The World Is Ending, Part Whatever: The Blood Moons

Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.

Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.

– Isaiah 47:12-13.

The world is coming to an end in the next 6 months! Or, wait, didn’t it already come to an end a few times in the last few years? I thought it ended on December 21, 2012? No, that can’t be right. Harold Camping said it would end before that, I think. That still can’t be right. It had to have ended in 2000 with all of that Y2K hubbub. This time, though, it’s definitely coming to an end. Mark Biltz and John Hagee said so, and they’ve both got the Bible to prove it, so it must be true.

According to Biltz and Hagee Joel 3 is warning mankind of the world’s end. Central to their argument are verses 14-15, which state, “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.” From this passage Biltz’s book, Blood Moons: Decoding the Imminent Heavenly Signs unfolds. He links past blood moons to historical events such as the Spanish Reconquista, which expelled both Jews and Muslims from Spain, the modern re-establishment of a Jewish nation in Israel, and Israel’s defeating the Arab onslaught in 1967. He makes what seems to be a compelling case. Why not? God is in control of the heavens, so why wouldn’t or couldn’t He use heavenly signs to tell us about the future? In fact, the Bible even tells of such heavenly signs throughout its pages. But does that mean that what Biltz, and subsequently John Hagee, have to say is correct?

The Bible does indeed have much to say about consulting celestial bodies, but none of it is good. Consider what God had to say about such practices in Deuteronomy. He condemns the person and the practice of consulting the heavens in 4:19, 17:2-5, and 18:9-12. Notice, specifically Deuteronomy 18:14 – “For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.” God was against such prognostication, and called it divination.

Divination is the practice of divining. Divining is popularly known as water witching. It comes from occultic practices stretching far back into ancient pagan cultures (See Dave Hunt’s Occult Invasion for one of the best documentations on this practice). Divining was heavily mixed into occultic practices that also used astrology. In other words, it is satanic. God condemned the diviners. He further went to great lengths confounding the diviners (cf. I Samuel 6:2, Isaiah 44:25, Jeremiah 27:9, Jeremiah 29:8, Micah 3:7, and Zechariah 10:2).

God did not intend to speak through the sun, moon, and stars. Such attempts to find God’s direction in the stars is the definition of Astrology. Consider that the Book of Daniel has all but one mention of astrologers in the Bible (cf. Daniel 1:20, 2:2, 2:27, 4:7, 5:7, 5:11, and 5:15. The only other mention is Isaiah 47:12-13 quoted above). This should be eye-opening in that Daniel was in Babylon, the creator of Astrological practices. The Chaldeans put great emphasis upon astrology. So too did the Medes and Persians that followed the Babylonians. For that matter, any study of the Ancient and Medieval worlds reveals that mankind was greatly affected by heavenly occurrences. God, however, warned against such thinkers and their thinking.

But all of this seems to have been lost among many modern “Christians.” They look for signs, and believe anyone, who in God’s name claims that the Bible points out these signs. Multi-millionaires have been made upon such claims, because modern American Christianity comprises immature, spiritually blind, bankrupt, Bible illiterates. Don’t be the child tossed to and from, carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness. If you are, you will be deceived by those lying in wait for gullible, foolish you.

There is hope. The Bible tells us to study to shew ourselves approved. Don’t be a shamed workman. Prove all things, hold fast that which is good. Be spiritually discerning, because the spiritual man does indeed judge all things. Walk circumspectly, not as fools, but wise. Understand the times. All of these commands are biblical. All of them profit in that they, through knowing God and His word, serve to protect us from the charlatan and the hireling, who only serve to make money off of foolishness. BE NOBLE! EXAMINE THE SCRIPTURES! Even if it is the Apostle Paul telling you something, we still have a requirement to search it out.

On that note, some readers may start claiming that the Bible does talk about the Sun’s darkening, the Moon turning to blood, and the Stars falling from the sky. The Bible pronounces such statements when regarding end times events. I agree. It does. What must be understood, however, is the order of end time events. First, understand this – “For Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:” (I Cor. 1:22) But Christ said this to the Jews seeking a sign “A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.” (Matthew 16:4 cf. Matthew 12:39) These Jews were seeking for their Messiah, and they missed Him, because they were looking for signs instead of looking for Him.

Christ finally did give signs about His coming in Matthew 24-25. These chapters are Jewish in context, and understandably can and are often mistaken to be about the Rapture of the Church. They’re not. They’re about Christ’s Second Coming. They’re about His establishing His earthly Kingdom. They fit entirely within the context of the Old Testament Day of the Lord, which was prophesied about throughout the Major and Minor Prophets. All of those signs do and will occur before Christ returns and establishes His earthly kingdom.

Nothing has to happen before the Rapture occurs. The Bible’s comments about the Church being raptured are much different than the comments about His Second Coming. The Rapture can occur at any time. It was likened unto a thief in the night (I Thess. 5:2) It begins the Day of the Lord, but this day is not just one 24 hour period. In context the “Day of the Lord” so mentioned here begins with the Rapture and ends with Eternity. It is in a greater context than those proclaiming “Beware! The Blood Moons are Coming!”

In light of such an imminent return, the truly called out should be busily endeavoring to warn men of sin, their need to repent from sin, turn to Christ, and make disciples who will go and do likewise. Anything else is a waste of time.

Dialoguing with a Sinner's Prayer/Numbers Proponent

People love to boast. In America, people love to boast numbers. They love to boast sports scores, money earned, things owned, Facebook Friends, anything, if it can be counted, someone in America is boasting about their perceived numerical superiority. Sadly, this urge has poisoned Christianity as well. Pastors love to brag about their church attendances. The Hyles Anderson crowd brags that they have the world’s largest Sunday school. Others love to brag about how many were baptized on any given day, or period of time. Still others proclaim how many they had saved as a result of their work. But, this last point is starkly different than the other things mentioned in this introduction. Scores, money, attendances, baptisms, etcetera can be physically quantified and qualified for whatever they’re worth, but how does one quantify and qualify Salvation? I have had many conversations with some of America’s “leading” pastors and professed “soulwinners.” (I, at one time, even claimed to be among their ranks). The conversations, though many, generally unfolded like this:

BSW (Bragging Soul-winner): Today was an amazing day! I led 12 people to Christ. Ain’t God Good!

CC (Curious Christian): Awesome! So, how do you know they are saved?

BSW: I shared with them the Roman’s Road, and then they bowed their heads, and asked Jesus to come into their hearts.

CC: Nice, so, you spent a long time with each one then?

BSW: No, not really, only about 5-10 minutes. I had one that I spent about 30 minutes with, but that’s because she was talking so much about how she couldn’t be saved, because she was too wicked to be saved. Thank God that He is still in the soul saving business, and that salvation is the simple gift!

CC: Ok, let see if I understand you correctly. You shared the Roman’s Road. So, you began in Romans 1?

BSW: (Interrupts) No, why start in Romans 1? I started with Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Then I told each one, that we’re all sinners. Then I showed them the penalty of sin, Death in Romans 6:23. Then I explained that Death is separation from God for eternity in Hell. Then I preached to them Jesus. That He was God come in the flesh, died on the cross for our sins, and that He loves us, and doesn’t want us to go to Hell when we die. I showed them Romans 5:9-10 to prove that God loved us so much that he died for us. All we have to do is Confess with our mouths, and believe in our hearts that Jesus is God, and died, was buried, and rose again for us, so that we don’t have to  go to Hell. We can, instead go to Heaven when we die.

CC: So, you did no real conviction of sin is what you’re telling me?

BSW: Sure I did. Didn’t you hear me say that I showed them Romans 3:23?

CC: Yes, you did show them that verse. But that verse is at the end of a chapter and a half of Paul’s pointing out sin. Didn’t you use the Ten Commandments?

BSW: No, why should I have?

CC: For starters, they're part of the whole Romans Road. They’re God’s standard used for judging between the sinful and righteous. Second, Jesus used them during His earthly ministry. Paul as mentioned used them in Romans 2-3, and recalled their affect upon his life in Romans 6-8. It’s not good enough to call someone a sinner. Most simply do not believe that his sin is bad enough to take his to Hell. People have to be convicted of sin. Their own, willful, wicked sin. They also have to realize how serious that sin is.

BSW: Ok, but that doesn’t change the fact that all 12 people bowed their heads and asked Jesus into their hearts. They made a profession.

CC: How do you know they're saved though?

BSW: I don’t know. We can’t see people’s hearts, only God can do that. But they confessed with their mouths that Jesus died for them. So, they're saved.

CC: Where in the Bible was the sinner’s prayer ever used?

BSW: Romans 10:9-13.

CC: Romans 10 has nothing to do with how to be saved, it has everything to do with who can be saved, namely, "Whosoever... Jew or Greek." Why didn't Christ use your method? Why not use it when the Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19 approached him. He was already professing Christ as Good Master, like you did earlier by claiming “God is good.” What did Christ do? Did he lead him in a sinner’s prayer? 

BSW: No, but that’s because Christ could see his heart. We can’t see people's hearts.

CC: Christ proved to the ruler that he was in sin. Christ asked him a few of the Ten Commandments, which revealed pride and idolatry. Though Christ could see the heart, he showed us the way to uncover sin in man's heart/life by using this real life encounter. The ruler, though believing and even professing, left Christ lost in spite of his believing. How would you have responded, if someone like that approached you, and said the same things? Would you have lead him in the sinner's prayer?

BSW: I’m not Christ. I can’t see people’s hearts.

CC: But, we have the mind of Christ according to I Corinthians 2:15-16, and we have His example. Matthew 19 is recorded for our edification and instruction. You can know these things. One most certainly can discern between lost and saved, but not by using the sinner’s prayer. Christ gave us parables, such as the sheep and the goats, the wheat and the tares, that illustrate that the workers could see the difference between lost and saved. He also used the seed analogy to illustrate salvation. Seeds, as you know are planted, and they take time to grow. In that analogy, I’m afraid that the type of convert you’re claiming is the stony ground hearer. He immediately hears the good parts with excitement, and makes a quick decision, but becomes offended when he hears the truth about his sin over time. To use another Biblical analogy, those men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 

BSW: So, what you’re saying is that you don’t think I had 12 saved today, and that all of the great men of the faith have been witnessing incorrectly? It sounds like you’re teaching a new doctrine.

CC: You’re now appealing to human tradition as your authority. That’s dangerous. What’s equally as dangerous is that you never once mentioned repentance in your encounters.

BSW: I believe in repentance!

CC: Then why did you not reveal the specific sins in each encounter today?

BSW: I did, they need to repent of the only sin that will take man to Hell, unbelief.

CC: Granted, unbelief is a sin that will damn one to Hell, but it’s not the only one. Romans 1 lists many more sins than just unbelief. Further, many believe, but are still lost in sin. Jesus illustrated that in John 8, and specifically told the Jews that believed on Him that the truth would set them free from sin. Those believing Jews did not like that statement, and attempted to kill Christ. Christ then proclaimed that those very same believing Jews were of their father the Devil. Therefore, lost, one heartbeat from Hell! Don’t forget, also, that the Devils fear and tremble according to James 2. Belief, though necessary, is only one side of the coin. Repentance from sin is the other. True belief will trigger true repentance from sin. Though that can be, and is, immediate salvation, the results from a human perspective can only be seen over time. Much like you can plant a seed, call that seed an apple tree, but you don’t truly know if the tree that grows from that seed is an apple tree until you see the fruit.

BSW: But the church saw 3,000 saved on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2!

CC: Certainly, but it was the Holy Spirit that proclaimed those numbers, not man. Those 3,000 were also commanded to repent, and in fact did repent after sin was clearly revealed to them by Peter's message. Nowhere else does any man boast of such numbers. In fact, as an example, Paul was very cautious about even baptizing (that is, only those who were professing salvation) many people in I Corinthians. We should adopt the same approach, and be cautious when witnessing. He instead stated that he was called to preach the Gospel. We’re all called to do the very same thing. The proclaiming of someone’s salvation, however, was not given to us. We do a disservice by inoculating people against the real truth, that Christ died to free us from sin, when we witness improperly.

BSW: You think all of the reported numbers are unsaved.

CC: Using such methods, being unbiblical at their heart, cannot lead someone to Christ. In fact, praying a sinner's prayer does not allow for true repentance. The person praying is now implicitly relying upon the fact that he prayed a prayer to get into Heaven. He, therefore, and often does, continue living in his life of sin, never turning from sin ever. Why should he? You never warned him about it. For instance, how many of those thousands evidenced a changed life, one that sees those large numbers hungering and thirsting after the things of God. How many of those numbers want to fellowship with the believers? How many of those numbers want to preach to the Lost the same way that Christ did?

BSW: But they are baby Christians. They can’t all want that at first. They must be discipled. There must be follow up.

CC: Yes and no. Yes, they’re baby Christians. Yes, they need to be discipled. No, they are in fact all called to go and preach the Gospel. That’s commanded to everyone. Christ had no problem sending His new children immediately back into the harvest. Paul had no problem doing the same thing. Philip had no problem doing it either. No, there needs to be no follow up with soundly saved people. If they’re soundly saved, they will crave the things and people of God in such a way that they will continuously be seeking those things. Why should anyone have to compel a saved person to want to know more about God, to want to spend time with others who want to know more about God, to tell the lost and dying about the Love of Christ? That love and desire can’t be hidden. Jeremiah’s comments about this issue in Jeremiah 20 reveal the very need that a truly saved person has to share the Gospel. Paul expounds upon that victorious freedom and power in Romans 8. The Bible further reveals nothing about this “follow up” as you call it. Instead, it talks about those going out from us, but not being of us.

BSW: What you’re talking about is saying that very few can be saved.

CC: Yes! Christ stated as much too! Matthew 7. Which about sums up everything we’ve discussed. You’re trying to claim numbers by using an unbiblical method, the sinner’s prayer. In turn you’re creating false converts, who do not want to know Christ, serve Christ, fellowship with believers, or repent from sin. This passage should, therefore, frighten you! You need to repent from this wicked practice, as it’s not helping anyone, it’s sending many to Hell, “in the name of Christ.”  

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

If one professing to be a follower of Christ does not repent of this practice, then he should beware of Christ’s woe upon his life in Matthew 23:15 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. I appreciate your zeal, but please, practice your zeal with humility and sound doctrine!

*Nota Bene! I realize that this dialogue is filled with red herrings, especially from the BSW position, but that, generally speaking, is exactly how these conversations unfold. Once the BSW position is questioned, and the BSW's objections are answered, he can only steer away from the main point at hand. He thinks he has answers, but none of them are tenable, which is why I purposely take on his red herring objections. Typically, though not in this dialogue, these conversations do not remain calm. Most of the interactions that I have had like this end with the BSW screaming, creating straw men, and/or yelling ad hominem attacks at me. In other words, they simply, and profoundly, have no viable, scriptural response, and thus reveal wickedness.

A Response to Sin Creeping Into and Destroying Modern Churches

On July 25, 2013 a Rockford, Illinois news agency reported that a former church employee had been accused of molesting a 13 year old girl. Initially, anyone reading that headline should have reacted with disgust and/or anger. Interestingly, however, another encountered reaction is a defensive one. Yet, one should note that those on the defensive usually fall prey to thoughts riddled with emotionally-led, fallacy-styled thinking. It is the type of thinking seen whenever God uncovers sin, as evidenced in the Garden of Eden. It was the type of thinking when Peter pointed out “Simon the Sorcerer’s” sin in Acts 8. It is expected of sinners, because that’s what they do, they make excuses for their sin. A follower of Christ, however, is in marked contrast. He is one who has a deep hatred of sin, not just in his own life, but in the world around him. This deep hatred is not based upon his own feeling or standard, or else it would not be of Christ, but of man. The same hatred is also mixed with deep compassion. Consider the “Rich Young Ruler” of Matthew 19. That man was in sin, he came to Christ seeking eternal life. Christ revealed sin in that man, He had to. As Christ began to reveal sin in that man, Mark 10:21 tells us that Christ beheld him with love, and in that love Christ responded by telling him about his sin, and how to repent from it. This thought brings about the real question, the one that matters most. How should the church deal with sinners and reaching out to the lost?

The traditional modern American church position can be summarized thusly, “Come to our church, all are welcome.” This can be and is stated in many different ways, and upon the face of it, the statement is inviting, caring, and “welcoming.” Most churches today go well out of their way to create burdensome programs built to attract as many people as they can. Many are successful, many are not. But what is the standard for success? Is it numbers in attendance? Is it a growing national audience, or larger buildings, or church sports teams? From a purely sound business model, yes it is, which is why Christian Colleges offer business/management style classes as part of pastoral core curriculum. The author was required to take a few of these classes, and learned a few things about how-to and how-not-to do business. My professors were intelligent men, who were pastors as well as college profs. They knew what they were talking about, not only from books, but also from experience. They had built their businesses successfully. But did they build them Biblically? I’m not questioning their heart, though I have done so elsewhere. I’m questioning their methods. To borrow a profound question from a friend’s recent article: Can one support the way that the modern church is built, funded, and run from the Bible? (Section 2, question 10). Let’s make this a bit more personal. Are there examples in the Bible of your church? Chapter? Verse? Is it Biblical to have an “Open Door Policy” in that all are welcomed and invited to attend meetings? According to this model it is, and it is strongly encouraged by the leadership.

The non-traditional church position views the matter much differently. It does not have an “All are welcome” sign, nor does it even have a sign. This does not mean people are not welcome, however. Any would be welcome, but those who would like to fellowship must meet a few clearly laid out standards. First, those desiring to fellowship must show clear signs of a truly repentant, fruit producing follower of Christ. Second, they must desire to spread the gospel. Third, they must desire to disciple. Simple stuff, and it is expected to be done by all, not just a select few. (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:44-49, John 20:19-23, Acts 1:8, Hebrews 10:24-25 – focus on the “one another” in both verses). There is no business model outside of witness and disciple in this model. No one is invited to “come to our church”, no one is enticed to come to a program. It is a terrible business model in comparison to the traditional position. It could never pay a pastor’s salary. It could never build large buildings. It could never boast large crowds. It is not what young men and women go to “Bible College” for. To be fair, the same questions must be asked about this model that were asked concerning the traditional church. Can one support the non-traditional model in how it is built or not funded from the Bible? Are there examples of this church in the Bible? Are there examples of the “Closed Door Policy” in that people must meet requirements to fellowship with other believers? Wouldn’t such an idea be unloving? How is this model an example of Jesus Christ’s love for the world?

The author has been involved in both models, very actively too at that, as a child, student, organizer, leader, teacher, missionary, and pastor. He has seen how both models work from the most intricate details to the simplest of actions. It is from this viewpoint that posited questions will be answered, it is the author’s bias, based upon Biblical and practical applications. It is completely understood that not everyone will agree with the answers given. The only thing desired is that what is about to be offered is prayerfully, Biblically considered. Do not fall back upon emotional pleas, ad hominem, straw man, red herrings, or any other form of fallacy. They’re not helpful. One must know and understand why he believes what he believes. If his position is untenable, then why hold that position? One can and does cause much harm by thinking this way, such as what happened at the above mentioned church, or any church, for that matter.

The traditional church attempts to meet the great commission through various means. Services, programs, events, dinners, and/or sports-teams are all part of the plan to draw in the lost. In theory these attract more people’s attention, and therefore more people’s participation. Nothing is inherently wrong with these events in and of themselves, but if they become the method of evangelism then they are unbiblical. The Bible’s method for evangelism is always one on one. Consider Philip and the Ethiopian Eunich in Acts 8. What about Christ with Nicodemus? Or Peter with Cornelius? The Bible, as stated already, command all followers of Christ to spread the word. We are all to be instant in season and out of season, not just the salaried staff. There is practicality in this. First, it puts more people in the army on the front lines. Second, it is more personal. People have questions, serious ones at that. One on one allows for these questions to be asked and answered carefully, thoughtfully, compassionately. Third, in light of number two, the Christian is forced to study to shew himself approved. It forces him to prove all things, and hold fast that which is good. It forces him to know Christ. The traditional model robs the member of all of this, as, generally speaking, the vast majority of church members do not witness one on one. What instead occurs, is the leadership encourages “All to come, attend our services. We’ll put on a good show for you.” It could be a traditional show, or a contemporary show, an early show or a late show. Just attend. That’s what matters. American Christendom has an historical example of this method – the Half-way Covenant in New England churches. After a few years of this practice, churches were filled with such sin and superstition that they were useless for Christ. They opened the doors to everyone, and everyone came. Everyone brought everything, and everything sent Christ out of the church. This satanic perversion has been happening for quite some time, and not just in America (Revelation 2:12-29, 3:14-22). God commanded the churches in Revelation to repent of this, which always requires a turning from sin/error and turning to Christ.

The traditional church’s method of discipleship is even more non-committal. It attempts to use, in their term, a “shot-gun” approach to reach the crowds. The idea is that “God’s Man” will preach “God’s Message” and “God’s People” will hear what needs to be heard, and this is the Biblical plan for discipleship. To answer this issue, one must look more carefully at the Great Commission. Focus on two specific words – Preach and Teach. Preaching is to the lost in most cases (Romans 1:16, I Cor. 1:17-31). Teaching is done to those already saved. It is discipleship. One does not need to continuously preach Christ crucified to the saved, it was the foundational message that has already been lain down (I Cor. 3:11). Christ did both teaching and preaching. He did so, because some were saved, and others were lost that heard Him. (Matthew 4:23,  9:35, 11:1 – both words are used in each verse, it’s not being redundant, it’s two different things that Christ was accomplishing). He made sure to do both aspects, and He commanded us to follow after Him. (Matthew 28:19-20). He preached to the lost, and he taught his disciples, all one on one. His disciples followed this same pattern, and there is no other example given as to how to accomplish both preaching and teaching anywhere in the Bible. (Acts 1:1, 5:25, 5:42, 13:1, 15:35, 18:11, 28:31, Romans 2:21, I Cor. 2:13, 4:17, Galatians 6:6, Col. 1:28, 3:16 – notice the one another here - , I Timothy 2:7, 3:2, 4:11, II Tim. 1:11, 2:24, Titus 1:9, 2:12, Hebrews 5:12, 8:11, I John 2:27). One must be careful, however, of bad teaching as is often warned. (Matt. 15:9, Matt. 23, Mark 7:7, John 9:34, Acts 4:18, 5:28, 21:28, Romans 2:21, I Cor. 2:13, I Tim. 1:3, 1:7, 2:12, 6:3, II Tim. 4:3, Titus 1:9-16, II Pet. 2:1, Rev. 2:20).

Bad teaching comes from bad teachers, and the teacher as well as the teaching must be rebuked, as Christ often rebuked the Pharisees (eg. Matthew 23), or Paul rebuked Peter (Galatians 2:11-12). This only stirs up controversy if the person being rebuked refuses to see his error. The Pharisees did not respond properly to Christ’s open rebuke. How could they? They were lost. Peter, on the other hand, responded well to Paul’s rebuke. He knew that Paul was speaking truth, and Peter was following after the truth as a saved man. Either way, the point is that rebuke is commanded (Titus 1:13). Exhortation is commanded. Judging is commanded. (I Timothy 4:2, II Timothy 3:16-17, Matthew 7:1-6, I Cor. 2:15). A Christian can know the difference between truth and error, and Christ gave us a very powerful example of that in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:13-29). He followed that up with the parables of the sheep/goats and wheat/tares in Matthew 13. I John is entirely written to distinguish saved/lost. John 3 splits the two camps into light/darkness. Are all bad teachers lost? No. some of them are saved, but have not been disciples properly. Consider Apollos, to whom Aquila and Priscilla had to teach sound doctrine. Apollos endured that teaching, a proof of his salvation. One who will not endure sound doctrine is lost (Matthew 23, John 5:38-47, John 8:30-59, II Timothy 3:1-10, 4:3-5, Titus 1:9-16). These people get only one or two chances, no more, no less (Titus 3:10).

If bad teaching is not reproved and rebuked the consequences can be disastrous. The Traditional Church actively seeks to squelch these situations. In the fundamental setting two prominent teachers have actively taught against reproving and rebuking. Both Paul Chappell and Jack Hyles allow(ed) for no criticism of their preaching. Why? What is there to hide? What is given in defense of this ultimate, unquestioned authority? Where does this tradition come from? What are its abuses? What is its purpose? Are there Biblical examples of this position? The first and last questions on the list must be taken together. Yes, there is at least one Biblical example by name mentioned in III John, Diotrophes (III John 9).  Diotrophes wanted to be preeminent, that is above all else, in charge. John blasted him in no uncertain terms, and commanded the readers to follow not that which is evil. By implication, Diotrophes and his method were evil, and should not be followed. Christ further had many sharp rebukes against such practices in Matthew 23 and His judgment against Nicolaitainism in Revelation 2-3. (Nicolaitainism is a hierarchical setting – simple or complex – in which one lords over another. It is as prevalent in Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Jehovah’s Witness, Mormon circles as it is in Roman Catholicism). One should further remember Paul’s comments against such man-following in I Corinthians 3. Bottom line, following man is “carnal” at best, and deadly-wicked in reality. The tradition, in a nutshell, is pagan, as Alexander Hislop details in his incredibly detailed work The Two Babylons. The head of woman is man, the head of man is not the Pastor, or the church, it is Christ (I Cor. 11:3). Consider the devastation. A seemingly devout man spends 30-40 years in the ministry. Hundreds to thousands come under his teaching, and believe that man to be “God’s Man.” He is given a place high atop a pedestal. One that is revered. He’s called Reverend, Doctor, Father, Pastor, or whatever else (Matthew 23). He’s trusted, respected, and loved. No one would ever think that this man is capable of teaching error (most people think this of their pastor, other pastors teach error, but not mine, this is subjective thinking, and very dangerous). One dark afternoon the police raid your church, and take your pastor out in handcuffs. What’s going on? What’s happening? Who is attacking this blessed man of God? The media hates Christians. It’s a liberal attack against good people. Right? That illustrates much of the reactionary thought of many, but not all. The rest of the story is soon illustrated. Pastor molested, pastor committed adultery, pastor raped, Christians involved in sexual crime…. Then there are the cover ups. ABC News foundation rattling expose in 2011 got the ball rolling, but the issues did not start there, they’ve been around for some time, and will continue to plague this system, because the system is faulty. No one dares say anything against this giant of a man of God. Surely, he couldn’t be doing anything wrong. Right? Apparently not, there are entire organizations now devoted specifically to uncovering and stopping this type of stuff within, most likely, your own church! Yes, the media has illustrated a concerted hatred toward things of God, but it also understands that sin sells stories. In other words, it knows what sin is, even if the church no longer does. Hurt church members also understand what sin is, which is why they flee in large numbers after they realized they’ve been a part of the system. In some instances, such as Trinity Jacksonville (of which I am well acquainted), those scarred institutions trade their former conservative positions for more liberal ideals. They have to, or they’d lose the numbers, which is business 101 for failure.

To this point this article has been all about expose, and pointing out problems. One must be asking, “Oh yeah, smartypants, what would you do? Could you do any better?” Inherently, that is the wrong question, but it is the normal question asked in situations like these. No, “I” could not do any better, and if “I” think I could then “I” would be guilty of what “I” just wrote against above. It’s not about me, you, I, we, etc… It’s about Christ. Granted, that seems like a pious claim that all make, but let’s back it up with some Biblical force.

In the second listed model, the non-traditional, there is a plurality of elders. There is not one person running the show, there are many. (I Timothy 5 – elder does not equal pastor, if so, then woman, who are mentioned as elders in the chapter could also be “pastors.”) Elder men have a responsibility to younger men, and elder women have a responsibility to younger women. Under no circumstance, ever, anywhere, is a pastor to, by himself, meet and teach a woman one on one, alone. That’s the elder woman’s responsibility. The same applies to elder women and younger men (I Timothy 2:11-12). In a group fellowship setting, there should be someone who keeps things decently and in order. That is detailed in I Corinthians 12 and 14, as well as Romans 12. That person, who is often called pastor, is to be an “ENSAMPLE” according to I Peter 5:1-3 (note that Elders is mentioned here in this passage). The point is necessary, because “en” means from within, and “ex”, as in example, means from without. The Elders are those who have become so within the body of Christ, and have proven themselves worthy of that double honor mentioned in I Timothy 5. (Consider also Leviticus 19:32 and Proverbs 16:31). They do not just become elders over night, but have consistently proven that Christ is indeed working in and through them, and has been for some time both in witnessing and discipleship.

Those elders have a responsibility to guard the flock. They have been around. They have much more wisdom, as demonstrated by how they handle sound doctrine, than the younger brethren. They, therefore, can spot error much more rapidly than the younger Christian, that is not to say that the younger Christian cannot spot error, or that he cannot point error out (I Timothy 4:12). He certainly can, and does. If it’s truth against an elder, however, he must be careful in how he handles the situation so as to not breed confusion. One of main functions of an elder apart from teaching and discipleship is keeping error out of the church. They are to reprove, rebuke, and keep it from entering the fellowship (Ephesians 5:1-17). This is the crux of this article’s main point. The Biblical pattern is to properly distinguish between saved and lost (Matthew 13). Once distinguished, fellowship together with Christ and believers should be a desire, one that doesn’t need to be commanded, as it is a proof of salvation (I John 1:1-4). The lost are not allowed to enter the fellowship, as the Bible commands (I Cor. 10:20-21, II Cor. 6:14-18, Ephesians 5:11-12). If, as happened in Corinth, someone “slips through the cracks”, that person, under the non-traditional method, will not abide long before he is revealed by salt and light. When found out, the fellowship has a God mandated responsibility to swiftly deal with the issue. If the professed brother refuses to see his error, he must be compassionately, yet sometimes forcefully told to break fellowship (I Corinthians 5). It is this author’s experience that churches very seldom heed this command, and in turn believe that it is their responsibility to “reform” that individual. They’ve missed the point, the person, if sin is not properly repented from, is lost in sin and one heartbeat from Hell. The modern approach does the fellowship no favors, as sin will and does eventually spread like the leaven mentioned in I Corinthians 5. PURGE IT OUT! Further, if the person in question is led to believe that he is saved, and that sin is just normal, then that church is creating a religious lost person akin to anyone in Islam, Mormonism, Catholicism, Judaism, et. al. They all know some truth, but not the clear truth that Christ came to die for the sins of the world, was buried, and rose again the third day. There should be, as a clear example, a decreasing pattern of sin, not a normal pattern. That was broken and overcome by Christ! Don’t be afraid to point this out, it’s the greatest love that a Christian can ever have for another person! (John 16:33, Romans 12:21, II Peter 2:18-22, I John 2:12-29, I John 4:4, I John 5:1-5).

Is this an argument stating that these problems cannot or do not happen in the non-traditional church setting? Not at all. But it is an argument stating that the issues plaguing the Modern system cannot, and are not being handled scripturally. Because of that being the case, they will continue. People will keep getting hurt, and in this age of mass communication, the public will hear more about it than ever before. This should be a given. Further illustration of the system’s failure is its constant creation of new programs and outreaches to, in some way or other, fix the issues. It’s simply become too complex, or to borrow a phrase from the political realm, “Too Big to Fail.” Keeping in that line of thought, the System must be overhauled. It must be built upon the only sure foundation. It must be patterned after the only Biblical models available. It must vanish so that it Christ can once again become visible. It must die, so that Christ may live.

For more on the non-traditional viewpoint, please, visit here, here, here, and here. If you’re in fact wondering about how much Bible you may or may not know, take this quiz, if you find that you don’t do well on this quiz, please, follow II Corinthians 13:5’s admonition. I’d much rather be wrong, and one ends up in Heaven, than be right and many end up in Hell. If you’re in the system’s trap, please, consider this, this, and this (The posts entitled Satan’s Suction System as well as Do We Need Better Leaders?)

Don’t keep falling prey to this system. Break free. Overcome!

Augustine - Saint or Sinner?

I have stumbled across an interesting summary regarding "Saint" Augustine, that I believe is well worth the short amount of time necessary to read the article. It can be found here.

Of special note in the article is the history detailing how Augustine, and his friend Jerome, used force to have Pelagius declared a heretic. Ever since that time, Pelagius and his adherents have been deemed heretics by, not only Augustine's Catholic Church, but also those within the Reformed Catholic (aka. Protestant) traditions. This piqued my interest, as I have always read about the "Pelagian Heresy" in most books covering the topic. No one mentions how Pelagius was proclaimed orthodox many times by the very same leaders who, later, were coerced into declaring Pelagius a heretic. Why was Augustine so bent on having Pelagius declared a heretic? Could it have been because under Pelagius' view, Augustine was still guilty for his sins?

Why Go To Church, Part 6

“I go to church because the Pastor says I should.” I really do not want to dignify such a statement with a response, but here goes. I did not know that you served the Pope. Ok, some of you may reply that you’re not Catholic; however, serving or following any person – even in the name of Christ – without Biblical basis is nowhere commanded in Scripture. Consider I Corinthians 1:9-15

1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

1:15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

The Holy Spirit, speaking through Paul, allows for no other following than that of Christ. This exclusive followship didn’t even allow for Paul to be followed. Further, I Corinthians 11:1-3

11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

How would anyone know whether or not Paul was following Christ? It’s not because of his position (ie. Pastor, apostle, elder, missionary, etc…) What are the “followers” to do to ensure they are honoring God, and following Christ, instead of a person? Before I answer that question, notice a few other things from these three verses. Paul says to follow him “as he follows Christ.” Only follow that person when you’re certain he’s following Christ. Next, following God-given ordinances is noteworthy. Third, the head of man is Christ. There is no one else in between Christ and man. Though many non-Catholics assent that this is true, they’ve set up an “umbrella” to have Christ, the pastor, the assistant-pastor, youth-pastor, deacons then the man. In far too many “churches” this model is carried out, and a man will not make any Bible-based decision unless the pastor is consulted first. This is wicked, and condemned by Christ as Nicolaitanism in Revelation 2.

Again, for emphasis, there is no one between Christ and the man. Men, you are commanded to take care of and provide for your families (see I Timothy 5:8, don’t be worse than an infidel!!) You are ordained to make the decisions, so be a man, and do it. Now, this is not to say that you can’t receive advice. Solomon declared that in the multitude of counselors there is safety. But make certain that your counselors are Bible based, not just “good men.” Spend that extra talking time rather in prayer and Bible study. God will give wisdom to those who seek it, and He certainly gives that wisdom liberally (James 1:5).

If you find yourself doing anything because a man tells you to do so, especially if such command is not Biblically supportable, repent of this and follow Christ. But you need to know Christ first in order for this to work. If you find yourself still following that man, and feel trapped, then you are in a cult. A cult by definition is any following who gives obedience to one man without question. Far too many pastors demand absolute obedience. No New Testament character demanded such obedience other than Christ. Cults do come in many shapes and sizes. They are not just the Branch Dravidians at Waco, the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, or Roman Catholics. There are no doubt Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, and Presbyterian cults. Leave any such cult.

Returning to the “how would anyone know whether or not Paul (or any person for that matter) was following Christ?” question. The Bible speaks much better than I, so I will step out of the way:

Acts 17:10-12

17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.(Emphasis added).

17:12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

II Timothy 2:14-19

2:14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that theystrive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (Emphasis added).

John 5:38-46

5:38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

5:41 I receive not honour from men.

5:42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

5:43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.

And countless others. These should suffice, if you still do not believe, then you’re really calloused to the Word of God, and must repent and trust Christ. No one should do anything apart from Christ’s commands or in opposition to those commands.

Why Go to Church, Part 4

5. “I go to church for fellowship”. Hebrews 10:25 after all does state, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” So, Christians need to meet with other Christians. Yes. But, in fairness, there is much more than the cut out of context Hebrews 10:25 used by most who claim one must “go to church.” Here’s the rest of the thought leading up to verse 25.

¹⁹Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

 ²⁰By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

 ²¹And having an high priest over the house of God;

 ²²Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

 ²³Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

 ²⁴And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

 ²⁵Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

First, this book was written to Hebrews. The main argument developed throughout the book is that Christ is the Hebrew Messiah, and Salvation is through Him alone. He is the Prophet, Priest, and King spoken of throughout the Old Testament. He is the One who fulfills all prophecy. He is the Savior that Israel is seeking. Keeping the overall book context helps keep the reader from confusion.

Jewish religious groups often became sectarian. Unity was a real problem amongst Jews and is still a problem today. True Christianity, however, does not allow for such division. (Denominations today would be/are condemned as Carnal see I Cor. 3 “I am of Paul, I am of Appollos… sounds like I am of Calvin, I am of Luther, I am of Bob Jones… Notice, most Pastors or “religious workers” first question is “Where did you go to school?” What a ridiculous question, which would by the way rule out all New Testament Christians, except for Paul – who was a trained Pharisee!) James warned that wars and fighting comes from ourselves, which is pride. All recognized denominations have some historic record of contention. Some go so far as to postulate that their “church” is the only place in its respective city where God meets. Though there are true believers in many places throughout the world, they can and do freely meet with fellow believers anywhere. Yes, this does reference the universal church, not the Catholic (which means universal) Church, which is full of doctrinal error. The Body of Christ is as local as each member (those who are saved, see Hebrews 10:19-21). It can meet whenever and wherever (cf. Acts 2:46 which shows that believers went from house to house daily, not only on Sunday or Wednesday, they also had a daily visitation program “daily in the Temple” more on all of this later). New Testament believers were commanded to be unified (again Acts 2:46), and if any “leaven” were found therein, that leaven was to be purged. Why? For the sake of unity. (cf. I, II, III John). Today’s “churches” are amazingly disunified. They try to cater to the needs of everyone, which in turn halts the churches purpose, spreading the gospel! In the physical realm an army illustrates this point. An army may have many “divisions” but they are all working together under one leader. If one division wanted to attack one way, and another wanted to attack a different way, those two divisions would cause confusion, and even death. If, they, however, follow their leaders direction and goals, the objective will be met. Our leader is not the sergeant or the general, it’s the King!

If the church were to maintain unity, how could that be done with unbelievers attending? Simple, Biblically speaking, no one “Goes” to church; they become part of it at Salvation. Acts 2:47 illustrates this point, “…Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” The Lord adds members, only He has that authority, and it’s only extended to the SAVED. A saved person cannot be unified with an unsaved person spiritually speaking. Amos states “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” I John mentions that “Light hath no fellowship with darkness.” Yea, I John was written to distinguish between Light and Darkness, so God must expect His true followers to adhere to the “be unified” command. It cannot be done with unsaved sitting next to the saved. Being part of the true church is an exclusive membership only granted by Christ.

With all of this in mind, with whom are Christians to fellowship in church? Other Christians. A common response to this assertion is “how then do the lost get saved?” As with previous posts, so with this… what a lazy statement! Go out and bring them in… Saved, not lost.

What type of fellowship is to be done? Hebrews 10:24 tells the believer to “consider one another…” A believer is to concern himself with other believers (not gossiping or backbiting), to lift them up, to encourage, to exhort, to pray for, to assist, to teach and so on. Basically,  to concern myself with other believers is to humble myself in order to help bare other’s burdens. In so doing, when others hurt me, it will not affect me as much or hopefully at all, because I’ve laid down my life for friends who are part of the same Body.

“…to provoke unto love…” A far cry from what takes place in most churches. But can it be done? Yes, certainly it can be done. Though, it is impossible once churches become too large. There is the modern movement today that churches should be large and “grow” constantly. What is meant by grow is that numbers must get larger, not that members should grow spiritually, or that the body of Christ should grow – which does include numbers, but not necessarily a local church’s numbers. Many Pastors boast, example Jack Schaap or Jack Hyles, that they’ve got large numbers for their churches. (The way such churches accomplish this is rather nefarious, and sends many to Hell - by preaching a repentanceless false-gospel). Programs are done, shops are opened, and the Law is forsaken in these mega-churches. If, per chance, the Law were mentioned as it should be, sin would be condemned, and the unsaved would flee in droves. (Mark 4:16-17 – Stony ground hearers who are offended at the gospel). This is not love, and it does not provoke. Love would warn the lost of a certain Hell and punishment for eternity. Love would tell the lost the way to be saved. Love would tell the lost that Christ died for their sins, and Repent! Not pray this pray so you can get to Heaven, and never deal with sin. My meeting with any true believe, my further fellowship should and does provoke me to witness “…so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

“…good works:” Again, if a “church” does not provoke unto this, it’s a waste of time. If all the church wants is attendance and money, it’s no better than a social club of which you’re paying to be a part. Fellowship with the believers must have a vital impact on everyone. The New Testament Churches vitally needed this, because they were suffering mortal persecution. Without such refreshing fellowship in Christ, which Christ promised, enduring would have been severely difficult.

“…exhorting one another…” We are commanded to judge. “He that is spiritual judgeth all things.” (I Cor. 2:15). This is not a haughty, super-pious, holier-than-thou attitude. This is done in humility “each esteeming others better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). In so doing, fellow-believers should take humble exhortation to heart. They must do as the Bereans did in Acts 17:11 and search the scriptures whether those things were so. Exhortation is vitally important, and can only be done through proper fellowship. This level of fellowship takes spending a lot of time together. It is not the fellowship done in churches today. It is not the “Hi brother so and so, how are you? How ‘bout them Cubs? Ok, talk to you later” small talk that pervades time before and after services. Fellowship of this magnitude requires knowing the person. It requires much more than the token aquaintanceship that is falsely so-called fellowship. In truth, this level of Biblical fellowship is impossible in all present day Catholic-based church models. (Yes, this includes your church most likely. The set up was established centuries ago under Constantine, who took that set up from Pagan Temples, and made it “Christian.”) The New Testament Church was conducive for all members to be involved, not just a select few as the rest sit in a pew. This type of a church was immensely involved in every aspect of the service. They all encouraged, they all exhorted, they all taught. This is how fellowship was done. If this is what one means by saying he goes to church for fellowship, are these things being accomplished? If so, then  Praise God! If not, then find a place where this can be and is being done.

Why Go To Church, Part 3

4. “I go to church so that others will see me go to church”: Recently, I heard a story about someone I know. She missed church one Sunday, because she was ill. Her next door neighbor, shocked, promptly visited. The neighbor told her that “I’ve been watching you for 32 years, and have never seen you miss church!” What an amazing story. It holds an equally profound truth about today’s Christianity, that it is proudly lazy.

Proud, because going to church to be seen of others should recall the Pharisees doing religion to be seen of men. Christ pronounced woes (curses) for this most notably in Matthew 23. Do not mistake my words, being a Christian is an overt issue. We are not to hide our light under a bushel. Yet, the “…so others will see me” argument is just that, hiding a light under a bushel. Though it is amazing that this lady’s neighbor witnessed her going to church for 32 years, why did the lady not witness to the neighbor once during three decades?!? Her going to church was not helping the lost. Beyond that, the neighbor, who is lost, does not (cannot) distinguish between spiritual truth and error. The neighbor knew that she was “going to church” but what church? Catholic, Mormon, Muslim? Going is no help to the lost, who don’t discern between good and evil.

“Going is a testimony.” Yes, I do agree with this. Going shows that we’re consistent, but the above story is an exception to the rule. Today’s irreligious world does not pay close attention to what the “religious” world does, unless it’s an atrocity published by the media. Christ never once told his followers to go to church to be seen of men. This was not how he wanted the Gospel to be spread abroad. He told his followers, all true believers, to “go into all the world…”, to “go into the highways and byways…”. Christ servants, therefore, went out at His command, which brings into focus the present church’s laziness.

The, at best passive, witnessing act of “going to church”, reflects how lazy churches are. Personally, I have been the director of a few larger ministries visitation outreaches. One church boasted more than 3,000 members, but only 2 members came for church-wide visitation. The Pastor announced visitation faithfully, advertisements were posted, and people were personally asked to come, but visitation numbers never increased. 300 people would have been a major victory, but 300 people is still only 10% of the church. What about the other 90% (if 300 came). 2 people, plus myself, made three, that is a paltry 1% who consistently and actively sought lost people. Though I cannot personally account for all 3,000 members of that church, I do know that visitation was not a priority. The same 3,000 would attend church functions faithfully, but why not even 2 hours of witnessing? Witnessing is an actively planned occurrence. If it is not actively planned, it’s not likely to be done. Some argue that they witness at work. The occasional one or two at work should not blindly halt witnessing to hundreds or thousands. I know one small church (10 members), who collectively get out 80,000 tracts a year. They plan to go a few times a week, and 10 times out of 10, someone from that church will be out witnessing. Exponentially, multiply 10 to 3,000 and 80,000 tracts would become 24,000,000. All of New York City and most of its surrounding suburbs would be reached each year, every year, if 3,000 true-believers would actively witness. The Bible illustrates a small group of believers who were accused of “turning the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). Active, not passive, witnessing does this.

One final thought. The New Testament Church never went to church to be seen of others. For one, churches met daily, throughout the day, and in homes. No Roman would have ever known about a church gathering, unless told. Christians during this time would have, and did keep their meetings very guarded. They had to be intelligent because the Roman government was actively seeking to kill Christians. There were no First Baptist Churches of Pergamos, Corinth, etc. with steeples and large auditoriums. None of those big temples came until Constantine put crosses on Temples of Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury and the other pagan gods. Even then, true believers saw error and would not attend these new “Christian” palaces. Constantine did continue persecuting the true Christians who would not conform to his false-Christianity. America does not suffer from fatal persecution. We can openly gather, but such an opportunity should make us, neither proud, nor lazy. 

Why Go To Church, Part 2

Building on the previous post – Why Do You Go To Church? – I offer more reasons given to me. (Bear with me I emphasize negatives to illustrate positives in future posts).

3. For Worship. A lot of baggage has been added to the word Worship. Many definitions, therefore, abound. Understandably, even a lot of scripture is used to support Worship positions. For the New Testament Believer, Christ narrowed Worship down. He stated, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John4:23-24). Expand these verses to see full context. Christ is talking to the Samaritan woman at the well. She is being witnessed to by Christ. The woman, convicted, does what all convicted unsaved people (and many saved too) do – raise a tangential spiritual question. She was asking, in a manner of speaking, is the church I go to wrong? (Don’t take the bait, stay on topic). Christ did not take the bait, he did not give a diatribe on why Jerusalem was better than Mount Gerazim or vice versa. He instead quoted the already stated verses. What did he mean?

First. That to worship God, God must be with you. One cannot truly worship Christ without having Christ.

Second. Christ says, “…the hour cometh, and now is…” He is not defending past Jewish, religious practices. He is instead, abolishing them. A Christian no longer must follow the Festival cycle, which required all Jews to pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Christians do not need to attend the Temple for sacrifice, repentance, redemption, or worship. Christ broke down the middle wall, the partition and rent the veil in twain. He made our bodies His temple according to I Corinthians 6:19. Therefore, Old Testament Scripture cannot be used to support New Testament “church” as defined by the Temple/Tabernacle. (A little history shows that the Temple, was destroyed by Emperor Vespasian’s son, and future Emperor Titus in AD 70). Christ prophesied that the Temple would be destroyed, but that His Body would prevail. True believers are that Body of Christ, the Church – not the place. I Corinthians 6:20 further tells the true believer to glorify God in our bodies and our spirits which are God’s.

Third. With all of point 2 in mind, how does God command to worship in spirit and in truth? One word suffices - obedience. Obedience to what? Christ’s commands. Christ commanded His followers to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. He, knowing how ignorant man is, stated this command often and in many ways. He used parables as well as direct statements. True worship will be evidenced by our actively doing His will, which is not some nebulous concept we spend our lives seeking. God’s will is that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). He is glorified by sinful men coming to repentance, and the Christian is the chosen vessel to spread this truth. Worship is not a time of inaction. This life has no time for inaction. Christ said work while it is yet day, for the night cometh when no man can work (John 9:4). He is the light of the world, and that light is in the true believer according to I John 2. We must therefore work. This work is true worship, this side of eternity. Notice that when the disciples wanted to religiously worship Christ, He would have none of it. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Christ appeared with Moses and Elijah. Peter, James, and John, in dumfounded awe, wanted to build three “booths” (tabernacles based on the Old Testament Feast of the Tabernacles). Christ would not allow this, nor did He want any mention of the occurrence to spread until after His ascension. He knew such devotion to a place or occurrence would keep men from doing what he commanded, that is spread the word! In the spiritual sense, “Be fruitful and multiply.” (The Tower of Babel is an amazing picture of how not to “do church.” God wanted mankind to spread out and occupy the earth. God still wants the church to do the same – cf. Acts 1:8. Those who don’t are guilty of the same sin at Babel).

Fourth. Worship is not a sensationalistic, emotional feeling. Feelings are fleeting, and can distort truth. Christ wants worship to be done in truth, which is always Bible based. Any addition or subtraction therefrom is not worship. Thy Word Is Truth! (John 17:17). Many seek worship as an exalted state, a high. Certainly this cannot be glorifying God, as such worship is for self. “I don’t like that church, it makes me feel bad.” “Come to our church, we will make you ‘feel good.’” “I just don’t get that feeling there…” No scripture can be found to support feeling oriented “seeker-sensitive” methodology. Truth, contrary to feelings, can and in many cases will hurt. Again, God is honored by lost men coming to the Truth, Christ. Pitifully, most “witnessers” will cut out the most crucial portion of the message. They jump straight into the good part, but don’t illustrate the truth of sin. Try telling a rich, lost man that he is unhappy, and needs to “add God” to his life. He has no need, in his mind, of God. All is well. But if the truth of his sin be revealed, then there will be a great need. Don’t cut that truth just to make someone feel good, or to “try God.” Such false-witnessing sends many to hell. Therefore, that lack of truth is false-worship, even if it’s done in Jesus’ name (cf. Matt. 7:21-23).

Fifth. One last point for worship. Christ says that the hour now is. That means, presently it is time to worship. Christ made worship immediate, not future, or every now and then. Going to church for worship, means that one can only worship for three hours Sunday Morning, an hour and a half Sunday Night, two hours Wednesday Night, and two hours on Thursday Visitation, by such logic. Since the true believer is now the Temple, and the Spirit, which guides into all truth, is within us, then we are to be constantly worshiping.  Paul further stated to Timothy that the man of God (not just pastors, but all saved) is to be instant in season and out of season. We may have our set aside times to witness, or meet around God’s Word, which is good, but this does not limit our worship. Now is the only time to work. Night will soon come, and no man will work. God’s just judgment will come, men will be cast into hell, and the true believer will then spend eternity worshiping in awe. Please, do not be unprepared by serving yourself now, in exchange for torment later. Vanity now is not worth sacrificing eternity.