Category: local church assembly

Not Forsaking the Assembling of Ourselves Together? #6

Sunday, April 28, 2024

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25 KJV).

Does today’s Scripture render church attendance obligatory?

Continue reading the context of today’s Scripture: “[15] Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before [Jeremiah 31:33,34], [16] This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; [17] And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. [18] Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.” To repeat, Hebrews chapters 8–10 (the larger context) are Israel’s Old Covenant (Law of Moses) passing away so the New Covenant can be ratified via Christ’s finished crosswork. If necessary, read Jeremiah 31:31-34 (plus Hebrews 8:1-13).

Keep reading Hebrews chapter 10, with today’s Scripture in its context: “[19] Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, [20] By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; [21] And having an high priest over the house of God; [22] Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised; ) [24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

To wit, today’s Scripture is situated in a passage where believing Jews are isolating themselves from their apostate (unbelieving) nation, a nation that obstinately refuses to come to the one true God “the new and living way” because its majority prefers to retain “the old and dead way….”

Not Forsaking the Assembling of Ourselves Together? #5

Saturday, April 27, 2024

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25 KJV).

Does today’s Scripture render church attendance obligatory?

To fully appreciate it, we must read today’s Scripture in context. Start at the beginning of the chapter: “[1] For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. [2] For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. [3] But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. [4] For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

“[5] Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith [Psalm 40:6-8], Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: [6] In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. [7] Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. [8] Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; [9] Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

“[10] By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [11] And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: [12] But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; [13] From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. [14] For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”

The context of today’s Scripture, Hebrews 10:25, is Israel moving from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant….

Not Forsaking the Assembling of Ourselves Together? #4

Friday, April 26, 2024

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25 KJV).

Does today’s Scripture render church attendance obligatory?

When reading Hebrews, it would do us well to note the obvious: its title is “the Epistle to the Hebrews,” meaning it is written to national Israel (which is composed of believing and unbelieving Jews). Hebrews has been called “the Leviticus of the New Testament,” and this is due to the fact a great deal of Hebrews describes how the Levitical priesthood and its Old Covenant will give way to Christ’s Melchisedecian priesthood and its New Covenant. The writer of Hebrews goes into much detail to argue why Jesus Christ is superior to creation, angels, Moses, Aaron, and the Law. Hebrews stresses how national Israel needs to move on to spiritual maturity.

Hebrews 5:11–6:3: “[5:11] Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. [5:12] 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. [5:13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. [5:14] 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. [6:1] Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, [6:2] Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. [6:3] And this will we do, if God permit.”

Today’s Scripture sits in this context of God the Holy Spirit calling the nation Israel to come out of spiritual darkness and into His marvellous light….

Not Forsaking the Assembling of Ourselves Together? #3

Thursday, April 25, 2024

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25 KJV).

Does today’s Scripture render church attendance obligatory?

We would benefit by reading the opening verses of Hebrews: “[1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, [2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; [3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:…” (Hebrews 1:1-3).

As indicated in verse 1, the Book of Hebrews is part of prophecy, the prophetic program—not our mystery program. It involves Israel’s fathers, forefathers, or patriarchs—not our ancestors. The Old Testament prophets were Israel’s preachers—not our messengers. Verse 2 refers to “these last days,” God speaking to Israel through Christ’s earthly ministry. In verse 3, we see Christ’s Crosswork and subsequent Ascension of Acts chapter 1.

Now, read Hebrews chapter 2: “[3] How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; [4] God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? [5] For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.” Verse 3 is Christ’s earthly ministry (“spoken by the Lord”), and “confirmed unto us by them that heard him” is the early Acts period. In verse 4, we see the 12 Apostles’ miracles, signs, and wonders of the opening chapters of Acts—remembering these supernatural gifts were the result of the Holy Spirit’s coming in Acts chapter 2. Verse 5 is Israel’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic kingdom.

Therefore, the Book of Hebrews is Israel’s doctrine….

Not Forsaking the Assembling of Ourselves Together? #2

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25 KJV).

Does today’s Scripture render church attendance obligatory?

One of the countless myths in Christendom is the opinion Jesus founded “Christianity” during the Books of Matthew to John. What is not understood—but should be—is that Christ’s earthly ministry had Judaism (not Christianity!) at its heart. Christianity, as it relates to us, does not begin until the Apostle Paul’s ministry (which started in Acts chapter 9). Bearing this in mind, we can avoid another common misconception: the belief that all verses in the so-called “New Testament” Scriptures (as in Hebrews, today’s Scripture) automatically describe God’s dealings with us.

When 2 Timothy 2:15 teaches, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” this goes far beyond simply dividing Genesis through Malachi (“Old Testament”) from Matthew through Revelation (“New Testament”). More proper divisions would involve separating programs, apostleships, operating systems, agencies, and destinies. For example, two passages that must be “rightly divided” (Greek, “orthotomounta,” or “to cut straight”) are Acts 3:21 and Romans 16:25,26).

“Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21). The Apostle Peter speaks about Jesus Christ as He relates to prophecy, what God has spoken since the world began. “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:…” (Romans 16:25,26). The Apostle Paul talks about Jesus Christ as He relates to mystery, what God has kept secret since the world began but now has revealed through Paul.

These basic truths will greatly alleviate the numerous misunderstandings about the Bible, including the relentless mishandling of today’s Scripture….

Not Forsaking the Assembling of Ourselves Together? #1

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25 KJV).

Does today’s Scripture render church attendance obligatory?

Various schemes and scams have been devised and implemented through the years to coerce people into going to church services. Perhaps it is guilt—as in, “If you really love God, you will come to our assembly!” Maybe it is fear—to wit, “You are blaspheming against the Holy Ghost when you ignore the preacher’s bidding!” It might be entertainment—as in, “If you want to ‘encounter God,’ we invite you to our ‘praise and worship time!’”

While we are convinced there are some sincere souls who are genuinely trying to serve the Lord by founding and maintaining local churches, there are others who know what they are doing is totally wrong. It is this latter group of which we need to be especially vigilant. While we should always be on the lookout for people who have no Bible verses at all to substantiate what they are saying and doing, those individuals with Bible verses are not necessarily above all suspicion either. It just might be a case of people lifting verses out of context—and this happens far more often than we care to think (!). Perhaps it is accidental or blind ignorance. Or, it might be more serious: intentional perversion of the Holy Bible.

Take today’s Scripture, for example. On the basis of this verse, it has been debated that we have to go to church. We are “not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together,” the denominationalists inform us. They point to Hebrews 10:25 as a “proof-text.” It is declared, with apparent authority, “See, God commands us to fellowship with some assembly! We had better be in church somewhere on Sundays and Wednesdays!” Of course, who would dare argue with the Bible verse? Yet, we remind ourselves that Bible verses can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how one applies them and contingent on the heart attitude of the person quoting them.

Let us evaluate Hebrews 10:25 and see if the common interpretation is the proper one….

No Corrupt Communication #22

Saturday, March 23, 2024

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29 KJV).

What is this “corrupt communication?”

One spiteful critic stated he rejected our position because we King James Bible users claim to have knowledge with certainty. Echoing a classic humanist (a pagan, in fact), he contended “we can know nothing for certain” (then, Luke 1:4 is untrue?). Strangely, this seminary graduate has a ministry as a “Christian apologist,” someone who allegedly defends Jesus’ teachings against cults (he knows something for certain, apparently)! He is also cognizant his “scholarly” modern-version friends would disown him in a heartbeat if he dare support the King James Bible! “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42,43). It is these kinds of people “in ministry” we had better watch out for and totally avoid!

If anyone questions your exclusive use of the King James Bible, or complains it has mistakes, then ask them to show you a Bible you can trust 100 percent. They will not present it to you. All they will offer you is another Bible they find fault with as well. This is the corrupt fruit of textual criticism, and we are certain it has poisoned almost every Bible college, minister, local church, “Christian” book, “Christian” sermon, and Christian soul through the centuries. People who have been robbed of an authoritative, perfect Bible now attempt to take it away from us, so we no longer pose a threat to their church, theological system, or seminary indoctrination.

Dear friends, here is the subtlest form of “corrupt communication,” the deadliest type of misinformation, and the costliest kind of education—stunting the growth of billions of church members, producing more heresy and apostasy than atheism, agnosticism, and free-thinking combined. The position of faith is to believe God’s perfectly preserved Word and words in English are the King James Bible. Any other conclusion is doubtful, subject to change, and rank unbelief. Mark it well, and never forget it!

-FINIS!-

No Corrupt Communication #21

Friday, March 22, 2024

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29 KJV).

What is this “corrupt communication?”

Our 400-year-old King James Bible’s “archaic” (old-fashioned) terminology is criticized ad nauseam. English is indeed a living language: words and definitions are being added and deleted as time passes. It is also a diverse language, borrowing from various other tongues. Hence, English is deteriorating, especially as slang becomes more commonplace. The King James Bible’s English is quite precise, far more representative of the original Bible languages than today’s English, and thus vastly superior to modern English.

Not only was the King James Bible translated when English was at its purest (seventeenth century), study of the original Bible languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek) was exploding like never before. The Protestant Reformation a century prior had generated much spiritual enlightenment (which the Roman Catholic Church hithertofore had stifled via superstitions and blind reliance on literate priests who misled the illiterate masses). Yea, no man or group of men assembled today could ever come close to producing another King James Bible. What we need to do is be thankful for what those 1611 scholars left us, and stop the petulant whining and juvenile emendations (“poor translation,” “mistranslation,” “the original Greek or Hebrew says…”—such baseless grievances equating to “corrupt communication”).

The professing church, and even the genuine church, finds itself in an unenviable position. Having been so brainwashed to question the King James Bible, it does not give a second thought to retranslation or replacement with a modern version. The Authorized Version is so distrusted in countless minds that they are now vulnerable to teachers, preachers, and professors who have been educated (willingly or inadvertently) by Roman Catholic scholarship that wishes to reverse the Reformation. With Protestants lacking firm faith in their Bible, the traditionalists who worship “scholarship” or manmade systems can then “help.” Allegedly, “Holy Mother Church” and her “informed” servants will give us the real Word of God—not only what it means, but what it is (Codices Vaticanus and Sinaiticus!). This is what Protestant leaders have stimulated by relentlessly attacking their King James Bible, so we dare not dismiss the Bible versions issue as unimportant!

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

No Corrupt Communication #20

Thursday, March 21, 2024

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29 KJV).

What is this “corrupt communication?”

Counselling the elders (church leaders) of Ephesus, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul advised: “Take heed [watch out, be careful!] therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:28-32).

Not only would the threat be outside the church—it would be inside it too. People in ministry, who once held to the truth, would fall away from it. These are the false teachers of whom we should be especially vigilant. What better way to infiltrate, divide, and thoroughly destroy Christians with heresies than by “Christian” (HA!) leaders adjusting their Bible (what they trust!)?

Some years back, I followed a Bible teacher who habitually corrected the King James Bible. Eventually, I wrote a letter to him explaining his inconsistency: he always said, “Follow the Bible, not what I say,” but he constantly offered a “better translation” when he disliked what the Bible said. He agreed with me that “modern versions were of the Devil,” but he had the right to change Bible verses for the purposes of teaching. Wow! (The modern versions are of the Devil for the same reason his treatment of the King James Bible was of the Devil: both positions take the authority from God’s words and place it on people’s opinions, thus fracturing what the unadulterated truth would have united.)

“Perverse things”—corrupt communication—were spoken and written….

No Corrupt Communication #19

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29 KJV).

What is this “corrupt communication?”

As Bible believers, we recognize a chief malevolent (evil) spirit exists: Satan is not merely an idea, but a spirit-being just as real as God is. “Satan” (Hebrew) means “adversary.” (See it translated “adversary/adversaries” in Numbers 22:22; 1 Samuel 29:4; 2 Samuel 19:22; 1 Kings 5:5; 1 Kings 11:14,23,25. It is rendered “withstand” in Numbers 22:32.)

The first time Satan appears in Scripture is Genesis chapter 3: “[1] Now the serpent was more subtil [sneaky, underhanded] than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? [2] And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: [3] But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. [4] And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: [5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

In Genesis 3:1, Satan opened by questioning God’s words—“Did God really say this…?” Eve was too confused to know the truth, so she accepted his “enlightenment!” Read God’s original words in Genesis 2:16,17: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” However, in Genesis chapter 3, Eve omitted “freely” from God’s words, added “neither shall ye touch it” to God’s words, and watered down “thou shalt surely die” to become “lest ye die.” Only then did Satan finally deny God’s words altogether: “Ye shall not surely die….”

Satan’s evil world system and its participants, boasting “scholarship” and “expertise,” still incite us to treat God’s words so shamefully, disrespectfully, corruptly….