Category: False Teaching

Understanding Versus Every False Way

Thursday, November 17, 2016

“Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:104 KJV).

If we let God’s “precepts” (principles) teach us, we will see all the false ways and hate them!

Earlier this week, I spoke on the phone with a brother in Christ whom I and other grace leaders have been teaching via telephone calls, conference DVDs, and television programs. In the last year, he and his wife have really grown in the Holy Scriptures concerning dispensational truths. A Christian for some years, he is now seeing “Christianity” like never before. He told me the denominational settings and teachings that never used to bother him now do. This is a sign of spiritual growth! Every time he sees or hears something wrong, the Holy Spirit brings to his mind and heart a verse that corrects his thinking.

He is now familiar with what the Bible says concerning numerous topics, especially the Apostle Paul’s unique ministry and how we (the Church the Body of Christ) are separate and distinct from the nation Israel and her prophetic program. In accordance with today’s Scripture, careful study of verses has caused him to see how his pastor is not always honest with God’s Word. While the brother has chosen to stay at that denominational church for now—he is still “in transition” (it happened to me years ago, when I too moved from denominationalism to grace)—I reminded him once more they will eventually “evict” him from the assembly. Once they get enough of his “troublemaking,” they will ask him to leave! (He is well aware of that, so he will not be shocked when that day comes.)

In conclusion, I have never told him to leave his church, or to stop listening to denominational preachers and teachers on television and radio. My purpose in this is to let him reach the point of maturity on his own, and let him come to his own conclusion. He says he understands their lack of dispensational teaching, and how to be careful, so we let him stand. As he continues studying his Bible on his own, he will gain a greater awareness, and we trust he will act accordingly.

Our latest Bible study: “Can you summarize the Bible in three verses?”

Dominion

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

“Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy; for by faith ye stand” (2 Corinthians 1:24 KJV).

What makes religion different from Bible-believing Christianity is such “dominion!”

The Greek word translated “have dominion over” in today’s Scripture is kurieoo, from kurios (“lord”). It occurs first in Scripture in Luke 22:25-26, Jesus’ response to an argument His disciples had over who was the “greatest:” “[25] And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. [26] But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” (Notice kurieoo, “exercise lordship over.”)

Kurieoo appears again in Scripture, in Romans 6:9 and 14 as “hath dominion over:” “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him…. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Then, Romans 7:1: “Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?” Next, Romans 14:9: “For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.” (The next instance is today’s Scripture). Finally, 1 Timothy 6:15: “Which in his own times he shall shew who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of king, and Lord of lords;”

In light of the aforementioned surveys, we better Paul’s usage of the term in today’s Scripture. The Apostle never forced himself on anyone (in that case, the unruly Corinthians). He “helped” or “served” them instead (cf. today’s Scripture and Luke 22:26). God’s grace motivates us to do right, friends, but it does not command us or force us as governmental leaders use laws. Christianity is not about religious leaders dictating to or bullying us. (That is religion!) We make conscious choices by faith in Bible verses we read, and we therefore “stand.” Never, ever let any preacher, theologian, denomination, or church sit on a throne in your Christian life! 🙂

Crossroads

Saturday, November 12, 2016

“If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 14:37,38 KJV).

People can acknowledge the Apostle Paul’s special ministry—or they can remain ignorant of it!

I just received an email from someone who had read one of our online Bible studies. While he admitted that there was much truth in that article, while he read those Bible verses and knew exactly what they were teaching, and while he admitted everything was logical, he refused to give up his emotional experiences in religion. He actually encouraged me to ask God for such an experience before I reject it. In other words, he wanted me to ignore Bible verses, toss out all reason, and experience some emotional high to confirm God’s presence to me. Unfortunately, there are many millions of people just like this in Christendom. No wonder non-Christians think so poorly of Jesus Christ—look at what so-called “Christians” say and do. They promote ignorance and superstition and then criticize the world for being deceived by Satan!

Now, contrast this with another online correspondence I received around the same time. This particular man, who has a testimony of salvation in Christ, is so grateful to have found right division. Dispensational Bible study has answered so many confusing questions for him. Now, he has such peace, understanding, and joy. Spending over 20 years in one cult, and then spending the next 40 years in another denomination, he has now had quite enough of religious tradition and Biblical ignorance! Even to this day, he is always eager to learn more about the Message of God’s Grace. If only there were more people like him than there are like the individual in the previous paragraph.

Today’s Scripture shows us the Holy Spirit expected people to be unaware and uninformed of Paul’s special ministry. We should teach them. Nevertheless, if Christians persist in staying confused, we are instructed to “let [them] be ignorant.” Brethren, we need to use our time wisely. Find people who want to learn the truth and teach them! Leave the willfully ignorant alone!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Is Revelation 22:15 referring to sinners just outside of the New Jerusalem?”

Increasing Unto More Ungodliness

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness” (2 Timothy 2:15,16 KJV).

If you do not “rightly divide the word of truth;” you will embrace “profane and vain babblings;” and “ungodliness” will increase, increase, INCREASE!!

One reference book on religion says, “The existence of many religions, albeit sects, confused him, however.” That poor man confessed: “…[T]he teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passage of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.” He was “in utter confusion,” wondering which group to follow. (He was already in one denomination.) “God” and “Jesus” then appeared to him and told him that “none” of the religions were right, that all of them were “corrupt.” Joseph Smith thought he finally solved his dilemma of “which group to join”—he started the Mormon Church! (And then he became hopelessly baffled when he joined it!)

What a real shame! Since Christendom has utterly failed to “rightly divide the word of truth” for 20 centuries, denomination after denomination has arisen. They now number in the tens of thousands! Frankly, the Roman Catholic Church would have never started had the Word of God been consistently rightly divided from the first century onward. The Mormon Church would have never started. The Baptist Church would have never started. The Presbyterians, Lutherans, Assemblies of God, Churches of Christ, Nazarenes, Episcopalians, Seventh-Day Adventists, Methodists, Christian Scientists, would have never started!!

Had professing Christians never abandoned the doctrine taught by God’s “apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13), the Apostle Paul, in the Books of Romans through Philemon, they would have never gotten into the mess in which they are. Alas, they grabbed verses to and about Israel, tried to make them fit us Gentiles, and made God’s Word burdensome, nauseating, and repulsive for billions through the ages! We would hate to be in the shoes of those people when they stand before the Lord Jesus Christ in judgment, having to give an account for all those “idle” (empty, worthless) “words” (Matthew 12:36,37), such “profane [wicked] and vain [empty] babblings [gibberish]!”

REMINDER: The 2016 Slidell Grace Bible Conference, being held just north of New Orleans, is only one month away! Speakers are Richard Jordan, John Smith, and I (Shawn Brasseaux). Please refer to the attached flyer for all the details: https://arcministries.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/2016-slidell-gbc.pdf. We’d love to have you come! (Videos will be uploaded to YouTube later this year.)

Not Left to Ourselves

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:9,10 KJV).

Hallelujah—God did not leave us to ourselves!

Recently, while taking care of business at a government office, my services took so long to be rendered. While I sat waiting, the clerk helping me struck up light conversation. She complained to me how the procedure was “so complicated”—she had to go through so many steps on her computer before she could access my files and print my necessary papers. The thought immediately occurred to me. Millions of people think bigger government will solve our problems! (*Smacks forehead*)

Friends, as a dear brother in Christ often says, when God wants to judge mankind, He does not have to break out into a sweat. He can simply give mankind over to himself and mankind will ruin himself (see Romans 1:17-32). Mankind is just so naturally corrupt, so he will always eventually find himself before insurmountable obstacles and in inescapable dilemmas. Look at the world religions—the absolute spiritual darkness of people who worship rats, trees, cows, monkeys, bread and wine, and even small children! Look at the world governments—avarice, sex scandals, lies, and wasteful spending. Look at the educational system—empty curriculums, confused young people, comical opinions of men proclaimed as “the truth.” (All because they refused the light of the Word of God.)

Left to ourselves, we would truly be helpless and hopeless! However, praise God for the “but” of today’s Scripture! In His goodness, He did not leave us without revelation. He caused His inspired Word to be written down long ago, to be preserved through the ages in a multiplicity of manuscript copies, and to be translated into our language (English) so we can have it right now. We hold that inspired, inerrant, preserved Word of God when we have a King James Bible. If ever we drift away from the standards found in that King James Bible, we will surely go back the way of darkness!

Bible Q&A #320: “Seethe not a young goat in his mother’s milk?”

Arrayed in Hypocrisy

Monday, October 31, 2016

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:27,28 KJV).

“Looks can be deceiving” is not only true during Halloweentime, but confirmed year-round within Christendom.

Today is Halloween, when children dress up and feign themselves to be creatures they are not. Likewise, many church leaders today wear “Christian” garbs, but their ministries do not bring the Lord Jesus Christ glory and honor. They promote their denomination, and seek to perpetuate it, rather than serve and exalt the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. The Bible manifests these who appear to be good, as “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

In today’s Scripture, Jesus Christ exposed Israel’s corrupt religious leaders who misled the nation in His day. In His Parable of the Tares, Matthew 13:24-30,37-43, Christ explained how just as He had sown good seed (wheat, believing Jews) in Israel, Satan had also sown tares/weeds (unbelieving Jews). Tares resemble wheat; unbelieving Jews resemble believing Jews. The unbelieving Pharisees and scribes, for instance, looked like God’s people (believing Israel). Judas Iscariot was another example of Satan’s tares—the apostles never realized who Judas really was until it was too late!

But Satan’s counterfeit believers are not confined to Israel’s program. Today, within local assemblies of the Body of Christ, there are people feigning themselves to be Christians: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Beloved, beware of the church leaders who are arrayed in hypocrisy, “and avoid them” (Romans 16:17b). If their teaching does not agree with the rightly divided King James Bible, you have no business as a child of God to be listening to them.

*This is excerpted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What are ‘phylacteries?’”

You may also see our special study, “Should Christians celebrate Halloween?”

We Are Not Our Own

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19,20 KJV).

We belong to God, not to ourselves!

Nearly one-dozen specific problems existed in the Christian assembly at Corinth. Troubles! Troubles! Troubles! If you look closely at today’s professing “Church,” every last one of them still plagues the Body of Christ—deep divisions, deceived by philosophy, puffed up with pride, engaging in fornication, lawsuits amongst brethren, living selfishly and tearing down Christian brethren in the process, rampant idolatry, abuse of the Lord’s Supper, misuse of spiritual gifts (especially tongues), and denying Christ’s bodily resurrection. While more technologically sophisticated today, we still have not learned the lessons from the Book of 1 Corinthians. In fact, the primary theme of the Book of 2 Corinthians is Paul defending his apostleship against Christians who were rejecting it. Friend, do you know any “Christians” today who hate Paul’s apostleship? (See, it is the “same old, same old!”)

Today’s Scripture sits in the context of fornication, or sexual relations involving the unmarried. Verse 18 says: “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” Today’s Scripture continues: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Notice how Paul began today’s Scripture with, “What?” You can sense his shock. He is appalled that these Corinthians, despite him being with them and teaching them for over a year, do not know the most basic truth of Christian living. The Holy Spirit lives in us Christians! Our physical bodies are His “temple,” His dwellingplace. Wherever we go physically, we take Him with us! Have we been taking Him where He would have us go? Are we taking Him where He would want to go?

Bible Q&A #315: “Why are there Christians who persistently live like lost people?”

Feedback

Friday, October 14, 2016

“For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain” (1 Thessalonians 2:1 KJV).

Dear readers, what was written to the Thessalonians applies to you, too!

Saints, God’s Word touches hearts—sometimes it does gently, other times it is prickly! Checking ministry emails has its advantages and disadvantages. I never know if there will be good or bad news, praise or criticism, agreement or discord. As you can imagine, some very offended people use some very uncouth language to describe our Bible studies and/or even define me (whom they do not even know and have probably never met in person!). They cannot stand the fact that the King James Bible is right and they and their denomination are wrong. It seems like they would grab me around the neck if they could!

In stark contrast, other readers, rejoicing in our Lord, are so grateful for our ministry projects. They are thrilled beyond words to have access to sound Bible teaching. Having not heard it in their churches, they are spiritually starving. Praise our Lord Jesus Christ, though, that they are learning “so much” now! To show their appreciation, they send an email to thank and encourage me, or send a monetary donation so our ministry can continue to reach others. We are thrilled to serve them!

Paul, Silas, and Timothy, in today’s Scripture, confess that their first visit to Thessalonica was not useless (cf. Acts chapter 17). After all, they had just written in chapter 1 of 1 Thessalonians: “[9] For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; [10] And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” These precious people learned and believed the Word of God, and it went to work in their hearts and lives (1 Thessalonians 2:13). The same radical transformation is happening among you, dear readers! God’s grace is coming to life in your lives and we rejoice in Christ with you that we can minister to you the Word of God rightly divided! 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “How did Enoch ‘walk with God?’”

By the way, if we have helped you in God’s Word, please remember to donate if you can: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. (Or email me at arcministries@gmail.com if you want to donate without using PayPal.) Thanks!

Gospel Truth

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:9-12 KJV).

Have you ever heard the expression, “It is the gospel truth?” Someone says this when he or she wants others to believe his or her statements. In other words, it functions as verification. (Yet, who of these people actually believe the Gospel is “truth?”)

People will believe what other humans say in a moment’s notice. Sadly, we humans can be very naïve. Incidentally, I recently saw friends of mine circulating on social media what they assumed was a true news headline. In reality, it was fake! The website was spelled very similarly to a popular, legitimate news organization’s site. What should have caught their attention was the news article’s absurd title. Alas, my friends—and many others—were easily deceived!

Whenever people talk about the Bible, especially critics, they invariably mention its “unreliability.” They scoff at and deride the Scriptures, even though the Bible has abundant internal proof to demonstrate itself to be the Word of God. Yet, they refuse that testimony. No, they do not want to hear what God has to say. They would rather listen to and believe another human’s gossip, read and believe another human’s opinions and speculations, and broadcast and believe fantasy and folly another human originated. But, believe the Word of God that never lies? Never!

Today’s Scripture says God offers us eternal life in His Son, Jesus Christ. We either believe this or we do not. So many believe eternal life is found in rituals, rites, ceremonies, commandments, denominations, and organizations. They, having received and believed “the witness of men,” and having rejected “the witness of God,” will be sorely disappointed at death because they rejected TRUE Gospel truth!

The Truth or Fables?

Sunday, October 9, 2016

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3,4 KJV).

What is our authority—the truth, or fables?

A well-known television preacher answered a “religious” question submitted to him. The issue was a certain superstition. A lady wanted to know if this belief was just a bunch of nonsense or actually true. Rather than turn to the pages of Scripture, and tell the inquirer what God says in the Holy Bible, the preacher immediately began answering the question by relating a similar experience that he had heard someone else had had. Since that individual had had encountered the same “mysterious” event, the preacher told the inquirer that such things were possible and not at all fantasy. That he would entertain such an idea on national television is ridiculous enough, but worst of all was he never once quoted a Bible verse. His only authority was some vague story someone else had told him! (Why did he not quote a Bible verse? The Bible actually disagrees with him.)

Notice how the aforementioned preacher demonstrated today’s Scripture to be fact not fiction. Having once known Bible truths, he has since left them to embrace heretical theology. It is no shock he would answer that question in the manner he did. Decades ago, he “turn[ed] away [his] ears from the truth” and “turned unto fables.” A “fable” here is actually the Greek word muthos (from which we get “myth,” a tale). Such subjective stories rely too heavily on human emotions and intellect; therefore, they are not sound spiritual authorities. We must have an objective standard, something outside of ourselves, that never changes. That is the importance of the written Word of God, the 66 books of the Holy Bible. Had the professing “Church” “endured [tolerated] sound doctrine,” they would have never embraced such wholesale fantasy!

“Neither give heed [attention] to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying: so do” (1 Timothy 1:4). “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7).