharisees of Jesus’ day). The Pharisees were Jesus’ worst enemy, the religious people. Should it be a surprise to us then, that it is religion itself that the devil uses to send billions of unconverted souls to hell? Not at all. Jesus warned the foolish ministers of His day:

“And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” -Mark 7:9

That’s what the Catholic and Lutheran religions are all about…TRADITION. Billions of men and women are burning in hell now because of tradition. Listen friend, you had better OBEY God’s commandments! The Bible is God’s Word, it is your responsibility to yourself to search out the truth. Where will you spend eternity? Jesus wants to save you! Do you want to be saved? Would you like to be saved now? If so, admit your sinful condition to Jesus Christ (God) right now. Believing that Jesus died upon the cross by the shedding of His blood, that He was buried and rose again three days later, tell Him that you are very sorry for your sinful lifestyle. Ask Jesus to forgive you of all your sins. Ask Jesus Christ to take you to heaven when you die. Invite Him into your heart as your new friend and Saviour. Tell Jesus that your going to rely upon Him 100% to save you, apart from ALL else (apart from baptism, apart from church, apart from good works, apart from the priest, apart from the sacraments, apart from everything). Thank Christ for saving you. Don’t make the foolish mistake of calling some imposters to forgive your sins. Don’t rely upon last rights. Don’t trust your church. You call (rely) upon Jesus, He is the ONLY Saviour:

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” -Romans 10:13

Baptismal Regeneration?

Baptismal Regeneration?

Author: Dave Hunt | Publication Date: 3/1/1995

Christ commanded His original disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mk 16:15). Those of every nation who believed in Christ as their Savior were to be baptized “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Mt 28:19). These new disciples were to preach the gospel everywhere and to baptize those who believed (v 20) through their testimony as Christianity spread worldwide. Baptism in the early church was by immersion: “they went down both into the water…When they were come up out of the water” (Acts 8:38-39),…etc. Why? Because baptism symbolizes the believer’s identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection: “we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead…we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:4).

Unfortunately, various innovations and heresies were gradually introduced regarding baptism: that one must be baptized to be saved; indeed, that baptism itself saves the soul even when administered to infants. These heresies became known as the doctrine of baptismal regeneration. Most Protestants holding these beliefs today are not aware that they originated with the Roman Catholic Church in the Middle Ages.

The Council of Trent (1545-63) stated that while Christ “merited for us justification by His most holy passion…the instrumental cause [of justification/regeneration] is the sacrament of baptism….If anyone says that baptism is…not necessary for salvation, let him be anathema.“¹ Vatican II (1962-65) reconfirms all of Trent² and reiterates the necessity of baptism for salvation,³ as does the universal Catechism of the Catholic Church released by the Vatican in 1993: “Baptism is necessary for salvation…the Church does not know of any [other] means…that assures entry into eternal beatitude….” ⁴

Trent anathematizes all who deny that “the merit of Jesus Christ is applied…to infants by the sacrament of baptism” or who deny that by baptism “the guilt of original sin is remitted….“ ⁵ Today’s Code of Canon Law (Canon 849) declares that those baptized are thereby “freed from their sins, are reborn as children of God and… incorporated in the Church.” Canon 204 states, “The Christian faithful are those who…have been incorporated in Christ through baptism” and are thereby members of the one, true Catholic Church.⁶

For centuries before the Reformation, baptismal regeneration was rejected by Bible-believing Christians, whom the Roman Catholic Church therefore persecuted, tortured and slaughtered by the millions. Non-Catholics taught from Scripture that baptism was only for those who had believed the gospel: “teach all nations…baptizing them [who have believed]” (Mt 28:19); “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized” (Acts 2:41); “[W]hat doth hinder me to be baptized?…If thou believest [in Christ] with all thine heart, thou mayest” (Acts 8:35-37). Infants can’t believe in Christ.

Consider Cornelius’s household: they heard the gospel, believed it and were baptized. That there were no infants baptized is also clear, for they had all gathered “to hear all things that are commanded thee of God” (Acts 10:33). “[T]he Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard [and, obviously, understood and believed] the word” (v 44); and they spoke with tongues (v 46). That they had “received the Holy Ghost” (v 47) convinced Peter that they were saved. Therefore, he baptized them (v 48).

Nor can infant baptism be supported from the case of the Philippian jailor who “was baptized, he and all his” (Acts 16:33). Again there were no infants present because Paul and Silas preached the gospel “to all that were in his house” (v 32), and “all his house” believed (v 34) and were then baptized.

The early Reformers such as Martin Luther were Catholics who, unfortunately, retained some Catholic dogmas, among them baptismal regeneration and infant baptism. These heresies are still held by some Protestant denominations today. The issue is a serious one. If baptism is essential for salvation, then to reject that gospel is to be damned. But if salvation is through faith in Christ alone, then to add baptism as a condition for salvation is to reject the true gospel and thus to be eternally lost. The Bible declares that it is wrong to teach salvation by faith in Christ plus anything else, such as keeping the Jewish law (Acts 15:24). Paul cursed (anathematized) those who taught this false gospel that damns the soul (Gal 1:8-9). A gospel of salvation through Christ plus baptism is equally false.

When Paul reminded the Corinthians of the essential ingredients of the gospel which he preached and by which they had been saved, he made no mention of baptism (1 Cor 15:1-4). In fact, he distinguished between the gospel and baptism: “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel…” (1 Cor 1:17). He hadn’t baptized most of the Corinthians, couldn’t remember whom he had baptized, and was thankful that it had been very few (1 Cor 1:14-16), a strange attitude if baptism is essential to salvation! Yet without baptizing them, Paul declared that he was their father in the faith: “in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel” (1 Cor 4:15).

Then what about Mark 16:16: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved“? All who believe the gospel are saved, so of course all who believe and are baptized are saved; but that does not say that baptism saves or that it is essential for salvation. Scores of verses declare, with no mention of baptism, that salvation comes by believing the gospel: “[I]t pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor 1:21; see also Jn 3:16,18,36; 5:24; Acts 10:43; 13:38-39; 16:31; Rom 1:16; 3:28; 4:24; 5:1; 1 Cor 15:1-4; Eph 2:8, etc.). Not one verse, however, says that baptism saves.

Numerous verses declare that whosoever does not believe is lost, but not one verse declares that whosoever is not baptized is lost. Surely the Bible would make it clear that believing in Christ without being baptized cannot save if that were the case, yet it never says so! Instead, we have examples of those who believed and were saved without being baptized, such as the thief on the cross and the Old Testament saints (Enoch, Abraham, Joseph, Daniel,…etc), to whom Christian baptism was unknown.

It is essential to realize that some baptismal texts do not refer to Christian water baptism, but to one of the seven other baptisms in Scripture. There was the baptism of the Israelites “unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Cor 10:2); the “baptism of John” (Mt 21:25; Mk 11:30; Acts 19:3, etc.), which was a baptism “of repentance” (Mk 1:4; Lk 3:3; Acts 19:4,…etc); the baptism attributed to Christ before the Cross “Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples” did the baptizing (Jn 4:1-2; 3:22); the baptism Christ had to endure of suffering and death ­”I have a baptism to be baptized with” (Lk 12:50; Mt 20:22; Mk 10:38, etc.); the baptism Christ now performs on His own “with the Holy Ghost and with fire” (Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16; Jn 1:33; Acts 1:5; 11:16); the baptism by the Holy Spirit “into Jesus Christ” (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27) and thereby “into his death” (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12); and the baptism by the Holy Spirit into the church, the one body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13).

Then why does the Bible say, “There is …one baptism” (Eph 4:4-5)? The explanation is simple but carries profound consequences: baptism of any kind occurs only once and is never repeated. In that sense, then, there is only one baptism. Whether one believes that baptism itself saves, or that it symbolizes salvation through identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, the fact that it cannot recur proves that one’s salvation can never be lost. For if one must get saved again as a result of losing one’s salvation, then baptism must be repeated each time but there is only one baptism.

This dogma of “falling away“, like baptismal regeneration, also comes from Roman Catholicism. No Catholic can be certain he is saved; for salvation, which is by works in Catholicism, could be forfeited at any time by failure to continue to perform the works prescribed. Trent declares, “If anyone says that in order to obtain the remission of sins it is necessary… to believe with certainty…that his sins are forgiven him, let him be anathema….If anyone says that he will for certain…have that great gift of perseverance [in the faith] even to the end…let him be anathema.“⁷ While re-baptism is not practiced in Catholicism, the sacraments of penance and the Mass are said to restore saving grace and are thus repeated endlessly.

Yes, but Romans 6:4 states, “[W]e are buried with [Christ] by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead…even so we also should walk in newness of life.” That Paul is not speaking of water baptism, however, but of the spiritual reality it symbolizes, is clear, for he says that through baptism “our old man [sinful nature] is crucified with him [Christ], that the body of sin might be destroyed.” As a consequence, he urges believers to “reckon” themselves “to be dead indeed unto sin….[L]et not sin therefore reign in your mortal body” (vv 6-13).

Paul uses similar language concerning himself when he says, “I am crucified with Christ” (Gal 2:20). He is obviously speaking of that same spiritual “baptism” by which we have been placed in Christ and have thus passed with Him through death into resurrection life. If we were literally dead to sin, then we wouldn’t need to “reckon” it true or live the new life by faith; we would automatically never sin again. That a Christian may sin shows that water baptism doesn’t effect a literal crucifixion with Christ. It portrays a spiritual baptism into Christ which the believer must live by faith.

In that context, then, we can understand Peter’s declaration, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us…by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pt 3:21). He is no more saying that the physical act of baptism literally saves us than Paul is saying that it literally makes us dead to sin. The few difficult, isolated verses such as these cannot contradict the overwhelming number of other scriptures which are crystal clear. Water baptism, says Peter, is a “figure” or symbolization of a spiritual baptism into Christ effected by the Holy Spirit and which is settled forever in heaven but which must be lived out by faith while we are here upon earth.

Significantly, though Paul baptized a few, Christ never baptized anyone (Jn 4:2), very odd if baptism saves. The Saviour of the world must have deliberately avoided baptizing to make it clear that baptism has no part in salvation. Yes, Christ said we must be “born [again] of water and of the Spirit” to be saved (Jn 3:5), but it is unwarranted to assume that “water” here means baptism. To do so would contradict the wealth of Scripture we have seen which proves salvation is not by baptism.

Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus, a rabbi to whom “water” would not mean baptism (which was unknown in Jewish law) but the ceremonial cleansing of someone who had been defiled (Ex 30, 40; Lv 13, 15,…etc). And that is what Christ meant. His death would make it possible to “sanctify and cleanse [His church] with the washing of water by the word [of the gospel]” (Eph 5:25-27). Christ said, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken” (Jn 15:3). Like Christ, Paul put water and the Spirit together, referring to the “washing of regeneration” and linking it with the “renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Ti 3:5). We are born again by the Holy Spirit and by the Word or gospel of God, which is sometimes called “water” because of its cleansing power. As Peter said, we are “born again…by the word of God” (1 Pt 1:23).

It was obviously this figure of Old Testament ceremonial cleansing which Peter communicated to his Jewish audience in his Pentecost sermon: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). It is clear from the many other scriptures we’ve given that Peter wasn’t saying that baptism saves, but that it offered a ceremonial cleansing uniquely applicable to his Jewish hearers. To be baptized was to be identified before the fanatical Jews of Jerusalem with this hated Jesus Christ as one’s personal Saviour. Baptism cost family and friends and endangered one’s life, as it still does in Israel and Muslim countries. Those who are afraid to take this public stand in such cultures are even today not considered to be true believers. Thus for a Jew to be publicly baptized at that time in that culture was, in a sense, to “wash away [his] sins” (Acts 22:16), as Ananias told Saul.

“[T]he gospel of Christ…is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth [it]” (Rom 1:16). That gospel, as Paul preached it, required faith in Christ’s blood poured out in death on the Cross for the sins of the world and said nothing about baptism. To preach baptismal regeneration is to preach a false gospel that cannot save, which is why Paul cursed those who did so. The difference between faith in Christ alone and faith in Christ plus baptism has eternal consequences. Let us stand firmly for, and faithfully preach, the true gospel that saves. TBC

Endnotes

1 H.J. Schroeder, trans., The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent (Tan Books, 1978), 33, 53.

2 Vatican Council II, The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents, ed. Austin Flannery, O.P., (Costello Publishing Company, 1988), rev. ed., 412.

3 Ibid, 365.

4 Catechism of the Catholic Church (The Wanderer Press, 1994), 224, 320.

5 Trent, 22, 23, 54.

6 Code of Canon Law (Paulist Press, 1985), 122, 614.

7 Trent, 44.

Satan: That Ol’ Dragon

“Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.” -1st Corinthians 10:21

Satan is our adversary. We do not talk much about him and as a result, I believe Christians nowadays are so comfortable participating in his system that they don’t stop to consider what they are doing. The Bible says that this wicked world belongs to Satan. Christian people talk about television shows like Seinfeld, The Simpsons, and whatever else is on TV. I’m sorry, but when I check out these shows to see what “we” are watching, I cannot watch more than three minutes without fornication, homosexuality, perversity, cursing, or other ungodliness. It is easy to see that those are not God’s fruits. They belong to Satan.

There is no excuse for us to watch such shows. They desensitize us to sin and all manner of ungodliness. We should not be laughing at sin. Sin takes people to hell. It cost the Creator of this universe, Jesus Christ, 33 years in a human body, torture, crucifixion with His blood streaming down to the ground, His beard torn out of His face, the sins of the whole wicked world on His sinless body, mocking and a crown of thorns placed in His skull. Sin is NO LAUGHING MATTER.

I hear “Christians” say an abortion is a woman’s right though they wouldn’t do it. They’ve been desensitized by Satan’s world. An abortion is a human sacrifice to the god of Self — “A baby is not convenient for me” “I don’t want it” “I’m too young” “I can’t afford it” “It’s a girl, I wanted a boy“…etc. Child sacrifice is nothing new. In Old Testament days, people were burning their children to gods like Molech.

Beloved, we are to forsake sin and every evil way. We’ve got to contend for the faith that was delivered to us, not chill out and be laughing with Satan’s children.

Hebrews 12:4, “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Here are quite a few statements about our adversary, Satan, along with scriptures to support each:

He is a defeated foe.

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” -Revelation 20:10

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” -Hebrews 2:14

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” -1st John 3:8

He and his devils can’t stand the name of Jesus.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” -James 4:7

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” -James 2:19

[devils talking to Jesus in Gergesenes] “And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” -Matthew 8:29

[unclean devils in man at synagogue speaking] “Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.” -Luke 4:34

He is a formidable adversary.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” -1 Peter 5:8

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:” -Luke 22:31

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” -Ephesians 6:11

He can quote scripture.

“And [Satan] saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. [found in Psalm 91:11-12]” -Matthew 4:6

He can tempt us through the lusts resident within the human flesh and mind.

“Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” -James 1:14

“Defraud ye not one the other [sex in marriage], except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” -I Corinthians 7:5

[forgive others] “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” -2 Corinthians 2:11

He is the god of this wicked world and the prince of the power of the air.

“And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.” -Luke 4:5-6

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” -2 Corinthians 4:4

“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” -Ephesians 2:2-3

He is NOT all-knowing. He didn’t know that Jesus would rise from the dead and destroy all his [Satan's] works. Had he known, he wouldn’t have crucified Him.

“Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” -1 Corinthians 2:8

“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he [Jesus] made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” -Colossians 2:15

If not watchful, he can provoke God’s people.

“And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.” -1st Chronicles 21:1

He knows our basic nature.

“And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.” -Job 2:4

He can smite with infirmity

“So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.” -Job 2:7

[Jesus speaking of a woman he healed] “And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” -Luke 13:16

Master of ALL unbelievers

“…to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins…” -Acts 26:18

“…I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” -Revelation 2:9

“He that committeth sin is of the devil…” -1 John 3:8

“In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil…” -I John 3:10

He’s a strongman

[Jesus speaking of casting out devils] “No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.” -Mark 3:27

He can take the word of God sown in the hearts of unbelievers

“…the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.” -Mark 4:15

He savours the things that be of men, not of God.

“…Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.” -Mark 8:33

Blinds the eyes of them that believe not

“…the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” -2 Corinthians 4:4

“This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” -James 3:15

He fell from heaven.

“And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” -Luke 10:18

Can possess or influence a person.

“And after the sop Satan entered into him…” -John 13:27

“Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot…” -Luke 22:3

“But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan…” -Matthew 16:23

“…he [Jesus] appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.” -Mark 16:9

Will be fatally bruised under the feet of believers

“And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” -Romans 16:20

Can appear holy (I think about the pope in his fancy outfit).

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” -I Corinthians 11:14

Hinders God’s servants.

“Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.” -1 Thessalonians 2:18

He has a throne, a dominion, a sphere of influence

“…thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is…” -Revelation 2:13

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” -Ephesians 6:12

“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” -Revelation 12:9

Jesus has a special place reserved just for the devil–the lake of fire!

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” -Matthew 25:41

He’s the father of lies. This world is full of lies–physical beauty is exalted, fornication is alright, taking drugs is cool, living together without marriage is alright,…etc.

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” -John 8:44

He has religious doctrine. This can come in all kinds of forms: Buddhism, Catholicism, Jehovah’s witness, Mormonism,…etc.

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” -1st Timothy 4:1

Takes people captive.

“And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” -2 Timothy 2:26

He sinned from the beginning

“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” -1st John 3:8

He uses his people to persecute the saints. Consider how a Christian is considered “right-wing” though we follow no political group. Our liberties are being taken away at an alarming rate–Revelation already tells us it’s going to get much worse.

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried…” -Revelation 2:10

“For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” -Revelation 16:14

“Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” -James 5:9

Conclusion of the Matter

Strive against EVERY fruit of Satan.

Ephesians

Chapter 4

4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

4:27 Neither give place to the devil.

4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

*For the non-Christian people: You need to be saved or else you’ll being joining your current master in the lake of fire.*

Secular Humanism and New Age Movement

What does the Bible say about the beliefs of secular humanism and the New Age movement?

NOTE: All Scriptures Quoted are from the 1611 King James Bible.

Secular humanism is a subtle yet extremely injurious cancer eating away at the moral health of society. It is subtle in that it exalts human beings as capable of solving any problem and charting humankind’s destiny. On the surface the philosophy sounds good as a means of building one’s self esteem. But the exaltation of human abilities means the elimination of a Creator who is higher and sets standards for human behavior. This cancer eats away at the principles of Christianity, traditional public education, and general morality. It provides the foundation for a variety of popular anti-biblical philosophies.

At the center of this fatal evolutionary belief is the teaching that there is no God or personal Creator (atheism), and that humans are the apex of all reality. Its subtly appeals to many by saying that all humans are innately good (ignoring the Fall of the human race) and have unlimited potential to evolve into perfect creatures. Humanism teaches total self-sufficiency, completely denying any need for Deity.

The New Age movement has kindred elements with secular humanism. The movement maintains that humankind stands at the threshold of a “new age” toward which individuals now must evolve mentally and spiritually. New Age evangelists proclaim that the good within all people is actually the dormant god existing in each person. The New Age goal is to awaken the god who sleeps deep within each human. In order to realize this false spiritual state, a new consciousness is needed to usher in a worldwide transformation of individuals and society, as people come to realize that they themselves are gods and therefore divine. Interestingly, what is called “new” in the western world has influences from ancient eastern philosophy.

Another falsehood of New Age is the monistic belief, taken from the Hindu religion, that all matter, including human beings, are of the same origin. Thus “all is one“. This pantheistic belief maintains that “all is god“.

New Agers also believe that through enlightenment and gaining a higher consciousness of one’s inner deity, one is able to save both himself and the world from destruction. New Agers have also borrowed from the Hindu concept of reincarnation. By being born again over and over in cyclic births, New Age followers believe they are able to purge themselves of sin and bad karma. They also believe that since they share a divine oneness with all things, they can create whatever is visualized through the power of the mind.

An announced purpose of the New Age Movement is prevention of the extinction of the human race, expected to occur either by nuclear holocaust or through depletion of the world’s natural resources. Thus protecting the environment is a top priority for the New Age movement. New Agers support the establishment of a New World Order that will police the globe and bring the East and West together in harmony.

Sadly, New Age thinking has permeated nearly every aspect of modern life. Large corporations send their decision-making managers to seminars on mind enhancement. Therapists employ techniques based on inner reflection and exploration of consciousness. Marketing experts emphasize human potential for its motivation power. Entertainers turn inward to discover an inner power that will catapult them to popularity. What was once an insignificant subculture of devotees has now moved into the mainstream of American life. The church must resist every expression of this perversion of the truth.

Scripture exposes the deception of this subtle dishonesty. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Romans 3:10-12). Unlike New Age, the Bible declares that truth is found, not by looking inward to self, but by looking upward, not by looking to men, but by looking to God (Jeremiah 17:5,9). Paul’s rhetorical question says it best: “hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20). Indeed, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

On the basis of God’s inspired Word, every child of God must reject the lies of secular humanism and New Age heresy as contrary to the Truth.

CONCERNS:

The church today must be vigilant, always alert to the godless philosophies that are seeking to creep into control everywhere around us. Sweet sounding statements spoken by secular humanists and New Agers can lull unsuspecting Christians into allowing a takeover of public schools, colleges, universities, political structures, and the whole fabric of society. But the total philosophy behind the innocent sounding ideas of individual rights and freedoms must be understood. We are not called to make everyone believe just the way we believe, but God expects us to stand for truth and resist Satan’s efforts to seduce and draw unsuspecting innocents away from God’s plan for every human being.

It is good to protect the environment, but voting for a New Ager because he calls on us to protect the environment could be catastrophic. It is good to encourage personal creativity and initiative, but to vote for a secular humanist who doesn’t believe there is a God to which human creativity and initiative are responsible could bring disaster. Informed, praying Christians can make their mark on society.

What’s Wrong with Psychology?

What’s Wrong with Psychology?

By David J. Stewart

I dare you to look up the word “sin” in any psychology dictionary. Here’s a Google search for “psychology dictionary“… Good luck trying to find a definition for the word “sin“.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=psychology+dictionary

You WON’T find it! You see, the concept of sin is not recognized by modern psychology. How can a psychologist even begin to understand the human nature if the reality of sin is ignored? They can’t. The Word of God is absolutely essential to understanding the human psyche, for no other Book on the planet addresses the issue of man being a vile sinner. Psychology is sinful because it attempts to heal men’s souls without addressing the issues of sin, repentance, or God. Psychology is of the Devil.

So what do modern psychologists base their beliefs on, if not the Bible? To no surprise, much of today’s psychology is rooted in the atheistic beliefs of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939).

The father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud is best known for his tendency to trace nearly all psychological problems back to sexual issues. Although only parts of his theory of psychosexual development are still accepted by mainstream psychologists, Freud’s theory of the Oedipal Complex has become a cultural icon nevertheless. Other now-famous Freudian innovations include the therapy couch, the use of talk therapy to resolve psychological problems, and his theories about the unconscious – including the role of repression, denial, sublimation, and projection. Initially a Viennese medical doctor, Freud was trained in neurology, and he originally drew inspiration from the work of Charles Darwin which explained behavior in evolutionary terms. But Freud’s introduction to hypnotherapy and to the stunning revelations it elicited from mentally ill patients led him to develop a revolutionary theory of the mind and of the dynamics underlying human behavior. While Freud’s theories have always been controversial, his work forms a major portion of the foundations of modern psychology, with considerable modification by later theorists.

SOURCE: http://www.nndb.com/people/736/000029649/

Freud’s work forms a MAJOR PORTION of the foundation of modern psychology. Sigmund Freud was an avowed atheist, who believed in the evolutionary process of life. Freud was a devout Christ-rejecter. Freud is quoted as saying:

“Neither in my private life nor in my writings, have I ever made a secret of being an out and out unbeliever.”

As with many psychologists today, Freud, the father of modern psychology, commit suicide in 1939.

He was 83 years old when he asked his doctor to end his life, and died of a physician-assisted morphine overdose in London on September 23, 1939.

SOURCE: http://www.nndb.com/people/736/000029649/

Of course, Sigmund Freud is a big hit today with homosexuals.

“…he accepted the idea that all human beings come into the world as potential bisexuals.”

SOURCE: http://www.nndb.com/people/736/000029649/

Are you starting to see what is deadly wrong with psychology? How could modern psychology, that is largely based upon the work of an avowed atheist, even begin to understand the concept of sin? It cannot! Sin is completely ignored by the occult, New Age, Wicca, psychology, psychiatry,…etc.

Sin: The Root Problem of Society

Sin is the true problem in society today. What is sin? Sin is the violation of God’s Laws. 1st John 3:4 states: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” How does modern psychology deal with an alcoholic? How do they deal with a rebellious wife who is emotionally distraught? How does modern psychology deal with a homosexual? Drunkenness, rebellion, and homosexuality are all condemned as SIN in the Bible (1st Corinthians 6:10; 1st Samuel 15:23; Romans 1:24-32). Modern psychology refuses to recognize drunkenness as sin; but rather, they call it a “chemical dependency“. Homosexuality is a morally reprehensible sin in the Word of God; but modern psychologists call it an “alternative lifestyle“. A rebellious wife may be diagnosed with hormonal imbalance, regressive anger, post-traumatic stress, clinical depression, or even a chemical-imbalance-of-the-brain; BUT no psychologist would dare cut to the chase of the matter–REBELLION IS AS SERIOUS AS THE SIN OF WITCHCRAFT! (1st Samuel 15:23).

Society is royally messed up today because people REFUSE to repent of sin. The greatest sin of all is unbelief, for it is the only sin which can keep a person out of Heaven (John 3:36). There can be no healing of the mind or soul apart from making peace with God (Romans 5:1), and that can only happen through the precious blood of Jesus Christ that washes our sins away (1st John 1:7; 1st Peter 1:18,19). Do you think your psychologist is going to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with you, and tell you how you can KNOW, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that you can go to Heaven when you die? No, they surely won’t. They can’t, because most are atheists themselves. All psychologists work closely with psychiatrists, the only difference being that psychiatrists are licensed to prescribe drugs, but psychologists aren’t. Most of the time, you will be prescribed some sort of drug when you seek help from a psychiatrist. If you go to a psychologist, they will likely refer you to a psychiatrist. It’s all a big scam if you ask me.

The ROOT problem of mankind was, is, and always will be his love for sin (John 3:20).

What’s Right with Psychology?

Perhaps a better question than the title of this article is: “What’s right with psychology?” Modern psychology is rooted in humanism and the unproven theory of Evolution. Sigmund Freud was strongly influenced by Charles Darwin.

“…he originally drew inspiration from the work of Charles Darwin which explained behavior in evolutionary terms.”

SOURCE: http://www.nndb.com/people/736/000029649/

Although Darwin attended church in the earlier days of his life, and then quit, it is unmistakably clear that he had churchianity without Christianity. Charles Darwin was a Christ-rejecting, Bible-denier, who stated that he could:

“…hardly see how anyone ought to wish Christianity to be true; for if so the plain language of the text seems to show that the men who do not believe, and this would include my Father, Brother and almost all my best friends, will be everlastingly punished. And this is a damnable doctrine.” SOURCE: Darwin, Charles (1887), in Darwin, F, The life and letters of Charles Darwin, including an autobiographical chapter; London: John Murray (The Autobiography of Charles Darwin)

From its roots, modern psychology has it’s origins in atheism and the unproven theories of evolution. Psychology is effectively synonymous with Modernism, worldliness, Humanism, Evolution, and the occult.

“The greatest aspect of holistic health is its recognition of the role played by mind in health. “Mind is omnipotent” said Freud…”

SOURCE: http://www.circlesoflight.com/g-kumar/kumar1.shtml, by G. Kumar, Pranic Therapy – Part 1: Introduction to Pranic Therapy and Rise of Holistic Health

Is that what the Word of God teaches, that the “Mind is Omnipotent“? Freud is utterly wrong! Does not Jeremiah 17:9 declares: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” The only thing “omnipotent” about mankind is our ability and tendency to sin. We are all stumbling failures apart from the salvation which God offers to us through Jesus Christ. “Heart” is the Bible refers to man’s subconscious mind–and our innermost self is certainly saturated with sinfulness (Romans 3:23). This is the “sin-nature“, another term you’ll never find in modern psychology. If there is no God, then there need be no morality, nor absolutes to live by.

There is nothing correct about modern psychology. Psychology is poisonous from it’s roots, which is atheism. Freud based his beliefs largely upon Darwin’s theoretical evolutionary process of man’s development. As a result, Freud’s work is flawed, having left out God. How can a man study the human soul without including the Creator of the soul (John 1:10)?

Psychology, Sexual Immorality, and New Age Occultism

Everywhere we go nowadays, we are seeing the yin-yang symbol of the occult (pictured to right). The symbol itself dates back at least to the fourth century B.C., and has been identified with the Eastern philosophical religions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. In the Western world it has long been adopted into the symbolism of myth, magic, astrology, and witchcraft. The yin/yang symbol is quite appropriate today for Humanists, New Agers, secular educators, psychologists, witches, Satanists,…etc. As Michael Tierra, a proponent of the yin/yang theory, states:

“The Yin/Yang theory is a teaching method and does not define anything absolute.” There are seven laws concerning the yin/yang, one of which is: “2. Everything changes”.

This is an important item to notice. The idea that “everything changes” does not agree with the Bible. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He doesn’t change. James 1:17 also states: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Malachi 3:6 tells us, “I am the Lord, I CHANGE NOT.” God is immutable, i.e. He cannot change, because He is a Holy (morally perfect) God.

The New Age Movement looks favorably on homosexuality and immorality. One particular group that knows the sexual implications of the yin/yang, and intentionally uses it as their official symbol, is The Sex Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS). This group promotes extensive sex education in schools. SIECUS Position Statements reveal the following:

“It is the position of SIECUS that contraceptive services should be available to all–including minors who should enjoy the same rights of free and independent access to… contraceptive care as do others… It is the position of SIECUS that the use of explicit sexual materials (sometimes referred to as pornography) can serve a variety of important needs in the lives of countless individuals…”

Another group using the yin/yang (knowingly or unknowing) is the Girls Scouts. On page 66 of the Girl Scout Badges and Signs book, the yin/yang symbol is used to represent the World in My Community proficiency badge. In the Junior Girl Scout Handbook, yoga exercises are explained. The theme for their 1987 program was “The Year of Magic.”

Modern society is absolutely saturated with demonic influences, from occult New Age to Harry Potter’s witchcraft. Psychology is rooted in the same Satanic principles. Here’s a quote from a leading psychology website, psychology.suite.com, from none other than miss New Age herself, Oprah Winfrey:

Oprah Reveals How Energy Flows Where Your Attention Goes

© Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen  |  Feb 9, 2007

Oprah Winfrey shared The Secret & showed how to achieve your goals. Here it is in a nutshell: all you need to know about The Secret book & the Law of Attraction.  The Secret on the Oprah Winfrey Show is all about the Law of Attraction, which is the most powerful law in the universe… According to the Secret on the Oprah show, the law of attraction is the law by which we’re creating our lives… Fears, doubts, and worries are often unconscious. Spiritual growth means becoming more aware of who you are. You’re consciously and unconsciously sending out orders into the universe, and you’ll get what you order… Do something every day towards achieving your dreams – because action is the key, according to the Law of Attraction and The Secret on the Oprah Show!

SOURCE: http://psychology.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_secret

It appears that Oprah is out-to-lunch in the metaphysical realm, i.e. she’s nuts! No wonder the Bible warns in 1st John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” How do you “try” (i.e. test) a spirit? You test a spirit the same way you’d test any doctrine, practice, music,…etc, with the Word of God. How does Oprah’s teachings measure up in comparison to the Bible? There’s no mention of a “secret law of attraction” in the Bible. She even calls her heresy, “the most powerful law in the universe“. Nonsense! The Law of God is the most powerful Law in the universe!!! Oprah is wrong, as usual.

Oprah Winfrey influences MILLIONS of American women for evil, receiving upwards of 20,000,000 viewers daily. One of her biggest show appearances is Dr. Phil, a psychologist, who openly supports homosexuality and abortion groups. Millions of Americans look to Dr. Phil for answers to their life’s problems, but they ought to be looking to the Word of God instead.

Conclusion

“Psychology” to the unsaved psychologist means “the study of the mind and emotions“. However, from a biblical perspective, psychology means “the study of the soul” which includes the spirit as well. God created man in His own triune image, i.e. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Likewise, man is composed of a Body, soul, and spirit. And the soul is comprised of a mind (to think), a heart (to feel), and a will (to decide). Modern psychology doesn’t recognize man’s soul (spirit), which is alienated from God because of sin, and is in desperate need of repentance. There can be no true happiness or peace in one’s life, until there is repentance towards God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30,31; 20:21; Romans 5:1; 1st Peter 1:18,19).

Even Satan Claims to Be a Christian

Even Satan Claims to Be a Christian

By David J. Stewart

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” -2nd Corinthians 11:14

The Devil himself professes to be a Christian in order to deceive his victims. Satan never appears in his true form, lest he would be exposed for the evil person he is (John 8:44). Revelation 2:12,13 tells us that Satan dwells in the Church, “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos… where Satan dwelleth.” Satan works relentlessly to CORRUPT the church, the Word of God, and our young people–to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10).

The ecumenical movement is one of Satan’s major influences today upon the world. Ecumenism is the doctrine of the ecumenical movement which promotes cooperation and better understanding among different religious denominations; aimed at universal Christian unity. Of course, ecumenism is also Satan’s attempt to corrupt the church by unequally yoking Christians with unbelievers (2nd Corinthians 6:14-17). How can there be UNITY, when the Word of God commands us to SEPARATE? Romans 16:17 states, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.“

The True Light verses Counterfeit light

2nd Corinthians 11:14 warns us that Satan himself appears as a good guy, i.e. as a divine messenger of truth. We hear much talk from the heathen world about “the light“, such as in the Poltergeist movies, and from psychics like Char Margolis. However, the “light” which the Bible warns of is a counterfeit of the true Light. What is the Light? The Word of God is the Light, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). The Gospel is the Light, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2nd Corinthians 4:4). Jesus is the Light, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). John 9:5 states, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Christians shine with the Light of Jesus, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid” (Matthew 5:14). John 1:4 sums it all up with the statement “In him (Jesus Christ) was life; and the life was the light of men.” The Light is the Truth, and Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

Transforming verses Submitting

Satan tries to imitate the Light, and is a master counterfeiter. Satan’s spirit works in the unsaved (Ephesians 2:2) and some of them even become Satan’s ministers, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.” Oh! but they’re NOT of Christ, they are demonic, sold out to the Devil. These are the followers of Lucifer, the prince of darkness. Carefully notice the phrase “transforming themselves“. The Greek word for “transforming” is “metaschematizo“, which means, “to change self“. Hence, there are many ministers today who have never been changed by the saving power of the Gospel; rather, they have only changed themselves to look like genuine men of God. This is very interesting, and a powerful Biblical truth to teach others. MOST religious people today have only changed themselves, in their own self-righteousness. They have never submitted to the righteousness of God found only in Christ Jesus. There can be NO salvation apart from the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which absolutely forbids any self-righteousness whatsoever! “Ye must be born-again“!!! Many ministers and priests today are IMPOSTERS! Roman and Orthodox Catholic priests are ALL liars and imposters, because they are going about to establish their OWN righteousness, instead of the righteousness which is of God “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Here we see the opposite response of changing ourselves–SUBMITTING OURSELVES. Do you see the difference? The foolish person tries to change their OWN SELF to please God, going about to establish their OWN righteousness (Isaiah 64:6). However, the wise person submits in obedience to the Gospel (2nd Thessalonians 1:8)–by coming to Jesus Christ as a sinner under the condemnation of God’s Law (Romans 3:10,19), deserving of Hellfire (2nd Thessalonians 1:8), trusting upon the finished work of redemption (i.e. the shed blood of Jesus Christ) to take away their sins (1st Peter 1:18-19). “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” -Romans 10:13. Have you submitted to the righteousness of God, which is Christ Jesus?

Things are Not as They Appear to Be

Thus, having laid a Biblical foundation, it should be obvious to you by now that Satan’s ministers aren’t what they APPEAR to be. They have “transformed themselves” to look exactly like the ministers of Christ. The Pope looks like a righteous man to the naive, and talks like righteous man to the ignorant; BUT when compared to the inspired WORD OF GOD, the Pope is quickly revealed as a man of sin, a liar, and an Antichrist. “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son” -1st John 2:22. But you say, “Doesn’t the Pope believe that Jesus is the Christ” i.e. the Saviour? No, he doesn’t. What? Catholics DO believe that Jesus died on the cross: BUT, they are taught that THE CATHOLIC CHURCH is the vehicle through which they must ride if they want to go to Heaven. Catholics are deceitfully taught that the CHURCH is the way to Christ, who is the way to Heaven. Nothing could be further from the truth of God’s Word. The Vatican has perverted the cross of Jesus Christ to mean that God’s Salvation is found THROUGH the Catholic Church, and not directly through Jesus Christ as 1st Timothy 2:5 states “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” The Bible couldn’t be any plainer.

Satan’s ministers deceitfully come to us as ministers of righteousness. Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Did you read that: “BUT INWARDLY“! False prophets APPEAR to be of God on the outside, like Benny Hinn and Pat Robertson, but INWARDLY they are ravening wolves.

Pat Robertson’s Deception

According to Pat Robertson, Pope John Paul II was a man of “deep spirituality“.

“Pat Robertson Comments on Pope John Paul II’s Passing

CBN.com – VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., April 02, 2005 — I am deeply grieved as a great man passes from this world to his much deserved eternal reward. John Paul II has been the most beloved religious leader of our age – far surpassing in popular admiration the leader of any faith.

He has been a man of great warmth, profound understanding, deep spirituality, and indefatigable vigor. It was my great honor to meet with him at the residence of my good friend, Cardinal O’Connor, in New York, and to sit in the Consistory during the mass he conducted in Central Park. I told him at the time how much the American people loved him, and he merely smiled. That love was shared not only in America but by millions all over the globe.

He has been a steady bridge in the transition of Eastern Europe from communism to freedom. His personal magnetism brought together all Christians in new bonds of understanding.

I pray for the Cardinals of the Catholic Church that they might have God-given wisdom in selecting the successor to this great man. Their task will not be easy, but with God all things are possible.” -SOURCE

You’ve got to be kidding Mr. Robertson. And you call yourself a “Christian”? The Pope is the leader of the biggest false religion in the world, Catholicism! For Robertson to speak such gleaming words of praise towards such a Satanic imposter as the Pope, reveals that Robertson is in league with the Devil himself. No born again Christian who loves the Lord would ever praise the Pope, who is leading one billion people straight into Hell. Pat Robertson praises the Pope because he’d be off TV very fast if he criticized the Pope, and because Mr. Robertson is a leader in the demonic ecumenical movement. Satan uses man’s love of money to control the world. Mr. Robertson is exploiting the Gospel for personal gain, and to promote ecumenism. Pat Robertson has sold out to Satan!

Clearly, Pat Robertson is not what he appears to be. So many false prophets are hiding behind a shallow Gospel nowadays. I looked over cbn.com and couldn’t find a Gospel presentation anywhere. Although they give a basic Gospel presentation on their show, they fail to explain what it really means biblically. Every unsaved Catholic believes the good news (Gospel) that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again three days later. Obviously a person is not saved just because they claim to believe the Gospel. If this were true, then EVERY Catholic, Jehovah’s Witness, Christian Scientist, Mormon, and Seventh-Day Adventist is saved. The truth is that none of them are saved. The truth is that the Biblical Gospel EXCLUDES all self-righteousness, works, forsaking of sins, commitments, sacraments, church membership, praying a prayer, making Jesus your Lord, walking down a church isle, giving your all to Christ, living for God, baptism,…etc. The Only way to be saved is by faith ALONE if Jesus Christ. We do good works BECAUSE we are already saved, not to get saved (Romans 3:20; 4:3-5).

Satan’s True Nature, and the Sinister Ministers Who Serve Him

Satan does not appear as a sinister demon, with horns, and a pitch fork. Such imagery originated from the pagan god, Pan, centuries ago. Although this certainly would fit the character of Satan, it does not represent his appearance. Ezekiel 28:13-19 clearly makes reference to Lucifer “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God … Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. … Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty.” Though some Bible critics today claim that these Scriptures don’t concern Lucifer, verse 13 CLEARLY proves that they DO “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God…” Other than the Lord God, there are only 3 beings ever mentioned as having been in the Garden of Eden: Adam, Eve, and the serpent (Satan). Ezekiel 28:12 reveals that Lucifer was “…full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.” Lucifer was created upright; but sin corrupted him as with all God’s creation. Man was created upright. Ecclesiastes 7:29 reads, “…God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” God never created the Devil, demons, or fallen man–sin is the culprit!

More ugly and sinister than any artist’s rendition of Satan, is the true nature of Lucifer. If you want to see demonic horror, then you need only consider the mind of Satan, which many earthly men posses today. 1st Timothy 4:1, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” Just as a beautiful young whorish woman, who is as a whitened coffin filled with rotting dead men’s bones–so does Satan appear as an angel of light, deceiving the masses of earth. 2nd Corinthians 11:13-15 states, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness…” Why is it that so many people today don’t comprehend these warnings from the Scriptures? It is because they don’t place any value or authority upon the Bible as God’s Word. They are following men–priests and ministers–instead of God but “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8). Jesus stated in Mark 7:9, “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” More than any other group of unbelievers, people are going to burn in Hell because they followed men instead of God’s Word.

Satan claims to be a Christian, and his demonic servants have changed THEMSELVES into ministers of righteousness. They are of the Devil, liars, who will take you to Hell with them if you’re foolish enough to follow. Please don’t follow them! Please be aware of false religions. Also, beware of false Christs, and false prophets. Make the Word of God, the King James Bible, your Final Authority! One Book stands, and it’s the precious Word of God!

Satan is a great deceiver, and is deceiving billions today through false religions and ecumenism. Ecumenists say, “God is Love. So let us lay aside our doctrinal differences, and focus on loving and helping one another, as Jesus taught. Let us show the world that love is the answer.” Tragically, the Gospel is perverted in ecumenism and people are only converted over to religion instead of the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing could be more offensive to God. Although God is certainly a God of love, it is never an excuse for sinful compromise with unbelievers. 2nd Corinthians 6:17 states, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” “Unclean” refers to anything which is against Biblical teaching. Christians are to SEPARATE from the ungodly, and from those who falsely claim to follow the teachings of the Bible, but do not. Satan and his ministers only APPEAR as being good; but they are evil. When you don’t know what you believe, it makes it all that much easier for the Devil to deceive you. Thus, every believer should study the Word of God, learning the truth about various doctrines. The truth is not just for pastors or Bible teachers, it is for every born-again believer.

So keep in mind as you see differing faiths heading towards a one-world religious system, that even Satan claims to be a Christian! Behind all the talk of love and diversity, a diabolic agenda exists–the Beast system is being prepared to receive the Antichrist (2nd Thessalonians 2:9-10). The best way to expose Satan’s darkness is to shine the Light of God’s Word upon it.

“In whom the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” -2nd Corinthians 4:4

Beware of James Robison’s Ministry

Beware of James Robison’s Ministry

by David J. Stewart

Perhaps you’ve seen James and Betty Robison begging for money for the poor, showing children searching in Cambodian garbage dumps for anything to make their life better. His show is Life for Today, as seen on TBN. The appeal is heart-wrenching, and the needs are real; BUT, where does all those contributions, fifty million a year, go? Well, James Robison doesn’t think it’s any of your business, so he refuses to disclose complete financial information to the Better business Bureau. Hypocritically, Robison claims on his website, “LIFE Outreach International maintains a high standard of financial responsibility and accountability.” To the contrary, LIFE Outreach International Association of Churches (LOI) FAILS to meet three of the BBB’s Standards for Charity Accountability. I did not write this article to be unkind in any way, but to WARN people that they should never give money to any “non-profit” organization which refuses to completely disclose where the contributions are being spent. The following information is provided by the Better Business Bureau (BBB: Wise Giving Alliance).

LIFE Outreach International Association of Churches	March 2006
also known as: Life Outreach International also known as: Life Today formerly known as: James Robison Evangelistic Association 1801 West Euless Boulevard Euless, TX 76040 817-267-4211 817-267-0040
www.lifetoday.org	Expiration Date: March 2008

Year, State Incorporated: 1963, Texas

Affiliates: Life for Children, Zoe Aviation and Charter Service.

Stated Purpose: “to share the life and love of Jesus Christ with hurting people worldwide by means of personal ministry, media outreach and humanitarian mission relief.”

Evaluation Conclusions

LIFE Outreach International Association of Churches (LOI) does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Standard 12: Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses – Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category. LOI does not meet this Standard because the detailed functional breakdown of expenses within the organization’s financial statements did not include a detailed breakdown of expenses for each of its major program activities (i.e. media ministries, missions outreach, and literature and tape distribution). Standard 16: Annual Report – Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization’s mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year’s program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets. LOI does not meet this Standard because it did not provide a copy of an annual report. Standard 17: Web Site Disclosures – Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990. LOI does not meet this Standard because its website, www.lifetoday.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include a board roster or financial information.
In addition, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s governance and oversight, effectiveness measures, finances, solicitation materials, donor privacy, and fundraising disclosures and is unable to verify the organization’s compliance with the following 15 Standards for Charity Accountability: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, and 20.
LIFE Outreach International Association of Churches (LOI) meets the remaining 2 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Governance

Chief Executive : James Robison, President
Compensation*: $
Chair of the Board: Not provided

Chair’s Profession / Business Affiliation: Not provided

Board Size:

Paid Staff Size:

*Compensation information was not provided.

SOURCE

Ezekiel 18:24 Explained

Ezekiel 18:24 Explained

By David J. Stewart

“But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.”

The best way to interpret the Bible is with the Bible! I’ve read so much heresy surrounding Ezekiel 18:24. As an example, the Congregational Holiness Church, the Wesleyan Holiness Movement, and the Charismatic Movement all misinterpret Ezekiel 18:24 to teach that a Christian can lose their salvation. Nothing could be further from the truth! Oral Roberts and his family came from the Holiness Movement out of Oklahoma. He was a product that came from the Latter Rain Pentecostal Movement of the late 1940’s, and was a well known demonic faith healer. Taken by itself, out of context, Ezekiel 18:24 does appear to support the doctrine that a man can fall away from salvation. However, as you will see from other Scriptures in Ezekiel, this is NOT the case at all.

Ezekiel 33:12-13 states:

“Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.”

Did you read that? “…If he trust in his OWN righteousness.” This is the heart of the matter here. God is simply condemning self-righteousness. The New Testament states in Romans 10:3-4

“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”

To claim that a person who commits sin can lose their salvation is to totally ignore such powerful Scriptures as Genesis 15:6 concerning Abraham, “And he (Abraham) believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” The Apostle Paul plainly stated in Romans 4:5, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” These Scriptures clearly eliminate “works” as a necessity to one’s eternal salvation. The damnable heresy that a believer can lose salvation is nothing less than a form of Lordship Salvation. Whereas the Lordship Salvation crowd teaches that a person must forsake their sins to be saved; the eternal insecurity crowd teaches that committing sin will cause a person to lose salvation. Both heresies are based upon self-righteousness. Ephesians 2:8-9 is clear on the matter of salvation “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Again, carefully read Romans 4:5 “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

This does not give the believer a license to sin, which is clearly evident in Romans 3:28,31, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law … Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Just because we are saved by faith without works does not give us a license to sin.

Tom Brown is a Charismatic false prophet who pastors in El Paso, Texas. Here is a quote from one of his writings, which will allow you to see firsthand how such sinister ministers misinterpret Ezekiel 18:24

God was the first to ask whether or not people could lose their salvation. We find God asking this question in Ezekiel 18:24: “‘But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sins and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live?’” God is asking, “Will he live, if he departs from his righteous ways?” And what was the answer? “‘None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will DIE.’” -SOURCE (Can Christians Lose Their Salvation?)

In Lieu of Ezekiel 33:12-13, it is clear that Ezekiel’s warnings were to the unsaved self-righteous; not believers, “When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered…“ Anyone who trusts “in his own righteousness” was never saved to begin with!!! Carefully notice that the Bible says a man’s righteousness won’t be remembered only if he trusts in his OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS. This is why Romans 10:3 warns people about trying to establish their OWN righteousness. In contrast, a man who trusts in the Lord for his salvation, even if he become backslidden–his good works will NOT be forgotten. Proof of this doctrine is in Hebrews 11:32 which lists king David as a great man of faith. Yet, it was David who impregnated Bathsheba in an adulterous affair and then murdered her husband, Uriah, in an attempt to hide his sin. David was a righteous man, not because of his own works; but because he trusted upon the Lord’s righteousness. Abraham BELIEVED GOD in Genesis 15:6, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. What a wonderful God, who has made salvation free and simple! Are you trusting in your own self-righteousness? If you believe that you can lose your salvation, then you are indeed self-righteous my friend. Salvation is of God; not man. Please read, The Simplicity of Salvation by Dr. Jack Hyles.

Mr. Brown is misguided and wrong to teach that believers can lose their salvation. In sharp contrast, the Word of God teaches that once a lost sinner is saved, they’re always saved “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise … And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30). The moment a person trust Christ as Savior, that person is SEALED with the Holy Spirit (i.e. the Holy Spirit, God Almighty, comes to live inside that believer forever). The new birth in Christ is as irreversible as is our physical birth. 2nd Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” To claim that a believer can lose salvation is to say that one who is a new creature (i.e. born again) in Christ can become an old creature again. There is NO such teaching in the Scriptures. “Once saved, always saved” is Biblically correct. The whole matter is put to rest by Romans 4:5 “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”