36 Myths Most Christians Believe
36 Myths that Most Christians Believe:
*All Christians should give 10% of their income to the church and the work of the ministry.
*Salvation was by works and "keeping the law" in the Old Testament, but now it is by faith.
*You will lose your reward; lose fellowship with God - motivation by fear.
*Pastors and ministers are the priesthood, while the lay people in the church are just the flock.
*Hiding God's Word in our heart means "memorizing Scripture".
*Maturity in Christ means not sinning as much and/or knowing a lot about the Bible.
*Ministers who are in "full-time ministry" are more spiritual than people who work
*Conservative politics equals godly politics; teaching morality without Jesus is okay
*It's okay to bash and debase politicians we disagree with, who don't believe what we believe
*Sex is part of the lust of the flesh; we should focus on abstinence and/or chastity
*Annointing/gifting justifies everything a person may do (character doesn't matter)
*The Kingdom of God is just a future event when Jesus will reign on the earth for 1000 years.
*It's okay for men and women in leadership in the church to “lord authority over the congregation
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*Separation of Church and State is biblical <top>
Psalm 2
Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters."
The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.
Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
"I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill."
I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."
Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Daniel 2:47-48 The king said to Daniel, "Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery." Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.
Daniel 3:28-29 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."
Daniel 6:25-27 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: "May you prosper greatly!
"I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. "For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."
Psalms 96:10 Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.
John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there followed great voices in heaven, and they said, The kingdoms of the world have become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshiped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
While such historical tragedies as the Crusades, the Inquisition and denominational blood-shed cues our understanding to Religious-political rule which is both unjustified and unacceptable, Nebuchadnezzar and Darius both sent out political decrees which acknowledged the God of Israel as the only God to be worshiped. God's perfect Kingdom government exists where He and His Church rule supremely over all the kingdoms on the earth and all bow before His authority. Worldly rulers and governments should be encouraged to publicly acknowledge Jesus' reign over them. Thus, mottoes like, "one nation under Jesus" is both right and biblical and public, governmental worship of Him is also biblical.
*"Church" is a function Christians "go to" <top>
Rom 12:5 So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another.
1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof.
Col 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church.
1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Many Christians say they believe that the "Church" is people, not a building, but in their statements to each other really believe that Church is a function or event that exists only within the Church building. How many times have you heard people ask, "What church do you go to?" This shows they don't really believe WE ARE THE CHURCH, they believe the Church is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that someone needs to join in order to be a part of "the church". We are the Church. It is not something that you 'become a member of' after you believe in Jesus. You have it the moment you trust Him. No one can give it to you, except Jesus, and no one can take that away from you. We are the Church, no matter where we are - at work, at school, in a congregation (even if we aren't a 'member' there), in the mall, or by ourselves. We need to eliminate individualized and sectarian church membership, along with integrating universal Church recognition. No one can add anyone to the Church except Him. How arrogant of earlier church leaders to add to Scripture and assume they could keep tabs on the Church that God is building. How foolish of us to follow in their footsteps. Much good could be done when the Church recognizes itself as the Church, and stops threatening itself through accepting or rejecting people based upon whether "you're a part of my church", "you're not a part of my church". We must see the Church how God sees her and how the Scripture portrays her. Primarily, God is bringing us to what we all long for: to live with Jesus, to make our home with Him. To have a place where we are forever secure, never wondering if we are accepted or welcomed, never wondering if we will suffer rejection again, never wondering what pain we must endure of which we are unaware. If we really believed the Church is His people, we would acknowledge that Jesus is in the midst of wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in His name.
*Jewish people who follow the law today will still be saved because they are "God's people"; and "all Israel will be saved" means it doesn't matter what the Jewish people do, God won't condemn any of them <top>
John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
Romans 4:13-15
It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
God's plan for 'making people right' with him was established and confirmed through Abraham, generations before the law of Moses was even given, and even before the covenant of circumcision was given. Even God's plan for people in the Old Testament wasn't to become righteous by keeping the law, but by trusting the Promise He had given to them.
*Palestinians
are modern-day Canaanites (Philistines), who should be wiped out like
Joshua destroying the people in the ancient Land. Israel has a
God-given right to kill off people who are in the Land God promised
to them, just like He ordered them to do in ancient times. <top>
Rom 3:29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too.
Act 13:47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: " 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.' "
God's purpose for the Jewish people is to be a light, to show the way to God. This can only come as they embrace their Messiah, Jesus, and reach out in love, preaching the Gospel, as Paul did, to the Gentiles. Paul and the early Jewish apostles were only concerned with one mission: preaching Jesus to the ends of the earth. Not once did they preach about the Jewish peoples' right to the Land, and the only time one of them picked up a weapon to hurt someone, Jesus rebuked him:
Matthew 26:52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."
It is impossible to be preaching the Good News of Jesus in one hand, while holding a weapon in the other, lest we forget our history and become like the Inquisition. Jesus didn't leave them with a dual commission: 1. Make sure you take back all the Land promised to your ancestors, destroying every living thing that stands in your way, and 2. Love your enemy as yourself; heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons; make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
How can someone make a disciple of all nations, if they believe that a nation should be exterminated based upon a word God gave 1000s of years before, regarding a different people (ie. the Canaanites)? First things first -- the Jewish people's first commission is to believe on the One whom the Father sent. Until they do this, they have no right using God's name in vain and acting upon supposed "orders from the Almighty".
*The Jewish people are God's people, so whatever they do God blesses and approves of, even if they kill innocent people. <top>
Luke 3:8
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
*All Christians should give 10% of their income to the church and the work of the ministry. <top>
Aside from the fact that the word “tithe” in the Bible only refers to giving toward the temple (which no longer exists), God asks us to over our whole beings as living sacrifices unto Him.
Matthew 23:23
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
Acts 4:32-35
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
This does not justify badgering congregations to give more to the corporate Body, the pastor's salary, and the functions of a 501c3 entity, it merely frees God's people to give to needs as the Holy Spirit directs: the widow, the orphan, the poor, and to His current Temple and priests: all the brothers and sisters of the Body of Christ (anyone who has need).
*Salvation was by works and "keeping the law" in the Old Testament, but now it is by faith. <top>
Habakkuk 2:4
"...but the righteous will live by his faith--
Rom 4:1-11
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter?
If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about--but not before God.
What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.
However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."
Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness.
Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.
Galatians 3:5-11
Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.
The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you."
So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."
Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."
*We are saved by grace, through faith, but after that our journey is by self-discipline and work. We still need to follow the law "as best as we can" after we are saved (our sanctification is by works). <top>
Galatians 3:1-7
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.
2Co 3:4-8
And such confidence have we through Christ to God-ward: not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory was passing away: how shall not rather the ministration of the spirit be with glory?
Heb 4:10
For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
*Fellowship with other believers means "going to church". <top>
In reality, many Christians go to a church building every week without experiencing fellowship. Most Christians define "fellowship" as common discussion or talk (ie. "catching up on what's going on in each others' lives"). Sometimes it might even include gossip about someone they need to "pray for", and for the more "spiritual" it involves intellectual discussions about Scripture and/or debates about certain man-made doctrines and ideas, which they think makes them "mature" believers. And while fellowship MAY happen around a potluck dinner, eating together does not necessarily constitute koinonia.
2 Timothy 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
1 John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
Fellowship is a spiritual practice, a humble recognition of God's presence among us, which consciously involves God in our talk, which acknowledges what He is communicating to us in the present moment, and the experience of His Spirit among us.
*Sunday is the sabbath of God, God's holy day of worship. <top>
Aside from the well-established tradition that (strictly speaking) the Shabbat begins on sunset Friday night and continues until sunset Saturday night, consider these Scriptures:
Mark 2:2728
Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
Col 2:16
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days.
Rom 14:5-6,13
One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.
He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.
*Fasting is a religious thing only the Pharisees did. <top>
Mark 2:20
But the time will come when the Groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.
The early Church fasted:
Act 14:23 And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
*God doesn't do miracles today. <top>
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day, yea and for ever.
Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give.
Mar 16:17-20 And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.
Aside from the fact there is no passage in the New Testament which calls for an end to the miraculous, historically-speaking, the first-generation Church after Christ and the generations following both fully embraced and walked in signs and wonders. I have personally seen multiple miracles and know of others who have witnessed uncountable wonders of God.
*There won't be any Christians during the tribulation - it will just be God pouring out His wrath upon unbelievers <top>
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshiped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Mat 13:24-30,36-43 Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away.
But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. And the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares? And he said unto them, An enemy hath done this. And the servants say unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he saith, Nay; lest haply while ye gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn. Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of the tares of the field. And he answered and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; and the enemy that sowed them is the devil: and the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are angels. As therefore the tares are gathered up and burned with fire; so shall it be in the end of the world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and them that do iniquity, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears, let him hear.
2 Peter 2:4-9
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.
While it is true that God did not appoint believer so suffer wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9), this does not mean there won't be any Christians, who (like Noah) are carried in His ark while the rest of the world suffers his judgment.
*You can lose your salvation - motivation by fear <top>
1Jo 4:17 Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world.
John 10:25-30
Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
John 8:35 The slave does not remain in the household forever, but the son does remain forever.
Once you are a son, you are always a son; you will always be a part of the Family. This doesn't mean He won't discipline you if you sin and you can't become a prodigal, it just means He treats you differently than a slave.
*You will lose your reward; lose fellowship with God - motivation by fear. <top>
1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that fears is not made perfect in love.
Heb 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
The key here is not whether or not you can lose your reward or “break fellowship”, but the motivation of how we live. Many Christians are so filled with fear, they cannot imagine that God actually wants them to succeed. They are so tied up in trying to follow rules and the fear of breaking any of them, they don't understand the grace and love of God which makes them holy and gives them boldness to enter into an unending fellowship with Him.
*Pastors and ministers are the priesthood, while the lay people in the church are just the flock. <top>
Romans 12:4-5
Just as each of us has one body with many members and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.
Revelation 1:6
And has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
2 Corinthians 3:6
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Num 11:29
But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD'S people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!"
You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so among you. Instead whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28).
While God has placed more mature believers to be teachers for the less mature, we are all the flock of God, with each a ministry He has given for us.
*Hiding God's Word in our heart means "memorizing Scripture". <top>
Pro 3:5-6 Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding: In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.
Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in my heart, That I might not sin against thee.
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything that I have told you.
Hebrews 10:16."This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."
While memorizing Scripture is a helpful discipline to learning the Bible, it is not what God meant when he mentions “hiding His Word” in our hearts. There is a difference between hiding His Word (Jesus – John 1:1) in our minds, and hiding Him in our hearts. Knowing about God is not the same as knowing Him.
*You can lose your calling or gifting/annointing by sinning too much or not following God closely enough. <top>
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance.
1 Samuel 24:6
So he said to his men, "Far be it from me because of the LORD that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the LORD'S anointed."
Here, David clearly acknowledges Saul as the “anointed” of the LORD, even though Saul was living in gross disobedience. God did not take Saul's anointing away, but essentially he became ineffective for God because of his poor character.
*Maturity in Christ means not sinning as much and/or knowing a lot about the Bible. <top>
While reflecting on Christian maturity, it amazes me to observe what most people think of when they think of a mature individual - a person with great persuasive ability (i.e. someone who badgers and/or threatens other people into listening to them)...someone who has many degrees and great influence...someone who has a nice, 'stable' life, making enough money, obeying all the rules outwardly...someone who is very adult-like, carefully distinguishing himself/herself from children and young people...how old they are physically....or even how old they are in the Lord...
Heb.5:11-14
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
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. And this will we do, if God permit. - Hebrews 6: 1-3
Here in Hebrews, God spells it out maturity for us: training our senses, or faculties, to distinguish between good and evil. An immature believer, may have known the Lord a long time, but refuses to turn from certain sins, refuses to face up; instead they live in a continual state of religious show - trying to cover their sins, instead of confessing and forsaking them. Often, instead of living by grace, they are living by their own self-effort, or worse yet, empowered by demonic forces. They live in a cloud of deception and fantasy, held captive by the enemy. They refuse to take God at His Word, and often hear the voice of God and ignore it. Instead of repenting, they walk on and pretend nothing has happened. They refuse to take basic steps of obedience and just feel like it's okay. When mature authorities from God come into their lives, they rebel, fight-against, and sometimes slander them. The marks of immature people, is they often look up to immature people. They exalt people based on outward appearance, worldly-status, and uplift those that the world uplifts - giving into false teachers and 'having itching ears' (2 Tim 4:3). Instead of living by faith, they are living by sight, never concerned about the spiritual realm, always thinking about the physical. Never thinking about eternity, always thinking about their temporary existence here on earth. The difference between an immature person and a mature believer, is that a mature believer recognizes the plots of the enemy and avoids them. They recognizes when God is at work and follow Him. They are also sensitive to the Spirit of God when He convicts of sin and are quick to fall before the cross and receive resurrection power - they live in a continual state of repentance from sin and receiving the undeserved gifts and promises of God. They trust God and have followed Him in the basic steps of obedience like baptism. They recognize the authorities that God has set up (which may be different from those that people exalt and recognize), and receive from them the power and authority God wants to place in them (like Timothy - through the laying on of Paul's hands). They are fulfilling their mission and destiny. They know their calling and are not afraid to step out in faith to fulfill it. They also foresee the future as God has laid it out, and live in light of it - believing in things they have never seen - knowing that we shall all be resurrected and stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and only what is done by His Spirit will withstand His fire.
*Environmentalism and/or taking care of the earth is worthless because "it's all going to burn anyway" and God's going to make a new heaven and a new earth. <top>
1Co 4:2 Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
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 birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. And 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 birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Part of the stewardship of mankind over the earth was to replenish it (ie. to renew it, cultivate it, and take care of it). Careless attitudes about the earth are both reckless and inconsiderate of any further generations on the earth.
*There are multiple churches throughout the earth. <top>
Phi 1:27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;
Eph 4:3-6 giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.
1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.
Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Many people say they believe there is only one Church, but act as if they are only responsible for the people they meet with on Sunday or other groups they are 'affiliated with'. While the Church might be segmented into regional location (ie. The Church of Philadelphia, the Church in Jerusalem), God did not intend for them to function separately nor individually. God not only declares that His Body is one and His Church is one, but that it is one throughout time: those who have been stewards of faith before us were not perfect (complete) without us and we are not complete without those who will come after us.
*In order to be a qualified minister, you need to go to training at a Bible school and/or be "ordained" by an organization <top>
2Ti 1:9 who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead)
Gal 1:15-17 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood: neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus.
Exodus 29:29 "Aaron's sacred garments will belong to his descendants so that they can be anointed and ordained in them.
Heb 7:11-12, 17-19
If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come--one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law. For it is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God...Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.
Ordination is an old testament practice for Levitical priests; we live in the Melchizedek priesthood, a superior one, where we are all priests and kings (Rev. 1:6). God ordains, calls, and anoints all of His children to be ministers of His grace; we all enter into the School of Jesus at salvation and are trained continually throughout our walk.
*Being a single minister is more spiritual than being married; being married and/or having children hinders you from being as effective for God <top>
Genesis 2:18
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
1Ti 4:1-3 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.
Mal 2:15 And did he not make one, although he had the residue of the Spirit? And wherefore one? He sought a godly seed...
Ecc 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
Col 2:20-23 If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, Handle not, nor taste, nor touch (all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.
1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6
Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
Matt 19:10-12 (The Message)
Jesus' disciples objected, "If those are the terms of marriage, we're stuck. Why get married?" But Jesus said, "Not everyone is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude and grace. Marriage isn't for everyone. Some, from birth seemingly, never give marriage a thought. Others never get asked—or accepted. And some decide not to get married for kingdom reasons. But if you're capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it."
Not only do the Scriptures vehemently oppose forbidding people to marry, God's plan from the beginning was for man to not be alone. Even before the fall, He thought it was “not good”. He also implies that an overseer or elder must be married to serve in this capacity.
*Ministers who are in "full-time ministry" are more spiritual than people who work <top>
1Co 9:11-12,18 If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things? If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel.
1Co 4:12 And we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure.
2Co 12:14 Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a [financial] burden to you: for I seek not what you have, but you: for the children should not to have to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
Ephesians 4:28
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
*Working for Money is Worldly <top>
2 Thess 3:6-14
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.
1 Thess 4:11-12,5:11-14
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
*Conservative politics equals godly politics; teaching morality without Jesus is okay <top>
2Co 6:14 Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness?
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. (Gal 1:6)
Mark 8:15 "Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees [the religious spirit] and that of Herod [the political spirit]."
John 18:36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
Any 'righteous behavior' that occurs apart from the cross of Christ, is, in reality, a false gospel. This is what I like to call “The Boyscout Gospel”. Subtly, it teaches, “if we put enough carrots for good behavior and enough sticks for bad behavior people will be taught to be good people. If we put enough deterrent to crime, they won't murder, rape, steal, hi-jack planes and fly them into buildings. If we intimidate through fear and power, wage war, and stimulate through mammon, then the world will be okay, and we'll be safe.” Any legal system, religious system, or governing body that ignores the cross of Christ will be judged in the last day - because these systems either:
1. Leave guilty people in condemnation and judgment with no hope of forgiveness
2. Pervert justice and let guilty people go free, pardoning them based upon something less than the blood of Jesus
3. Some combination of the above.
Jesus isn't satisfied with 2nd place (or even tying for 1st) and will not stop until He is the Head in all things. The Goodnews of the Government of God is that He does pardon, based upon faith in the blood of Jesus and His resurrection. His Kingdom reigns supreme over every earthly kingdom. His Kingdom is not of this world.
*It's okay to bash and debase politicians we disagree with, who don't believe what we believe <top>
Rom 13:1 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God.
Rom 13:2 Therefore he that resists the power, withstands the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.
1Pe 2:17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Romans 13:7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Jud 1:8 Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings defile the flesh, and set at nought dominion, and rail at dignities.
I have thought about the internal struggle Daniel, Hannaniah, Mishael, and Azariahs must have had to show honor to someone with whom they disagreed, yet when we show honor to them, we are showing honor to God. He may even place us in positions of influence in their lives to help bring about change, like they did.
*Worldliness means drinking, gambling, swearing, having sex, wearing fashionable clothes, making money, dancing, watching movies, and/or listening to rock music <top>
1Jo 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passs away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides for ever.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance Ps 150:4.
Col 2:20-23 If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, Handle not, nor taste, nor touch (all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.
The evil world is three things: the lust of the sinful nature, covetousness, and pride. Many people try to define “the world” as so many other things than what the Bible says it is. They hope by creating rules of “handle not” that they become more spiritual, but these rules don't give any power against the sinful nature. Of course drunkenness is sin, but Jesus turned water into wine. Sure committing adultery is sin, but God inspired Song of Songs, which is all about holy sex. Percussion instruments and dance are biblical. Worldliness has much more to do with peoples' heart attitudes than their outward actions, and trying to create more laws for Christians to follow distracts them from the grace of God which empowers them to live for what is ultimately beneficial, knowing that all things are permissible. (1 Corinthians 6:12)
*Sickness is sometimes God's will for people <top>
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
"Our Father Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." (Matthew 6:9-13)
Sickness, disease, and death were introduced into the world through sin. Sin was never God's will. Sometimes people confuse what God allows with His will. God's will, even for those who are being disciplined by sickness (1 Cor 11:30), is for them to be healed. It's not His will for them to continue to sin and remain sick. God's ultimate plan for people is for them to be in health (3 John 2), and even those who might be suffering something because of their sin, He wants them to confess it so they can be healed. Just because Job's fear gave place for the devil to attack him (Job 3:25) and that God used the sickness to test his faith and bring good out of it, does not mean it was God's perfect will for him. God's perfect will for him was revealed in his ultimate restoration and healing. Jesus prayed that God's will would be done on earth, as it is in heaven (a place where no sickness or disease exists).
*Sex is part of the lust of the flesh; we should focus on abstinence and/or chastity <top>
1Ti 4:1-3 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.
The Song of Songs is a whole book of the Bible dedicated to the beauty of holy sex. Obviously God's not ashamed to talk about it, so neither should we.
*Annointing/gifting justifies everything a person may do (character doesn't matter) <top>
1Sa 24:5-7 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men, Jehovah forbid that I should do this thing unto my lord, Jehovah's anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is Jehovah's anointed.
So David checked his men with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. And Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
Luk 9:1-2,6 And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
And they departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.
Saul was walking in complete disobedience from God, even though he was still “God's anointed”. Saul was trying to kill David and God certainly wasn't pleased with what he was doing. Judas was one of the twelve who walked in miracles of healing and deliverance. He preached the Gospel with the other eleven, but obviously just because he was granted these abilities did no justify his betrayal of the Lord.
*Sin means breaking one of God's laws <top>
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.
Rom 14:23 But he that doubts is condemned if he eat, because he eats not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
The "right thing" with the wrong motive can still be sin. Breaking one of God's laws (ie. The 10 commandments) is definitely sin, but in Matthew 5, Jesus intensifies what sin is, by calling lust adultery and hatred murder. In Romans, it is defined merely as departing from the glory of God. It also says that if you think something is wrong (whether it is or not) and do it anyway, you have sinned. This exposing of the heart and ultra-legalism is merely to drive people toward the grace of God and the cross. Without it, we are doomed, but with Jesus, God restores us back to His glory.
*The Kingdom of God is just a future event when Jesus will reign on the earth for 1000 years. <top>
Luk 17:21 neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, There! for lo, the kingdom of God is within you.
Mat 12:28 But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.
*Demonic encounters and/or miracles are things that only happen in places like Africa; supernatural things don't happen in America<top>
Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.
James 4:2 ...Ye have not, because ye ask not.
Joel 2:28 - "It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons
and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions.”
Mark 16:16-18
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover
Many people let their lack of experience dictate to them truth, instead of letting the Word of God dictate to what their experience should be. God is no respecter of persons and does not show favoritism, but many people don't believe God does these things in America simply because they haven't seen it themselves. Many (including myself) have seen miracles, authentic healings, and deliverances in America because the faithful asked of God and received.
*35. It's okay for men and woman in leadership in the church to "lord authority" over the congregation.<top>
"Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example." (1 Peter 5:3)
"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so among you. Instead whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28).
1Ti 2:11-14 "But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness. For Adam was first formed, then Eve; and Adam was not beguiled, but the woman being beguiled hath fallen into transgression."
*There are "good people" who aren't Christians; people can have "love" and be moral without knowing God <top>
Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.
Is 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
36
1Jo 4:7-10,16 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. And we know and have believed the love which God has in us. God is love; and he that abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
Since God is love, anyone who doesn't have God doesn't have love. Apart from Him, no one has love, nor can they love. They cannot be good without Jesus, and their righteous acts (morality) are like filthy rags. When people embrace Jesus, they learn how to love.
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