I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. — John 16:12
One rule in the study of the scriptures is this: while the applications can be many, the interpretation is one and can only be one. The Bible interprets the Bible. There is no need to err therein because the Author of the Word has come to teach us all things: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26)).
What are the “many things” that Jesus had to say to the church? Words of Life from the very Throne of God: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16:13-14). The Words that Jesus was talking about is what we know as the written New Testament!
How did the writers of the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John remember the Words of the Lord? The Holy Ghost brought all things to their remembrance,"He...will bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you"(John 14:26). Where did Romans, Revelation, Galatians, 1 Peter, and the rest of the New Testament come from? The Spirit of Truth heard these words at the Throne of God and spoke them to Peter, Paul, John, and the others and they were faithful to write them down.
Is God still speaking today? Yes, but only that which is in absolute harmony with the scriptures! Even at that, you could transcribe word for word that which is true but you will NEVER add another book to the Bible: “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” (Revelation 22:18).
The Church of Jesus Christ was birthed some two thousand years ago by an Anointing that is Eternal and has been in building ever since. This anointing is one and the same with the Voice found from Genesis to Revelation. The true church will recognize no other voice because it believes that ALL of the New Testament should be in Red Letters for it is truly that which is proceeding from the mouth of the Lord!In other words,Jesus had many things to say in John 16:12 and now we know what he was talking about if we will study our Bibles.It is a living foundation that has been signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Ghost once and for all!!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
TALK ABOUT BAD BREATH!
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” — Ephesians 4:11-14
Have you ever noticed that almost every church building has the pulpit located in the center? This is one tradition that is in keeping with truth: The church is to be centered on the preaching of the Word of God. The word of the Lord given to the prophets and apostles is the foundation of the true church: Its light keeps us from being “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”
The word translated “sleight of men” is dice in the Greek. How many teachings in the church today are nothing more than the roll of a dice? How many “gifts” have you seen operating that were truly a “hit and miss proposition?” A preacher with an audience of perhaps a million says, “The Lord is showing me that someone listening to me has a headache; the Lord wants to heal it. Be sure to send your seed git of a thousand dollars!” How many people don’t have a headache: this is nothing more than a roll of the dice.
The word “cunning craftiness” is translated “subtilty” in 2 Corinthians 11:3, “ But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” As I have said before, there is nothing innocent about false doctrine. The same devil that spoke through the snake in the beginning still speaks deception today! that does not line up with the teaching of the scriptures. Were it not for the foundation of the true Apostles and Prophets, we would not have a “more sure word of prophesy” to refute “every wind and wave of doctrine “that has blew in the church today.
Do you know of anyone claiming to be a “modern” foundation of the church today? Have you heard that we as a church are going to take over the governments of this world and will be under the leadership of “super apostles?”Did you know that all of these teachings are available now: oil in the hands, gold dust, fascination with angels, exstasis dancing, ecstatic prophesy, and singing with the planets? Do you know where all of this is coming from? It is coming from the hot air of hell itself! Talk about bad breath!!
Have you ever noticed that almost every church building has the pulpit located in the center? This is one tradition that is in keeping with truth: The church is to be centered on the preaching of the Word of God. The word of the Lord given to the prophets and apostles is the foundation of the true church: Its light keeps us from being “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”
The word translated “sleight of men” is dice in the Greek. How many teachings in the church today are nothing more than the roll of a dice? How many “gifts” have you seen operating that were truly a “hit and miss proposition?” A preacher with an audience of perhaps a million says, “The Lord is showing me that someone listening to me has a headache; the Lord wants to heal it. Be sure to send your seed git of a thousand dollars!” How many people don’t have a headache: this is nothing more than a roll of the dice.
The word “cunning craftiness” is translated “subtilty” in 2 Corinthians 11:3, “ But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” As I have said before, there is nothing innocent about false doctrine. The same devil that spoke through the snake in the beginning still speaks deception today! that does not line up with the teaching of the scriptures. Were it not for the foundation of the true Apostles and Prophets, we would not have a “more sure word of prophesy” to refute “every wind and wave of doctrine “that has blew in the church today.
Do you know of anyone claiming to be a “modern” foundation of the church today? Have you heard that we as a church are going to take over the governments of this world and will be under the leadership of “super apostles?”Did you know that all of these teachings are available now: oil in the hands, gold dust, fascination with angels, exstasis dancing, ecstatic prophesy, and singing with the planets? Do you know where all of this is coming from? It is coming from the hot air of hell itself! Talk about bad breath!!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone—Ephesians 2:20
The church of Jesus Christ as of September 23, 2009 is one and the same with the church birthed on the day of Pentecost: “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4). Therefore their can only be one foundation which has already been laid.
This foundation has its roots in the Old Covenant starting with Moses and ending with Malachi, true prophets who faithfully proclaimed the coming of Christ. You must remember that at the time Paul wrote this , the scriptures that he referred to was the Old Covenant—the New Covenant was still being written. Make no mistake about it: The prophet’s Ephesians 2:20 is referring to is Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah and others. These are prophets that passed the test of Deuteronomy 18:20-22:
“But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
How is it that most of the “modern prophets” of our time have failed this test miserably and yet are still proclaimed as true prophets? They readily admit that they have spoken lies from time to time but it is now under “grace.” Isn’t it amazing that they want the authority of a prophet but not the accountability.
“Oh, but you don’t understand, there are signs and wonders done by these men, this proves that they are of God!” Listen to what Deuteronomy 13:1-3 says, “ If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, AND THE SIGN OR THE WONDER COME TO PASS, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” The Word is not ignorant of the fact that signs and wonders can occur but warns that you had better discern between “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9).
That which is of the Holy Ghost is and always will be Christ centered; it decreases man and increases Jesus. There is nothing innocent about false doctrine and false prophets! At the very root of what they are and teach is an exaltation of man. It is man centered and it is not of the Lord—truly a non-profit organization!
The church of Jesus Christ as of September 23, 2009 is one and the same with the church birthed on the day of Pentecost: “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4). Therefore their can only be one foundation which has already been laid.
This foundation has its roots in the Old Covenant starting with Moses and ending with Malachi, true prophets who faithfully proclaimed the coming of Christ. You must remember that at the time Paul wrote this , the scriptures that he referred to was the Old Covenant—the New Covenant was still being written. Make no mistake about it: The prophet’s Ephesians 2:20 is referring to is Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah and others. These are prophets that passed the test of Deuteronomy 18:20-22:
“But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
How is it that most of the “modern prophets” of our time have failed this test miserably and yet are still proclaimed as true prophets? They readily admit that they have spoken lies from time to time but it is now under “grace.” Isn’t it amazing that they want the authority of a prophet but not the accountability.
“Oh, but you don’t understand, there are signs and wonders done by these men, this proves that they are of God!” Listen to what Deuteronomy 13:1-3 says, “ If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, AND THE SIGN OR THE WONDER COME TO PASS, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” The Word is not ignorant of the fact that signs and wonders can occur but warns that you had better discern between “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9).
That which is of the Holy Ghost is and always will be Christ centered; it decreases man and increases Jesus. There is nothing innocent about false doctrine and false prophets! At the very root of what they are and teach is an exaltation of man. It is man centered and it is not of the Lord—truly a non-profit organization!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
NO OTHER FOUNDATION!
Without sound of hammer, unperceived by the world and without any self promoting press release; the greatest move of God known to man is taking place: “And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor ax nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building” (1Kings 6:7).
To understand the greatest move of God, you must see that it is not something the Lord is beginning; it is something he is finishing: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it”(Zechariah 4:9). The greatest move of God is simply the house of God —the church which is inhabited by the Spirit of God. Jesus, the chief cornerstone of this house, began building this house some two thousand years ago and it is nearing completion: He will soon bring forth the capstone!
Some two thousand years ago Jesus Christ the Son of David, the lowly Carpenter from Nazareth, began building the church with three nails and a cross: “He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Samuel 7:13). He laid the foundation with his own spotless Blood which He shed in our stead. This church is in “no way a human institution” as A.B. Simpson has said. Therefore it is as Eternal as his Almighty Blood and therefore it can not be altered from the blueprint clearly revealed in his Word.
This house of God that is being built is the greatest move of God known to man: “The house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries” ( 1 Chronicles 22:5). Solomon asked, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth?” Behold, the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built thee?” The house that Solomon built was a
type and could never fulfill the reality or even comprehend the greatness of the actual truth that God himself would dwell in his Church: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you” (1 Corinthians 3:16)?
Nothing could possibly be greater than this. Who alone could build such a glorious house that is full of the very Presence of God? Jesus. Who laid the foundation? Jesus. Who is going to finish it? Jesus.How is he going to finish it? By his all powerful hands according to the Heavenly blueprint revealed in his Word.
Here is another question of utmost importance: Can there be, or is there a need for another foundation to be laid? NO, NO, AND A Thousand times NO: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). This being true, how is it that we have a major movement in the United States built on the erroneous teaching that the church is built on the foundation of present-day apostles and prophets? Anyone claiming to be such is in heresy and of the spirit of error!!!
To understand the greatest move of God, you must see that it is not something the Lord is beginning; it is something he is finishing: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it”(Zechariah 4:9). The greatest move of God is simply the house of God —the church which is inhabited by the Spirit of God. Jesus, the chief cornerstone of this house, began building this house some two thousand years ago and it is nearing completion: He will soon bring forth the capstone!
Some two thousand years ago Jesus Christ the Son of David, the lowly Carpenter from Nazareth, began building the church with three nails and a cross: “He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Samuel 7:13). He laid the foundation with his own spotless Blood which He shed in our stead. This church is in “no way a human institution” as A.B. Simpson has said. Therefore it is as Eternal as his Almighty Blood and therefore it can not be altered from the blueprint clearly revealed in his Word.
This house of God that is being built is the greatest move of God known to man: “The house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries” ( 1 Chronicles 22:5). Solomon asked, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth?” Behold, the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built thee?” The house that Solomon built was a
type and could never fulfill the reality or even comprehend the greatness of the actual truth that God himself would dwell in his Church: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you” (1 Corinthians 3:16)?
Nothing could possibly be greater than this. Who alone could build such a glorious house that is full of the very Presence of God? Jesus. Who laid the foundation? Jesus. Who is going to finish it? Jesus.How is he going to finish it? By his all powerful hands according to the Heavenly blueprint revealed in his Word.
Here is another question of utmost importance: Can there be, or is there a need for another foundation to be laid? NO, NO, AND A Thousand times NO: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). This being true, how is it that we have a major movement in the United States built on the erroneous teaching that the church is built on the foundation of present-day apostles and prophets? Anyone claiming to be such is in heresy and of the spirit of error!!!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Something more exalted than His Name!
The Apostle Paul had an amazing conversion: “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven” ( Acts 9:3). This Light was nothing less than the Lord Jesus Christ who revealed himself to Paul as the God of all mercy. Later we read of Paul receiving a direct visitation: “ And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome” (Acts 23:11).
These experiences along with Paul being taken up to the third heaven were irrefutable proof of the resurrection of Jesus given to the Apostle. However, when Paul made his defense of the gospel in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, he does not offer these TRUE spiritual experiences as the foundation of what he believed. He referred to something even greater and more exalted than the Name of the Lord— the written Word of God!!!
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. —Psalms 138:2
This is absolutely amazing! Paul does not say, “Jesus is alive because I saw a Light!” As true as that was,he refers to something even more sure: “ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
The scriptures are the true revelation of the Living God. All direction individually and corporately must find there origin rooted and grounded in the eternal truths found within its pages, are else shipwreck is unavoidable! Do you want a word from God? Go to the Rock! Go to the scriptures !!
These experiences along with Paul being taken up to the third heaven were irrefutable proof of the resurrection of Jesus given to the Apostle. However, when Paul made his defense of the gospel in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, he does not offer these TRUE spiritual experiences as the foundation of what he believed. He referred to something even greater and more exalted than the Name of the Lord— the written Word of God!!!
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. —Psalms 138:2
This is absolutely amazing! Paul does not say, “Jesus is alive because I saw a Light!” As true as that was,he refers to something even more sure: “ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
The scriptures are the true revelation of the Living God. All direction individually and corporately must find there origin rooted and grounded in the eternal truths found within its pages, are else shipwreck is unavoidable! Do you want a word from God? Go to the Rock! Go to the scriptures !!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Take heed that no man deceive you
For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. —Psalms 119:89
One of my absolute convictions is this: The Bible has already been written and published by the Holy Ghost and no man can alter the truth found within its pages. It says what it means and means what it says. 2 Peter 1:20 says that “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” In simple terms this means that we had better find out what the Word really teaches because it is a done deal. A trillion “modern day” prophets could agree and teach that the scriptures are saying a certain thing, but unless what they are saying is in harmony with the teaching of ALL the scripture they are wrong! Take heed that no man deceive you.
Someone has well said that in the beginning God made man in his own image and now man has returned the favor! We have made a God that fits the image we feel best suits him. Sad to say, all of this man made interpretation has left us reflecting the very world that we were commanded to forsake. May God have mercy and open our eyes to see that we “art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Truly He is calling the church ONE LAST TIME to “hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”---Revelation3:20
One of my absolute convictions is this: The Bible has already been written and published by the Holy Ghost and no man can alter the truth found within its pages. It says what it means and means what it says. 2 Peter 1:20 says that “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” In simple terms this means that we had better find out what the Word really teaches because it is a done deal. A trillion “modern day” prophets could agree and teach that the scriptures are saying a certain thing, but unless what they are saying is in harmony with the teaching of ALL the scripture they are wrong! Take heed that no man deceive you.
Someone has well said that in the beginning God made man in his own image and now man has returned the favor! We have made a God that fits the image we feel best suits him. Sad to say, all of this man made interpretation has left us reflecting the very world that we were commanded to forsake. May God have mercy and open our eyes to see that we “art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Truly He is calling the church ONE LAST TIME to “hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”---Revelation3:20
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