False Doctrine and the Church
Was America created as a Christian nation? Those who forged a nation of steel from 13 British colonies won liberty against all odds only because of their faith in a Supreme, Almighty God. Today’s view that America is not a Christian nation comes from the views of social progressives in government and from the atheistic princes of industry and the barons of banking and business who possess the wealth to enforce their views through their advocates in the leftwing media who claim America was not, and today is not, a Christian nation.
In 1951 a Gallup Poll reported that 92% of all Americans identified themselves as Christians. In 2011, 76% of Americans still identified themselves as Christians. Fifteen percent claimed to be atheists or agnostic. Interestingly, in 2011 the Gallup Pollshowed that while only 76% of those polled identified themselves as Christians, 92% of those polled said they believed in God, but only 55% said religion was important in their lives. I guess that 55% believed they were going to save themselves by doing good deeds although the Bible clearly tells us we are saved by faith and not by works [Eph. 2:8-9]
In a campaign speech on June 28, 2006, US Senate candidate Barack Obama said:“Where we once were, we are no longer a Christian nation—at least, not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation and a Buddhist nation and a Hindu nation, and a nation of non-believers.” The Christian community in the United States—that 76% of the population which claimed to be Christians, or at least the 55% (not just of registered voters, but the 55% of the population) who insisted that religion was important in their lives, should have been shouting from the rooftops that not only was Barack Obama not eligible to run for the office he was seeking inn 2006, he wasn’t fit to be a candidate in the presidential race of 2008 because he lacked the stalwart character Americans have always expected their national leaders to possess—beginning with being a natural born citizen of the United States. While you don’t have to be a natural born citizen to seek the office of a US Senator, you are still required to be a citizen of the United States, either native born or naturalized. Obama is neither. Sadly, the guardians of liberty—the free press—which was Constitutionally guaranteed immunity from arrest or prosecution for speaking out against tyranny, chose to join the conspiracy financed by the princes of industry and the barons of banking and business who are now creating a new society on Earth that will bring about global government.
The United States of America is no longer safe because its government has succeeded in evicting God from the lives of our children, from our military and even from our churches. And we wonder why crime is, once again, on the rise across the land.
While many Americans believe that the official attack on religion in the United States began with Obama in 2010, in point-of-fact, it did not. As noted in the opening paragraphs above, it began with the ABA in 1989. While the ABA triggered the initial assault on Christians and the Christian Church its motive remained concealed and, for the most part, still is because the very first attempt to create world government failed in 1920 when our 28th president, Thomas Woodrow Wilson, was unable to convince Congress to join the League of Nations and surrender America’s sovereignty to a world government headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. Why did it fail? For one simple reason. Faith in God it immutably tied to patriotism and national pride.
In 1920, the globalists who plotted to erase American sovereignty and reshackle the United States to the crown heads of Europe couldn’t understand why, with generational world peace as its objective, the US Senate declined to ratify the Treaty of Versaillessimply because it meant surrendering the nation’s sovereignty to the European socialists in the Hague. In the view of the social progressives, if every nation on Earth surrendered their external sovereignty, it would end war for all time by forging a world government which would have the authority to eliminate the private ownership of guns by all peoples—particularly the United States—within the global union. Of course, the nations which wouldn’t join the global confederation under the control of the Hague would be the totalitarian regimes in the Muslim and communist worlds.
When President George HW Bush claimed we were now part of a “New World Order” in 1989, the social progressives utopians realized three things. First, they realized they were rapidly running out of time. Second, they realized that voluntary world government could not become a reality because Christian America knew that liberty is not a gift of the State, it is a perpetual gift from God. And, finally, the social progressive princes of industry realized that Christianity was so fused to patriotism thatas long as the United States remained a Christian nation, it would never willingly surrender neither its sovereignty nor its liberty.
That’s why the attack against Christians and the outlawing of Christianity as a racist religion was behind schedule. The globalists were running out of time. While theSleeping Republic still doesn’t get it, the clock that is ticking down isn’t their clock—it’sGod‘s. And His timeline is still on schedule.
And, that’s why the utopians who were attempting to create world government at the end of World War I were slow to grasp the depth that the nationalistic fervor that fuels patriotism is rooted in faith—Christian faith.
It became more clear to the globalists between the two world wars that, before American sovereignty could be breached, the princes of industry—aided by corrupt political hacks, judges, and bureaucrats—would have to erase Christianity from the hearts, minds and souls of the American people.
Because the American people struggled against impossible odds to gain their freedom from the overlords of Europe, the Founding Fathers of the United States understood that, more than anything, it was the patriotism of the colonial soldier that buoyed him through the war America should have lost.
~Excerpt –Jon Christian Ryter-
1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
In today’s church we find that the emphasis is often placed on serving, working, submitting but it’s all to an organization or a man or woman behind the pulpit. Oftentimes, it’s not stated verbally but it is insinuated and often expected of it’s members. We often tie belonging to a church with our Salvation, but if we were to read our bibles in the full meaning and context of scriptures, we will find that our loyalty and commitment is to the Lord. There is nothing wrong with going to a church or belonging to an organization, the bible encourages that, but our loyalty and commitment is to the Lord and His redemption plan, Calvary. Commitment ends when the word of God has been violated, misinterpreted, manipulated, and abused. In 1 Samuel 15:22, you can see where King Saul thought that his participation in a religious event and the offering of sacrifices to the Lord, but having to neglect to obey the Lord’s command, would bring about a favorable response from God.
In the Hebrew text, the words, “to obey is better than sacrifice” asserts in the clearest terms the superiority of moral to ritual worship, and that God can only be really served with the heart. This is what we are missing in most of our churches. We are more focused on externally building our kingdoms instead of allowing the Spirit of God to build us in character morally and internally. We have forgotten that Christ is the Head of the Church, that is the Body of Christ. Many as stated in Mark 7:7-13, have allowed the traditions of the church and man to hinder us in our relationship with the Lord by laying aside the commandment of God for the rules and traditions of men.
Notice that Samuel states that the Lord has a great delight in obeying the voice of the Lord. I have come to the conclusion that the reason we are so loyal to men is due to not knowing the voice of the Lord. The bible states that His sheep follow Him because they know His voice and a stranger they will not follow (John 10:4-5). I have seen many leaders upset with individuals because they will not follow them, their ministry, their planning and efforts outside of faith in Calvary. Those who are of Christ, follow His message, His voice and those of like faith…etc., and His alone. Why? Because Christ states that “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men”(John 12:32). The way in which He was lifted up was at Calvary where He paid the price for our redemption. It is not enough to lift up churches, ministries, works, activities, leaders ….etc., but this message of the atonement made at Calvary is where the power resides to save and deliver all men who will believe.
True worshipers, obey God by the power of the Holy Spirit when one’s faith is properly placed in Calvary, according to the Truth (as only found in the message of the Cross) of the Gospel which brings about true freedom and rest from all bondage. Follow Him!
~Shonette
and he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he built an Altar unto the LORD, and called upon the Name of the LORD (Gen. 12:8).
“Beth-el” means “House of God.” “Hai” means “garbage dump.”
The Altar alone, typifying the Cross, can keep the Believer away from the garbage dump.
It is virtually impossible for the Believer to know the difference between the “House of God” and the “garbage dump” other than by the Cross. That’s the reason we have so much false doctrine presently and so many Christians following false doctrine. For the last several decades, the Church has drifted so far from the Cross that it hardly knows any more where it has been, where it is, or where it is going. Because it no longer plants its doctrines on the foundation of the Cross, it has lost completely its moorings.
Without an understanding of the Cross, there is absolutely no discernment regarding false doctrine.
That’s the reason that Paul said:
“Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times (the times in which we now live) some shall depart from the Faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (I Tim. 4:1).
A “departure from the Faith,” i.e., “Christ and Him Crucified,” is the reason!
Never forget:
Satan dresses up his “garbage dumps” to look like something else altogether. In other words, they look like anything but garbage dumps; and, without an understanding of the Cross, invariably that’s the way the Believer will go (Gal. 6:14).
~J. Swaggart
The Idol of Ethnicity
The idol of ethnicity: There are many believers who have allowed their ethnicity and culture to trump the Word of God. Jesus said culture is even stronger than the Word of God in some people’s lives (Mark 7:7-8). Consequently, people read the Scriptures through their Caucasian/Western, Afro-centric, Hispanic or Asian lenses. One of the most important things to do in regards to receiving the Word of God for personal transformation is to attempt to take ourselves out of our own skin and read the Bible through the eyes of the authors original intent—something only the Holy Spirit can accomplish. There is no such thing as a Western European Caucasian Bible or an Afro-centric Bible. We need to stop reading the Scriptures merely through our ethnic lens because the truth is that the Bible was written with a Hebraic mindset and it is foolish to think we can fully understand it with our contemporary ethnic mindset.
Consequently, believers often act and react no different from non-believers in regards to things that happen in contemporary society. White, black and brown believers have generally reacted far different from one another when it comes to interpreting immigration reform and the tragedies of the Ferguson shooting and Eric Garner death. Truly, I believe that the gospel is so powerful that it is possible for diverse Christians to come together with one voice and prophetically interpret, speak into and bring solutions to these painful and controversial issues!
God is not color blind, since He made humans black, brown, yellow, red and white in His own image. Hence, He designed us to have distinctions in culture regarding food, dress, language and other things based upon ethnic nuances. However, these distinctions are not where believers should derive their primary identity or anchor their biblical ethics, for in Christ there is neither male nor female, black, white or brown, for we are all one in Christ (Gal. 3:28). When our ethnic thinking trumps our biblical thinking, we are guilty either of ignorance or ethnic idolatry. Unless or until the body of Christ gets over its idolatry according to ethnicity, we will never become the generation that can disciple the nations (or in other words, ethnic people groups as shown in Matthew 28:19). Since there is no neutrality, either the church will disciple the nations or the nations will disciple the church!
Joseph Mattera
by Donnie Swaggart
SEDUCING SPIRITS AND DOCTRINES OF DEVILS
Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit (Holy Spirit) speaks expressly (pointedly), that in the latter times (the times in which we now live, the last of the last days, which begin the fulfillment of Endtime Prophecies) some shall depart from the Faith (anytime Paul uses the term the Faith, in short he is referring to the Cross; so, we are told here that some will depart from the Cross as the means of Salvation and Victory), giving heed to seducing spirits (evil spirits, i.e., religious spirits, making something seem like what it isn’t), and doctrines of devils (should have been translated, doctrines of demons ; the seducing spirits entice Believers away from the true Faith, causing them to believe doctrines inspired by demon spirits ).”
This Verse, as given by the Holy Spirit to the Apostle Paul, expressly warns us what is going to happen in the Church in the Last Days.
“NOW THE SPIRIT SPEAKS EXPRESSLY”
This speaks of the Holy Spirit. The words, “speaks expressly,” refers to the fact that it was not by mere hints or even symbols, but given to Paul in an open and plain manner. In other words, there was no hesitation or waffling on the part of the Holy Spirit. What He stated to Paul was unmistakably clear.
In Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, seven times it says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.” It is the Work of the Holy Spirit to reveal what is going on and what is going to happen, and whatever the Holy Spirit says will come to pass, then it will come to pass.
“THAT IN THE LATTER TIMES”
This statement refers to the last years ending the Church Age and before the Millennial Reign of the Lord Jesus Christ. Actually, it is speaking of this present time. The problems the Holy Spirit mentioned have always existed in the Church; however, as we grow closer to the Rapture of the Church, these problems will be more pronounced and common. In the Greek, the word “latter” means “afterward, at the last of all.” What is being said here is that the Church is in the last great apostasy of the Church Age.
“SOME SHALL DEPART FROM THE FAITH”
This speaks of a departure from the Word of God, but more particularly to the major Theme of the Bible, the Finished Work of Christ, the Cross. Today, Doctrine is laughed at, dismissed, and lampooned. But without correct Biblical Doctrine, the Church is like a ship adrift at sea with no engine. Where there is an absence of Doctrine, Satan will always see to it that which is false will fill the void. The Message of the Cross is being openly attacked and dismissed as never before.
Understand this: the Cross of Christ is the dividing line between the True Church and the apostate Church. Take note of my words. Those who reject the Cross and disdain it, they will be lost. If you don t embrace the Truth of Christ and Him Crucified and Resurrected, and proclaim that great Truth as the only means of Justification and Sanctification then you are going to lose your soul and you will spend eternity in Hell.
Joshua 24:15 still says, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served who were on the other side of the Flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” And you can t serve the Lord outside of Calvary.
“GIVING HEED TO SEDUCING SPIRITS”
This statement tells us the cause of the Church s departure from Truth. “Seducing” in the Greek is “Planos” and means “wandering, roving, misleading, leading into error.” The word “spirits” refers to evil spirits actually putting into motion human agents of the “spirit of error.” “Seducing spirits” means exactly what the word implies. Evil spirits actually seduce preachers and laity, just as a harlot seduces a man. These seducing spirits appear as Angels of light. These seducing spirits move one away from the true Word of God, the King James Bible, to the perverted translations that literally change the meaning of Scripture. As seducing spirits, they blind the Church to what is the real truth to the point where truth is called a lie, and the lie is called the truth.
After these seducing spirits blind the Church, the next step is to bring the world and its ways into the Church until the people become so blind and in such a stupor that they are worshipping Satan thinking it is Jesus. Satan is no longer outside of the Church, but he is literally in charge of far too many pastors and their congregations.
Today, preaching is laughed at. The Holy Spirit is no longer welcome. Instead of singing the great songs of Faith, we have substituted secular, worldly music. We have brought Hollywood movies into the Sanctuary of God. Too many services resemble nothing more than a night club. But I remind you of the Word of the Lord in Ezekiel 5:11, “. . . because you have defiled My Sanctuary with all your detestable things, and with all your abominations, therefore will I also diminish you; neither shall My Eye spare, neither will I have any pity.” God s Sanctuary has been turned into a gathering place of demonic spirits.
“DOCTRINES OF DEVILS”
This phrase should have been translated “Doctrines of Demons,” for there is only one Devil, a fallen Angel, and many demons who are Satan s servants. It is important to note that Paul finds the source of false doctrine in these demons who entice God s Children away from the True Faith, causing them to believe doctrines inspired by demon spirits.
Never forget that what is preached and taught from behind the pulpit is always empowered by a spirit. If it is Truth, then it is backed by the Holy Spirit and the Bible. If it is false doctrine, then it is empowered by demon spirits. There is no middle ground. The modern church has been by and large seduced by demon spirits.
THE ANSWER
The only hope for the Church is Revival and one can only have Revival by returning to the old paths. The Church must come back to the Cross and repent.
What I have written is negative, but I am going to end on a positive note. In spite of the worldliness of the church, there is still a remnant left. There are still 7,000 who haven’t bowed the knee to Baal. There are still some Daniels out there who won t stop praying. There are still some Moses out there who will look Pharaoh right in the eye and proclaim, “Let my people go.”
I do believe we will see a great Move of God. I still believe in II Chronicles 7:14, “If My People, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Walking According to the Truth of the Gospel
Galatians 2:14
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
…
When we are crucified with Christ, and dead to self, sin, Satan and the world system, nothing matters but the upholding of the Truth of God’s Word. Oftentimes we are committed to the Word as long as it doesn’t offend our belief systems, routines, perspectives and the relationships we have with others. In the above scripture we see the Apostle Paul confronting hypocrisy within the Jewish church as well as with one of the leaders in the church, the Apostle Peter. Peter was acting one way toward the Gentiles when the Jews were around and another way after they departed. In other words, he wasn’t upholding the Truth of the gospel irrespective to the circumstances and individuals involved. If the Message of the Cross has been appropriated in your heart and life then you will stand for Truth regardless of race, creed, relationship with family and friends…etc. What’s right according to God’s Word should be the standard across the board whether it is in our homes, jobs, our marriage, children, church…etc. We should stand for Truth at all times no matter who or what it is.
Paul had to confront error in this church as well as with the Apostle Peter who walked with Christ, was called an apostle first and had been saved much longer. Walking according to Truth is the sole point and purpose for living a Christian life. The problem lies within us not allowing our perspectives to align itself with the view of Calvary. This is why we must allow our thought process, and every reasoning contrary to Calvary to be cast down. Many of us love the Lord and have a desire to please Him but many of us will not let the Holy Spirit work in us due to not understanding how God works, which is by faith in Calvary. Are you able to uphold the Truth of the Gospel no matter the cost?
~Shonette
There have been many streams of error that have flowed into the church over the last several decades: “The Word of Faith Movement”, “The Shepherding Movement”, “The Purpose Driven Life Movement”, “The Government of Twelve Movement”, to name a few. Along side and in relation to these movements comes one that has subtly gained influence recently, “The Hebraic Roots Movement” (HRM).
Similar to the other movements “The Hebraic Roots Movement” goes beyond the revealed Word of God by claiming, “. . . the Scripture alone cannot show the meaning within.” Herein we find the first error of this and all false teaching. It always breeds doubt by claiming that its adherents need more than God’s Word to understand Him. Satan used this lie with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and he still uses this same fallacious tactic today on mankind. Genesis 3:5.
“For God does know that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
The sources of revelation and wisdom in the HRM come from the Talmud, Midrash, Halakhah, and Haggadah. It’s interesting to note that students of Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism, require an understanding of these resources prior to comprehending the deeper esoteric secret meanings of the universe and God, they claim.
What’s the danger with teaching Christian’s their foundation of faith is in their Hebraic Roots? Actually that is a false question. Before the Law was given to Israel and His Children, God gave a Promise to a Gentile man, Abraham. Abraham was justified by Faith and the Seed of Abraham are they which exercise like Faith. Galatians 3:7: “Know you therefore that they which are of Faith, the same are the children of Abraham.”
THE SACRIFICE
The Sacrificial system was ordained by God before the foundation of the world, I Peter 1:20, and was shown to Adam and Eve and then given to Abraham and then onto Isaac and Jacob. Israel was to honor the sacrifices because they represented the coming “One” Sacrifice that God would accept. The Law could not be fulfilled by man’s works and was never intended to be. It was always by Faith that God was to be apprehended with the sacrifice being the means that man could have fellowship with God. The penalty of the Law required the sacrifice of a perfect offering. Only Jesus Christ qualified to pay the debt and become the Sacrifice acceptable to God on man’s behalf. When Christ died on the Cross He satisfied the righteous demands of the Law. Romans 10:4 says,
“For Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness to everyone who believes.”
ISRAEL
Paul would share with us the remembrance of Israel of old as they “. . . drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (I Cor. 10:4). No instruction was given by Paul or any of the other New Testament writers to follow Jewish customs or traditions. The admonition to us in the next Verses should make it clear how we are to view Israel with regard to our Sanctification and unwillingness to follow God’s Prescribed Order and Way, Verses 5-12: “But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things are our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be you idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to drink and eat, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents. Neither murmur you, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition. . . .”
Our Lord Himself made it clear that during the time of His Visitation that the spiritual leadership of Israel was not following the Law of God but after their own traditions. Mark 7:7-9:
“Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the Commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men . . . Full well you reject the Commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition.”
NOT SCRIPTURAL
The Mishnah and Talmud are not Biblical or Scriptural! Much of the Midrashic teaching changed the object of Israel’s faith right before the time of Jesus Christ. The leadership was broken into different sects. The Pharisee’s and Sadducee’s and their interpretation of the Law functioned like the differences of today’s modern political parties. The Mishnah precedes the Talmud and was/is considered to be comprised of oral tradition passed down throughout history since the time Moses received the Law from God. According to tradition Moses gave to Israel the Written Law from God but used the oral Law to apply the Written Law upon Israel. This unwritten oral tradition was said to have been passed down throughout Israel’s history. After the death of Jesus Christ, Rabbinical commentaries, called the Gemara, were added to the Mishnah and together they later became the Talmud.
MODERN TEACHERS SO-CALLED
Today’s modern HRM teachers mostly refer to Talmudic teaching to explain the deeper truths of the Bible. Hogwash! The Midrash and Midrashic interpretation tend to devalue and pervert the literal, historical interpretation of Bible Scripture and replace it with private, hidden, and even mystical interpretations. We must also recognize Judaism today has been altered and weakened by their so-called Sages, Rabbis, and Ravs that mixed oral traditional thought, the Pentateuch, and Greek philosophy together. What’s really behind the HRM are occult principles and themes. New Age concepts are found throughout the HRM teachings. They’re also found in “The Word of Faith”, “Purpose Driven Life”, and “G12” Movements, which have desensitized the church making them palatable for HRM teachers to gain success.
OLD TESTAMENT
In the meantime, I want to point out that teaching and explaining the Old Testament with all its wonderful types and shadows does not indicate a preacher has embraced the HRM agenda. However, if your church begins to see your Pastor wearing prayer shawls and yarmulkes that maybe a sign he/she may be going in the HRM direction. If the Jewish calendar holidays and the Sabbath’s are all of a sudden being followed and are prescribed upon everyone, it’s time to leave your church. In future articles I will explain the other dangers of the HRM and how they are harming the church. If it’s not Jesus Christ and Him Crucified it’s not the Gospel. (This article was originally printed in December, 2010.)
~By John Rosenstern
2 Corinthians 5:2
(2) “AND YE ARE PUFFED UP, AND HAVE NOT RATHER MOURNED, THAT HE THAT HATH DONE THIS DEED MIGHT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM AMONG YOU.”
The Truth is, there are Christians in this “spiritual elitism” who have by and large abandoned the True Ways of God, and are constantly casting about for these spiritual tidbits. As well, there are Bible Teachers, so-called, who are ready and willing to supply all of the so-called clever insights. In fact, the land is full of them.
Even as Paul said, despite their claims, these people are by and large babies respecting spiritual maturity, in other words, they do not have any maturity. As well, their spiritual growth has come to a grinding halt, at least as long as they remain in this posture, with regression actually the case.
Such is Satan and such is deception!
The phrase, “And have not rather mourned,” presents that which should have been the attitude of the Corinthian Believers respecting what was taking place all around them and especially the situation addressed by Paul.
The phrase, “That he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you,” carries with it several powerful statements:
First of all, the idea is presented in the Text that such an individual should be immediately told to repent and cease such activity, and if not, he must be disfellowshiped. However, not only was there no demand for Repentance, there was seemingly no understanding as to how bad the situation really was. In fact, Verse 2 proclaims the thought that the perpetrator was “glorying” in his situation instead of seeing it for what it really was (vs. 6).
In this Chapter (vs. 5), the Holy Spirit through the Apostle informs us, that those who are involved in something of this nature must be given an opportunity to repent. If they in fact, humble themselves before the Lord in True Biblical Repentance, the matter should end there. True Repentance before God always stops Judgment of any nature. However, sin always brings negative consequences, irrespective as to what the sin may be. So, if anyone thinks that Repentance means that someone is getting by, that person is engaging in fantasy. The simple reason being, that all sin, irrespective of how much that Repentance is engaged, always exacts a terrible toll. However, that toll must be confined to the act itself, and must never be the result of fellow Believers. Always remember, that “with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Mat. 7:1–2).
SOME MATTERS MAY HAVE TO BE LOOKED AT DIFFERENTLY
If the sin is child molestation, or homosexuality, and even possibly other things one could name, even though Biblical Repentance may be truly enjoined, the individual who has repented, as sincere as it may be, should not desire to be placed in a position to where the same thing could easily happen again. Neither should Church Leaders desire to place one in such a position.
In other words, if a man was teaching a class of boys in the Church, and was found to be molesting one of these boys, even though he may sincerely repent of the action, he should not immediately be placed in this position again, nor should he desire to be. Notwithstanding the crime that has been committed other than the sin, such action should not at all be forthcoming.
However, there definitely can come a time, that is if the individual walks closely to the Lord and such is obvious, that he could be trusted again in whatever capacity. However, special care and wisdom would have to be exercised in such a case.
If we truly believe that Jesus Christ delivers, and we certainly do, if in fact such a person is truly delivered, they must be treated as such. As well, such will be obvious.
IF NO REPENTANCE IS FORTHCOMING …
This 5th Chapter makes it very clear, if the individual refuses to repent and line up with the Word of God, then that person, as stated, is to be disfellowshiped.
Once again, we are speaking of scandalous sins, and not all types of wrongs which, in fact, every Church has.
All people must be dealt with patiently and kindly, showing great compassion, for this is the Way of the Lord. But a situation such as Paul addresses here, which is an extreme violation of the Word of God in just about every capacity, and being carried out openly, must be dealt with, or else it will destroy the Church.
LET ME GIVE AN EXAMPLE
A young man and a young lady who were members of our Church, Family Worship Center, were seeing each other, with both of them of course professing Salvation, etc. To make the story very brief, the young lady became pregnant.
As the Senior Pastor of the Church, I met with one of my Associate Pastors who was more acquainted with the situation than anyone else, and we discussed as to what should be done, in other words how we should handle the situation.
First of all, there was never a thought which entered our minds, that we should make these young people leave the Church, because they might be an embarrassment to the Church, etc. Those things were never even once thought of or spoken. Our every action was to salvage this young man and young lady, getting them back on track with God, putting this thing, as serious as it was, behind them.
My Associate went to them and addressed the problem. They immediately told him that they were going to be married, which was the right course in this situation.
This was done, with a beautiful little baby boy born to them a short time later, and now they have a second child. They are both in the Church serving God, closer to the Lord I think than they have ever been before, and to be frank with you, I personally am very proud of both of them.
Of course it was not right what they did. It was sin, and in a sense despite the Love of God and the Grace of God, there will always be some hurt between both of them because of this sin.
But yet, as the Pastor of this Church, it was my responsibility to love them, to help them, to pray with them, to get them back on track according to the Word of God, which we did, and thankfully to which they both acquiesced, and they were both beautifully and wondrously salvaged. That is True Bible Christianity.
HOWEVER!
To be kind and loving, even as Christ demands, does not mean that one condones the sin or the failure. It merely means that one knows and understands, that one is not morally qualified to point a finger at others. Knowing that all of us, even the best of us whomever that may be, are in constant need of the Grace of God, and knowing that, we should be very quick to judge ourselves harshly, but others very leniently.
However, if that young man and young lady had refused to do the right thing which was to marry, which in this case was possible, in other words if they had flagrantly ignored the Word of God and charted their own course whatever that may have been, I would have continued to love them and try to help them, but I would have told them to leave the Church, just as Paul here speaks. However, that would be done only as a matter of last resort, and only after we had exhausted every means to try to get them back on track. As stated, it is not the business of the Preacher or anyone else for that matter, to purify the Church, that being solely the Business of the Holy Spirit, and because He Alone is qualified to do so. But when people, purposely set themselves against the Word of God, refuse to repent, and, as stated, chart their own course which is in opposition to the Word, and blatantly so, even as Paul here addresses, there is no alternative but to disfellowship these individuals, which the Apostle here plainly proclaims.
WHY DID THE HOLY SPIRIT TREAT THIS SIN OF INCEST DIFFERENT THAN THE SIN DEALT WITH IN THE FIRST FOUR CHAPTERS?
It was the sin of pride which Paul dealt with in the first Four Chapters of this Book, and which was so severe that it threatened to destroy the Church. But yet, even though Paul did demand repentance (4:17–21), at no time did he speak of these being disfellowshiped as he did the one guilty of incest, as recorded in this 5th Chapter.
Why?
Some may answer that I Corinthians, Chapter 5 pertained to morals, while I Corinthians, Chapters 1 through 4 did not. However, that is incorrect.
The prideful factor of I Corinthians, Chapters 1 through 4 was moral in nature as was that in I Corinthians, Chapter 5. Actually, the word “moral” or “morals” simply means “principles of right and wrong pertaining to behavior.” Consequently, the behavior of those in Chapters 1 through 4 was morally wrong as was the one in Chapter 5. Actually, this is one of the problems of the Church.
It considers sins such as the incest of I Corinthians, Chapter 5 to be immoral, which it definitely is, but does not think of slander as immoral, or gossip, or a prideful attitude for that matter. However, they are all immoral in the Eyes of God, and should be in the eyes of all others as well.
The reason that the Holy Spirit did not instruct Paul to threaten disfellowship for those of I Corinthians, Chapters 1 through 4, is because in a sense this situation was a matter of Doctrine. Their Doctrine was terribly wrong, and the Holy Spirit through the Apostle called attention to this fact. Actually, had they continued in this vein, they stood in great danger of losing their souls. If error is not corrected, it only gets worse. But yet, to call attention to this situation and demand repentance was all that the Holy Spirit did. He did not demand disfellowship, as He did in I Corinthians, Chapter 5. The sin of Chapter 5 was a direct and flagrant breaking of the Fifth Commandment, “Honour thy Father and thy Mother,” of the Seventh Commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” and the Tenth Commandment, “Thou shalt not covet thy … neighbour’s wife” (Ex. Chpt. 20). Of course all sin, and irrespective of its nature, is a breaking of the Ten Commandments in some manner. But yet, some are far more obvious, even as this sin of Chapter 5, and, consequently, must be dealt with accordingly.
~J. Swaggart
1 Corinthians 5:1
(1) “IT IS REPORTED COMMONLY THAT THERE IS FORNICATION AMONG YOU, AND SUCH FORNICATION AS IS NOT SO MUCH AS NAMED AMONG THE GENTILES, THAT ONE SHOULD HAVE HIS FATHER’S WIFE.”
The phrase, “It is reported commonly,” tells us three things:
1. In all the questions which the Believers at Corinth had for Paul to address, they had not mentioned, at least in their Letter, the problem of the party spirit or this problem of immorality. These two things were related to Paul by those “of the house of Chloe,” quite possibly those who had brought the Letter to Paul from Corinth (I Cor. 1:11).
2. The word “commonly” insinuates that the immorality was more widespread than just the problem addressed.
3. Paul selects the worst case of the lot, that being a situation involving incest.
The phrase, “That there is fornication among you,” speaks of all kinds of impurity, perversion, and immorality. As stated, immorality, and of all types, seemingly was widespread in the Church at this time.
WHAT IS FORNICATION?
The Greek word is “porneia,” and as stated, means all kinds of impurity, perversion, and immorality. However, it is somewhat different than adultery.
For instance, it is commonly thought that adultery refers to those who are married, with fornication referring to those who are single. That is incorrect. Fornication or adultery has nothing to do with one’s marital or single status. The meaning of fornication is as follows:
1. First of all it means repeated adultery, going from one partner to the next (Mat. 5:32; 19:9; I Cor. 7:2; 10:8; I Thess. 4:3; Rev. 9:21).
All fornicators are adulterers, but all adulterers are not fornicators.
As bad as either sin is, an individual who has an affair with someone other than his or her wife or husband, is not a fornicator, but is definitely an adulterer.
For instance, David was an adulterer, but he was not a fornicator. By contrast, Esau was a fornicator (Heb. 12:16).
2. Incest is fornication (I Cor. 5:1; 10:8). Incest is sexual intercourse between persons so closely related that they are forbidden by law to marry. So, this man living with his Stepmother even while his Father was alive (II Cor. 7:12) constituted incest.
3. Idolatry and adultery in honor of idol gods is fornication (II Chron. 21:11; Isa. 23:17; Ezek. 16:15, 26, 29; Acts 15:20, 29; 21:25; Rev. 2:14–21; 14:8; 17:2–4; 18:3–9; 19:2).
Temple prostitution in honor of idol gods was a common thing in Paul’s day and before. In fact, Corinth was filled with this vice, which in fact, made it one of the most debauched places in the world of that time.
4. Natural harlotry (prostitution) is fornication (Jn. 8:41; I Cor. 6:13–18).
5. Spiritual harlotry is also called fornication (Ezek. 16:15, 26, 29; Rev. 17:2–4; 18:3–9; 19:2).
This speaks of Believers, or those who are supposed to be Believers, forsaking the Lord and going after idols or false Doctrine. The Holy Spirit likens these to spiritual fornicators.
6. Sodomy (male homosexuality) and male prostitution come under the heading of fornication (Rom. 1:24–29; I Cor. 6:9–11; II Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5; Heb. 12:16; Jude 6–7).
Adultery does not merely pertain to those who are married, but rather to any type of unlawful relationship between men and women, whether single or married. However, the term does not cover the wide scope as does fornication.
The phrase, “And such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles,” simply means that it was not common among the Gentiles, even though it definitely was at times committed. The idea is, that even the Gentiles who looked at most immorality with indifference, in fact, frowned severely on this particular sin.
The phrase, “That one should have his Father’s wife,” refers to his Stepmother. As stated, it seems from II Corinthians 7:12 that the Father was alive for it refers there to the one “that suffered wrong” as well as the one who had “done the wrong.”
Evidently, this man was ignoring what had been said regarding this sin in Leviticus 18:17 and Deuteronomy 27:20. As well, from the complete silence regarding the woman, it may be inferred that she was not a Believer.
In fact, Mosaic Law demanded death for such an act, and even Roman Law prohibited it.
(2) “AND YE ARE PUFFED UP, AND HAVE NOT RATHER MOURNED, THAT HE THAT HATH DONE THIS DEED MIGHT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM AMONG YOU.”
The phrase, “And ye are puffed up,” tells us that this action was not, on the surface, motivated by animal passion but by false religious philosophy; but this only made this conduct, example, and teaching the more deadly to the spiritual life and the more destructive to the Gospel.
This Chapter, therefore, uncovers something of the evil and folly of the natural heart even in a Christian; and also illustrates the depths of Satan in cunningly persuading Believers that grossly immoral conduct can be misconstrued as exalted Christian liberty (Williams).
A LEADER IN THE CHURCH?
There is some evidence in Paul’s statement, that this man was not merely a member of the Corinthian Church, but was rather one of its Leaders. The idea seems to be that the people in the Church seemed to think little about this situation, and if we are to interpret Verse 6 literally, were actually glorying in what was being done. In fact, and as stated, it seems that other types of immorality were taking place as well.
Unless they met in a cave or some such like place, the Churches in Paul’s day were normally made up of several groups, each group meeting in a house with its particular Leader. As stated, this man could have been one of those Leaders.
HOW COULD THE CHURCH COME TO THIS ERRONEOUS CONCLUSION?
Whatever the thinking in their minds, the real reason was that they had left the Word of God as is blatantly obvious, had become puffed up in their spiritual pride thinking they were spiritual giants, so much so they were denigrating Paul, all which made them easy targets for Satan.
A broken and contrite spirit, which speaks of humility, and which is actually a Christlike spirit, closes the door to Satan and keeps it open to the Holy Spirit. This is the reason that over and over again in the Bible, we are warned that brokenness and contrition are the spiritual qualities looked for by the Spirit of God, and in fact, the only qualities which God can bless (Ps. 51:17; Isa. 66:2; Mat. 5:3–5; Lk. 18:14).
Some Expositors claim that Paul using the words “puffed up” only pertains to the Church not taking action concerning this matter. While it is certainly true, that they did not take action, the entirety of the situation was of far greater magnitude than that.
As we have previously stated, this matter was not merely a sin of animal passion, as bad as that would have been, but was rather far deeper and of far greater consequence, in that it was motivated by false religious philosophy. In fact, this is why the Holy Spirit took up so much space respecting the first Four Chapters of this Epistle, in dealing with this problem. It was not a matter of merely preferring one Preacher over the other, or even exalting one out of proportion to reality. Again, it was deeper and of greater magnitude than that.
SPIRITUAL ELITISM
Once again, it was the sin of spiritual elitism, which makes one unteachable except by some designated individual. Consequently, they make up their own rules as they go along.
Through the years, I have seen people in my Church do the same thing, as I suppose has every other Pastor, etc. Exactly as they did Paul, they would begin to insinuate that I was not deep enough for their spiritual intelligence. Oftentimes, I would watch them attach themselves to a Preacher who I knew was not living right, or else was conducting himself improperly in other ways.
The Truth is, that these people whomever they may have been, even as those at Corinth, were spiritual babies regarding the Word and its understanding, even though they considered themselves to be spiritual giants.
This type of people become very big in their own eyes, spiritually speaking, and then begin to cast about for clever things which they are deluded into believing are the “deep things of God.” When they come to this stage, even as at Corinth, and sadly there are many in modern Churches, the Salvation of lost souls is now of little significance. Believers being Baptized with the Holy Spirit is not worth their attention. People being delivered from the powers of darkness do not raise an eyebrow in their thinking. They are looking for something “deep,” and these things mentioned, which is what Calvary is all about, are simply not deep enough in their thinking.
~JSM
October 8
but though we, or an Angel from Heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed (Gal. 1:8–9).
The word “accursed” in the Greek is “anathema,” which means “a person or thing devoted to destruction because it is hateful to God.” In a spiritual sense, it denotes one who is alienated from God by sin—the sin of rebellion against God’s Way, which is “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.” Other than blaspheming the Holy Spirit, this sin of rebellion is the worst sin one can commit. It is especially grievous when it involves Preachers, for, it is to Preachers that these words are directed.
In the words, “any other gospel,” we have in the original Text the idea, as before, that “the other gospel” was a message that went beyond that preached by Paul. It was not so much a perversion of Paul’s Gospel, but a message that was diametrically opposed to it. In character it was of an opposite nature to Paul’s Message.
When Paul uses the phrase, “Preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you,” he was not using terminology of ego. It was to Paul that the great Revelation of the Gospel of Grace was given. He said, “For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:12). The reason his statements were so harsh was because he knew that any gospel “other than the message of the Cross” was fundamentally wrong! As such, if these wrong messages were followed, these perverted gospels, they would lead to destruction. One cannot have it both ways.
Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (Jn. 14:6).
This means that Jesus and what He did at the Cross is the only answer for hurting humanity. As we’ve said before, we say again:
1. The only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:6).
2. The only way to Jesus is through the Cross (Lk. 9:23).
3. The only way to the Cross is by a denial of self, i.e., self’s ability, which spawns self-efforts (Lk. 9:23).
Judaizers were Jews from Jerusalem and Judaea who accepted Jesus as the Messiah, but did not accept the Cross. These Judaizers were coming into the Churches in Galatia and preaching “another gospel,” which was the gospel of “law” and “works.” Paul preached that works and the Law had no place in Christianity; by Law, he was speaking of the Law of Moses, which had been fulfilled in Christ. The way to Salvation and the way to Sanctification were solely through Faith in Christ and what Christ did at the Cross. If “works” entered into this, it perverted the message, and that’s exactly what these Judaizers were doing.
So the Holy Spirit through the Apostle said that all who preach “another gospel” would be excommunicated, cursed, cast out, etc. In closing, I ask the following question:
Where does that put most modern Preachers?
J. Swaggart Ministries