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Intimacy in the Spirit
  
You must be born again to enter into the kingdom of God.
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Happy Birthday Canada! Jun 30, 2007 10:07 pm
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Canada Day
Background

On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty's loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1st.

The July 1 holiday was established by statute in 1879, under the name Dominion Day.

Another highlight was Canada's Centennial in 1967 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the celebrations with Parliament Hill again being the backdrop for a large scale official ceremony.

On October 27, 1982, July 1st which was known as "Dominion Day" became "Canada Day".
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Counterfeit Christianity Jun 30, 2007 12:07 pm
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By Robert Pate author of the Apostles Doctrine

Just because someone goes to church and carries a bible with them does not mean that they are a Christian. A counterfeit looks like the real thing but its not.

Parable of the wheat and the tares: Jesus said, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servant of the household came and said unto him, Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? From where does it now have tares? He said to them an enemy has done this. The servants said to him, shall we go and gather them up? But he said, No; lest while you gather up the tares you up root the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Matthew 13:25

How can we tell the counterfeits from the true Christians? This is not always an easy task. I have known church members for years, believing that they were dedicated Christians, only to find out later that they were counterfeits. Just because someone goes to church and carries a bible with them does not mean they are Christians. Remember a counterfeit looks like the real thing, but it’s not.
There are certain basic beliefs that may help to determine whether one is a Christian or a counterfeit. The first belief is that one is a sinner and is continuing to be a sinner. The second basic belief is that Jesus Christ is the God man and is the savior of the world. These are basic beliefs, but believing this does not save you. Satan also believes that Jesus is the God man and is the savior of the world.

The main question is where is your faith? What are you trusting in for your salvation? I had a friend who was a Lutheran. I was talking to him about Christ when he said, “You don’t have to worry about me being saved Bob. I have been confirmed by the Lutheran church.” This is a typical example of a person who is trusting in their confirmation for salvation. Another good example is those who believe that the church will save them. It is important for some people to be a member of a church for salvation. In the Pentecostal religion, many Pentecostals are trusting in their emotional experiences or speaking in tongues for salvation. Many other religions teach that you must do good works for salvation, so they are trusting in their good works. Many times when you ask someone how they know for sure that they are saved, they will respond to a place or date that they invited Jesus into their heart or when they made a decision to become a Christian. The problem with this is it was their work that saved them. Anything that we do whether it’s a prayer or making a decision is a work. We do not become Christians by what we do we become Christians because of what Christ has done. Many believe that when they were baptized that saved them. Some believe that Jesus is their example and if they follow his example that will make them a Christian. Jesus did not come into the world to show us the way, he is the way. I have found that many of the above will reject the historical gospel of Jesus Christ for their salvation when it is presented to them making them counterfeits. If salvation comes to us because of what we do or by what we have become then Christ lived and died in vain. To put your faith and trust in anything other than the work and person of Jesus Christ can make you a counterfeit. Most of the above do not know or understand the gospel that saves nor do they care to know it. According to the bible they are lost and are counterfeits. The apostle Paul said, “If our gospel is hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” 2 Corinthians 4:3

There is a proper way to believe and have faith and the Lord has revealed the way of salvation in the scriptures. The trouble is that many want to believe what they want to believe regardless of what the scripture says. These people are the counterfeits. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that enters not by the door into the sheepfold but climbs in some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” John 10:1 Later he said, “I am the door of the sheepfold.” There is only one way to be saved and there is only one gospel. It is our responsibility to know how we are saved, and we should never trust our souls to the teaching of a man. God has revealed the way of salvation in the bible. Seek it out for yourself and know what you believe. Be sure that it is compatible with the scriptures. There is a way that seems right unto a man but the end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12.

In the Old Testament concerning the tabernacle and the holy of holies and the ritual of the sacrifices, the priest had to do every thing exactly like they were instructed by the Lord or they died. So we have been instructed about how we should believe and have faith. There is no slip shod method for having faith. There is no question about what the gospel is. Every thing is in the book and all one has to do is read it and believe it. Jesus said, “Enter in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction. Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads unto life, and few there be that find it” Matthew 7:13-14. Jesus is the strait gate. Only by faith in him and his work, (the gospel) can one be saved.

Aaron had two sons; Nadab and Abihu. They were appointed by the priest to make fire offerings to the Lord. This was very serious business and had to be done exactly like they were instructed. The scripture says that they made an offering of fire unto the Lord that was not according to the way that it should be done. It was called “strange fire” and the Lord told them not to do it their way. They did it their way anyway. The bible says that this angered the Lord and that fire went out from the Lord and devoured them both and they died before the Lord. Leviticus 10:1 Strange beliefs, salvation according to your way, strange and false doctrines and strange religions are the same as strange fire. The Lord didn’t want it then and he doesn’t want it now.

There are many false teachers today that are counterfeits. The apostle Paul said, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And it is 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 nd Corinthians 11:13-15 The apostle Peter calls them “false prophets that teach damnable heresies and that many will follow their pernicious ways and with feigned words will make merchandise of you” 2 nd Peter 1:3.

The counterfeits do not know or understand the gospel of grace that saves so their teaching is usually man centered. 90% of the teaching in the churches today is about the Christian life and how to live it. This is Satanic because it turns people’s eyes into themselves. We are all sinners. There is no help in and of our selves. The work of the spirit is to point us to Christ and to glorify him. The spirit does not speak of him self, nor will one who possesses the spirit. John 16:13. Satan wants you to be ineffective and ineffective you will be if you look to yourself for strength, direction or salvation. Christ is our only strength and our only hope.

Twice in the 7 th chapter of Matthew, Jesus says, “by their fruits you will know them” (Christians). The counterfeits don’t produce any fruit, how can they? They don’t really teach or know the gospel that saves as they have another gospel or no gospel. Jesus said, “Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Not every one that says to me Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my father which is in heaven.” (The will of the father is to believe in Jesus and his gospel) “Many will say to me in that day Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name and in your name cast out devils? And in your name done many wonderful works? And then I will say to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23.

The gospel reveals who is a real Christian and who is not. Real Christians embrace the gospel. To them it is the wonderful words of life and freedom. The counterfeits are more interested in what they can do to make themselves more pleasing to God by their good works or by their pious Christian lives. They are under the law and will be judged by the law. In reality they are in denial of the gospel. God does not accept our righteousness because we don’t have any. We are sinners.

What is the Gospel?
The gospel is about Jesus Christ, his life, his death, his resurrection, his position at the right hand of God. The gospel calls into question all that we think and do as Christians. It is the deciding factor as to who is a real Christian and who is a counterfeit. There is only one gospel and there is only one way to believe and have faith.

The apostle Paul said, “That if we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-9 There is no room for any kind of strange fire here. We must know beyond a shadow of a doubt how and what the Lord wants us to believe and have faith in for our very souls depend upon this.

The gospel is a very simple message. Christ has saved us by doing for us that which we are not capable of doing for ourselves because we were dead in trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1 By his righteous life he has offered everything to the Godhead that the law requires. He did this in our name and on our behalf just like we did it ourselves. When Christ lived, we lived in him and our humanity was in him. He is the new Adam and representative of the human race. Romans 5:12-21. We are saved by his work and not our own. In his crucifixion, he took our old Adamic nature and put it to death. Our old life of failure is buried in Joseph’s new tomb. When Christ died we died with him. The apostle Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ nevertheless I live.” Galatians 2:20 The sin problem has been dealt with and Satan has been defeated. Romans 6:1-7

When Christ came out of the tomb we came out with him. Romans 6:5 This is not rocket science but the simple message of the gospel. This is what the Lord wants you to believe and have faith in. What about my Christian life some ask? Colossians chapter 3:1 says, if you have been risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Verse 3-4. For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory. This is where your Christian life is at. It is in a very safe secure place. If your life is in heaven with Christ you should act like it. Why? Because we are complete in him. Play your position. Colossians 2:10. Too much is made out of the Christian life. We have nothing to glory in and we have nothing to offer the Lord. If the apostle Paul, who was the world’s greatest Christian, referred to himself as a wretched sinner, where does that leave you and me? Christ has done it all. Knowing this, how should we now live? The apostle Paul said, “The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” The Christian life is a life of rest. We rest in what Christ has accomplished for us. Hebrews 4:5-11
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Saving Faith Part #1 Jun 29, 2007 10:36 am
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2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

All faith in Jesus Christ does not save. Many people are deceived into thinking that they have received Christ as their personal Savior and are resting on His finished work but are building their foundation upon sand.

There are those who have a believing faith but are not born again of the Spirit of God. Examples of this in scripture are:

Acts 8: 8- 24

And there was great joy in that city.
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Then Simon himself believed also and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

How many people do you think are in ministry for the money they can get from preaching the gospel and how many are fakes and frauds who sell holy water,live in mansions, have been exposed for fake miracles....just ask and I will post on some of them! So as you can see many will cast out demons and claim to heal the sick but are reprobates,false teacher,false Apostles.

Acts 26:26-28

For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

So as we can see,it is not enough to believe intellectually about the way of salvation.That is not saving faith.

Exodus 14:31,32

Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

But did they have saving faith....no they did not.

Stay tuned for more.
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If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy......... Jun 29, 2007 12:27 am
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Another sign of a false doctrine is the alteration of Gods word.

The Seventh Day Adventist Clear Word Bible

Clear Word "Bible"
Summer of 1994 saw the release of the "Clear World Bible."

This book was written as a personal devotional exercise by Dr. Jack Blanco. The New Testament had evidently been available for several years through the Southern College Press. It was published (with him as private publisher), and printed by the Review and Herald, this time with the whole Bible. It claims to be a paraphrase of the Bible. It is printed in chapter-and-verse format, two columns to the page.

The introduction suggests that it is not for public reading in churches,etc., but what we are hearing suggests that it is already getting a fairly wide usage for that purpose, Sabbath School lessons, church school Bible classes, etc. IT has been advertised at least twice with a full-color full-page advertisement on the back of the Adventist Review, which includes endorsements from the General Conference president, Richard Davisson of Andrews University, and others. (These endorsements also appear on the back jacket of the book).


Adventists teach that observing the seventh-day Sabbath is the seal of God and will become the final test of loyalty to Christ for all Christians.

Dale Ratzlaff and Verle Streifling

Genesis 2:2-
KJV - And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
CW - Then on the seventh day of creation week, God stopped to enjoy what He had made and to rest in the beauty of it all. So He blessed the seventh day and set it apart as a day of spiritual refreshment and joy.

Note - The CW makes the seventh day part of "creation week" rather than the celebration of a finished creation.

Exodus 5:5
KJV -And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.
CW - You've created enough problems by making them rest every week on your Sabbath.

Note - The CW describes the rest as occurring every week on the Sabbath, whereas in reality Moses requested an isolated three day period in which the Israelites could worship God (see verse 3 in the KJV).

Exodus 16:5

KJV - And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.
CW - On the sixth day they should gather twice as much as on the other days so as to have enough for the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, the day I set aside for worship and rest.

Note - The addition "which is the Sabbath, the day I set aside for worship and rest," does not appear in any biblical manuscript.

Exodus 31:13-14, 16
KJV -Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people ...Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
CW - Say to the people, "Most importantly, remember to keep the Sabbath holy because it is a very special day for me, and it's a day of rest for you. It's a sign between you and me for all time to show that you are the people whom I have chosen and set apart. The Sabbath is holy and anyone who desecrates it by working on that day will be put to death, since that would be an act of treason against God's government. My people are to keep the Sabbath, celebrating it as a sign that they belong to me."

Note - The CW purposefully revises the text to make it appear that the Sabbath is intended for all people, not just for Israel, as the Bible teaches. In verse 13 it changes "children of Israel" to "people" and in verse 16 it changes "children of Israel" to "My people," and "a perpetual covenant" to "a sign that they belong to Me." To justify making the Sabbath observance a universal requirement it also adds, "Since that would be treason against God's government to verse 14

Acts 20: 7
KJV -And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
CW - After sundown on Saturday night, the believers got together for a fellowship meal and to say good-by to Paul. That evening he spoke to them until midnight, after which he hoped to get a few hours sleep before leaving early Sunday morning.

Note - The CW calls this a Saturday night meeting, changes "break bread", a term used by the early church for communion, to a fellowship meal and to say good-by to Paul. Such revision of Scripture completely changes the focus of this verse to fit Adventist theology.

Colossians 2:16
KJV - Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days.
CW - Don't let anyone control you life by giving you a set of ceremonial rules about what to eat, what to drink and what monthly festivals or special Sabbaths to keep. All these rules were given as a shadow of the reality to come and that reality is Jesus Christ.

Note - Colossians 2:16 is a very important verse in that it shows clearly that the Seventh-day Sabbath is only a shadow of Christ. This verse should be studied in its context and also compared to its Old Testament parallel, Ezekiel 45:17 (above) When the terms "festival (or equivalent), new moons and Sabbaths are used together in the Old Testament the word Sabbath always refers to the seventh-day Sabbath. Also, these terms are usually used in either ascending or descending sequence: festival (yearly) new moons (monthly) Sabbaths (weekly) or Sabbaths (weekly), new moons (monthly), festivals (yearly).

These two well established patterns make it certain that the seventh-day Sabbath is in view in Colossians 2:16 and this fact undermines the whole SDA emphasis on the seventh-day Sabbath. Note how the CB alters both Colossians 2:16 as well as the Old Testament parallel text.
Revelation 1:10
KJV - I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day.
CW - On Sabbath morning when I had gone to the rocky island shore to meditate and worship.

Note - The CW adds the concluding clause to reinforce Adventist liturgical practices.

One can see by the examples listed above that The Clear Word Bible makes numerous deletions and additions, revising the Word of God to make the Bible teach what it does not teach: the Adventist doctrine of required universal observance of the seventh-day Sabbath for all peoples

These are only a few alterations of their bible to fit is with SDA theology.

Proverbs 30:5,6

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar

Revelations 22;18-21

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen
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Sweet Surrender or Dominion theology. Jun 28, 2007 10:52 am
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One of the main signs of a false doctrine is the elevation of man and the undermining of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Sometimes it comes very subtly but if man is elevated in any way then God is dethroned somewhere in there, of that you can be sure!

One such movement is the manifest sons of God doctrine or Dominion theology. Now that is not to say that there are not true and genuine Christians involved in that movement but the movement itself has alot of error in it.

Dominion theology arises from a distorted interpretation of Romans 8:19 and a few other passages. It teaches that a perfected, glorified church will usher in the kingdom of God by taking dominion over the world. To this end, the church must be placed in order by coming under the authority of present-day apostles and prophets.

For one thing many of these so called prophets have been caught red handed in sin...such as Paul Cain who is now exposed publicly as a homosexual and drunkard, as well as Bob Jones who got kicked out of the Vineyard for asking women to undress before the lord in his office. But he is still in ministry supported by these other prophetic people including Rick Joyner.

Paul Cain, Latter Rain Prophet of Renown Is Now Discredited
by Orrel Steinkamp, The Plumbline, Volume 9, No. 5, December 2004

Paul Cain, a prophetic legend and a living bridge to William Branham and the Latter Rain of the 50's, has now been revealed to be an alcoholic and a practicing homosexual. Ironically, this disclosure came at the hands of his fellow prophets who had elevated him to a super prophet status and who themselves endeavored to attain the lofty prophetic mantle of Cain himself. Bob Jones, a Kansas City prophet, himself discredited by sexual indiscretions in his prophetic practice, referred to Cain's prophetic ministry as: "the terror of the Lord" (Al Dager, Vengeance is Ours, (Redmond, Washington: Sword Publishers), July, 1990, p.131).

Jones, Bob Apologetics research resources on religious cults and sects.The Apologetics Index research resources on religious cults, sects, new religious movements, alternative religions, apologetics-, anticult-, and countercult organizations, doctrines, religious practices and world views. These resources reflect a variety of theological and/or sociological perspectives.

One of the Kansas City Prophets. Seen by some as the most controversial of the Kansas City Prophets. Was removed from the Vineyard Anaheim because of sexual improprieties, which consisted of encouraging women to undress in his office so they could stand "naked before the Lord" in order to receive a "word." Still active today, with the abundant support of Rick Joyner. Jones is a major proponent of Latter Rain and Manifest Sons theology.

Kim Clement explains in his own words concerning the teachings of sin, grace and salvation. “I thought that Christianity was based on a relationship resulting from grace. My idea that each person is born with a treasure in their spirit is mocked, and I am accused of being a new age prophet because I will NOT focus on their sin but rather on their treasure”[emphasis his] ....... “I know how a sinner feels because I have been one”........I do not believe that you must be born again to obtain salvation.......you cannot and will not make a disciple out of a sinner who has been introduced to Jesus Christ on the basis of their sinful inheritance only.” False teaching

PROPHETIC WORD THROUGH KIM CLEMENT on TBN 01/12/04

Kim Clement Prophesies Concerning Ben Laden, 'OUT within 35 days' Plus March appointed for USA Church” PROPHETIC WORD THROUGH KIM CLEMENT on TBN 01/12/04

“Osama Ben Laden said that in 35 days, America, he was prophesying, predicting, that this country would be abolished basically, wiped out, because he has a plan for 35 days. And the word of the Lord came to me... the spirit of the Lord said to me, “You prophesy that the very thing that he said and predicted for this nation, tell him, prophesy, that that is reversed, and I'm going to bring him out in 35 days!”

In John’s Gospel he explains that Jesus is “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (Jn.1:9). John was addressing those who claimed to be a messenger’s (of light) of God (especially the Gnostics who held that mans spirit was good and not fallen). The Holy Spirit is to bear witness to every man’s fallen human spirit to bring that light who is Christ Jesus into a person's heart. The thrust of John’s words is that Jesus is the uncreated God not the human soul that is a spark of divinity or God already in man. That we walk in darkness, we are children of the Devil (having the nature of sin) and as sinners we need to pass from death to life by having a rebirth from God’s Spirit coming in and giving life to a dead spirit in sin.

A host of others have made blatant false prophecies! Such as Kim Clement with false prophecies. Still people follow these guys blindly without question.

What does the bible say that the Lord requires of you as his disciple....to be a super being and go around displaying your super spiritual muscles or does he want you to be empty of self and filled with him?

John 5:19-32

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
I can of mine own self do nothing as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

Luke 32: 41-44

And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

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Postmodernism (Another secular mindset invades the church) Jun 27, 2007 9:59 am
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Check out my prior blogs

Postmodernism is an intellectual movement that has grown out of modernism. It is the rejection of knowledge as having any absolutes or objectivity. Knowledge is considered to be uncertain and all systems used to determine truth are discarded. Such as history and the scientific method. Postmodernism believes that truth is not discovered through knowledge but rather through ones personal experience. In other words truth is subjective or personally interpreted, thus undermining objective logic or rationalism.

Postmodernists also reject the idea of progress. The transformation of reality through progressive knowledge and discovery is abandoned for a more natural perspective. Going back to the land and conforming more to the simpler things in life. Individualism has also been replaced by community awareness and liberalism is replaced with socialism.

How has this cultural transformation affected the church?
In many ways. Evangelism is now being presented by many church groups in a sensitive seeker friendly way. This is not a scriptural approach as the word of God tells us clearly to boldly proclaim the gospel without fear of man. Also, the church has adopted the tolerant approach. Where is that in the word of God ? We are called to preach Christ and him crucified. To call the sinner to repentance towards God and to forsake false religions and foolish philosophies. Martyrs have suffered persecution, imprisonment and death for proclaiming Jesus to the Nations and we, as Christians should be willing to suffer reproach for his sake.

Stay tuned for more on post modernism.
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The Gift of Grace. Jun 26, 2007 8:38 am
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Ephesians 2:8-10

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Grace is a free gift. It cannot be earned by any effort on our part. God loves sinners while they are yet in their sins, with a love far greater than we can comprehend. With the gift of Grace we can have assurance that when we have become a child of God,so we will be empowered to walk in the spirit and thus live a life that pleases God.

The gift of Grace comes from the bountiful mercy of God and is extended to sinful man who is totally depraved within himself and incapable of saving himself! Grace is the free and undeserved gift that God gives us to respond to his call. Those he calls he also justifies and those he justifies he also glorifies!

Grace, when instilled within the heart of man brings life abundantly and eternally.
Without grace man is spiritually dead and a slave to sin. It is not possible to gain entrance into heaven without the gift of grace paid for by Christ’s redemption.

The Grace of God transforms Gods elect into a new creature in Christ. Born of his Spirit, partakers of his divine nature, join heirs with Jesus Christ. Grace, grace, grace, without merit,undeserved, based solely on the great love wherewith he loved us!

Titus 3 : 7

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
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Modernism ( The secularization of Christianity) Jun 25, 2007 11:26 am
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The Modern Era, 1500 onwards, consisted of the Reformation, 1517-1648, where West European Christianity had become divided into two camps; the Protestants and Catholics. This forced all the cultural leaders of the Christian world to choose sides. Throughout Europe Christianity was redefined as the middle Ages came to an end and the modern era began. Protestantism became the driving force in the history of modern civilization.

The Enlightenment or the age of reason 1648–1789, discarded the superstition and fear of the medieval world. Enlightenment thinkers examined the rational basis of all beliefs and in the process rejected the authority of church and state. It was a time of discovery of the natural laws governing the universe, the development of liberal democracy,the free market and the industrial revolution.The British Revolution of 1688 emphasized liberty and constitutionalism, while the French Revolution of 1789 emphasized democracy and rationalism.

The Enlightenment brought about the secularization of most of the intellectual elite of Christendom. The French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution spread Enlightenment ideas to important parts of that population, but the Christian churches continued to be a vital force in the affairs of men.

The 20th Century brought a breakthrough in economic and technological and advancements. With the increase in communications came the spread of democracy. World War I 1914-1918 and World war II 1939-1945 brought conflict, death, and destruction. Nation rising against Nation. Atomic warfare put fear in the hearts of man and with the cold war came the arms race.
At the end of the twentieth century came more technological advances. Computers, the Internet, and other technology that radically altered daily lives. No longer was modernization seen merely as advancement but also as destructive.

Modern thought was the belief in the rationality of the universe but also consisted of the belief in dualism which is the concept of an unseen element as a part of the whole of reality not observable in nature. Such as religious beliefs and the philosophical belief of ideas as a reflection of reality.

Modernism replaced premodern thought but did retain some of its concepts such as the belief in a metaphysical realm and objective truth. However, modernism rejected the idea that the purpose for humanity and the the universe needed to be understood through the belief in a supernatural being. In other words, events that happened in the natural world occurred on the basis of physical or social realities rather than by the hand of God.

Features of Modernism included Naturalism; the laws of cause and effect observable in nature. Humanism; the existence of humanity as the highest form of being. The scientific method, where reality is measured and tested through observation and experimentation. Reductionism; the theory that all complex systems can be completely understood in terms of their components. Progress; Progression of the human race to overcome problems rather than a supernatural being. Certainty; the idea that knowledge can be based on absolute principals. Determinism; Scientific method is able to find fixed laws that govern the universe. Individualism; Individuals can know reality in and of themselves because truth is objective so therefore one can control reality. Anti-Authoritarianism; Humanity is considered the most complete and accurate measure of truth.

As you can see historical events that contributed to the formation of modern ideology is now being questioned by the new generation. Social, political, economical and scientific advancements have brought not only good but evil. Much of the church became secular, with rationalism, phycology and philosophy. Rejecting supernaturalism altogether and becoming ritual in forms and structure.

The rejection of God has put a vacuum in the hearts of man but rather than seeking the true God, Jesus Christ, postmodern thought with subjective truth now embraces all gods, your higher power, your interpretation of truth, and rejects all objective reality. Supernaturalism has replaced the authority of the word of God.

Stay tuned for more on post modernism
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Pre-Modern thought and its influence on Christianity. Jun 23, 2007 4:14 pm
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#2

A brief historical look, stay tuned for the continuation tommorrow. Check out my blog for the beginning of this series.

During the first millennium and a half, the classical Christian tradition developed its ritual, church structures, and theology. Jewish Christianity spread into the Roman Empire, combining aspects of Judaism and Greco-Roman culture. In the fourth century Christianity became the established religion of the Empire.

During the last 500 years of the first millennium, the conversion of Celtic, Germanic, Slavic, and other peoples produced a synthesis of classical Greco-Roman civilization and these cultures synthesised to shape medieval Christianity.

Christianity from the beginning has been traditionally multi-cultural.Judaism and Greco-Roman Culture produced classical Christianity. Classical Christianity and the barbarian cultures Celtic, Germanic and Slavic, produced medieval Christianity.

Christianity then developed into distinct Latin and Greek traditions. Between 1000 and 1500 a break in these two cultural traditions of Christianity were established, one was centered in the old Rome and the other in the new Rome, Constantinople.

In the first 500 years of the second millennium the Western and Eastern variations of classical Christianity shaped the development of western civilization up to the modern period.

Classical Christianity refers to the views of a group of theologians who wrote during the late Roman Empire, during the fourth and fifth centuries, and laid the groundwork for the doctrinal formulations as the divine Trinity and the two-natured Christ. These theologians, along with their second- and third-century precursors, are more traditionally known as the "Church Fathers," and the study of their writings is the domain of the academic discipline of "Patristics."

In the pre-modern period of Western civilization, people believed in the supernatural. Individuals and the culture as a whole believed in either God or gods. In Athens the apostle Paul discovered an altar to an unknown God Acts 17:23 The Greeks had come to realize that there is a God, but they did not know Him. Socrates reasoned that there must be only one supreme God, the source of all truth, beauty, and goodness. Plato, the disciple of Socrates, went on to develop classical idealism, the view that the particulars of this world owe their form to transcendent ideals in the mind of God. Aristotle reasoned that all causes must trace back to a First Cause, which itself is uncaused and Paul who witnessed to the Greeks saw that these various pagan philosophers had some concept of spiritual truths.

For over a thousand years, Western civilization was dominated by a mingling of worldviews. The Biblical revelation, classical rationalism, and even the remains of native pagan mythologies. Often Biblical truth was compromised by human reason and pagan superstitions.

During the Middle Ages A.D. 1000-1500, Christian piety, classical rationalism, and the folk-paganism of European culture combined to create a synthesis. Medieval popular culture obscured the gospel message and often kept much of the old paganism under the veneer of Christianity, retaining the old gods but renaming them after Christian saints.

During the Renaissance, humanism rediscovered and reasserted the thinking of the Greeks, and this Reformation rediscovered and reasserted Divine revelation. Humanism, was an educational and philosophical outlook that emphasized the personal worth of the individual and the importance of human values as opposed to religious belief. This developed in Europe during the Renaissance, influenced by the study of ancient Greek and Latin literature and philosophy. Humanism began as an educational program called the humanities, which included ancient secular values which were consistent with Christian teachings. The Renaissance humanists were often devout Christians, but they promoted secular values and a love of pagan antiquity. By the 18th century humanism became identified with a secular world view that often rejected Christianity altogether.

Premodern thought was the understanding of reality as a purposeful system within which humanity functioned. In western tradition this consisted of the belief in the absolute athourity of God who is omniscient and omnipotent, as the supreme ruler of the universe,who constructs all things for the purposes of his divine will.

Premodernisms basic belief system consisted of the objective existence of the physical world and the theory of absolute truth according to proveable realities.
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Post Modernism in the Church (The Secular Humanistic Mindset) Jun 22, 2007 10:13 pm
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Part #1 Stay tuned for more tomorrow.

With the rise of post modernism in Western culture we see this secular ideology invading the churches. There are even Christian movements that embrace post modernism and attempt to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ using these worldly ideas.

In an attempt to share with you how this intellectual mentality has begun to refashion the cultural world view of Western Society and has invaded the church, so that it is conforming to worldly fashions rather than conforming to the word of God for our way of life as believers, I will start by doing an historical background very simply and in laymen terms, of premodern, modern, and postmodern ideology so that you can see how the wisdom of this world has played an important part in transforming culture and how culture creeps into the church to reconstruct Christian values which has an effect on how the gospel is presented and how doctrine is interpreted.

Now some theologians believe as Christians we should go with the flow and change with the times. This may seem like a logical argument in light of the fact that the world is changing, and as a church we need to be able to reach this changing world for Jesus Christ, but how far should we go in doing this......every era has a different cultural phenomena that needs to be understood and have the gospel presented to it, but as Jesus has instructed in the word,we are not to conforme or be molded into the worlds image.

As Christians we are to be set apart as the people of God and be a light in the darkness, not be so worldly minded that we imitate the world. Now, I am not advocating staying in the dark ages because it is a fact that culture changes, but within moderation should we change with it. As for the mindset of post modernism, there is a danger to the church in conforming as this world view is the very world view that will lead to the one world church and ultimately antichrist.
S.H.

Romans 12:2

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.
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