Category: False Teaching

The Precious Blood of Christ #1

Saturday, September 17, 2016

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18,19 KJV).

God the Father and God the Holy Ghost think the blood of Jesus Christ is “precious.” And you?

A layperson once asked a theologian in his particular denomination, “What does the blood of Jesus Christ mean to you?” The theologian gave a dry, non-personal, “scholarly” answer. Again, he was asked, and again, he spoke of the blood of Christ in a very distant manner. Time and time again, that “scholar” held firm to his standard, “academic” reply. What did the blood of Jesus Christ mean to this theologian? Evidently, it meant nothing to him, for he never answered the question about what it meant to him! He had merely, and repeatedly, analyzed the blood of Christ from a theological perspective. There was no heart faith in that divine blood! Unlike him, we should agree with today’s Scripture concerning Jesus’ blood being “precious.”

Now, just to be clear, we must rightly divide the word of truth. Remember, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). While Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, are written to and about us, and we have no relation to Israel’s program, that does not mean we cannot see various parallels between our mystery program and Israel’s prophetic program. The blood of Christ is one example. Whether in prophecy—that which God “hath spoken since the world began” (Acts 3:21)—or in mystery—that which God “kept secret since the world began” (Romans 16:25)—the blood of Jesus Christ is the crucial foundation. As that shed blood cleanses Israel of her sins and saves her from everlasting hellfire, it cleanses us (the Body of Christ) of our sins and saves us from everlasting hellfire. Just as Christ’s blood is “precious” to believing Israel, so it is “precious” to us.

In our upcoming studies, we will exposit today’s Scripture to see just how “precious” the blood of Christ really is!

Great Peace in a World in Pieces

Friday, September 16, 2016

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (Psalm 119:165 KJV).

They have “great peace” indeed!

Friends, it is no secret that our world is seriously troubled. Lost people, while lacking the answers like most professing “Christians,” at least know something is wrong. They are frantically searching for solutions wherever and however they can—politics, education, science, religion, finances, entertainment, and so on. Since fallible human opinions heavily dominate these realms, they provide no lasting and soothing explanations. In fact, their associated uncertainties only trouble the already-befuddled human mind. As Ecclesiastes 12:12 says, “…of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness to the flesh.” Friend, as King Solomon concluded, you investigate and think about the world like an unsaved person, and you will be burned out very quickly! All the troublesome realities you discover will throughly exhaust you!

Thankfully, God gave us His written Word. We do not have to be “children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14). Instead of being constantly buffeted about by every silly teaching and every lie out there, we can be established (founded) and stablished (stabilized) in the truths of God’s Word rightly divided. We can have “great peace” while those around us (lacking the Word of God) stumble about, tossed about and “offended.” They have not grounded and guarded themselves in the Holy Bible. It is their fault, not God’s fault! He gave them answers in His Word, but they would rather drift and sway! Pride, friends, pride keeps them from opening the Book! They have their own “answers” and will not dare seek any from their Creator!

While we can have “great peace” when we value and esteem God’s Holy Word, oftentimes, we are distracted from it and we ourselves are “offended” (troubled, stumbled) as those who do not have it. Until Jesus Christ returns, this world will remain in pieces. Still, we have His inspired Word, so let us rest in it, relaxing in “great peace” until He makes all right! 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Are angels women?”

Teach Them Diligently Unto Thy Children

Thursday, September 15, 2016

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:6,7 KJV).

Such wise words from so long ago!

Earlier, I overheard two women talking about raising kids in this very confused world. The boundaries of human sexuality have been blurred. Children are addicted to electronic entertainment. All we hear about violence. There is such uncertainty. Friends, this is going to sound harsh, but it is the truth. Most children these days have a very bleak future because their parents have such a very weak understanding of what really matters. They have religion, education, and material wealth, but they do not understand the things of God. They cannot stand by faith on the written Word of God because they do not know it. If they do not know it, they certainly cannot teach it to their children!

Today’s Scripture commanded the Jews to teach their children the Law of Moses. If those new generations of Israel did not faithfully keep that Mosaic Covenant, God would forcefully drive them out of that Promised Land. Israel treated this commandment very lightly. They did not faithfully pass on God’s Word to their children. About 900 years after Moses, Israel fell politically. Instead of holding to God’s Word, they had worshipped and served pagan idols. So, in righteous judgment, God fulfilled His Word to them. He forced them out of the Holy Land. Gentile armies robbed, ravished, imprisoned, and killed them! The Jews are scattered worldwide even today!

Friends, if we are worried about future generations today, we had better get them into God’s Holy Word rightly divided. Our King James Bible is a sure (reliable) basis for life. It will be here long after we leave this world. Religious tradition will not do it because it changes through time. Science will not do it because scientific ideas change through time. We had better get our young people especially into the Pauline epistles, Romans through Philemon, lest our society wind up like ancient Israel’s!

An Inconvenient Truth

Saturday, September 10, 2016

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16 KJV).

Into what depths of madness will we descend if we ignore today’s Scripture?

An elderly lady once expressed to me a most unpleasant dilemma. For years she had known a Roman Catholic priest and his “healing missions trips” to foreign countries. Those poverty-stricken people overseas did not have viable healthcare, so they embraced his “healing campaigns.” She explained he had come to her house many times before to hold “healing”/prayer meetings. She not only let him come but she also participated. In recent years, however, he had not visited her home (perhaps she could no longer afford donations?!). Furthermore, she had had severe health (largely mobility) problems that prevented her from attending his meetings being held elsewhere. Her lack of healing proved today’s Scripture. Despite all the “healing claims,” these temporary bodies are still wearing down and dying!

The above predicament describes the insanity one will experience if he or she rejects the plain and simple truths of the Word of God. When you consider the absolutely absurd beliefs abounding in the world, they generally fall into two categories—science and religion. Both parties have scorned the light and understanding God’s Word would have provided them had they received it (Psalm 119:130). Man refusing to hear the Word of God will wind up in the same spiritual darkness as he would have remained in had God not given us His Word at all.

Religion and science alike are largely based on man’s intuition and opinions, not on the Holy Spirit’s teaching ministry. Thus, they will never be the means whereby God reveals Himself. First Corinthians 2:9-10 says: “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.” Friends, let us allow the Holy Spirit to teach us His inspired Word, the Holy Bible. If we refuse, pledging blind allegiance to religion and/or science, all boundaries of sanity will indeed be lifted!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Are we humans created in ‘the image of God?’”

How to Paddle Upstream!

Thursday, September 8, 2016

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2 KJV).

Will you let the course of the evil world system sweep you away?

River-water finds the shortest, quickest route (course) to the lowest elevation. So, to reach higher ground via a rowboat, you must do some mighty fast paddling! Without constant effort, you will be swept downstream. Now, think about Christian living.

Positionally, we have been justified (declared righteous) in Christ. Furthermore, we did not make ourselves holy. Father God sanctified us when we trusted Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour. We share His identity (chapters 3-8). Now, will our practice (daily living) match our position? Our choice! We can act like who we are in Christ (only logical). Or, we can act like who we were in Adam (ridiculous, since we are no longer in Adam!).

Most people today are in Adam. Dead in their trespasses and sins, they are alienated from God’s life (Ephesians 4:17-19). They do not have eternal life; they cannot live like God because they do not have God’s life in them. The course of this world is to flow toward Satan—his thinking, behavior, goals, et cetera. As Christians, we are instructed to “paddle” the other way, applying sound Bible doctrine so our identity in Christ becomes real in our life. The Holy Spirit will work in us if we believe sound Bible doctrine. If ever we are distracted from that doctrine, focusing on the course of this world, we will drift backward, away from “the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:11). “Going with the flow” is much easier, so most Christians give in—living more like Satan and less like God intended. Absurd!

After all Father God has done for us (previous eight chapters), friends, we should honor Him to the fullest extent. We follow today’s Scripture by faith—allowing His Word to transform how we think, rather than letting the world conform us to its course! 🙂

Very Pure

Sunday, September 4, 2016

“Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it” (Psalm 119:140 KJV).

God’s Word is “very pure.”

In his Bible-question-and-answer book, a well-known “scholar” and “apologist” instructed his readers how to respond to people who think the King James Bible is the only “legitimate” Bible. His entire argument—abounding with heathen philosophy from seminary, Bible cemetery—was merely 15 sentences. Boasting a doctorate in theology, he mustered five simple/childish “objections” (wow!) to the King James Bible. Furthermore, for someone supposedly “defending the faith” against skeptics and unbelievers, he was without reservation in challenging and belittling the Bible that English-speaking Christians have used for 400 years!

While we cannot read his heart, we most definitely can read his book: his hatred for the King James Bible was manifested in five gripes. One was a myth about the King James Bible, two were ridiculous complaints, one was a questionable statement, and the last was a half-truth. Having a background in (sneaky) theology, he carefully “edited” his arguments so as not to provide the “full picture.” That is, had he done more research instead of repeating hearsay—or had he provided more detail (which may have been intentionally withheld)—those claiming “King-James-Bible legitimacy” would have been found correct after all! He concluded his “defense” with a claim that he did not intend to “malign” the King James Bible. (Of course not! He just wanted you to think less of it so you [and he] can be “justified” in using any of the preferred 200 modern versions!!)

All the foolishness aside, beloved, we take our stand by faith in Scripture. As one refines a precious metal to remove all impurities, so God’s Word is void of error and deception (today’s Scripture). This is true of the King James Bible. It is not true of the New International Version, not true of the New American Standard Version, not true of the New King James Version, not true of the Voice, not true of the Message, not true of the Amplified Bible, and not true of the English Standard Version. People may not like it but so what! Our King James Bible can be EASILY proven to be “very pure.” Therefore, we LOVE it! (What does this say about its haters?)

Kindergarten Work!

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe” (Hebrews 5:12,13 KJV).

Have not spiritual “kindergarten work!”

Years ago, in high school, our art teacher grew very frustrated with lazy students. We were expected to turn in four art projects every six weeks. Many times, he gave the class lectures about “kindergarten work.” That is, teenagers were submitting artwork equivalent to that of four- or five-year-olds! He was not being overly critical. I remember some of the work—mere scribbles on paper!! They did not put their heart into it and their work reflected their poor attitude.

Every Christian is at a different level in his or her Bible understanding. It is certainly not a sin to be unfamiliar with large portions of Scripture. Before we can grow, we must be immature. The problem is when we refuse the edification process found in the Word of God rightly divided. We want to stay with “kindergarten work”—the absolute bare minimum of understanding and behavior.

Unfortunately, some Christians have not grown in the Bible in years. They refuse to open up the Bible and study on their own. Rather, they depend entirely on pastors and Bible teachers. Pastors and Bible teachers are necessary, but to continually use them as “crutches” is very dangerous. If we depend entirely upon them, never studying on our own, we will get no further in the Bible than they are! If they are not matured in Scripture, then we will not be either! If they are confused about the Bible, then we will be too!

Verse 14 says: “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” This is the spiritual maturity we need to reach as Christians. It is not sinlessness, but rather an increasingly awareness of what God is doing and what He wants us to do today (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

By the way, if our studies have helped you mature in the Word of God rightly divided, will you consider donating securely to us at https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux? Thank you!

Bible Q&A #299: “How does one know if he or she is maturing in the Word of God?”

Lost, Now Found

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

“Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:13,14 KJV).

Once lost, now found!

Recently, I stood near a store’s customer-service desk. The lady in front of me suddenly gasped and exclaimed, “Thank you, Jesus!” Puzzled, I watched a store clerk exiting the “lost-and-found” room with a purse in her hand. That lady had left her purse in a shopping cart. Thankfully, some honest customer had turned it in! She rummaged through her bag and was relieved to find everything there. Amazingly, of all the evil people into whose hands it could have fallen, an honest person found it instead!

The above stories are always nice to hear in this world abounding with bad news—stealing, killing, raping, vandalizing, abusing, et cetera. While the world is a very dangerous place physically, it is more important to realize it is a very dangerous place spiritually. It is truly a miracle when, despite all the false gospels out there, we can still find the pure Gospel of Grace being preached if we look for it. It is truly a miracle when, despite all the false systems out there, we can still find the pure Word of God (rightly divided) being taught. It is truly a miracle that God’s truth survives intact in this world of so many spiritual lies.

While it is no enjoyable time to have a purse or wallet stolen, this is the least of our concerns if some false religious system has stolen our trust and our soul! Rather than uttering the swear-phrase “Thank you, Jesus!” because we found missing material wealth, we should say “Thank You, Jesus!” because He came looking for us who were dead in trespasses and sins. We can always replace a wallet or purse, but we can never replace our soul once it is lost in hell. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36,37).

“Thank You, Jesus! Once lost, we are now found (in You)!” 🙂

More About Jesus #5

Monday, August 29, 2016

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18 KJV).

The chorus of Eliza E. Hewitt’s classic 1887 hymn, “More About Jesus,” highlight’s today’s Scripture.

“More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love Who died for me.”

Notice how the chorus has “More, more about Jesus / More, more about Jesus.” The hymn writer wants to continue “growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” How greatly lacking is that desire today in the professing church. Lord, deliver us from such appalling ignorance!

I just sat with a dear, confused Christian and taught her the Bible rightly divided. A “babe in Christ,” she has only been saved for about a year. She is a slow learner; however, I did not mind repeating phrases and verses many times. Since she has a lot of unanswered questions, I want to give her as much “room” as I possibly can. After spending over six decades as a lost person in a false religion (!), she is saved and now genuinely trying to learn God’s Word. What is problematic is people who have trusted Christ decades ago, they are still asking their same questions. They have been so busy learning the traditions of men, those worthless denominational teachings got them nowhere in their Christian life! Thankfully, God’s Word is becoming clearer for this dear lady. She has learned “more, more” about Jesus, “more, more” about His Word, and “more, more” about His purpose and plan for her.

In today’s Scripture, the Apostle Peter admonished believing Israel to continue growing spiritually. There were apostates and unbelievers in their day (verses 1-17), just as there are today. These believers were to remain faithful to their kingdom doctrine about Jesus Christ, that they not go the way of those Bible scoffers and unbelievers. We too had better take heed, friends. Satan’s policy of evil wants to discourage us from also learning more about Jesus! Let us take our stand on the Word of God rightly divided, that we may learn “more, more about Jesus!” 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Are we praying to God ‘long-distance?’”

More About Jesus #3

Saturday, August 27, 2016

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18 KJV).

The third verse of Eliza E. Hewitt’s classic 1887 hymn, “More About Jesus,” highlight’s today’s Scripture.

“More about Jesus; in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in every line,
Making each faithful saying mine.”

The Holy Bible is God’s inspired Word to man. No (!) believer should ever (!) have one (!) critical remark about the King James Bible (unless some lost person polluted his or her mind with anti-Bible rhetoric at “church” or “seminary!”). Why?

In every book of that Book of books, we see glimpses of the Lord Jesus Christ—ark of safety (Genesis), faithful Creator (Job), perfect servant (Mark), kinsman-redeemer (Ruth), Son of God (John), Passover lamb (Exodus), et cetera. Without that written record, we have no trustworthy link to Him. We dare not be blasé when people alter the Bible text using “better” or “more scholarly readings.” With every tinker of the written Word of God, the portrait of the living Word of God is being further defaced!

The first and foremost way we commune with Father God is to read His Word—His communication to and fellowship with us. The second way we commune with Father God is to pray—our communication to and fellowship with Him. Notice! Any Christian life lacking sound Bible doctrine and/or sound Pauline prayer is already ruined or soon-to-be ruined!

All of the Bible is for us, no doubt. All Scripture is “for our learning” (Romans 15:4). We can learn from Israel’s mistakes. We can see how Father God was faithful to them, so He is faithful to us (Romans 15:13). We can trust Him. However, not all Scripture is to or about us. In Paul’s epistles alone, we find our doctrine, duty, walk, destiny, and hope as members of the Church the Body of Christ. Friend, if you are not thinking and praying according to the books of Romans through Philemon, you will especially not learn “more about Jesus!” You will be struggling to make everything in the Bible the same. Spare yourself the heartache and confusion!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Why does 1 Corinthians 9:6 mention Barnabas, when he did not travel to Corinth with Paul?”