Category: religious tradition

Arrayed in Hypocrisy

Saturday, October 31, 2026

“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.

You may also see our special study, “Should Christians celebrate Halloween?” In addition, “What does the Bible say about ghosts?”

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #148

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Contemplate Ephesians 5:18,19 again: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;….” Also read its companion, Colossians 3:16, once more: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” We teach (instruct) and admonish (warn) each other by means of singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that match grace principles. There is mutual edification, believers in Christ building up one another in sound doctrine and maturing each other: “From whom [Christ] the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).

Rather than just opening our mouths and thoughtlessly singing whatever we want, we should sing with understanding or comprehension (see 1 Corinthians 14:15). Yet, a dear Christian friend and brother informed me how he sang denominational songs until someone pointed out that the lyrics were wrong. He realized he was engaged in mindless singing, not really thinking about sound doctrine—and this is precisely why church tradition is so dangerous. Hundreds of millions are singing all sorts of songs in our church buildings worldwide, but have no clue what they are actually saying because there is no critical thinking! It is but mindless religion, what they have done all their lives; they are familiar with nothing else, so they do not question it. If others sing, people eagerly join in. They do not know what they are singing, but they hope the preacher knows or someone there knows… when it is most likely that no one knows (otherwise, they would not be singing it if they did). I sang hymns in ignorance for years myself, and so did many other people I know.

This is not God’s fault, but our own fault….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #113

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Materialism and covetousness are so widespread in countless churches and “Christian” schools that people wonder if they should fund the preacher’s/teacher’s lavish lifestyle or pay their own bills. They suppose they can add another “0” to their donation so as to avert God’s disfavor. Or, consider the man who gave $10,000 (!) a (!) month (!) to his megachurch. He told his Christian stepmother that he had to give it to get to Heaven (what was he learning at that “church?!”). She tried in vain to convince him otherwise. As far as we know, he died in his sins… just as lost as the poorest pauper in Adam!

It is nobody’s business what amount we give to God’s ministry. Nevertheless, denominational boards have presumptuously reviewed personal financial/tax records to see who is giving what—and to reprimand contributors who fall short of that anticipated precious 10%! A man once explained how he, in frustration, stopped attending his feel-good megachurch. They had just constructed a 3,000-seat auditorium, so the preacher constantly begged for tithes and offerings to pay it off. A dear Christian friend informed me that his denominational church (which he has since left) placed the names of large financial donors on a sign for everyone to notice. If the praise of men is our incentive to give to God’s ministry, beloved, we should not give a single penny. A gift donated with that attitude—even if billions of dollars—will be absolutely worthless at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Are they really upholding sound Bible doctrine when they refer to “raising money” for “ministry” and “missions?” Or, are they just seeking funds for the proselytization of people so their denominations can increase membership (which individuals are still unsaved!). We should always cheerfully give of our resources to support God’s ministry, but let us be sure that we are backing God’s work rather than the Devil’s! It should be a legitimate grace ministry, teaching the Word of God rightly divided and clearly preaching the Message of Grace. If not, we ought not waste one cent giving there or one second going there….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #112

Monday, September 14, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Reflecting on Christendom’s boundless confusion, we must realize that they know more than we assume. For instance, the pastor of the last denominational church I attended was aware of the truth about tithing; after all, I had taught him. Yet, his exact words when we met in private were: “Do not tell my people they are not under the tithe. They do not give enough as it is!” (By the way, he had allowed old, domineering, wealthy women in his congregation to bully a senior citizen on a fixed income to “give more!”) Hearing those words with my own ears forever settled in my mind that more denominational leaders know the truth about tithing (and other issues) than we suppose, but they choose to be silent. They will not openly embrace or preach the truth because it would divide their little social club of food, fun, fellowship, and foolishness!

In fact, when I was an infant, my family went to one local assembly. A certain deacon seemed to be the “most spiritual” of everyone there. HA! Once I reached adulthood and learned dispensational Bible truth, I confronted him about tithing, thinking I would bring him some light. I was surprised to hear him say: “I have longtime known that we are not under the tithe, but I never told your family or anyone else at our former church because it would have been too controversial!” Again, this is my firsthand knowledge that denominationalists comprehend more than we think. Beloved, it ought to bother us, alarm us, that this deception has been going on in our churches for centuries… all in the name of “Jesus,” of course!

Denominationalists cry out, “We literally cannot afford to tolerate or tell the truth; it will drive us out of bu$ine$$! We are not going to challenge or change our long-held traditions, no matter how wrong they are and no matter how wrong we are!” Demetrius confessed something similar in Acts 19:23-27. He understood Paul’s preaching would dry up his income and collapse his city’s economy that depended on idol-making!

Let us keep exploring and correcting the misunderstandings about money matters in Christendom….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #92

Sunday, August 23, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

The Book of 1 John addresses Israel (cf. Galatians 2:9; Matthew 10:2,5-7): “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:6-10).

John understands there is believing Israel and there is unbelieving Israel. Read 1 John 2:12: “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.” Even in 1 John, 1 John 1:9 is not a daily practice of believers, but an expression of moving from unbelief to faith. First John 1:9 is an appeal to lost Jews, Jews so self-righteous they suppose they have no sins to confess (cf. Luke 7:29,30; cf. Matthew 3:6,9; Mark 1:4,5; Luke 3:3,8). The Apostle John writes 1 John 1:9 to unsaved Jews, for believing Jews have already confessed their sins under John the Baptist’s ministry and now possess forgiveness (1 John 2:12).

Today, it is assumed we need to confess our sins to obtain forgiveness. Here, the “Our Father” Prayer is quoted: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:12,14,15). To repeat, this is part of Israel’s national Kingdom restoration (Leviticus 26:40-42), confession of sins an admission they need the New Covenant (cf. Jeremiah 31:31-34) because they can never measure up to the demands of the Old Covenant (cf. Ezra 9:1–10:1; Daniel 9:3-20; Matthew 3:6; Mark 1:5)….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #91

Saturday, August 22, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

First John 1:9 explains, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Alas, this has been so mindlessly repeated and misused in religious circles for centuries that it means practically nothing now. Not only should we believe the verse, we should also believe the context.

Confession of sins is in perfect accordance with the Law of Moses, which directed disobedient Israel suffering punishment to confess (admit) their national sin of violating the Old Covenant: “If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity: Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land” (Leviticus 26:40-42). Israel’s national restoration to the LORD God involves confession of sins.

Firstly, Ezra confessed sins in Ezra 9:1-15: “Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore” (Ezra 10:1). Secondly, Daniel did it in Daniel 9:3-19: “And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;…” (Daniel 9:20). Finally, John the Baptist’s converts did the same. “And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins” (Matthew 3:6). “And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins” (Mark 1:5). John the Baptist made ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:13-17), and the Apostle John is doing likewise in 1 John 1:9….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #90

Friday, August 21, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Frankly, the Corinthian church was nothing but spiritual babies excited about having a “good time” at a spiritual amusement park. Fun! Fun! Fun! In other words, pleasure meant more than correctness. To them, if it felt good, it was good—and this is exactly how Satan lured and imprisoned them as touching spiritual gifts and various other issues. Of course, this was their fault because they had left the Pauline/grace doctrine they heard. Such could be said of almost every denomination, local congregation, or “Christian” school now. It is next to impossible for them to give up the lies they have grown so accustomed to hearing, reading, and believing. They ought to be able to recognize how truth should take precedence over tradition. Alas, they seek to have a good standing with their preacher/church/denomination, for, this is what they equate to being in a good standing before God Himself. However, it is a most foolish position to take—especially when we think critically about Bible verses in their dispensational settings.

If sound doctrine unites, it necessarily means that false doctrine divides. Confession of sins is yet another point of contention amongst church members, the countless denominations arguing about its purpose, its method, its audience, and so on. Somewhere in all that disagreement and deception is the truth, but we cannot differentiate it unless we are spiritually mature (and most people are not!). For many years, I was just another churchgoer mixed up about confession of sins. One day, with the help of dear preachers who sought to make me a grown-up believer, I finally made a confession: “I am so (!) pitifully (!) ignorant about confession of sins, but now I know and understand the Bible verses that will set me straight!” What a day never to be forgotten, when I was delivered from satanic darkness and blindness, freed at last from my denominational shackles!

Passing on from the misuse of spiritual gifts in our churches, we must also be sure to keep our mouths shut by not teaching false doctrine about confession of sins either….

A Grace Study Bible

Saturday, August 1, 2026

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2 KJV).

Today, we reflect on 14 full years of the arC Ministries’ Grace Study Bible Project!

Some 100 years ago, the Scofield Study Bible was published. It was a work that popularized—not invented—dispensational Bible study. For a century, the Church the Body of Christ has used this monumental aid to edify itself. It was (and still is) useful in recovering precious Bible truths that had been lost for centuries, doctrines still pushed aside by denominational hierarchies that prefer to be the “authority” with their “tradition of men.”

Fourteen years ago today, after much prayer and consideration, I began the formation of a new grace study Bible. Using the King James Bible, my goal in this project is to build on Dr. Scofield’s foundation laid long ago. We are (and will always be) indebted to that brother for his faithful service, his submission to the Holy Spirit to produce a profitable study Bible. (Incidentally, Dr. Scofield led a missionary to Christ, that missionary led a preacher to Christ, that preacher led a woman to Christ, that woman led Mom to Christ, and Mom led me to Christ.) What took Dr. Scofield decades to learn, we can acquire in a fraction of that time. Brother Scofield did not live long enough to progress any further in Bible understanding, but in the century since he has gone to heaven, a faithful remnant within the Body of Christ has expanded upon Dr. Scofield’s insightful notes. We recognize where he was wrong in certain areas, and we can improve those areas in our understanding and study.

In brief, some stats about our grace study Bible. We seem to be over 80 percent completed with it. How many more years it will take remains to be seen, but rest assured, what cannot be condensed into marginal notes or footnotes, will be, Lord willing, expanded into a full-Bible commentary book series! Stay tuned in the coming years and thank you for your prayer in this regard! 🙂

* You can read more about our Grace Study Bible Project here.

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #61

Monday, July 20, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Christendom is rather notorious for severe controversies and bitter contentions. Its tens of thousands of denominations, cults, and sects all fight over a multitude of positions, practices, and persons. Yet, these can be reduced to one simple fact: different levels of spiritual maturity result in discussions of various degrees of importance. It is usually challenging for non-Christians or new Christians, or even longtime professing Christians, to make sense of it all—and to determine if it is even worth getting into. The matters that are most serious regard anything and everything that complicates salvation from sin and/or salvation from erroneous teaching, for these two points involve God’s will for us: “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4).

Remember, just because it is in the Bible does not necessarily mean it is something that pertains to us or something we should do. Whether water baptism, confession of sins, tithing, the Lord’s Supper, Sabbath-Day keeping, good works, or spiritual gifts (including tongue-talking and healing), these exemplify the areas of debate amongst church members. The extent to which we are receptive to the Holy Spirit’s teaching ministry determines how successfully we navigate through such issues and arrive at correct conclusions. We are destined to wind up with wrong views once we insert the traditions, assumptions, and opinions of men.

While most inconvenient, it has to be stated. There is a great deal of blind allegiance to religious leaders in our “Christian” churches and schools. Consequently, commoners do not think beyond where their denominational officials leave them, being too fearful to venture outside of anything they are not taught in their theological system. Sometimes, this is done in innocence: people who just need to be taught the truth and want to be taught it, but few are willing to teach them. However, others need to be taught the truth but do not care to be taught it, so they turn away from those who would teach them.

Beloved, let us see if we wish to resolve these disagreements for ourselves….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #42

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Dear friend, imagine warriors preparing for battle. They put on baggy jeans with holes, cheap and thin shirts, and shabby shoes with worn-out soles. Also, they take up plastic trashcan lids as shields, plus baseball caps and butterknives. They get into formation—and are slaughtered when the enemy attacks! Look at the panorama of corpses scattered across the ground. The stench of death is tremendous. Here and there a severely maimed or disfigured body groans and moans—a life not ended but permanently ruined nevertheless. Similar massacres occur every second in the spiritual realm. After our denominations “arm” us with nothing of any real significance, they send us to stand against Satan’s attacks. This has eternal, spiritual results whose full scope we will not realize until the Lord sits in judgment.

How completely preposterous it is that soldiers could ever expect to win any war with such unacceptable clothing and feeble weapons! Moreover, if these causalities occurred in combat—because of saggy pants (instead of snug clothing secured with a belt), a low-quality shirt (not a breastplate), a pair of busted shoes (instead of boots with soles that grip), and a baseball cap (not a strong helmet); and holding a flimsy plastic disk (instead of a metallic one) and a butterknife (not a sharp sword)—these misfortunes could have been foreseen and prevented entirely had the troops used more suitable armor and tools. Did they not have sense to know any better?! Were their commanding officers not more competent than this?!

Satan is always assaulting us believers, but God has given us armor to survive the attack in Ephesians 6:13-18. Essentially, it is sound Bible doctrine (dispensational Bible study) with prayer (talking to God in light of that doctrine, with prayer activating or energizing as the Holy Spirit works in us). We put on this armor by faith, but we cannot believe it unless we are first made aware of it. Manmade materials (denominational doctrine, philosophy or man’s wisdom, church tradition, and so on) are no substitute for the whole armor of God….