The "Ministry"

There is a word that many Christians use today without thinking.  That word is "ministry."  Often it's used by preachers, pastors, evangelists, and missionaries, who use it in reference to what they do for Jesus.  They claim to be in "The Ministry."  But what do they mean by it?  And is what they practice "in the ministry"  really what the Bible says about it?

Before examining this possibility, let's first define the word "ministry."  According to the 1828 Webster's Dictionary, it means: 

1.  The office, duties or functions of a subordinate agent of any kind.

2.  Agency; service; aid; interposition; instrumentality.

3.  Ecclesiastical function; agency or service of a minister of the gospel or clergyman in the modern church, or of priests, apostles and evangelists in the action.

4.  Time of ministration; duration of the office of a minister, civil or ecclesiastical.

5.  Persons who compose the executive government or the council of a supreme magistrate; the body of ministers of state.

6.  Business, employment.

Notice that even though there might be different offices and functions, the defining element of the "ministry" is that of "SERVING" others.  And that service can be either secular or religious.

 

As we look at the term "minister" we find the following definition:

1.  To attend and serve; to perform service in any office, sacred or secular.

2.  To afford supplies; to give things needful; to supply the means of relief; to relieve.

3.  To give medicines.

Again notice the idea of "SERVING" others.  It's "helping" their needs whether they be spiritual or physical.

Why is this important?  The answer is that modern day "ministers" who brag about being in the "ministry" have seemed to forgotten this.  For many of them don't serve others, rather they use their offices and positions of power to serve themselves!  They are nothing short of modern day pharisees, who seek to enslave their congregations or their constituents to their own will, in order to prey upon them and enrich themselves.

This is a sad accusation, but it is exactly what's happening today in many denominations, churches, assemblies, governments, and medical systems.

Often "ministers" look at themselves as "ABOVE" the people, and worthy of praise, honor, glory, riches, and worship.  But this goes entirely against the very definition of the word which they use to try to identify themselves.  It's almost like they are the EXACT OPPOSITE of what they claim to be.  And, there is a word for such people.  It's a Bible word.  And, it's a word that Jesus used quite frequently to expose such people. That word is: "HYPOCRITE!"

As an ordained minister of the gospel myself, I've had to struggle with such things.  When I started my "ministry" I wanted people to know who I was, and I wanted to make a name for myself like most other Missionaries do who travel and preach in many different places.  It's hard not to desire fame and a good pat on the back from other preachers.  But I soon found out that that is NOT what the ministry is about.  And I rejected all that, and focused on truly "ministering" to others.

The ministry is not about putting people down, abusing them, using them, browbeating them, and/or milking money out of them.  (Which many a modern day "Minister," and I use the term lightly, does on a regular basis.)  Rather, true ministering is getting to know the people, fellowshipping with them, praying with them and for them, loving them, and going out of your way to do anything for them.  And anyone who does this is a true Minister.

Sadly, we live in a day of religious men who are Ministers in name only.  I've met them, and I'm sure so have you.  These are men who don't know their congregations, don't want to be bothered by them, and don't want to met their spiritual and/or physical needs.  Instead, these are pulpit fillers who take positions in the church just for the money or the fame.  They aren't hard to spot.  In fact, it's easy to tell who such people are, for they continually preach only on "tithing" and the reason they do so is because they want more money for themselves, not for God and his work.

Such men don't understand the early church.  For as you read the scriptures, you find the Apostle Paul wasn't taking up offerings for himself, rather for the "poor saints."  It used to be the "Minister" would try to help those within his congregation who were struggling and in need, as true Christians help each other, and MINISTER to each other.  But today, a class system has arisen in which you have those in positions of authorithy and under them the "laymen," who are looked at as the do-nothings, who are unimportant to the plan of the Pastor, who usually lives only to build his own little "kingdom" rather than making sure those who are saved and part of the Kingdom of God are ministered unto within his own congregation.

I've seen it with Missionaries too.  They travel to many churches and gain much support and then they go to a field somewhere and rather than getting down to the level of those they are trying to reach, they build themselves a big mansion, and immediately separate themselves from those they desire to reach.  They aren't interested in "ministering" to the lost, rather in building their own little kingdom as well.  And because they have so much they live the good life, while people around them suffer in poverty.  How can a "minister" minister the gospel to others who look at them as rich hypocrites who don't care about them?

I'm not advocating giving away money to the lost.  No, ministering in the Bible is to the saints.  But what's wrong with reaching the lost by giving them Bibles, and inviting them over to your home to eat with you while you become their friends and give them the Gospel?  The sad truth is that many Missionaries look down upon those they are going to, and they would never invite them over to their own homes (better stated, "mansions").  I've seen this type of religious racism time and again.  I've even seen and heard Missionaries say things like, "Don't let those people in my house, they will tear the place up!"  These type of "ministers" (so called) only about themselves, and not about the people they are supposed to be "ministering" to.

In secular politics the elected officials are supposed to be subordinate to those who put them in office.  But my how seldom is this the case.  Politicians usually weld their power and use it to their advantage to make literally millions of dollars (either legally or illegally) and abuse their power for political gain.  Rather than helping their constituents, they usually rob them blind.  They are poor ministers.

And in the medical world, we find Doctors with their "Hypocritical Oath" (Did I spell that wrong?  Oh, sorry.  It's supposed to be the "Hypocratic Oath.") Using their positions only for financial gain.  They don't truly care about their patients, rather they only care about the money that either their patients or their insurance companies can pay them.  They are poor ministers, often times receiving kickbacks from Pharmecutical companies for perscribing their drugs to their patients.  (Drugs which oftentimes are years later found to be HARMFUL rather than HELPFUL).

Yes, anyway you look at it, those today who are supposed to be "ministering" to others seem to have become corrupted and have found they can use their position as a "minster" for themselves.  They are corrupt.  They are "apostasized" if you will.  And who suffers?  Those they claim to be ministering unto.

Would to God there were some true MINISTERS left in this country and in this world.  For truly there is very little real "ministering" going on in this world, either in the physical or spiritual realm. 

As for me, I desire to be a true minister.  For me, this entails giving people the truth, and spending time with them, listening to them, and getting to know them.  If they are Christians, then even helping them and exhorting them, encouraging them to live right and do right.  Sadly, there are very few ministers of the Gospel today who do this.  Rather, many are only focused on fighting amongst themselves.  And they often with words of anger, bitterly attack one another.  Thinking this is part of "The Ministry."  But where is this in the Bible?  Sadly, there are many today who truly think that their "ministry" is to attack, ridicule, and name call others.  And they do it on a regular basis.  Even sadder, there are those who follow them who think they are spiritual because they do so, and they follow in their footsteps, doing the same to others.  But this is not "The Ministry."  In fact, this isn't even found in the Bible.  Rather, we are commanded to "edify" on another, not "attempt to bring one another down."

Ephesians 4:29 clearly teaches, "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."

And this, I find, is my focus.  I truly desire to "minister" in the "Ministry."  I want to minister GRACE to others, not HATE, ANGER, or RIDICULE, as so many others do today, while weakly trying to call themselves "Ministers." 

The Spirit of the Pharisee

I've been reading through the gospels a lot lately, and I'm seeing something that's very interesting as I look at the Pharisees. They were supposed to be the Spiritual leaders of their day, but they were corrupt, deceitful, and dirty in both heart and mind. The practiced tradition rather than what the Bible taught and they did everything for their own self-agrandizement and political gain. It was obvious they didn't care about the people they were supposed to be ministering to. In short, they had a form of godliness, but they denied the power thereof.

This is why when Jesus showed up they hated him. It's because he would not be corrupted as they were. We was not political nor was he interested in exalting them and their elistist group mentality. He viewed them as a bunch of great big PHONIES, SINNERS, and HYPOCRITES. It's because he pegged them for what they really were.

Is it no wonder then that we read the following in John 7 :1, "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him."

Because of who they were and what they wanted to do to Jesus, he had to separate himself form them. That is to say, the Pharisees were so wicked and vile in their hearts (and remember their sins were INWARD, for they often made it a point to appear sinless in the eyes of men OUTWARDLY) that they wanted to CRUCIFY Jesus. They wanted Him DEAD! Why? Because he pricked their hearts. His standing against them made them so angry they wanted to completely give in to the basest desires of their flesh and KILL Jesus rather than endure him and his constant ignoring them and not giving them the worship they so badly desired.

They prided themselves on what they did for God. Yet they never dealth with the fact that didn't know God, didn't serve God of a pure heart, and belonged to a group that consistenly chose fame, fortune, and fellowship with man over a close relationship with God.

They were religious people who were carnal and its because of them being so they wanted to MURDER those who wouldn't recognize them as they wished to be viewed.

As I thought on this, it wasn't hard for me to make a correlation to the modern Church and it's religious leaders. The Church today is FULL of modern day Pharisees. I've seen them time and again. Haven't you?

They are easy to spot. They all have the same spirit. And it's not the Spirit of Christ.

So what is the spirit of a Pharisee? Let's look at some defining factors of the Pharisees to find out.

THE CARNAL vs. THE SPIRITUAL NATURE OF THE PHARISEE

The first thing we notice about the Pharisees of Jesus' day is they are all lost. They've never been regenerated. They might be claiming to be leaders of God, but they didn't know God. They were not saved. Thus, they were still in their old carnal, sinful nature. Is it then no wonder Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Ye must be born again!" Jesus could see their hearts and he saw a group who didn't care about truth, they only cared about control. They did not serve God out of conviction but rather out of convience. And they were not converted. They were still in their old fallen nature, desiring as little tyrants to rule over the people rather than to truly minister to them.

Jesus said of this crowd that they were then blind spiritually. And this love of their position in which they held lead to them not wanting to humble themselves to the will of God. The were prideful.

This is important. For pride is what damned the Devil. He thought he was better than God so he should just take God's place. The Pharisees felt the same, for when Jesus showed up -- God manifest in the flesh -- they wanted him dead, cause they thought they could do a better job at governing than he could. They were self-righteous and for this reason they did not submit themselves to the righteousness of God.

The Pharisees of today often have this exact same spirit. I'm not saying that all religious leaders of today are lost. Some might very well be born again, but it's interesting to look at these men and see that same self-righteous attitude in them, that same spirit of I'm a leader and I'm above reproach cause I'm of God! Yet, in the flesh they continually brag only upon themselves and their group, and they are quick to crucify anyone who doesn't go along with them and their traditions. Truly, they are carnal and quick to allow their flesh to rule them, even ridiculing others who don't do things they same way they do. I often wonder if Jesus would have come in our day instead of in the times of the Jews, if the modern Pharisees would not have crucified Jesus as well. For they seem to have the same spirit.

THE PHARISEES WOULD NOT LISTEN TO EXHORTATION

When Jesus spoke, the Bible says he spake as one having authority and not as the scribes (Mark 1:22). In other words, his speech was different than theirs. Why is this? It's because he spake the TRUTH while they were busy speaking lies.

The Pharisees didn't like to hear the truth. They wanted to be the ones who were right and try to claim that everyone else was wrong. So when Jesus showed up on the scene and exposed them for what they were, religious hypocrites who preached for vain glory, he warned the people about them. He further told them what they really were, going so far as to say they were a "generation of vipers."

Jesus wasn't the only one to tell the Pharisees the truth. Peter did as well. And so did Stephen. And in Acts 7:57 we find that the Pharisees, "Stopped their ears." That is they put their fingers in their ears like a bunch of little school children, rather than sit and listen to the truth when it pointed out their sins. And what did they do? They MURDERED Stephen in cold blood. They couldn't handle the truth. They would rather shut some one up rather than let him tell the truth about them.

In Jesus' day the same is true. They wanted to KILL him for no other crime than his telling them the TRUTH. Why was this? Because the truth exposed them as wrong. It further showed they were what the people really knew they were while they were trying so hard to pretend to be something different.

And, Jesus' preaching of the truth angered them greatly because it made them look bad. (Notice Pharisees only care about themselves and their group and anything that exposes them for what they truly are makes them want to murder others).

In Matthew 15:12 we read: "Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?"

Notice the Pharisees are also easily offended. We see this same spirit in the Pharisees of today. They are easily offended by truth. They cannot receive criticism. They cannot receive instruction. They will not even examine themselves and what they believe in light of the Scriptures to see if what they teach is true. They must immediately denounce their critics and in the flesh seek to destroy them. Why? Because this is the first instinct of the flesh and a flesh-driven person. Just like their great-great-great-great, etc. grandfather Cain, who was of that wicked one, their hearts are full of hatred and malice, and they want to KILL anyone who simply questions them, their works, or their beliefs. Their hearts are full of murder. And although modern day Pharisees might not literally kill someone they don't agree with, they are quick to crucify them with words and attack them mercilessly. That leads us to my next point.

THE PHARISEES LIVE ONLY TO ATTACK OTHERS THEY DEEM A THREAT TO THEM AND THEIR GROUP

The spirit of the Pharisees is a spirit of contention. And though the Bible teaches that we should earnestly contend for the faith, we find no where in the Scriptures that we are supposed to be contending just for the fun of contending. Nor do we find that our contending should be in the flesh. Neither are we to contend with others just to exalt ourselves. Biblical contention is to contend for doctrine not to contend just to exalt a man who calls himself a doctor. In other words, it's to defend God's truth rather than man's truth. And in scriptures, we find that there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. The scriptures tell us to "speak the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15) and in a "kind and tenderhearted" manner (Eph. 4:32). Why is this? It because we are supposed to exercise "brotherly love" and perfer others in "honor" (Rom. 12:10) as we "esteem others" better than ourselves" (Phil. 2:3). Yet, this is exactly what the Pharisees will not do. It's because they think only of themselves and because they are so self-righteous, they believe they are right and everyone else is wrong. It's because of this, they love to argue, ridicule, and belittle others. It makes them feel good about themselves. They love to put others down because it lifts them up. Because they are in the flesh, they want so badly to appeal to the flesh of others and in the flesh make their enemies appear to be inferior to them. This is why they toil endlessly in trying to discredit others. They want people to only follow them. They want to be viewed as the authority and anyone who doesn't exalt them and their group must be eradicated.

In Jesus' day we read time and again that the Pharisees came to Jesus over and over with the intention of trying to tempt him. They further tried to provoke a rise out of him, hoping he too would sink to their level so he would attack them in return. They further sought to push him so hard that it would get him to say something they could use against him. This way they could attack him even the more and claim his word and doctrine was heresy. They wanted so badly to use his own words against him to try to sway the people in thier favor.

Now apply this to the modern day Pharisees. You know anyone like this? I do. Pulpits are filled with men who claim to be Pastors of flocks and Ministers who rather than exhort others spend their days attacking, oftentimes resorting to the childish practice of name-calling towards their enemies in an attempt to mock them and make them look stupid. But where are the fruits of the Spirit in this? They aren't there. That's a FLESHLY practice that is a true sign of a Pharisee.

In the Bible we are instructed how to deal with others. And if someone be overtaken in a "fault" or in "false doctrine" we are not supposed to cuss at them and call them names. Rather, we are to encourage such people to do right, and "restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Gal. 6:1).

Pharisees never do this. They don't consider themselves or do they have the spirit of meekness. Theirs is a critical spirit in which they look at themselves and their group as right and everyone else is wrong. And, rather than take the scriptures to show unto others the truth, they only appeal to the flesh in giving into their basest desires in attacking those with whom they don't agree. Where is the Spirit of Christ in this?

THE PHARISEES FIND STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

An interesting thing about the Pharisees is they are almost always found together. They like to be in a group. Not only do they live of the flesh and by the flesh, but they enjoy the company of other flesh. They are men worshippers. They worship themselves, and they worship men within their ranks whom they themselves deem worthy of special estimation. And because there is so much man worshipping man, man becomes the measure of all things. And the group quickly becomes a movement that devotes its time to exalting those within its group rather than exalting God.

Oh, they might say they are of God, but when you actually examine the group, you find that they follow each other more often than following God. They even stick up for one another and even cover one another's sins. Just look at the story of Jesus in John chapter 8. Some Pharisees came to Jesus with some stones in their hands and brought a woman taken in adultery (always thinking about killing, they were). They wanted to kill that woman, but Jesus wrote something on the ground that made them run off with their tails between their legs. What did he write? We might never know, but some theorize he simply wrote the verse which they tried to quote in allowing them to stone an adulterer. If that be the case, the verse says that both the MAN and the WOMAN under the law were to be stoned. Where was the man who committed adultery with that woman? Was it one of the Pharisees? We might never know. But Jesus' written note to them was so strong it convicted their hearts and made them drop their rocks and walk away. Some think it was because THEY were the adulterers. Who knows. But at any rate, they were protecting the man who adulterated by not bringing him as well. Pharisees will always do this. They will always protect their own. They have a mentality of "us first!" Their fellowship and society is not unlike Satan's many different "secret societies" in which men enter and defend their group no matter the cost. Yet they don't realize their membership cost them their soul.

We find that Pharisees often will never go against the status quo of their own camp. That is, they have a collectivism mentality. They do what's best for the group, and anything that isn't good for the group must be forbidden. This leads to much intimidation within their ranks, in which people who join them often find themselves in bondage to their system. They must conform or die. Or at least face ridicule for not following everyone else's way of doing things.

This leads to a very damnable society, one in which it makes it very hard to leave. Especially, if the whole becomes corrupt. For the more corrupt it becomes, the more devious its followers will be and the more malicious they will behave themselves towards those who of their own accord desire to leave their ranks in order to follow the truth, rather than corruption.

A good example of this is Nicodemus. The Bible tells us in John chapter 3 that he went by night all by himself to speak with Jesus. Why did he do this? I'm sure he feared ridicule by his peers for speaking with someone that they all viewed as the enemy. So in order to speak with Jesus, he went alone, in a time when he hoped no one would see him.

Notice how Phariseeism leads to fear. And as the Bible says, "The fear of man bringeth a snare" (Prov. 29:25).

The spirit of the Pharisee, then, is the spirit of "Convert to us and our group or die!" And this is ultimately what all Pharisees and their Phariseeical groups become--religious systems in which people must obey the laws of the group upon threat of ridicule, excommunication, and even death. See the Catholic Church and the Spanish Inquisition, the Masonic Lodge, The Illuminati, etc.

Sadly, modern day Christianity has become very Phariseeical and we are seeing the same spirit of those Pharisees of old running rampant today in modern Christian circles, denominations, and Churches. Even in my denomination, Independent Baptist, do we find this spirit of the Pharisees. And many of my peers are in a sad type of spiritual bondage in which they are afraid to come out and face the truth. For even questioning some of the things they have been taught could lead to loss of friends, support, fellowship, etc. Further, it could open one's self up to attack from others who portray this spirit of the Pharisees. For this reason they stay quiet and don't want to look at the corruption within their ranks.

As for me, I don't want anything to do with Pharisees. As I read the Bible, I'm faced with the same theme over and over again. It goes like this. A man starts out with God, but then he gets some followers. Eventually, they build a movement, but then it becomes a huge mass which eventually apostasies and falls headlong into corruption. God then sends a man to preach against it, and he then gets some followers and starts a movement that eventually apostasizes the bigger it gets and it becomes a corrupt Phariseeical organization, so then God has to send another man to come along and preach against that and the whole cycle begins anew.

But one thing I've noticed. God can do so much with just one man who's completly sold out to him, while a huge group who has the spirit of the Pharisee, although they might appear in the eyes of others to be doing a mighty work for God, is really not doing much but building a movement which eventually and consistently turns against God.

That's why it appears to me that the best thing to do in order to not have the spirit of a Pharisee is to separate yourself from men and their Phariseeical groups and just walk in the Spirit of God, serving him of a pure heart.

Are their Pharisees alive and well today? YOU BET YOUR LIFE THERE ARE! And they are everywhere! But at least now you know how to spot them. They are easy to find. For they are the ones who continually brag about themselves and what they do, exalting and magnifying men and their group rather than Jesus. They are continually in the flesh, and it shows as they have no charity whatsoever, and are quick to get offended. They also love to attack others and in the flesh ridicule and mock them, even calling them dirty and hateful names. And finally, they are those who faced with the truth would rather KILL you then hear what you have to say.

What's needed is someone to preach against them, their sin(s), and their apostate practices. Who is that man? In the Old Testament, it was many different prophets. What did they get for their service to God in preaching against corruption? Stoned, ridiculed, mocked, imprisioned, and even killed. But then Jesus showed up. What did he do? He preached against the Pharisees. What did they do? They crucified him!

So we see that it's not easy to go against the Pharisees and corruption. Yet, if you truly love God, then shouldn't you choose the Spirit of Christ rather than the spirit of the Pharisee?

The CHARISMATIC Independent Baptist Movement?

Before getting saved, I pertained to the Charismatic denomination, specifically the Pentecostal Church. During my time in that religion, I wasn't even saved. And I never learned the Bible. All they told me was "speak in tongues." But I didn't even know that Biblically, tongues were a WRITTEN, SPOKEN language like Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Spanish, English, etc. So following their teachings, I would just "babble" into the air without even knowing that I was doing something that was unscriptural. I was so deceived.

That's why I'm SOOOOOOOOO glad that my father loved me enough to tell me the truth about the doctrine of that church and I'm SOOOOOOOOO glad I got out of it. For in that denomination I saw a whole lot of false doctrine, and man made teachings, rather than following the scriptures. I further saw most of the members of that organization were led by FEELINGS rather than FACT. In other words, they chose to follow their EMOTIONS, rather than sound Biblical EVIDENCE.

So let me dogmatically state that I'm glad I LEFT the Charismatic fold, and I have no desire whatsoever to go back into it. They not only step on sound doctrine, but they also have chosen to follow man-made teachings over the word of God. And they allow themselves to be SWAYED by what men say and do, rather than by simply following the word of God as it's written.

But as I look around in the Independent Baptist movement, I'm appalled to see so many who claim to be "INDEPENDENT" Baptists who are nothing more than modern day Charismatics. Or at least they are headed that way! It bothers me. Probably because I came out of that mess and I'm seeing them headed towards the very thing I came out of. Yet when I speak up about it, I'm told I'm just a "dissenter" and a "busybody" who's talking about things he doesn't know about. Sadly, the exact opposite is true. I know more about it then they do, as I've come out of that background.

The first thing that bothers me about the Charismatic church was how much they preached so often on "money." It seemed like every sermon was on " financial blessings." And they stressed how you should GIVE to God so that he could in turn give back to you. They even had their own man-made methods of giving with their "Prosperity Gospel" that they set up years ago. It was giving not of what you have, but by FAITH giving what you don't have, trusting God to make up the difference. (Sound familiar?) And you were expected to give above what you could and trust God to bless you so you could give it.

Now, have you noticed this very same thing in the average IFB Church nowdays? It seems like all they preach about is "FAITH PROMISE." Most of them call it "Faith Promise Mission Giving." But did you know that that system or method of giving was invented by PENTECOSTALS and CHARISMATICS in the early 1900's? Yep, that same very system was all I heard from my Pentecostal preacher. That's why when I got into the IFB movement, I couldn't believe they would preach the same thing. But they do.

To read a great article about the modern FAITH PROMISE GIVING method used by modern Independent Fundamental Baptists, please read my article below:

http://confederatebaptist.blogspot.com/2010/12/faith-promise-giving.html

But that's not all. It's interesting to me that the IFB crowd likes to say things like, "All the other denominations in the world are apostate, but we are the only ones who haven't gone into apostasy. We are the only ones who aren't apostate!" Yet, when you look at some of their doctrines, they are WAY far away from where they used to be. Especially when it comes to the doctrine of Salvation.

In the Charismatic Church I remember hearing the false gospel time and again. Over and over they told me that salvation was by a "prayer" or by simply "asking Jesus into my heart." But that wasn't in the Bible. Silly me, I didn't know that, so I did that every night. In fact, I prayed every night before bed: "Now Lord, please come into my heart and save me." But it never worked. He never did. Why? Cause I hadn't heard the Gospel. It wasn't until I was 18 years old that my father took me through the scriptures and for the first time in my life I actually realized what Jesus did for me and I heard and understood the Gospel. And that's when I got saved. It was by "FAITH IN THE BLOOD" of Jesus Christ.

Yet today, I look at the IFB denomination, who once preached very hard on faith in the blood atonement of Jesus, and now most of them are saying the EXACT SAME THING as those Pentecostals I congregated with in times of old. It's common now to hear IFB Pastors, Missionaries, Evangelists, and laymen say to a sinner, "You want to get saved? Well, then just ASK JESUS INTO YOUR HEART!"

But this isn't the Gospel! It has nothing to do with it! It's not even biblical. In fact, it could open one up to demonic possession! So why are they saying this, rather than what the IFB for years used to preach, which is, Trust the blood atonement alone by faith! ?" Someone has changed their message, and it wasn't the pentecostals. They are preaching what they always have, a beggar's gospel of "inviting" Christ into your heart and life, but anyone can do this. But WHERE'S THE BLOOD? And where's the faith in it alone for salvation? It's not there.

For more about this and the modern new-age BLOODLESS gospel so prevelant today, read my book below:

http://www.rrb3.com/mypub/books/where_is_blood.htm

The next thing that bothered me in the Charismatic church was their constant use of man-made religious "PROGRAMS" to appeal to the masses and get them into their Church. It wasn't about "teaching the Bible," rather it was about sports, food, singles mixing, methods, etc. They taught more from what men said about the Bible than they did from the Bible. They used "programs" in which people would play games and have fun, rather than simply go verse by verse from the scriptures. They further would run big bus ministries to get kids in, cohercing them with candy and promises of movies, games, etc. It was about "having fun," and not about what church should be, "hearing from God through PREACHING of the scriptures."

Sadly, the modern IFB church has turned into the same thing. They have big pushes and gimmicks to get people into church, but they never stop to think that THAT is the only reason people come. They aren't there because they love God and want to hear from him. They are only there because they expect something for nothing. They are looking for a hand out.

Finally, Independent Baptists used to be just that, "INDEPENENT!" They prided themselves on being seperated and apart from others. That was their thing. And they enjoyed being different and not tied to any other denomination, organization, crowd, group, etc. Nor did they belong to a "convention" or "fellowship." Each church was it's own sovereign entity, under God.

Buy my how times have changed. Now, Independent Baptists are very much men-pleasers and crowd bunchers. They love to get together and fellowship, and they love to brag upon their numbers and their groups and their fellowships and their camps.

Further, they love to join forces with others, so they can brag about how many they are. And, like the Pharisees of old, as well as the Charismatics, they use their numbers to say things like, "Look at how many we are! God must really be in this, cause look at all the people we have on our side!"

Yet such thinking is a little fouled up. For if we were supposed to live our lives by looking at the "MAJORITY" and then follow them, then we'd all have to be either Catholic or Muslim, as those are the two biggest religious groups in the world. But we know we should join either. So why do they use that argument?

When it comes to the Spanish Bible Issue, I find that many IFBer's are now going with spanish version put out by CHICK TRACTS. This is odd, as I remember sitting around with other Independent Baptists and talking about how liberal and how charismatic chick publications is now. We used to hate the back of their tracts, as they had the "ask Jesus into your heart" gospel. But now, these very same guys are all in favor of Chick, and openly embrace it! But do they know that the majority of those at Chick's publishing are CHARISMATICS???

So, how could the modern Independent Baptist movement be so quick to hook up with a group they all claim to be against which they believe has false doctrine? It's not just these main things in which they are crossing the line and going the way of the Pentecostals and Charismatics. There are a lot of other things too. But isn't this enough for someone to stand up and say, "WAIT A MINUTE!!! You claim to be Bible Believers, so why are you gallavanting around with and preaching doctrines from people who are Charismatics, or to be fair, who have TIES with the Charismatics?" It's enough to make one sick!

For me, I'm almost to the point of leaving the IFB crowd all together. Why? They are heading the wrong way. They are marching toward the very group I came out of, and I can't go that direction with them. For, what I came out of did not give me the Gospel. Does that mean the IFB crowd is not giving the Gospel now either?

To be fair, not all IFBer's are bad. There are still a lot of good men out there who are standing for the truth against apostasy and have not compromised. But they sure are hard to find. And, I sure wish they would stand up and tell their peers the what for, because they don't seem to be saying anything. Why is that?

For me, I think I know the reason. Because to speak up against the IFB crowd is nowadays a punishable offense in the militant IFB ranks. And, it doesn't make you any friends. Rather, it opens you up to constant attack and ridicule from them. And that's what these guys do. They attack and attack and attack! (At least the Charismatic crowd had CHARITY!)

Not only do modern day militant IFBer's dedicate themselves to attacking, oftentimes being in the flesh, but they pride themselves upon their PUTTING DOWN others who don't agree with them. It's like they think that's what God put them here on earth to do, RIDICULE, rather than exhort and encourage. So they spend their time in the flesh cussing out others and gossipping and lying about them, rather than simply trying to understand where they are coming from, what they believe, and why.

This is quite interesting, because I saw this too in the Charismatic movement. I remember one occasion in particular in which people accused me of something I didn't do, and I was chewed up and spit out by others in that denomination. It wasn't until after they finished that I got a chance to speak. And that's when I told them they really should have asked me first if I was guilty of what someone had told them, because I was completely innocent. But they chose to believe GOSSIP rather than the truth.

Sadly, I'm seeing the EXACT SAME THING all too often today in the IFB movement. There is much jealousy and therefore much character assassination. And rather than call someone up and ask them if what's been said about them is true, far too many seem to want to believe a lie; to believe in gossip rather than get to the bottom of the issue and find the facts. I've always wondered why that is. Maybe it makes them feel good about themselves. I don't know. All I do know is that I'm seeing the EXACT SAME THINGS in the IFB movement that I saw in the Charismatic Church, and boy does it scare me. All I can say is, "Even so, Come Lord Jesus!" Because if he doesn't come soon, I don't feel I can go along with direction the IFB crowd is headed. They are constant BOASTERS bragging about themselves, their actions, their motions, their denomination. This is what bothered me about the Pentecostals, and it really bothers me about the IFB crowd too.

Where are those who simply stand on the truth, stand by the book, and no matter the cost will stand for what's right? Why go along with a GROUP when that group is slowly headed the wrong direction? I don't think I'll ever understand that.

All I know is the Bible is an interesting book, and has a really neat theme. It's filled with story after story of mankind growing into a large mass, and then that mass becomes apostate and corrupt. Then God choses one man to go against that group and preach to them. It's was always ONE MAN and GOD, and with God that man could do anything! God used him against the majority, because the majority was WRONG!

Why is it now that the mentality of the IFB movement is the exact opposite? For they think God can't do anything without them, and that only their group is the only one that God uses today. They have a group mentality, and unless you are part of their group, doing what they do, speaking like they speak, and practicing what they practice, you aren't one of them. I believe there's a word for such people: a MOB!

God helps us, and God please give us individual Christians who will raise up and practice DISCERNMENT and actually question if what they are doing is right. If it is, DO IT. If not, FOLLOW THE SCRIPTURES rather than following MAN.

The Ommission of the Blood of Jesus Christ

I've been saying it for years, that modern FUNDAMENTALISTS, EVANGELICALS, and so-called CHRISTIANS, are GUILTY of ommitting the blood of Jesus Christ in their gospel message, either ignorantly or willfully. By saying this, I've gotten a lot of angry letters, emails, phone calls, etc. They all tell me things like, "Well, you don't have to know about the blood to be saved!" or "You don't have to know anything to get saved. Just come to God the best way you know how!" But is that so? Of course not. A person must first HEAR the gospel before he can believe it, and before he believes it, he must UNDERSTAND it! That's just sound Bible doctrine.

I was reading through a commentary by J. Vernon McGee the other day, and read the following. I believe it's very important for us today, for there are many today who claim to be Christians, yet they leave out the blood of Jesus Christ for salvation. I quote from page 20 of his commentary on the book of 1 Peter:

" 'And sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ...' There is often a silence about the blood of Christ, even in fundamental circles. As long as the blood of our Lord coursed through His veins, it had no saving value for us; but when that precious blood was shed, Christ Jesus gave His life. The life of the flesh is in the blood. He shed that blood that you and I might have life.
Remember that Peter is writing to Jews who had been brought up in Judaism. They were the Diaspora, believing Jews living in Asia minor. They knew the Old Testament, and they understood that the high priest on the Day of Atonement took blood with him when he went into the Holy of Holies, and that he sprinkled the blood seven times on the mercy seat. Now the Lord Jesus Christ has taken His own blood to the throne of God (the throne at which we are judged as guilty sinners), and He sprinkled His blood there. He gave His life and paid the penalty for us. Now that throne of judgment is the throne of grace where you and I can come and receive salvation.
My friend, the gospel has not been preached until the meaning of the blood of Christ has been explained. It may offend you aesthetically--the offense of the cross is that He shed His blood. Of course it is not pretty, but your sin and my sin are not pretty either. Our ugly sin is what made it necessary for Christ to die for us.
This reminds me of a story about a terrible accident which occurred at a railroad crossing. Several people were killed when the train hit a car. There was a court trial, and the watchman who had been at the crossing at the time of the accident was questioned.
'Where were you at the time of the accident?'
'I was at the crossing.'
'Did you have a lantern?'
'Yes.'
'Did you wave that lantern to warn them of the danger?'
'I certainly did.'
The court thought that was enough evidence. When the watchman walked out of the court he was heard to mumble to himself, 'I'm sure glad they didn't ask me about the light in the lantern because the light had gone out.'
My friend, there can be a lot of lanterns waved in the circles of fundamentalism and evangelicalism and conservatism. However, unless there is the message of the blood of Jesus Christ and the sprinkling of the blood which cleanses us from all sin, there is no light in the lantern."

One old preacher once said, "You can't preach the Gospel without preaching the BLOOD, and you can't preach the BLOOD without preaching the Gospel!" What on earth, then are modern so-called Christians preaching?

Oh yeah, that's right. They are preaching a "BLOODLESS GOSPEL" which is "another gospel," of which the apostle Paul warns us about in Galatians chapter one. What is their gospel? It goes something like:

Just ask God to save you

Ask or invite Jesus into your heart

Make your committment to Christ

Call on the Lord through prayer alone and ask him to come into your heart

Repeat this prayer after me

Simply Recite the Sinner's Prayer

But, all of these modern gospels have one thing in common -- THEY ALL LEAVE OUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, and FAITH ALONE IN IT FOR SALVATION!

Further, they can all be done in the MIND, without any faith whatsoever from the HEART.

So HOW ON EARTH, can so called Fundamentalists, Evangelicals, and Christians preach THESE rather than simply pointing sinners to Christ crucified and salvation by faith alone in his precious shed blood? It's insanity!

I'll close with this. I'm constantly working to get people the truth about the Spanish Bible, and which one is the best. Through my studies, I'm convinced it's the Valera 1602 Purified Spanish Bible. But I'm also amazed at how many FUNDAMENTALISTS and EVANGELICALS disagree, choosing instead other versions. One of those is the modern GOMEZ Spanish Bible. And, I found a new book by one Emmanuel Rodriguez defending that version and Mr. Gomez who produced it. In that book I read about the tesimony of Mr. Gomez, and that book gives the following information about his "salvation" experience. I quote from pages 22-23:
Gomez speaking: "My religion never taught me that God was willing to save a wretch like me. They never told me that if I would PUT MY FAITH IN THE BLOOD THAT CHRIST SHED FOR ME ON THE CROSS [emphasis mine], that, not only would He save me from an eternity in hell, but He would change my life. ...but something happened to me today. I ASKED JESUS TO SAVE ME. [emphasis mine] And he did. He changed my life."
This is very interesting and is typical of what we see in modern Fundamentalists circles today. Some might talk about the blood and say that to be saved a person MUST put their faith in it. But then later they will give another conflicting idea for their plan of salvation, that of ASKING for God to save them. But where's the faith in the blood if you are asking? For asking God to save you, apart from trusting him and his blood atonement to do so is another gospel.
Is Mr. Gomez even saved according to this testimony? He tells us an American Missionary from Colorado told him the right way to be saved: By FAITH IN THE BLOOD, but then on the next page, he confesses that he rather "ASKED JESUS TO SAVE HIM." So which is it? Did he trust the blood, or did he only ask?
I'm not calling into question Mr. Gomez' salvation. He could very well be saved, and I hope he is. But why does he give two conflicting statements in his testimony in that book? Thank God he "mentioned" the blood and wasn't "silent" like many modern Fundamentalists. However, why did he say he "asked" for salvation, rather than "trusted" the blood like instructed?

This is an important point. For there are countless millions of people today who call themselves Fundamentalists or Evangelicals who rather than preach the Blood, pressure people to "repeat a prayer" or "call vocally upon God asking for salvation" without stressing a Sinner's need to trust the blood atonement. They are like Mr. McGee said, watchman with no LIGHT in their lanterns.

I'll close with one more example. I was preaching in Guatemala once with a man who had a big church and bus ministry. I preached on "THE BLOOD of Jesus Christ." Afterwards, the Pastor got up and apologized publically for not having preached the blood before, and he promised from then on to preach the blood alone for salvation. Yet, he'd been in the ministry for decades and claimed he had won thousands to Jesus Christ. What then was he preaching? It was a "BLOODLESS GOSPEL." But he was only doing what he'd been instructed to do in his own Bible College when he went "soul winning." What was that? A quick 1,2, 3 repeat after me method of quickly pressuring a sinner to REPEAT a prayer, without any signs of REPENTANCE from the heart. And absolutely no mention of the blood atonement, nor one's need to trust it alone for salvation. Who was this man? I'd rather not give his name, needless to say, he uses the Gomez Spanish Bible now. Could there be a pattern here?

Oh, and I forgot to mention that the Gomez Bible is now printed by Chick Tracts. You know, the ones with the cartoons in them. And, have you ever read the back page of a Chick Tract? They instruct you to "ASK" Jesus into your heart. Where's the FAITH IN THE BLOOD like the evangelist from Colorado instructed Mr. Gomez to follow? They might mention the blood, but they don't instruct Sinners to trust or rely solely in the shed blood by faith alone. They try to get sinners to ask or beg for salvation apart from resting only in the finished work of Christ.

I'm a BIBLE BELIEVER, and I'm quickly getting as far away as I can from modern apostate FUNNY-MENT-AL-ISTS who claim to be standing for the faith, when they preaching another plan of salvation. I don't want to be connected to anyone who OMITS the blood of Jesus Christ. And that's exactly what they are doing.

If you are a Fundamentalist, an Evangelical, or a Christian, make sure you don't go along with them in the error of their ways in ommitting the blood atonement of Jesus Christ. Preach the blood with all your might! Make sure there is LIGHT in your latern!

All this ties in to why we left our old home church. It was over this very issue. If you desire a real eye-opening read, then please go to:

http://www.rrb3.com/Left/reasons_left_church.htm

This is a very important topic. That of salvation. For there very well could be countless millions of people within the Fundamentalist, Evangelical, and even Independent Baptist movements which are lost, trusting a BLOODLESS GOSPEL rather than the true BLOODSTAINED GOSPEL of Jesus Christ. It is for them that I keep my lantern lit! Wouldn't you do the same?

Note: Part of the reason for me posting this blog, is because I've recently been personally attacked by Mr. Emanuel Rodriguez, in his following article:

http://www.deanburgonsociety.org/PDF/is_gail_riplinger_right.pdf

In this article, Mr. Rodriguez states that for "dishonest practices" I was "kicked" out of my old home church. I know of no dishonesty on my part, nor of any dishonest practices. All I know is that I of my own accord left that church over this very issue, an issue in which they used to be in complete agreement with me. (Click on the link above about why we left our own home church to read the letter of my old Pastor to my father, where he too once claimed to be against "Ask Jesus Into Your Heart.") It appears the doctrine of SALVATION and the SPANISH BIBLE are quickly being melded together, and in order to find the right Spanish Bible, you need to make sure the people who try to steer you in the direction of thier own version(s) have the RIGHT GOSPEL of salvation to begin with! For this is a very, very important issue.)

What's the Job of a Pastor?

Many people today have very strange ideas about what a Pastor is and what he's supposed to do. They get their teachings usually from modern tradition or from their own denomination rather than from the Bible. So according to the word of God, what is the job of a Pastor? What should he do?

The answer is very simple. As simply put as possible, the Pastor should: 1. READ, 2. FEED, 3. INTERCEDE, 4. SPOT THE NEED, and 5. LEAD.

Let's look at each one of these in light of the scriptures:

1. READ THE BIBLE

The Pastor's job is to spend as much time as possible in the Scriptures reading and studying them. We find this in the book of Acts in the following passage:

Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Here we find Peter and his congregation coming to him with problems. Rather than deal with them, Peter tells what he's supposed to be doing. He says he should not "leave the word." In other words, the Pastor's job is to spend as much time in the scriptures as possible, so that he might bring a powerful message to his congregation. He's to STUDY, and READ God's word and learn it inside and out, so that he might devote himself to "the ministry of the word" (vs 4).

2. FEED THE CONGREGATION

A Pastor is not only supposed to be learned in the scriptures, but he must also know how to minister or preach the word of God others. He must also know how to TEACH them, so that once people are saved, they will grow in the Lord. This is easily found in the following passages:

John 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

God's intention for preachers and pastors is to not only PREACH the word, but also TEACH new converts from the scriptures. This is an important work, and is something all those who claim to be Pastors should know how to do.

3. INTERCEDE FOR OTHERS

We've already look at Acts chapter six above. And in verse 4 we read that one of the things that Pastors should do is give themselves "continually to prayer." This is to pray for others both lost and saved. They are to beg God to save the lost and help them to hear the Gospel, and they are supposed to intercede on behalf of other Christians who are suffering and plead God to give them grace and if possible deliverance.

Below Paul also tells us:

Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

In the first verse, we have the Apostle Paul, who instructed us to be a follower of him, telling other Christians that he did not cease to pray for them. And in the second verse we find Paul instructing Timothy, a young preacher, to pray and intercede on behalf of all men. Thus, a true Pastor should follow this example as well, found often in prayer, praying for not only his own congregation, but also for other Christians, and even those lost people in his community and abroad.

4. SPOT THE NEED OF OTHERS

All throughout Paul's writings, we find him caring about other Christians and helping them. In fact, he often took up offerings for the poor saints. This is something that is greatly lacking among modern Pastors today who usually are paid large sums of money to Pastor churches, but often do not put a dime back into the offering plate to help the less fortune church members in his congregation. But there are oftentimes many Christians who come to church who have great needs, and it is the supposed to be the CHURCH that helps one another. Some verses on this are as follows:

Romans 15:25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

2 Corinthians 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

2 Corinthians 9:1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

This "ministering" Paul speaks of was usually in the form of an offering unto the poor saints to help them in their affliction while they were suffering for Jesus. Sadly, many churches would rather give to the lost in the form of clothing, food, money, etc. before they would help those in their own church. It's not wrong to give. But shouldn't the Church come first? A good Pastor would be faithful in helping those in his own church and make sure their needs are met, before going to the lost world and helping the poor there. And any help given to the poor should be with the goal in mind of using that generosity to forward the opportunity to preach the Gospel to the poor.

5. LEAD THE CONGREGATION

Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

The Pastor is supposed to be the spiritual leader of the congregation. That is, he's supposed to lead the people according to the scriptures. But he's not to be a DICTATOR. People should follow him as he follows Christ. And if he's a good Pastor, he will learn how to EXHORT people, rather than EXTORT people.

We live in a day and age of many Pastors who abuse their spiritual authority, and try to pressure people to do certain things. Further, some are so dictatorial that they might even force people to do things against their will. Such a Pastor is not of a sound mind, nor is he a good example of a Christian. For Jesus never forced anyone to do anything against their own will.

A good Pastor knows how to preach the scriptures and encourage people to do right, but he knows that he can't make people do anything. They should live for Jesus and obey the scriptures because they want to, not because their Pastor makes them do so.

And the Pastor should LEAD his congreation. This means he should be doing what the scriptures say, and not just telling his congregation to do it, while he himself does nothing.

We live in an age of Pastors who have the mentality of "do what I say, not what I do!" This is a horrible example of a true servant of Jesus Christ. In fact, it's a PHARISEE! For Jesus said the following of those old religious leaders in Matthew 23:3-4...

3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Be very careful of Pastors who are quick to tell you what to do, but they never do it themselves. Or, they preach against something, but they partake of that same thing themselves. Those types of Pastors are not fulfilling God's plan in their life, and are most likely nothing more than hirelings, who only care about themselves, and not the people of God.

Once again, the Pastor's job should be:

1. READ

2. FEED

3. INTERCEDE

4. SPOT THE NEED

5. LEAD

Is your Pastor fulfilling his ministry? If not, why not print up this small article and give it to your Pastor? Ask him to prayerfully consider this treatise. And plead with him to put God first, his congregation second, and himself last. For a true Pastor will always want what's best for his people before he gets what's best for himself.

Christian Nobility

Sitting in Church the other Sunday I sat under a preacher who taught us from the book of Nehemiah. He had some interesting points, but one of the things we read in the passage really hit home with me, and I quickly wrote down some notes in order to write this blog. First, let me give the passage below from Nehemiah chapter three:

1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.

2 And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.

3 But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

4 And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.

5 And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.

In this passage we find the people of Israel returning from captivity to work together to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. Now, Israel is not the church, nor vice versa. But we can spiritually apply this passage to the church today, and make some comparisons. The priests would be a type of modern day "Pastors," while the Israelite people rebuilding the wall would be a type of the "church congregation." And notice that they are all working together in harmony. That is all of them but those in verse 5, who, "put not their necks to the work of their Lord." At first I didn't know what this meant. I had to think about it. Then I figured it out. These "nobles" not only didn't do any work, but they also wouldn't even TURN THEIR HEADS to even look at the work. They just sat there on their rear ends, probably eating bon-bons, and drinking mint juleps! And they weren't interested in doing anything for God!

They were completely happy in their position of laziness and didn't care at all about the work of Lord. So much so, that they didn't even want to LOOK at the work of the Lord. They wanted others to do it all, while they themselves did nothing but enjoy the fruit of the labors of others.

Now, let's spiritually apply this literal, historical passage to the church today. Are there those in the church today who like the "nobility" of old who do the same? Do they, like most nobles, think they are more important than others, and for this reason, they don't need to get their hands dirty?

Sadly, there are such people in our churches today. They are usually that "upiddy, up" crowd in the church who's families for years have been in the church, and who think that because their daddy or granddaddy built the church, that they are more important to the church than anyone else (cause if it wasn't for their forefathers, there would be any church at all).

What's worse is when the Pastor caters to them, and esteems them higher than the "newer members," which elevates these "nobles" even more in their pride, which makes them look even more important to the church than anyone else.

But this is something that God is very much against. Revelation 2:6 tells us:

"But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate."

What were the deeds of the Nicolaitans? It was the practice of making two classes of Christians: those who were the most important and those who are looked upon as less important. The word Nicolaity is a compound word consisting of two words: Nico and Laity.

Nico or Nike was the God of "rights" of the people. He taught that certain people deserved some things while others didn't. And laity has to do with those people who are under others. It is from this term with get the word "laymen," or those who are not in a role of church leadership, and who are rather average church members.

This is nothing short of "class warfare" within the church house. For there are not two classes of Christians. There is only one. But in our age we see a great division among Church people. Especially with the teaching of "laymen" vs. "church workers." You know the teaching, in which certain people in the church are looked upon as "more important" than others, and those who don't do anything are only labelled as "laymen."

These then are the "nobility" in the church, who often feel that since they are so important, that they don't have to do anything, rather they should pass it on to others to do the work themselves. Pastors and deacons often fall into this category, as they demand worship from the congregation, but they themselves do nothing but count the offerings and enjoy the benefits of their position. They have converted themselves into the new "nobles."

I've seen it, and I'm sure you have too, that there always seems to be a "clique" in the church of those "rich" people or "popular" folks who run the church and hold much influence over the Pastor. Things always go their way, as they always win the vote to do things that they want done, (like what color the curtains and pews will be, like what types of festivals the church will celebrate, what kind of food people must bring for their fellowships, etc.)

This are the modern "nobility" who sway the actions of the Pastor and who though they themselves do nothing, they always want their names on the plaques on the walls because they give more to the church than anyone else.

But is this right? It's easy to spot such people, for they usually only brag upon themselves and/or on their church building, rather than on the Lord Jesus Christ. They put on a front that they are "noble" in character and lifestyle, but they are the ones who get the most angry when things don't go their way! And when they end up leaving a church during a church split, they are usually the ones who lead others away with them. Is this right?

As I read through Nehemiah, I couldn't help but chuckle. It appears the same type of people that were found in the congregation in Israel are found still today in our Churches. These are those who pass themselves off as "noble" people, who think they are too good to "turn their necks" to toil in the things of the Lord, especially when their desire is rather to "delegate" that job to others. Rather than work themselves, they enjoy the church pews, the church house, the fellowship, but they won't ever pass out a tract, visit other church members, witness to the lost, etc. They let others do it all, while they enjoy the benefits.

Like one old country preacher said of such people years ago, "I think the problem with a lot of church members is they caught a disease. It's called 'Buttroot!' Yeah, they don't do anything but sit on the church pew and because they've sat there so long, their BUTT done ROOTed to the pew. They don't do anything but sit there, and they think if it wasn't for them, the church wouldn't be there!"

There's your "Christian nobility." Just like those nobles of old in the time of Nehemiah, they sat there and did nothing while everyone else did the work. Maybe we should call it "Neckroot disease." For they, like the Israelite nobility, can't seem to even "turn their necks" to see the great need in the world today, especially for the lost world to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

THE GREAT BIG LIES ABOUT CHRISTMAS!

My wife and I aren't very crazy about Christ-mass. We see it for what it is. It's a holiday set up by BIG RELIGION, with many pagan practices, and it has been turned into a holiday set up by BIG BUSINESS who seeks to bilk people out of their money. Further, it has evolved over the years into more of a SECULAR season rather than a CHRISTIAN rememberance. And for this reason, my wife and I desire not to get caught up in the clap trap.

We are not all "Bah-Humbug" however. Nor are we "Puritans" who openly preach against others who celebrate the Holiday. Our attitude is to take the verse of scripture which states: "He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks." (Rom. 14:6).

In other words, if someone regards the day unto the Lord, then they can do so. As for us, we desire not to. It's their business, and what they do is fine with us. We just ask that they don't push themselves and their beliefs on us and we won't push ourselves on them.

But that's where the problem comes in. The whole world DOES push itself and its beliefs on us! And by so doing, they must LIE to us. It's almost like they are only interested in getting us to believe their lies. But this is something we cannot do.

LIE #1 ABOUT CHRISTMAS

First of all, the word "Christmas" is a made up term. It comes from the melding of two words: "Christ" and "mass." In other words, it is a made up invented CATHOLIC term.

I can celebrate Christ's birth (and I do), but I myself cannot celebrate the "mass." For I'm not Catholic. (Nor am I Protestant. I'm just a Bible Believer). Yet, the whole world wants to use the term, and wants us to use it as well. Why can't we just call it, "Christ's birth day?" Oh, yeah, that would bring us to lie number two!

LIE #2 ABOUT CHRISTMAS

Christ-mass is celebrated on December 25th. Most people claim it is because that was when our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was born. But was he really born on the 25th of December? Was he even born in December? No, the date of December 25th was in ancient times the date of the birth of the pagan God Saturn or Saturnelius (i.e. Nimrod the mighty hunter). And it was THE POPE of ROME who decided to set the date of December 25th as the date that all Christiandom should use to celebrate the Lord's birth.

So when was Jesus really born? That is easy. It was around September. Some state more specifically that it was around the 15th to the 25th of that month. ( I personally think it's around the 21st, when the SUN (i.e. S-O-N) is closest to the EARTH.). There are many ways to prove this, but just read your Bible. No shepherds would be in the fields in December. But they would be in September.

So let's get this straight. December 25th was a date set by the CATHOLIC POPE in which he damanded that we should celebrate the CHRIST MASS. In other words, he's dictating to us what we should do and when we should do it. That would be like me saying, "I believe it is September 21st, and you must celebrate it then only!" Who would listen to me? Nobody.

So why listen to the Pope and his made up day? And how can you be a Bible-Believer and still celebrate the Lord's birth on a day when you know that's not the day he was born? It was the day PAGANS used to celebrate their own god's birth day?

LIE #3 ABOUT CHRISTMAS

Now on to our next lie about Christmass. It's common this time of year to see a manger with the baby Jesus in it. You see them every where, in people's yards, at churches, etc. But is that a Biblical scene? Did the wise man really come to the MANGER and see the baby Jesus? The answer is a resounding, "NO!" In the scriptures, we read that the wise men showed up later. And they didn't show up at the manger. They showed up somewhere else. Someone has twisted the scriptures to their own destruction. So though it's a beautiful scene to remind us of Christ's birth, it's also a great big LIE to show the three wise men there. It took them longer to reach Christ Jesus, maybe even up to two years later.

LIE #4 ABOUT CHRISTMAS

Now I'm going to look at the Christmass Tree. Why is it that people put up such a thing in their house? Who started it? And why do we exchange gifts? Well, if you listen to what many a "Christian" says about it, they say it's a wonderful example of Jesus, as it's an "evergreen" tree, and Jesus is ever alive, having resurrected from the dead. (Why then does the tree die a few months later???)

But where does the tree come from. If you study the Bible as well as pagan history, you find it has it's roots in the practice of the HEATHEN. Why, Jeremiah even tells us about it in chapter ten of his book:

" 10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 10:3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 10:5 They are upright as the palm tree..."

Sounds a lot like the modern practice of erecting a Christ-mass tree, doesn't it? So why would a person who claims to be a Christian want to do something that the HEATHEN have done for thousands of years? Doesn't sound like it has much to do with Jesus, does it?

LIE #5 ABOUT CHRISTMAS

This lie is that of the teaching about a man named "SAINT NICK" or "SANTA CLAUS." Every year, we are told of a man who lives in the North Pole who dresses in Red, and who travels around the world on Christmass Eve to give presents to all the good little boys and girls. But do you really believe that story? I don't!

Yet it never ceases to amaze me how parents are so willing to LIE to their children and try to convince them that he really does exist. Just like the easter bunny and the tooth fairy, parents are willing to lie to their children and make them believe in something that is not real! Why is this? The thought of me lying to my children sickens me and makes me feel like a rotten person. So how could I feel good about lying to my children about Santa? (By the way, rearrange the letters of SANTA, and you get S-A-T-A-N. Could it be that he's the one behind this lie? Especially when Santa gets all the characteristics of Jesus, which are omiscient, omnipresence, and omnipotence.)

It's gotten so bad, that I even hate to go out around Christmas time. For people all the time ask my daughter, "Are you ready for Santa to come and visit you?" I get so angry. For how could they perpetuate the LIE that there a man named Santa?

LIE #6 ABOUT CHRISTMAS

The next lie about Christmas is most likely the worst. For we are told we need to have the Christmass "Spirit." (Which spirit is that?) We are also told that it's the time of year to give gifts, spread cheer, and "be jolly." (But, It's almost like they are saying, "Only do that during the Christmas season, the rest of the year you can do whatever you want). Are we only supposed to be nice during the end of the year? Shouldn't we be nice the rest of the year too?

Only being nice on CHristmas, but living like the devil or uncle scrooge the rest of the year is like telling a person that it's okay to do evil, as long as they do some good later to atone for it. This is WRONG!!!

I also greatly dislike people saying, "Jesus is the reason for the season." Although this is true, and I agree with the statement, I find that these same people often commemorate other things that have nothing to do with Jesus whatsoever! How can they say Jesus is the reason for the season, and then forget Jesus completely during the Christmas season?

Christmas should be all about celebrating the BIRTH of our Saviour, and to many Christians it is. But notice what this leaves out. What about his DEATH for our sins? This is completely overlooked and forgotten! Why do we remember his birth if we forget the reason he was born? Jesus was born to DIE. And, why do we remember Jesus just one day out of the year? Why can't we celebrate Christ's death, burial, and resurrection all year long? And why can't we remember his birth for what it was, MIRACULOUS!" He was born of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit. That should be the only "Spirit" spoken about during Christmas. Instead, we are given this gas about having "Christmas spirit." What is that? Could it be an unclean spirit? Usually it is, as to most people, Christmas is only about greed, i.e. "getting presents for themselves."

LIE #7 ABOUT CHRISTMAS

I've heard people say, "It's un-American and un-Christian to not celebrate Christmas." And you've probably heard that too. But is it really? In light of history, that statement doesn't even make sense. For in England and America, Christ-Mass was outlawed for many a year by both Puritans and Protestants, (and even BAPTISTS) . It was because true "Bible-Believers" knew the pagan heritage and the catholic influence of that holiday. They chose not to celebrate it because they knew it was full of lies and errors.

In fact, the celebration of Christ-mass in America was outlawed until about 1840 something, when Alabama was the first state to allow the celebration of that holiday. (And when it did, there was a great outrage among Christians, who were very much against that CATHOLIC holiday). It wasn't really until the early 1900's that Christmas caught on nation-wide, and even protestants began adopting it.

So to say that not celebrating "Christmas" is un-American and un-Christian is not true at all. It's only really been the last 100 years that that holiday has even been celebrated in our country. For our founding fathers knew better.

SUMMARY

So Christ-mass is a holiday full of lies. You are lied to about its true date, about its orgin, about its history, its practices, and especially about the old fat man in red. (In case you don't know, HE'S NOT REAL!!!). Yet, the world tries to pressure you into accepting it all whole-heartedly, especially when it comes to LYING to your children. But should you?

I'm an Independent Baptist. My denomination is known for their being, hmm, what's the word: DOGMATIC about their beliefs, and they are usually very vocal when someone believes something that isn't Biblical. They especially cry aloud against many a Catholic doctrine that doesn't line up with the Scriptures. However, they all seem to be suspiciously quiet when it comes to the celebration of Christmas. They are now even putting Christmas trees in their churches, and allowing men dressed up like Santa to come and distribute gifts to the children. Further they watch the world's movies about the "Christmas Spirit" and get caught up with the claptrap involved with the world's view of the holiday. But why? Why do they help propogate the lie? Especially when their forefathers were very much against the pagan, catholic, heathen practices involved with Christmas?

I don't know, and I don't have the answer. All I know is that to me, Christ-mass is not something I'm too crazy about. And it greatly vexes my spirit to see what modern "Christ-mass" has become. For us, we remember Christ being born, and that's it. We don't desire to practice nor partake of any of the other rituals of that holiday. And we don't.

Now, if you buy me a gift, I'm not going to send it back. I like gifts. It's always nice to get something from somebody. But I don't expect a lump of coal in my socks if I don't get someone something in return. In fact, I try to give gifts year round, not just on Christmas.

So, once again, let me reiterate. I'm not telling you to celebrate Christmas, nor am I telling you not to. I only hope you'll see through the many lies of that holiday and learn how in good conscience to stop LYING to your kids and family. For the entire holiday of "CHRIST-MASS" sits on a throne of lies. It's full of paganism and catholicsm. And if you truly want to celebrate Christ's birth, then you need to put HIM first. How? The best way is to simply read the scriptures together. Go through the passages which speak of Christ Jesus coming to earth to be born of a virgin. And remember what JESUS did for you here on earth, when he suffered, bleed, and died on the cross for your sins.

Note: Years ago I read a book entitled, "THE TWO BABYLONS." After having read that book, I could no longer celebrate "Christ-mass" in good conscience, as I learned more about its foundations, and origins of its pagan practices. I recommend this book to anyone who's interested in learning the TRUTH about this thing called CHRIST-MASS. But be warned. It will sicken you to see the pagan foundations of the modern Christmas practices. For they are rooted in paganism, heathenism, catholicsm, and even the occult. There really is a "spirit" of Christmass, but it's not God's spirit. It's the spirit of error.

The Most Important Fundamental

I get a lot of stuff in the mail. One thing I get is a lot of Independent Baptist Magazines and Newspapers, and I read them. They help me stay informed with what's happening in the Independent Baptist Fundamentalist movement. (Sadly, I see them going downhill with much man worship, pride, and the love of fame, money, and power).

In the latest magazine I received, there was an article about what exactly Fundamentalism is. The writer defined it not only from the Dictionary, but also from what he personally believed it to be. But all of those who defend the "Fundamentals" of the Christian Faith and "Fundamentalism" all seem to leave out the most important of all the FUNDAMENTALS of the Christian Faith, and that is the BLOOD ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST!

All the books, magazines, tracts, pamphlets, etc. put out by "fundamentalist" Christians who claim to be "Fundamentalists" all seem to leave out the most important of all the Christian Fundamentals. Oh, they claim to believe that salvation is by faith alone, but faith in what??? They never say!

They also claim to believe that it took God's blood being shed to pay for man's sins, but even the Devil knows that! Where is their definitive statement on believing that a sinner must TRUST completely and solely in the shed BLOOD ATONEMENT of Jesus Christ? It's not there.

All throughout the Bible, we read that God only forgives man's sin through blood atonement. Even before the law, God demanded a blood sacrifice from sinners. This is why Adam, Abel, Seth, Noah, Enoch, Job, Abraham, Issac, Jacob, etc., all offered up animal sacrifices of blood to God for the forgiveness of their sins. It's because God demands BLOOD for payment for sin.

Later, God used Moses to write the law, and in the law God told the people how to bring a blood sacrifice to the Lord. We read of how in Leviticus chapter 1:

2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.

3 If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.

4 And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

5 And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

6 And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces.

7 And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire:

8 And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar:

9 But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

10 And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.

A sinner was to KILL the sacrifice himself. But that wasn't all. He was to put his hand on the head of the animal, signifying it was for HIM and in HIS PLACE for HIS SINS. And it was the BLOOD that the priests collected and offered up to God for the man.

This is why we read this is Heb. 9:22, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."

God only remits sins (or forgives them) through SHED BLOOD!

But the shed blood was not all there was to it. The Sinner also had to have faith. And what was the Sinner's faith in? It was in THE BLOOD!

A Sinner who sinned against God and wanted forgiveness of his sins knew that the only way to make peace with God and to have his sins remitted was through making a SHED BLOOD ATONEMENT. But he not only had to do that himself, he also had to TRUST that it was sufficient, for it was exactly what God demanded of him. In other words, HIS FAITH WAS IN THE BLOOD!

Now, when Jesus showed up and lived 33 years under the law, he never made a sacrifice for himself. He didn't have too. He was sinless.

Yet Jesus himself became the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of all mankind himself when he died on the cross of Calvary, shedding his own blood (God's blood, according to Acts 20:28) to pay for man's sins.

Jesus Christ was THE LAMB OF GOD, and the FINAL SACRIFICIAL BLOOD SACRIFICE for the sins of the world. What Jesus did was sufficient to forgive man all their sins. But what's lacking? Is the entire world already forgiven because Jesus did that?

No, something is lacking. And that something is FAITH in that finished work. That is specifically, FAITH IN THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST!

Romans 3:25 makes it so clear when it states of Jesus, "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation [a substitutionary blood atonement] THROUGH FAITH IN HIS BLOOD, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God."

Notice that the word of God says that Jesus will only be declared righteous and can only be your propitiation when your FAITH is in his precious shed BLOOD!

It's that simple. Salvation has always been in the Bible through faith in a blood atonement made on the Sinner's behalf. In the Old Testament, it was faith in the shed blood of an animal, usually a lamb. In the New Testament, it is through faith alone in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

This is sound Biblical doctrine! Yet today it is often ommitted and yeah even mocked frequently, even by those who call themselves "Fundamentalists."

Why would they leave out the most important of all Fundamentals of the Christian Faith, that of trusting upon a BLOOD ATONEMENT for the forgiveness of sins?

Many Christians today don't preach the blood, or a Sinner's need for reliance upon the blood of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins. Instead, they are guilty of preaching a "BLOODLESS GOSPEL," of which there are many. They go something like this:

Just make a decision to follow Christ.

Just turn your life over to God.

Just Ask God to forgive your sins, begging and pleading him to do so.

Just Ask Jesus into your heart and/or life

Just make a commitment to Jesus

All of these things might sound good to the ears of the hearer, but they are not "Fundamental" in nature, nor are they Biblical, for they all do the same thing, THEY ALL LEAVE OUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST!

This is why it bothers me so much to hear people bragging on being "Fundamentalists" and then writting down their little creeds, doctrinal statements, and lists of what they believe the Fundamentals really are, but then they leave out FAITH IN THE BLOOD altogether!

Could it be they really aren't all that Fundamental? Could it be they might even be LOST, because they haven't even gotten the most basic of the Fundamentals right, that of salvation only through FAITH in a BLOOD ATONEMENT?

I believe there is a great problem in "Fundamentalism," "Christianity," "Evangelicalism" and "the Independent Baptist Movement" today. I believe they all consistently leave out the most important of all the Christian Fundamentals, and that is the simple basic doctrine of YOU MUST TRUST THE BLOOD ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST IN ORDER TO BE TRULY BORN AGAIN.

This, as harrowing, horrible, and unbelievable as this might seem, means that there are Pastors, Missionaries, Evangelists, Deacons, Church Members, Sunday School Teachers, and even Bus Captians in our churches today who are not saved! They brag upon being Fundamentalists, but they have left out the most important of all the Fundamentals, RESTING IN THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST ALONE, TRUSTING ONLY HIS SHED BLOOD FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF THEIR SINS.

I have met such people. It's easy to spot them. All you have to do is ask them their testimony. If they say they "DID" something, and they leave out trusting the blood atonement for salvation, then they are lost. It's sad, but true. And our churches are full of such people. When you ask them for their testimony, they usually say things like: "Well, I asked God to save me, and I don't know if he did or not, so I just ask him again every night just to be sure."

This is NOT salvation! For a person like this has no assurance of salvation. They don't know they are saved, they only hope they are. And they are NOT trusting in the blood atonement of Christ, for if they were, they would not for sure that their sins are forgiven.

IN these last days in which the Bible calls days of apostasy well shall see more and more of this BLOODLESS GOSPEL. And it's so sad, because it ought not so to be.

What bothers me is that there are so few who preach the right Gospel (of 1 Cor. 15:1-4), that of salvation by FAITH in the blood atonement. Instead, many today are preaching the Beggar's Gospel of just ask Jesus into your heart, or beg his forgiveness, or make a commitment to him, etc. But, why would God save anyone outside of man's faith in HIS BLOOD ATONEMENT ON CALVARY??? It just doesn't make any sense.

God help us.

In the mean time, you there reading this blog. Let me ask you this: "Are you saved? How'd you get saved?"

Now let me ask you this also, "When did you trust the Blood of Jesus Christ alone to save your soul and forgive you of all your sins?"

Time is short. Jesus is coming soon. If you really are a "fundamentalist," then why are you leaving out the most important of all Fundamentals; that of FAITH ALONE IN THE SACRIFICIAL BLOOD ATONEMENT of Jesus Christ?