Baptism

Part I

Jesus was baptised

Matthew 3:13-16 - Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Baptism is part of the Doctrine of Christ

Hebrews 6:1-2 - 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, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

John 3:1-5 - There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Baptisms in the Old Testament

1Cor 10:1-4 - Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

In the old testament, an immersion in water (or mikveh) was a process of spiritual purification and cleansing.   Immersion was required as part of conversion to Judaism, cleansing after being "unclean", cleansing of utensils, and ritual immersion by for ceremonial purifications.  

The mikveh also represented the "womb" from which the one being immersed emerged in a new birth separating them from the world.

Baptism can seen in Noah passing through the flood leaving the world that then was behind.  Also in the Israelites coming up out of the land of slavery, passing through the Red Sea and leaving bondage behind.  Also in the Israelites passing through the river Jordan and entering the Promised Land.

Baptism is for Believers – follows belief and repentance

Matthew 28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 16:15-16 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned

Acts 2:38-41 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 8:36-38 - See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Part II

Philip and the Ethiopian’s Baptism

Acts 8:26-40 - And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.  Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.  And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: in his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.  And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.  And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.  But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea.

Baptism is by Immersion

Mark 1:10 - And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens rent asunder, and the Spirit as a dove descending upon him

Acts 8:38b-39a - and he baptized him.  And when they were come up out of the water

The Greek word ‘baptizo’ means to immerse, plunge, dip, or bury in water and where we get the Bible word 'baptism'.

Baptism Does Not Save (or help to save) Us

Mark 1:8 - I baptized you in water; But he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit.

Titus 3:5 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewal of the Holy Spirit

Baptism does not wash or regenerate us, but it instead represents the washing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit.  It is the Holy Spirit that washes and regenerates us.

Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change

Matthew 10:32-33 - Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Luke 12:8-9)

We identify with Jesus

Acts 19:1-5 - And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples: and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given. And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism. And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus. And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

Galatians 3:26-27 - For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Matthew 28:19 - Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 

Baptism represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus

Romans 6:3-5 - Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

I Peter 3:21 - The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Colossians 2:10-15 - And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:  in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:  buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;  blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Represents being made part of the Body of Christ
1 Corinthians 12:13 - For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Ephesians 4:3-5 - endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Any believer can administer Baptism

Acts 8:38 - And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

The authority of baptism is in Jesus Christ, so any believer can baptise in His name.  It is not dependent upon a special person or priest.

Don’t put off baptism

2Cor 6:2 - For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation

Acts 8:36 - See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

Acts 22:16 - And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.

Commentary
The wages of sin is death.  We are unable to satisfy payment for our sins.  When Jesus died on the cross, He, who had no sin, paid the death penalty for our sins. Through baptism we are united with Christ in paying the death penalty for sin. We are baptized into His death, into the death penalty for sin. 

We are unable to return from death on our own because of sin.  Because Jesus is sinless and victorious over death, we join Him in Resurrection through uniting with Him in Resurrection. 

We are saved by grace through faith.  Through the baptismal act of faith God gives us a way to act on our belief in our participation in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (an event which occurred 2000 years ago).

Baptism is about leaving our old sinful, worldly ways behind and taking on the yoke of Christ. It is about lifestyle change and dying to ourselves and doing God’s will instead of ours. Our reason and purpose for living changes after baptism. Afterward is a new way of life. Baptism is about faith, total commitment of the heart, surrender, self-denial, death, resurrection, repentance, and seeking God’s mercy through Jesus Christ and the work He completed on the cross.

Order of Service

Baptism is an expression of our faith that we share in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Rom 6:4).  It is an outward sign of an inward change of heart and our opportunity to confess our faith in Jesus before men (Matt 10:32).

Q: Why are you here?

A: To be baptised

Q: What do you believe?

A: I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, He died for my sins, He rose again from the dead, and He is my Savior.

__(name)______, be baptized in the name of Jesus, in whom is the fullness of the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:16; Acts 19:5; Matt 29:19; Col 2:9)

shekinah

I hear this word used a lot.  You hear many people speak of the "shekinah glory", often in ignorant "parroting" of something they heard somewhere.

The word "shakan" which means abiding, dwelling, or habitation is in the hebrew text 128 times (Strong's 7931).

The hebrew word "shekinah" is not in the hebrew biblical text and is a "feminine" form.

It comes from the jewish mystical tradition, or kabbalah (a form of Babylonian mystery religion) and in this religion shekinah refers to the "divine feminine" or a feminine aspect of God.

Adam male and female?

Gen 1:26-28 - And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

In Genesis 1:26-28 we see a brief overview describing the creation of the first man and woman who were the parents of mankind.

God announces His plan that mankind (the first "them" in v26) have dominion over all the earth.

In manifesting this plan, first God creates man (Adam) -- "created He him" -- in His own image, emphasizing that God created man first and the man was in God's image.


Then scripture reveals that the plural "male and female created He them" emphasizes that God created the male and the female as individuals.
God first created the "him", female did not exists until the "him" (single individual) became a "them" (two individuals).

Genesis chapter 2 expands on the introductory summary of day six in chapter 1.

In verse 2:7 we see a more detailed account of how God created man:

Genesis 2:7 - And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Later in Genesis 2:21-24 we see a more detailed account of how the first woman, Eve, was created

Genesis 2:21-24 - And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh

The rib taken out of Man (Adam) consisted of bone and flesh and was used to make the first woman, Eve.  

Notice there is no indication or allusion to taking out a "feminine" nature or anything of the sort out of Adam -- unless you read into it from a source outside scripture...


God is not the author of confusion
There is a false teaching floating around that God first created Adam as both male and female.   Many people "parrot" and repeat this teaching because they do not know the Word of God and think it sounds very intellectual.

Consider that since Adam was created in God's image (Gen 1:27), then if Adam was a mixture of male/female it would mean that God was both male and female.

Jesus was the fulness of God (Col 1:19) and the second Adam (1 Cor 15:47).  Does this mean that Jesus was both male and female too?

According to God's own law (Deut 22:5), if Adam were a confusion of male and female he would be an abomination.

This confusion does not come from the Bible.  Instead it has to be "read into" the bible from an outside source...

The heresy of God having both a masculine and feminine nature comes from Jewish mysticism known as the "tradition" or Kabbalah  (note this is mystical kabbalah which differs from Judaism that follows the Tanakh).

In Kabbalah this gender confusion is known as the "divine feminine" and various other terms.

This is not how God has revealed Himself in scripture.  When we add to or take away from God's nature as He has revealed Himself, we create our own false god and idol out of our vain imaginations.

The false "gods" of these pagan religions often have both male and female parts.  If you look up "baphomet" you will see a depiction of this false god which is an abominable mixture of male/female, animal/mankind/angelic, mammal/reptile/bird/fish (Deut 4:16-18).

There is no Biblical support for this false doctrine.  One has to wrest the scriptures in Genesis to try and suggest any kind of legitimacy.  There are no supporting witnesses in the rest of scripture.  There is no dependency relationship with other biblical doctrines.

This teaching is in contradiction to other very clear scriptures.  This teaching also disparages, blasphemes, and confuses the nature of both God and Jesus in contradiction to how He has revealed Himself in scripture.

The teaching that Adam was created as male and female is not from the Bible.  It comes from the traditions of men.

Matt 15:3 - But he [Jesus] answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

Notes: 
- it can be said that the genetic information for all of mankind (both male and female) was in Adam
- the focus of this article is that there is no support for Adam being both masculine and feminine either in nature, gender, sexuality, etc...
- God is Spirit and not flesh and bone (Luke 24:39) if gender is solely an attribute of the flesh, then perhaps it could be said gender does not apply to God -- however, God has represented Himself in scripture as masculine in nature, presents Himself as Father and with masculine pronouns so to try and represent Him any other way is creating a false god
- when the Word took on flesh and bone, He, Jesus, took on the male gender and was the Son of God
- the role and importance of women is supported throughout scripture and is in no way diminished -- to the contrary the significance of the woman is magnified by a proper understanding of Genesis 1 and 2

doctrine

For something to be established as a doctrine it must be affirmed by:

1. Support of at least 2 to 3 clear scriptural witnesses (cannot "wrest" or twist the scriptures to try and conjure up a witness)

2. Being in harmony with all other scripture (not contradict any other scripture)

3. Being essential to and dependent on other scriptural doctrines

4. Glorifies God

praying in the Holy Ghost

John 4:24 - God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Acts 2:4 - And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Rom 8:26-27 - Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

1 Corinthians 14:2 - For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

1 Corinthians 14:4 - He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

1 Cor 14:14-15 - For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.  What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Eph 6:18 - Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Jude 1:20 - But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing

Isaiah 10:27 - And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

the kingdom

The Kingdom of God is not a democracy...

Top Bible Versions sold

Rank of top volume sales of English Bible versions over the last few years.

Popularity does not make right.  Keeping track of popularity of various versions for purpose of identifying which ones might typically encounter.

Conspiracy of the wicked

Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered

Proverbs 11:21

The Title "God" in Arabic

There is much confusion going about where people are being taught that the term "Allah" just refers to "God" in another language the same as Dios in Spanish, Gott in German, etc...

This misinformation is promoted by those ecumenists who want to syncretize religions with Islam or by Islamists who want to worm their way into positions of influence over others.

Moon worship has been practiced in Arabia since 2000 BC. The crescent moon is the most common symbol of this pagan moon worship as far back as 2000 BC.
In Mecca, there was a god named Hubal who was Lord of the Kabah.
This Hubal was a moon god.
One Muslim apologist confessed that the idol of moon god Hubal was placed upon the roof of the Kaba about 400 years before Muhammad. This may in fact be the origin of why the crescent moon is on top of every minaret at the Kaba today and the central symbol of Islam atop of every mosque throughout the world:

About four hundred years before the birth of Muhammad one Amr bin Lahyo ... a descendant of Qahtan and king of Hijaz, had put an idol called Hubal on the roof of the Kaba. This was one of the chief deities of the Quraish before Islam. (Muhammad The Holy Prophet, Hafiz Ghulam Sarwar (Pakistan), p 18-19, Muslim)

The moon god was also referred to as "al-ilah". This is not a proper name of a single specific god, but a generic reference meaning "the god". Each local pagan Arab tribe would refer to their own local tribal pagan god as "al-ilah".
"al-ilah" was later shortened to Allah before Muhammad began promoting his new religion in 610 AD.
There is evidence that Hubal was referred to as "Allah".
When Muhammad came along, he dropped all references to the name "Hubal" but retained the generic "Allah".
Muhammad retained almost all the pagan rituals of the Arabs at the Kaba and redefined them in monotheistic terms.
Regardless of the specifics of the facts, it is clear that Islam is derived from paganism that once worshiped a moon-god.
Although Islam is today a monotheist religion, its roots are in polytheistic paganism.

peace and safety

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

1 Thessalonians 5:3

fear of man bringeth a snare

Job 32:21 - Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

Prov 29:25 - The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Acts 10:34 - Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:


John 7:13 - Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.

John 9:22 - These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

seasons

Reflections on Eccl 3:1-7

Seasons of seeming dormant putting down roots

Seasons of growth

Seasons of bearing much fruit

so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

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.
Heb 10:25

the Lord your God proveth you

Deuteronomy 13:1-4 - 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. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

Judges 2:20-23 And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice;  I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died:  that through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.  Therefore the Lord left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.

Isaiah 48:10 - Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

God is looking for a faithful bride:

Rev 17:14 - These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Amos 3:3 - Can two walk together, except they be agreed

appointed times and habitations

Acts 17:26-27 - and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

Jeremiah 1:5 - Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Eph 1:4 - According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

John 17:24 - Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

Romans 8:29 - For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren

some believed

John 6:64 - But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him

Acts 17:4 - And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

Acts 28:24 - And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

corruptible seed -vs- incorruptible seed

1 Peter 1:22-23 - Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Luke 8:11 - Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Matthew 13:38 - the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

good shepherd -vs- idol shepherd

John 10:11-13 - I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Zechariah 11:17 - Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

Zechariah 10:2 - For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.


diviners have seen a lie - Oprah promotes Course in Miracles by Helen Schucman who said she wrote down what was told to her by an entity called "the Voice"

told false dreams - today there is a rash of those who want to make merchandise of you claiming to have had outlandish dreams as opposed to Acts 2:17

comfort in vain - smiley joe tells followers God accepts them the way they are and they don't need to worry about sin

they went their way as a flock - follow the crowd, where they "many" are

they were troubled, because there was no shepherd - Ezekial 34:5  And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered

sword of the spirit -vs- sword of bitterness

Psalm 64:2-4 - Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: that they may shoot in secret at the perfect:

Proverbs 5:3-4 - For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: but her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.

Ephesians 6:17 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 - And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

luciferian conspiracy

There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. - Ezekiel 22:25

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: - 1 Peter 5:8

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; - Romans 1:18

Warn the wicked

Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Ezekiel 3:19

washing of water by the word

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word

Eph 5:26

changed doctrine

And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

Luke 12:42-28


Note that the only difference in the good servant going bad is that he changes his doctrine, he says in his heart "My lord delayeth his coming".

unequally yoked

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 2Cor 6:14-15

Ostara

Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the Lord thy God.

When the Lord thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God: for every abomination to the Lord, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.  What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it - Deuteronomy 12:28-32

Devouring innocence

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it,
turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. Proverbs 4:14-16

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.  Mark 9:42

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Luke 17:1-2

“Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD...” (Numbers 31:16).

“But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.” (Revelation 2:14).

“Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.” (2nd Peter 2:15).

Despise not your daily bread

And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.  And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.  Numbers 21:5-6

Died unto sin once

For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Romans 6:10

If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Heb 6:6

Wastefulness

Pro 12:27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

which of the angels?

To answer those who believe Jesus is an angel ...

But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? -  Hebrews 1:13-14

lost Ark found!

And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. Revelation 11:19

How to Study the Bible

Studying the Bible

- Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15

- But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear – 1 Peter 3:15


God's word is so simple to understand, you have to have help to misunderstand it…

- But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty - 1 Corinthians 1:27

- 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 - 2 Corinthians 11:3

- The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple – Psalm 119:130


Spiritually discerned

- For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward – 2 Corinthians 1:12

- But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned - 1 Corinthians 2:14

- 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


Context - Text out of context isolated from co-text becomes a pretext to false teaching

- See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise – Ephesians 5:15

- For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little – Isaiah 28:10


Proof text - The final guide to the interpretation of Scripture is Scripture itself.

- at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established – Deuteronomy 19:15

- Example: Matthew 4


Mysteries and symbols in scripture are defined and explained in scripture

- Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to his good pleasure which He hath purposed in himself – Ephesians 1:9

- which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit – Ephesians 3:5

- Example: Luke 8:5-15


Scriptures testify of Jesus

- Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. - John 5:39

- For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me; for he wrote of Me – John 5:46


Biblical Meditation

- This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. – Joshua 1:8

- I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. – Psalm 119:15


Test all things with scripture

- To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them – Isaiah 8:20

- And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.  These [Bereans] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.  Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.  - Acts 17:10-12

- Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. – 1 Thessalonians 5:21

- Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. – 1 John 4:1


Do not add to or take away

- Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you – Deuteronomy 4:2

- 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 – Proverbs 30:6

- 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. – Revelation 22:18-19

Scriptural Authority

To consider:  If we are to be held accountable to a standard, it is imperative that we have that standard available to test against.

1. The Bible is the inspired Word of God and the revealed nature and will of God. The Bible is empowered by God, infallible and authoritative.  The books of the Bible are the written Word of God. The Bible is divinely inspired and inerrant throughout.  It is the supreme authority in everything it teaches. Its authority is not limited to spiritual, religious, or redemptive themes but includes its assertions in such fields as history and science.  God has preserved His Word through the ages.

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

- And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. - 2 Timothy 3:15-17

- Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. - 1 Peter 1:23-25

- For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

- Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away. Mark 13:31

- The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. – Psalm 12:6

Essentials

• Scriptural Authority - the authority and inerrancy of Scripture.

• The nature of God - Creator, all knowing, all powerful, self-existent Godhead: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit

• The nature of the Messiah Jesus - the full deity and humanity of Messiah, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, showed us God's nature, the Word made flesh

• Mankind - lost to sin and cannot save himself through good works

• Salvation - salvation only by grace through trusting in the finished work of Messiah's death on the cross and bodily resurrection

circumspectly

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise - Ephesians 5:15

stumbles

In a chance conversation, an individual was beating themselves up about their not living up to their expectations in their walk with the Lord.

A bit of this is healthy. Humility and regular self examination is a good thing to make sure you are still on the right path. It is good to read 1st John and give yourself a spiritual check-up every now and again.

However, extreme guilt and punishing yourself to the point that you are not able to function is not a good thing.

Do you think you are something so special that you can somehow be perfect? Your in the same boat with everyone else on this. There was only one perfect man, and that was Jesus.

Imperfection is not an excuse, we need to repent of sin and do everything we can to follow Jesus and lead a holiness lifestyle.

At the same time, we can't let our stumbles and failings keep us from the work that God has for us.

When a believer stumbles and falls in the mud, the believer gets back up and rushes to get clean as quickly as possible.   Unbelievers fall in the mud and wallow in it.

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief Proverbs 24:16

pretend or lie

The difference between acting or pretending and lying...

When you are acting in a play or pretending, everyone knows you are acting or pretending.

It becomes a lie when you are deliberately trying to fool someone or even yourself

People need the Gospel, NOT the Government

We need to keep in mind that what people need is the Gospel, NOT the Government.

If we do not govern ourselves, then society demands that some govern for us.  Laws don't exist because of good people, laws exists because of people who do not govern themselves.

The only role of Government is to protect life, liberty, and property

Keep in mind, that a Government that has the power to legislate your morality today, has the power to legislate someone else's morality tomorrow.

For example, our legislature has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which allows for American citizens to be arrested on suspicion of terrorism and held indefinitely.

 Because our Government can define and redefine what a terrorist is, it is simple enough for them to come along and add to the definition: "Christian Fundamentalist"

If My Kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight...

Throughout history, governments have used religion as a tool to motivate people to fight for them.

So many wars have been "holy wars"

Jesus said His kingdom was not of this world.

I've even heard people say that "God is on our side".

Baloney, the question we need to ask is, "Are we on God's side?"

definitions

MERCY - Not getting what you deserve. We have all sinned, we all DESERVE death and hell.

GRACE - Getting what you do not deserve. When we repent and put our trust in God and His word, then we are blessed by God and receive what we do not deserve.

LOVE - putting others ahead of yourself, self-less-ness, no greater love than to lay down your life for another

HATE - the opposite of LOVE is self-ish-ness, hate can be a component of love: love God, hate sin.

Signs and Wonders

While signs and wonders were part of the fulfillment of scripture to validate the identity of the messiah.

Notice that after Jesus, signs and wonders followed them that believed and were a confirmation of the Apostles preaching

While God still works miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said that a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign.

In the future, the anti-christ will use lying signs and wonders to draw people away to hear a false gospel.

Godhead

In both the old and new testaments, a good principle to follow is that when the title "God" is used, it refers to the Godhead working together in unison. Other instances, either by the words used or by the context, you can see where a distinction of the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit at work.

doctrine of Balaam

Consider...

2 Peter 2:15
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.

Jude 1:11
Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion.


Revelation 2:14
Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.

revealation of God's power

Eph 1:17-23

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the:
- spirit of wisdom
- revelation in the knowledge of Him

that the eyes of your understanding will be enlightened so that you may know what is the
- hope of His calling
- riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints
- exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

toward us who believe according to the working of His mighty power which He
- worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead
- seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places
- far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
- put all things under His feet
- gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Rebellion

Rules and regulations without relationship leads to rebellion

occupy

we are told to "occupy till He comes..."

how do we occupy?

1. be a witness to all the world
2. be a good steward
3. be watchful
 - His coming will be as a thief in the night to those who are not watching for Him
 - watch that you do not fall into sin
4. be not deceived (don't be fooled)

strange fire

Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

And Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.'" So Aaron held his peace.

-Leviticus 10:1-3


When we come before God, it must be on His terms. He is the Creator of everything. He is Holy, Righteous, Good.

All the time I hear, "Well, I just can't believe in a 'god' that would do such and such". When people hear things in the Bible that demonstrate God's Holy judgement, they balk. They think that their limited human judgement is superior to God's all-knowing, all-seeing judgement.

Instead of seeking to understand what God was doing in a particular instance, they instead create a god of their own imagination. This imaginary god that they are comfortable with does things they way the person thinks they should. This false image of their own creation is what they worship and thereby have violated the first two commandments.

We should focus on what God has told us to do, instead of trying to see what we can get away with.

Burden is light

God is not the author of confusion, we should be single-minded.

Key is to focus on what God has told us to do, not what we can get away with

Confusion eliminated, don't have to defend what you are doing.  Can live with a clear conscience.

hagelian dialectic

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Clear_Thinking/Informal_Fallacies/Hegelian_Fallacy/hegelian_fallacy.html

repentance and sacrifice

water and blood

water : repentance, washing

blood : sacrifice paying debt for our sins

Little g's (Part 2 of 2)

Having covered the danger's of falling into the trap of believing we can be gods ourselves, let's see what the one true living God has to say about us legitimately exercising the power He has delegated to us.

The best way I can simplify this to a point that I can understand it myself is to look at a simplified model of authority in the military. Basically, a unit commander has full authority over everything that happens in his unit. The commander has delegated certain authorities that pertain to administration and management to several supervisors at various levels within the unit. These supervisor can only legally act with the authority they have been delegated. The "power" they wield is not theirs, it is the commander's. Also, just because they can exercise some of the (delegated) authority of the commander, that doesn't make them the commander. Also, it is possible they can abuse this authority and have the authority taken away from them.

We are not God and we do not become gods.

We become adopted children, grafted into the family of God through Jesus.

Similar to if our family adopted a child... That child would be loved and cared for as a member of the family, share in inheritance, and perhaps could even take on our surname. However, the adopted child would still not be a genetic family member, even though treated as such in every way.

Little g's (Part 1 of 2)

Much ado about "little gods".

Satan's playbook includes trying to goad men into believing they can ascend to godhood.

It is what ultimately led Satan's rebellion against God...

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." - Isa 14:12-14

Right there in the garden of eden, he told Adam and Eve that they could be "as gods" by eating the forbidden fruit. This same temptation has been continuously used throughout history as Satan appeals to the "pride of life" that is resident in the fallen nature (or the flesh) of every son of Adam.

Attitude in giving

Give expecting nothing in return, but considering nothing as lost.

Attitude in giving is important:
1) give cheerfully and joyfully
2) expect nothing in return from the person or organization that you give to
3) do not give in order to get
4) while you don't give with motivation of "getting", but can give with the understanding and hope of God's promised rewards


when you start praying for someone, they suddenly start acting worse. this is not because your prayer isn't working, it is because it is working -- God is dealing with that person and they are acting worse because they are resisting God.

corner stone or capstone?

King James Bible — Matthew 21:42, “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?”

The corner stone sets the standard for direction is what all other stones measured from and aligned to.

On the other hand, the capstone is the anti-christ who exalts himself above all others...

1984 NIV — Matthew 21:42, “Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: " 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?"

*Note that it was quietly changed to cornerstone in the 2011 NIV along with 38% corruptions of other scriptures



“I believe it is through the Churches and not through the Theosophical Society that Theosophy [the worship of Lucifer]... must and should come to large bodies of people in the West.” (Transactions of the Theosophical Society, H. P. Blavatsky, Annie Besant, 1904, p. 377).

Flee temptation

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Like Joseph we should flee temptation.  All too often folks stop at the semi-colon and don't continue on.  If you stop at the "ye are able" you are left with the idea that you have the ability to resist temptation by yourself.  Continuing on, we find that we are only able to bear (or resist) temptation by using the escape route that GOD provides.

And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. Genesis 39:12

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:14

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 1 Timothy 6:11

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22

All too often we are told to resist temptation and flee from the devil.   It is the other way around, we should flee from temptation, but resist the devil -- when we resist the devil it is he that will flee.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Love of death

All they that hate God love death
Prov 8:36

filled with the world

Christians should live in the world, but not be filled with it. A ship lives in the water; but if the water gets into the ship, she goes to the bottom. So Christians may live in the world; but if the world gets into them, they sink.

--Dwight L. Moody

Morning Star

Revelation 22:16 KJB
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Jesus is the Morning Star

Isaiah 14:12 KJB
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

According to KJB, Lucifer fell from heaven

Revelation 22:16 NIV
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

NIV agrees that Jesus is Morning Star

Isaiah 14:12 NIV
How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!

According to NIV, Jesus fell from heaven!


Isaiah 14:12 ESV
How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!

According to ESV, Jesus fell from heaven!

Also see Rev 2:28 and 2 Peter 1:19

Rev 2:28 KJB
And I will give him the morning star.

2 Peter 1:19 KJB
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your heart

vain deceit

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Col 2:8

More and more, eastern mysticism (ie: Hindusim, Yoga, Kundalini, etc) have been working their way into western culture, and is now found even in the Christian church

 Be on the lookout for the various westernized versions of these teachings.  It is a common thing to find teaching on the 7 main chakras in everything from health food, holistic practitioners, spiritualists, and so on.

Signs of these teachings include 7 points of "energy" going from the bottom to the crown, and these points are often associated with the 7 colors of the rainbow.

The pattern to look for is a progression from the "root" or bottom chakra with the goal of "awakening" these points of energy points and achieving increasing "enlightenment".

Some traditions such as kundalini believe there is a serpent spirit or pair of serpent spirits coiled about the spine that must be awakened.

Many who practice this believe that when the 6th chackra is linked to the pineal gland, or third-eye.  When this chakra is activiated the practitioner has merged two sides and comes in contact with a spirit guide.

Additionally, the 7th chakra is the "crown" chakra, a death of self and "pure consciousness".  It is symbolized by a multicolored lotus flower - which is another common signal of practitioners.  The seated position for meditation mimicks the side view of the lotus.

Any teachings, logos, products, etc that includes these patterns is likely influences by eastern mysticism.

their rock is not as our Rock

 For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.

For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:

Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps

Deut 32:31-33

looking forward

aging and sickness in this world drives us to look forward to and long for heaven

universal fatherhood?

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. John 8:44


This blows away the false newage concept of the "universal fatherhood" of God, meaning that God is everyone's father.   To the contrary, we are all born into sin and only those who are reborn and become "sons of God" can call God our Father which art in heaven.


And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Luke 11:2

name taken out of book of life

Revelation 22:19 - 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



Jeremiah 27:20; 28:4 - Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim (Eliakim)

(note that Jeconiah is the son of Jehoakim, Jehoakim is the son of Josias)

Jeremiah 36:23 - And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.

(Jehoiakim cut up and burned the scroll of Jeremiah's recording of the word of the LORD)

Matthew 1:11 - And Josias begat Jechonias (Jeconiah) and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon

(Note that Jehoiakim's name is missing from the geneology...)

total depravity

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day - John 6:44

And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” - John 6:65


God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance - 2Peter 3:9

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1Tim 2:4

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life - John 3:16

God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith - Romans 12:3

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. - John 5:25

the same god?

it is true when they say that they all worship the same "god" (2Cor 4:4)

but it is NOT the one true living God

in thy book all my members were written

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

the pagan 'holy' family

having drunk old wine

Luke 5:36-39

And he spake also a parable unto them; 

No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; 

if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.

And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.

But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. 

No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, "The old is better."

(whilst drunk they cannot perceive the difference between the holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean Leviticus 10:9-10)

emotional manipulation

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Colossians 3:21

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

Correction of children is a good thing.  A child may not like correction, and they may even get angry when corrected, but this is not talking about this kind of anger.

However, emotionally manipulating children to get them to do something or change behavior does not accomplish intended results.  Moreover, instead of training a child in the right way to go, it discourages the child from desiring to doing the right thing.

Emotional manipulation includes snarky comments, put-downs, name-calling, demeaning, humiliation, yelling/screaming, profanity, provocation, guilt, pleading, threatening, etc...

Children should feel conviction to do the right thing, and sorry/contrite for having done wrong - but not chided and have excessive guilt pushed on them.

Children should be embarrassed by their behavior, but not publicly humiliated and demeaned.

Children should be advised of consequences, but not screamed at with emotional threats that are never carried out.

As adults, we have to face consequences for our mistakes and bad behavior.

While parents should "buffer" consequences for children so that they are not permanently scarred, children should still experience consequences for bad behavior so that they learn this principal in a safe way.   If they fail to learn the lessons while they have their parents as a covering, they stand to learn the lesson in a costlier way later on, even costing their life or the life of another.

Firm follow through on consequences is the nurturing response.

It actually makes children feel secure when children know their boundaries and know that their parents follow through in a measured controlled response without the unpredictability of emotional chaos and moving targets.

Not following through "rewards" and reinforces the bad behavior.

Children do not have to be taught bad behavior.  They are born with it.

Children have to be trained in good behavior.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Prov 22:6

Training involves consistency and repetition.   At first training may involve continual oversight and follow up, then eventually as the good behavior becomes a habit you can back off and trust them more and more.

Trust before training leads to disaster.   Train first, then trust.