Category: False Teaching

Sifting Through the Silliness

Monday, August 20, 2012

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21 KJV).

Seeing as to I am returning to college today, we admonish ourselves: “Have an open mind, but use it not to vacuum!”

It is almost six years to the day that I began college to study environmental geology (the study of the earth and its natural processes). I can testify firsthand that, in a realm where God’s wisdom (the Holy Bible) is deemed “foolishness,” man’s idiocy is (unsurprisingly) termed “scholarly.” Frankly, some of the most absurd, vulgar, and blasphemous statements I have heard and read in my life were encountered in the college setting!

Today’s Scripture instructs us to “prove all things,” to test (verify) everything we hear, see, or read. “We search [study!] the scriptures daily, whether those things [are] so” (Acts 17:11). Once we use the rightly divided King James Bible to identify teaching that is “good,” we “hold fast” (seize, possess) it, and NEVER relinquish it. Any teaching to the contrary is sifted out, and mentally relegated to a permanent, inferior status.

We Christians should have an open mind, but we are not to use our intellect as a vacuum cleaner. We do not “suck up” everything, believing anything and everything. God’s Word has established parameters and principles, and it would be utter stupidity to ignore them as though we knew better, as though we were God.

To college students just beginning the first semester, and to high school students considering college, you would do well to memorize today’s Scripture and repeat it to yourself through your collegiate experience. Your young mind is pliable, meaning that it is easily persuaded. Thus, God’s Word admonishes us to be careful what we believe. In college, you will learn a lot of interesting information, teachings that do not contradict the Holy Scriptures. Yet, you will also hear, see, and read a lot of nonsense. You need to be able to use God’s Word rightly divided to discern (judge) that which is good, and filter out that which is garbage.

I wish you all the best for the upcoming school year! 🙂

Be Not Pierced By the Sword of the Spirit #5

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

“And take… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17 KJV).

Saints, we are engaged in spiritual warfare, so let us take heed. A giant sword, not a butter knife, is what we need!

In the context of today’s Scripture (verses 10-18), Paul describes the spiritual warfare, the battle between God and Satan. As God’s people—we who have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour—we are Satan’s enemies and he seeks to deceive us! Thankfully, the Lord has given us “the armour of God” to “stand against the wiles [deceitful schemes] of the devil” (verses 11ff.). Additionally, we have God’s Word, the Holy Bible, which defends us and saves us from Satan’s corrupt doctrine (1 Timothy 4:13,15,16).

However, Satan perverts God’s Word, so that instead of it being a weapon for Christians, it becomes a weapon used against Christians. Corrupt “bibles” troubled the Thessalonian Christians’ minds (2 Thessalonians 2:2), and this perversion of the Holy Scriptures is ongoing. Instead of today’s Christian soldiers wielding “the sword of the Spirit,” many have been duped by false bibles, which are actually butter knifes when it comes to fighting Satan. (Instead, they are only sharp when Satan uses them against God’s people… in God’s name too!)

Almost from the beginning of man, Satan has sought to corrupt our mind (Genesis 3:1-5). The devil sidetracks man using false doctrine, so that he can neither understand nor appreciate God’s will for him. By deceiving man, Satan hinders God’s will for man (and Satan thereby furthers his own purpose and plan of robbing God of His glory!). Throughout Israel’s history, evil men cooperated with God’s adversary (Satan) to accomplish Israel’s spiritual ruin; the same is happening today to us, the Church the Body of Christ, as counterfeit “bibles” poison Christian souls and hinder God’s will (their spiritual maturity).

Comrade, the battle is waging…. Fellow saint, I exhort you to abandon the butter knives, and “take the sword of the Spirit,” the King James Bible, study and believe it rightly divided, and watch it defend you against “the wiles of the devil.” 🙂

Be Not Pierced By the Sword of the Spirit #4

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

“And take… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17 KJV).

Again, take heed—it does matter what Bible version you read!

Utilizing Greek philosophy, Satan distracted the Corinthians from the sound doctrine Paul preached to them. Hence, the Apostle cautioned them regarding this worthless human wisdom (pagan philosophy).

As Christians, “we are labourers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9a). In Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, God has furnished us with building materials, sound doctrine. When we “study” Pauline doctrine, we understand what God is doing today in the Dispensation of Grace, and by faith, we become “workmen” (2 Timothy 2:15) who cooperate with God and do what He is doing (teaching lost mankind about salvation, educating Christians about God’s will for them, et cetera).

Paul laid the foundation, Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery (1 Corinthians 3:10,11). We can build on that foundation by applying sound Pauline Bible doctrine by faith, symbolized by “gold, silver, precious stones,” or we can use worthless building materials such as philosophy and religious tradition—“wood, hay, stubble” (verses 11,12).

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (verses 13-15).

After the rapture, at the Judgment Seat of Christ, Jesus Christ will determine the quality of the doctrine we Christians believed and applied to life. That which is worthless—religious tradition, human wisdom, and so on—will burn up. Only sound Pauline Bible doctrine will withstand that fiery test, and only that will remain!

Most, if not all, modern English “bibles” are unsound. Their denominational translators obscure Pauline dispensationalism by omitting, adding, and changing words. Friend, take heed!! Using these perverted books will hinder your spiritual growth and cause you to lose—not salvation—but reward!

Be Not Pierced By the Sword of the Spirit #3

Monday, August 13, 2012

“And take… the sword of the Spirit, which the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17 KJV).

Take heed—it does matter what Bible version you read!

The Apostle Paul’s least spiritual Christian assembly was at Corinth. These saints were “carnal,” spiritual “babes,” people who had little understanding of God’s Word (1 Corinthians 3:1-3), whose ungodly lifestyles resembled their heathen (pagan/lost/hell-bound) neighbors! Paul had spent 18 months in Corinth teaching them God’s Word (Acts 18:11), but they had since abandoned the Lord’s grace doctrines, preferring to follow the “wisdom” of the pagan Greek philosophers.

Therefore, Paul warned these Corinthians: “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no may lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:9-11).

In our Dispensation of Grace, God is constructing a house for Himself—we, the saints, are that house (Ephesians 2:21,22)! This house is constructed upon a foundation, “the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery” (Romans 16:25); that is, Jesus Christ according to the special ministry He gave only to the Apostle Paul. Paul warns us to be careful how we “build thereupon;” that is, the doctrine we use/learn/believe must be God’s Word rightly divided (Pauline-dispensationally believed).

He continues in 1 Corinthians 3:12,13: “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” This describes “the Judgment Seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10), when we Christians stand before Jesus Christ, and He will examine the doctrine we learned and believed.

Friend, it matters what Bible version you use, for if it is corrupted by man’s philosophy, the doctrine you believe will be unacceptable to God!

Be Not Pierced By the Sword of the Spirit #2

Sunday, August 12, 2012

“And take… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17 KJV).

Satan not only attacks God’s Word, but he will attack you, the saint, with it!

The prophet Jeremiah preached before and during the three Babylonian invasions of circa 606–587 B.C., the last of which (587) involved the vandalism and burning of the Temple and the complete destruction of Jerusalem. Judah and Benjamin (the southern kingdom) being overrun by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar was God’s punishment.

Jeremiah chapter 23 reveals one reason why the LORD is so angry at the southern kingdom of Israel. “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD” (verse 1). “For both prophet and priest are profane: yea, in my house [the Temple] have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD” (verse 11). “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain [worthless]: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD… I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied” (verses 16,21). “…[F]or ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God” (verse 36c).

People who claim to be speaking on behalf of God (prophets and priests) are lying to Israel… in God’s name too! False prophets had so deceived Israel that she had now fallen into pagan idolatry, and God’s wrath was imminent. Satan had used the office of the prophet—God’s Word—to spiritually injure Israel, and sadly, it worked!

Today, Satan still corrupts God’s people in God’s name. Paul talked about philosophers who “defile the temple of God… which temple [we] are” (1 Corinthians 3:16a,17b). Beware, just as the devil deceived Israel with false prophets, so he still misleads God’s people with false “bibles,” which claim to be “God’s Word” but are not (2 Thessalonians 2:2). God’s Word is a sword, so be careful Satan does not use it to harm you!

Be Not Pierced By the Sword of the Spirit #1

Saturday, August 11, 2012

“And take… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17 KJV).

God gave us “the sword of the Spirit,” His written Word, the Holy Bible, to defend ourselves against Satan’s attacks (false doctrine). Let us be mindful to not allow Satan to stab us with the very weapon God furnished to protect us.

Recently, while browsing an “inspirational” book aisle, one particular book caught my attention. The cover read, “The Spiritual Warfare Bible.” Upon closer examination, I concluded that this volume was indeed the embodiment of spiritual warfare! Its corrupt text (NKJV) was coupled with footnotes adapted from deceptive charismatic “bestsellers,” forging a two-edged sword that would literally stab the heart, mind, and soul of the unsuspecting Bible consumer as well as the sincerely misled, but true, Christian.

The devil has studied mankind for 6,000 years, so he knows our habits and our weaknesses. Satan attacked God’s Word back in Adam and Eve’s day (Genesis 3:1-5; cf. Genesis 2:16,17). If Satan successfully deceived Eve by perverting God’s Word way back then, are we so naïve as to believe that he is not still doing that today? Bible corruption is nothing new, although there has been a drastic increase in Bible perversion in the English-speaking world during the past 130 years.

Our ministry takes an unapologetic stand on the King James Bible. For over 400 years, it has been a beacon in this dark and dying world, leading millions to Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. It demonstrates itself to be majestic, perfect, reliable, and completely authoritative. This is expected of God’s Word.

What have the modern English “bibles” accomplished? They have changed the Bible terminology that Christians have used for centuries, further confusing the already befuddled Christendom. Their translation teams consisted of ecumenical members, who, although from pagan and cultic backgrounds, compromised none of their heretical doctrines while translating. Considering, I wonder what those resultant translations teach?!

Beware, saints and dear friends, “Many… corrupt the word of God” (2 Corinthians 2:17) was a fact nearly 20 centuries ago, and it is truer than ever….

Full of Foolishness

Thursday, August 9, 2012

“Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him” (Proverbs 27:22 KJV).

What does today’s Scripture mean?

Firstly, “bray” means “to crush or grind.” Secondly, the pestle and mortar, in case you are unfamiliar with them, are used to grind up grain, spices, and medicines. Ingredients are placed within the cup-shaped mortar, and the pestle, a heavy wand-like tool that is round at one end, is used to pulverize them into powder.

For further explanation, we can consider Numbers 11:7,8, when the children of Israel are gathering manna: “And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof was as the colour of bdellium. And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.” The Jews would take the seeds of manna, and pound them in the mortar to produce flour, which they would then use to make cakes.

So, the analogy in today’s Scripture is simple. You can place wheat berries (grains) into the mortar, and repeatedly pound them with the pestle in order to extract the whole-wheat flour found inside. But, if you put a fool into the mortar, and pound him or her with the pestle, you cannot extract the foolishness found inside!

Proverbs 26:11 illustrates: “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.” The fool never permanently abandons his idiocy. In fact, the Apostle Peter, referring to false teachers and prophets living during the future Tribulation period, writes: “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again: and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire” (2 Peter 2:22). They understood God’s Word, and then they foolishly turn away from it / apostasy (verses 15-21).

Let us continue by faith in sound, Pauline grace Bible doctrine, lest we too be found full of foolishness….

A Competitor Who Could Not Be Eliminated

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

“And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, and could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him” (Luke 19:47,48 KJV).

The Lord Jesus Christ is “bad for business.” Israel’s crooked religious leaders need to quickly get rid of Him: He has caused their funding to run dry and now He is challenging their “authority!”

Today’s Scripture is quite comical, and once we understand its context, we cannot help but smile. The Lord Jesus has just exposed and thrown out the dishonest individuals who were selling overpriced goods in the Temple (verses 45,46), and this greatly angers the money-hungry chief priests, scribes, and chief of the people. Now, in today’s Scripture, these religious leaders are frantic—Jesus has got to go! He has not only removed their source of income, but now He is teaching in the Temple everyday!

These religious leaders conspire to kill Jesus, but there are hindrances. God the Father is not ready for Jesus to die, and Jesus’ audience is so fascinated with the doctrine that He is teaching, that the religious leaders cannot take hold of Jesus without making a commotion. Thus, throughout Luke chapter 20, these religious leaders utilize many ploys to publicly discredit Jesus, to hopefully “outsmart” Him with a question and thus silence Him before His audience.

On several occasions, these religious leaders proceed to ask Jesus captious questions, inquiries designed to trap Him in His speech (Luke 20:1,2,20-22,26-33). Finally, “Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. And after that they durst [dare] not ask him any question at all” (verses 39,40). These religious leaders hated Jesus for exposing their hypocrisy and Bible ignorance. Though they fervently tried to silence Him, He had put them to complete shame: ultimately, they could do nothing but agree with Him and remain quiet.

God’s Word is always a threat to religion, so let us not be surprised or discouraged when religionists treat us as they did our Lord Jesus Christ. 🙂

A Minority Worth Joining

Monday, August 6, 2012

“And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)” (Acts 1:15 KJV).

The Bible is clear—truth is never dependent upon numbers.

Earth’s population is quickly approaching seven billion people, but only about one-third of this figure claims to be “Christian” (considering the anti-Christ beliefs within that minority, the number of true [Holy Spirit-indwelt] Christians is considerably less than the two billion normally assumed). The number of true Christians who know God’s Word to them is even smaller… the number of those who believe God’s Word to them is even smaller!

  • Most of the world is wrong. Since Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life” and “no man cometh unto the Father, but by [him]” (John 14:6), and most people reject Him, this means that most of the world is wrong. Jesus Christ “is the truth,” and by rejecting Him, they reject the truth.
  • Most of Christendom is wrong. Since 2 Corinthians 2:17 says, “Many… corrupt the word of God,” we conclude the following: There are many counterfeit Bible teachings—false doctrines and false “bibles”—so the likelihood of widespread deception increases, and the odds of someone finding and accepting (believing) the truth become smaller.

A Christian who just came to understand and believe the Bible dispensationally, asked: “This [Pauline dispensational Bible study] is the truth, so where is everyone?” She asked this while standing in a local grace church, which consisted of only a few dozen members. (A sobering thought regarding grace “mega-churches”—Located within a three-million-people metropolitan area, the “largest” grace church I personally know averages an amazing 200 people a week!)

We who understand and appreciate Paul’s special ministry are few. Yes, we are in the minority because we use the King James Bible. Indeed, we are few who have trusted Christ Jesus alone as our personal Saviour. But, that is fine. 🙂 Remember, worldwide, only eight were saved on Noah’s ark (2 Peter 2:5), and after three years of earthly ministry, Jesus Christ only had about 120 followers in Jerusalem (today’s Scripture).

God Has Already Spoken to Us

Sunday, August 5, 2012

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:19-21 KJV).

Does God communicate with us through hunches, feelings, emotions, visions, dreams, and “soft, still” voices in our heads? These are subjective: they are tentative because they vary amongst individuals. We need an objective standard, something trustworthy and unchanging—God’s written Word, the Holy Bible.

God did communicate with man via theophanies (God appeared in a physical body and spoke to people; Genesis 3:8,9; Genesis 18:1; et al.). Through angels, visions/dreams, supernatural spiritual gifts, and prophets, He relayed His messages to people (Daniel 9:22,23; Matthew 1:20-24; Acts 10:3; 2 Corinthians 12:1; et al.). But, according to 1 Corinthians 13:8-13, these temporary things—partial wisdom and partial knowledge—were done away when complete wisdom and complete knowledge were brought in.

When was complete wisdom and complete knowledge brought in? As soon as God’s written Word was completed (nearly 2000 years ago), God’s will was fully revealed to man. In the King James Bible’s 66 books we know everything that God wants us to know. Visions, apparitions, “prophetic words” from a preacher’s lips, and angelic appearances are not God’s methods of communication with us.

In the context of today’s Scripture (verses 16-18) the Apostle Peter recounts the time on the Mount of Transfiguration when he, James, and John saw Jesus Christ in His glorified form (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36). But Peter says we have “a more sure word of prophecy.” The Bible is more reliable than experiences we can see with our physical eyes.

We have God’s revealed and written Word preserved in English in the King James Bible. The Bible is the Final Authority, not religious tradition or a preacher’s hunches.