THE DRIFTING CHURCH
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About 211 pages, broken down in two parts for Internet.
Clearing the Worldly Mind . . . . . . . . Chapter 1, 19 pages
Who's A Christian?. . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter 2, 20 pages
Persecution of the Saints . . . . . . . . Chapter 3, 10 pages
Teachings of the Early Church . . . . . . Chapter 4, 23 pages
End of Part 1
______________________________________________
Part 2
Power of the Positive Devil . . . . . . . Chapter 5, 29 pages
The Rapture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter 6, 14 pages
The Great Harlot . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter 7, 20 pages
Living the Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter 8, 20 pages
Serving the Lord. . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter 9, 29 pages
PO Box 175, Littlerock Washington 98556
Copyright (c) 1989, Elijah Gwinn, All Rights Reserved.
Ver. 1.0.C Chapter One:
CLEARING THE WORLDLY MIND
This book is intended for those who sincerely believe in God and
believe the Bible to be the Word of God. Those who want to know
more about God and the Bible will also benefit from reading this
book. This book is written for those who are hungering and
thirsting for truth, righteousness and an honest uncorrupted,
Holy Spirit inspired interpretation of the Holy Bible.
Most modern day ministers and authors of Christian books feel
they must go along with man's established theology and doctrines
rather than what the Bible says. Most ministers and authors
corrupt what they are teaching in order to be accepted by the
majority of churchmen. Often they do this without realizing they
are doing it.
Human nature tends to make people want the praise and
acceptance of men more than the praise of God. Ministers and
authors tend to bend their interpretation of the Bible to
conform with man made creeds or denominational doctrines.
Therefore mankind is suffering a famine when it comes to gospel
truth.
Most ministers and authors would deny being guilty of this.
They do not realize how much their thinking has been influenced
by their former training as children in the home, school,
church or seminary.
Almost everyone who belongs to some organized denomination is
greatly influenced by the established doctrines of their church.
Those who have gone to seminaries to receive their Christian
training are generally more contaminated by the doctrines of men
than those who have never had any formal training.
Before you get out the tar and feathers, consider the fact that
from the time of King Solomon until 70 A.D. Israel had their
seminaries to train young Levites to become priests. However
when Jesus chose his twelve apostles he did not choose the high
priest nor Rabbis, nor men who had been trained to be priests.
Why did Jesus not choose seminary trained priests and Rabbis to
be his apostles?
The seminary trained priests and rabbis had the respect of the
important wealthy men and the government! Could it be, those who
had been trained by men were the most contaminated by the
doctrines of men?
Sound logic would deduce that men who are trained by men will
be more contaminated by the doctrines of men than those who are
trained by the Holy Spirit. Please do not misunderstand me,
there is nothing wrong with getting an education, studying man's
books or going to a seminary. In fact if we always follow the
lead of the Holy Spirit, letting it guide us in the right
direction, much can be learned by studying books and considering
the teachings of men.
Unfortunately man with his sinful nature tends to give in to
peer pressure; it is his nature to want to be loved by men.
Without realizing it, we gradually start questioning what the
Holy Spirit is teaching us and start leaning towards the clever
interpretations of men. We do this without realizing Satan is
putting great pressure on us to conform to the doctrines of men.
This all happens with such fine subtlety and craftiness, the
average person does not realize he is being manipulated by
Satan. Before the person knows what is happening, he or she is
in agreement with the established doctrines of a denomination.
This happens without us realizing we have been coerced into our
beliefs. Once we bring ourselves into alignment with established
doctrines and make a few friends within the denomination, we are
afraid to think for ourselves for fear of being rejected by our
peers.
Many of you are saying to yourselves, this could never happen
to me, my church would never pressure me. Man's sinful nature
makes him biased and proud, people tend to want to believe their
church, or what they have been taught is more genuine or holy
than what other men have. People are often blind to the truth,
it terrifies them to think there is any possibility they could
be wrong about their Christian convictions.
Fear is Satan's greatest weapon, and he uses it to terrify men
about what they do not yet understand. People tend to want to
stick their heads in the sand like an ostrich rather than face
the possibility of being wrong about their Christian
convictions. They do not understand that in reality there is
nothing to fear but fear itself.
We should not fear receiving the truth. Satan puts the thought
in our mind that if our religion was good enough for our parents
or our grandparents, it is good enough for us. He gives us the
thought that if our religion is wrong, it means our parents or
grandparents went to hell. He knows that will terrify us half
out of our wits, making us reject hearing the truth.
People tend to take pride in their family and the beliefs of
their family and Satan takes full advantage of pride. Satan uses
every weakness to coerce us to the limit. Staying with a denomi-
nation or church, just because our parents or grandparents
attended the church is probably the most unsound reason a person
could have in regard to the reason for attending a particular
church. Who are we worshiping, God or our ancestors? Just
because our parents went to a particular church does not mean
that church teaches the same doctrine it did last year.
Churches change, people change, doctrines change; only God
stays the same. A church is generally no better than its'
pastor. Pastors change, sometimes saintly men turn into clever,
cunning, greedy, selfish, or slick devils. Sometimes evil men
turn into saints.
Our parents attending a church, which was or is not teaching
the truth, has no bearing on whether our parents end up in
heaven or hell. Where you go to church has no bearing on
whether you will go to Heaven or Hell !!! However, being around
a bad influence and hearing false teachers could cause you to go
astray and end up in hell.
It is completely foolhardy to let anyone, including our
parents, cheat us out of eternal life. We know of no person who
has not disagreed with his parents at some time or another. Yet
people disobey their parents when the parents are completely in
the right, and turn around and follow their parents in a false
religion or false doctrine.
Remember, Jesus said: " He that loveth father or mother more
than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter
more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his
cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." [Matt.
Father... "[John 14:21 KJV]
Throughout the New Testament Jesus tells us, we must not put
anything before serving Him or we cannot be his disciple. [Luke
must choose one or the other, we cannot have both.
We must not let men and the doctrines of men influence us;
neither should we let our parents influence us when it comes to
something as important as eternal life. We must always follow
the lead of the Holy Spirit or suffer the consequences. [Luke
If we are honest with ourselves, we have all been influenced to
some degree by the doctrines of men. To some degree we have all
been coerced by Satan, peer pressure and family influence
concerning our interpretation of the Bible. If we want to gain
eternal life we must purge out this contamination by doing what
Apostle Paul said: " Let no man deceive himself. If any man
among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a
fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is
foolishness with God... Therefore let no man glory in man." [1
Cor.3:18 KJV]
This means we must forget what we have been taught by men and
start thinking for ourselves so we can receive the truth and the
truth will make us free.
The Christian Church desperately needs more free and original
thinkers who are willing to be bold and believe and teach the
truth of the Bible as revealed by the Holy Spirit rather than
the established doctrines of men.
We must constantly be on guard and be willing to reevaluate our
understanding of the Bible lest we fall for Satan's trick of
coercing us into conformity by the use of peer pressure and
false misused spiritual authority.
We are to obey those who are in authority over us providing
they are teaching us the truth. Yet, if they start teaching
false doctrine we are not to obey them. When the chief priest
and those in authority forbid the Apostles to speak in the name
of Jesus, the Apostles responded: " We ought to obey God rather
than men." [Acts 5:29, Rom. 16:17 KJV]
The Bible tells us, we are to walk as Jesus walked and follow
his Apostles as they give us the example. [1 John 2:6, 2 Thess.
and life-style." [Heb. 13:7 EKJV] This means we should obey
Godly men who faithfully teach us the word of God; we should
consider their life-style, the way they conduct them-selves and
follow their example.
This does not imply that we should let pastors rule over us. It
means we should follow only those pastors who live the faith and
teach the truth.
The Bible tells us: " Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them
which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine
which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such
serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by
good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."
[Rom.16:17 KJV]
This does not mean to follow false doctrine you have received,
but it means to follow the Bible and not the fine speeches of
false teachers who teach for hire. [Mic. 3:11]
Apostle Paul said: " 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 ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now
persuade men, or God? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be
the servant of Christ." [Gal. 1:8] This means we should not obey
or listen to those who teach doctrines which conflict with the
teachings of the Bible.
Those who teach false doctrine are not servants of God,
therefore we should not have anything to do with them. Today
mankind is putting too much emphasis on formal education rather
than spiritual training and this is a big mistake!
Modern Christians are in the habit of disregarding holy men
because they have not gone to seminary or because they do not
have a college degree in the fields of theology or psychology.
Modern Christians tend to disregard the warnings of holy men
because they are not dignitaries in good standing with some
organized denomination or because they do not have a large
following of disciples.
Modern Christians tend to respect men who are in positions of
authority or who have a large following of disciples. Modern men
greatly admire and respect men with master, doctorate and
honorary degrees but they ignore the opinions of the man without
a sheepskin.
This is as it should be if there is no God! But it is a big
mistake for Christians to think that way. The Bible clearly
shows, God gives no regard to man's formal education. He knows
the quest for knowledge was man's original downfall in the
Garden of Eden. The fruit of man's knowledge is the ruination of
mankind.
From looking at the Nation's leading Protestant Seminaries we
can see why God gives no regard to seminary trained men. In 1962
Redbook Magazine polled the Nation's leading Protestant
seminaries, who are supposedly preparing men for Christian
service in the Protestant churches.
The poll revealed that 56 percent of the ministers in training
rejected the virgin birth of Christ Jesus, 71 percent rejected
that there was life after death. 54 percent rejected the bodily
resurrection of Christ Jesus. 98 percent rejected that there
would be a personal return of Christ Jesus to this earth.
Christianity Today took a survey of ministers in the Methodist,
United Presbyterian and Episcopal Churches and found 51 percent
of Methodist, 33 percent of Presbyterian and 33 percent of
Episcopal ministers surveyed did not believe in the Physical
Resurrection of Christ. This survey also showed that 60 percent
of Methodist, 44 percent of United Presbyterians, and 49 percent
of Episcopal ministers deny the Virgin Birth.
In the February, 1968, issue of McCall's a survey of major
denominations showed that a considerable number rejected
altogether the idea of a personal God. No wonder Apostle Paul
said: " Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in latter times
some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy;
having their conscience seared with a hot iron;" [1 Tim. 4:1
KJV]
As Apostle Paul said: " This know also, that in the last days
perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own
selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-
breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of
those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of
pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness,
but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." Paul said
this kind is: " Ever learning, and never able to come to the
knowledge of the truth." [2 Tim. 3:1-7 KJV]
Look at the past history of man and look at the present; man
with all his knowledge has destroyed almost everything he has
touched and even the greatest minds in the world, with all their
power and resources have not been able to put a stop to war,
crime, violence, greed, lust and pollution.
The worlds top scientists publicly admit that at the rate we
are carelessly polluting the earth and greedily using up the
earth's resources, there won't be much left of the Earth as we
know it by the year 2025.
Man has consistently used his knowledge for evil purposes. He
has not shown much wisdom in the use of his knowledge. History
has shown that no matter what man does to organize and form
governments and agencies to solve his problems, they never seem
to go away. Look at nuclear weapons as an example; our
government has been trying to find a way to get rid of this
menacing threat for the last 30 years, but it never goes away
and neither does the threat of war.
People want something done about these problems; hence they
put the most well educated men they can find in positions of
authority to try to solve them. But the problems never seem to
get solved or the problem will go away for a short time just to
resurface somewhere else. In other words man with all his
knowledge and wisdom cannot figure out how to save mankind from
doom, much less give the correct interpretation of Bible.
Modern Christians seem to want to follow the pattern of the
world by putting their most well educated men in positions of
authority in the church. There is nothing wrong with this, if we
put men in authority who have a sound spiritual education.
Unfortunately the majority of the time the congregations choose
a man with a good worldly education, but with little spiritual
training.
The major problem is that spiritual education and training does
not come by going to a seminary or Bible college. The congregat-
ion generally does not have the spiritual wisdom or training to
know how to pick a true man of God to be the deacon, much less
how to choose a sincere, Holy Spirit filled pastor who will
always teach them the gospel truth.
In most cases a board of trustees comprised of the most wealthy
and influential men in the community choose the next pastor.
Generally such men do not know the difference between the Holy
Spirit and the spirit of the devil.
You are no doubt thinking, what shall we do if what you say is
true? The answer is, study your Bible and let God be true, but
every man a liar! [Rom. 3:4] In other words believe what the
Bible tells you rather than what men tell you to believe. Do not
believe what we tell you, unless we can back up what we say
with the Bible.
Even if we do back ourselves up with the Bible, do not be quick
to receive what we teach, until you compare what we are saying
with other parts of the Bible to see if other parts of the Bible
contradict what we teach.
When a man has a sound interpretation of a scripture, you can
be sure no other part of the Bible will contradict or conflict
with that interpretation unless it is the wrong interpretation.
Sometimes there appears to be a conflict, but if we allow a true
preacher of the Gospel a chance to explain, we see that in
reality there is no contradiction. Therefore we should always
give a preacher a chance to explain.
Clever men are always misusing verses of scripture, taking them
out of context and twisting the true meaning. Always read sever-
al verses before and after the verse a person is using to see if
they are being taken out of context.
As you have probably guessed, this author is not aligned with
any denomination, for God gave me the insight to understand that
denominationalism is both wrong and sinful. God is not a narrow
minded bigot who limits himself to some man made denominational
creed. Therefore why should we limit our selves to the finite
creeds of men.
The wisdom of God is incomprehensible with infinite greatness;
man's wisdom is finite, his doctrines are limited, puny and
incomplete; his knowledge is like a drop in the bucket compared
to the knowledge of God. Man cannot see nor comprehend God's
masterplan which encompasses much more than a limited, little
man-made denomination and its' scantly deficient theology.
Those of us who are genuine Christians should not limit
ourselves by aligning ourselves with the denominations of men.
We should not call ourselves Catholics, Protestants, Baptists,
Methodists, Presbyterians, Nazarenes, Pentecostals, etc. thereby
aligning ourselves with man's sectarian denominations.
Aligning ourselves with any denomination only further divides
the children of God, hence it is a sin! We should just say: I am
a follower of Jesus or I am a Christian (period). More than
this begats evils, such as what is going on in Northern Ireland
and other parts of the world. It is all right to say you attend
a particular church, but do not say you belong to any church.
The Bible says: "A man that is a heretick after the first and
second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is
subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." [Titus 3:10
KJV]
The Greek word (HAIRETIKOS) which was translated Heretick means
to choose parties, sects, dogmatic groups or factions. Having a
party spirit which is being a heretic is both sinful and
dangerous to our spiritual health.
That is why Apostle Paul said: "Now I beseech you brethren, by
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye speak the same thing,
and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be
perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same
judgment. For it hath been declared unto me... that there are
contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you
saith, I am of Paul; and I am of Apollos; and I am of Cephas;
and I am of Christ.
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? or were you
baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none
of you, but Crispus and Gaius; lest any should say that I had
baptized in mine own name..... For ye are yet carnal: for
whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions,
are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of
Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is
Apollos; but ministers by whom ye believe, even as the Lord gave
to every man? I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the
increase.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that
watereth; but God that giveth the increase.". [1 Cor. 1:10, 3:4
KJV]
In this passage Paul is telling us not to align ourselves with
Christian organizations or groups who tend to be denominational
in nature; who establish dogmas or doctrines which tend to
separate us from other Christians and from the true spiritual
intent of the Gospel.
He knew such groups use peer pressure and false spiritual
authority to get people to conform to their brand of theology,
rather than the true Spiritual intent of the Bible.
Apostle Paul very well knew that these denominational groups
with their peer pressure tactics would cause people to be afraid
of listening to holy men outside of their denomination. Satan's
plan is divide and conquer the people of God.
The basic aim of almost all denominations is to get people to
receive their particular brand of theology; to get people to
disregard the beliefs of those outside of the denomination. Many
denominations use all kinds of scare tactics to keep people in
their denomination from being exposed to the doctrines of those
who they disagree with on the Bible.
There would be nothing wrong with this if they were trying to
keep people from being exposed to doctrines which would cause
people to go astray, or false doctrines which would cause people
to go to hell. However this is usually not the case. In most
cases the leaders of the denominations are more interested in
the loss of tithes due to someone attending another church,
rather than the other church teaching false doctrine.
To underscore our statement, there is not very much difference
in the theology between most of the mainline denominations.
Almost all of them lean toward some shade of eternal security,
once saved always saved theology.
However they seem to foster a strong party spirit, thereby
keeping themselves divided into various denominations. If we are
truly once saved always saved, why stay divided into various
denominations?
If we have eternal security, there are no grounds for this
division; if there is eternal security no-one can be led astray
or wind up in hell! Therefore what difference does it make if
someone preaches a false doctrine?
Nevertheless they get very upset if some minister comes along
and teaches things they disagree with. Therefore they set up
strong church governments and pulpit committees, to make sure no
man gets to use their pulpits who teach doctrines they
disapprove of! What else would you call this but a heretical
party spirit?
The early church in the spirit of unity allowed all the
ministers with various viewpoints on the scriptures to speak to
the congregation and debate in the spirit of love in front of
the congregation.
This was under the authority and control of the pastor. In
those days the pastors of the churches knew that it was
unspiritual, brutish, egotistical and dangerous to rule over the
lead of the Holy Spirit or what the Spirit had to say to the
churches.
They knew men who they disagreed with about the Bible could be
used by the Holy Spirit to deliver spiritual messages to the
congregation. Therefore they humbly allowed these men to speak.
The only criteria was, it must be done in the spirit of love and
concern for the welfare and safety of the brethren; it must not
be in the nature of false doctrine which could cause someone to
lose eternal life.
The leaders of the early church knew the meaning of the
scripture that said: " If ye continue in my word, then are ye my
disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free." [John 8:32] " Now the Lord is that
Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
[2 Cor. 3:173:17 KJV]
They knew that if they restrained through fear the use of the
pulpit to the brethren, they would be depriving themselves and
the congregation of the spiritual safeguard of hearing the
rebuke and chastisement of the Holy Spirit as God led ministers
to speak to them and warn them when they went astray.
They knew that when we restrict the pulpit to allow only those
who agree with our theology to speak, we have destroyed liberty
and have stifled the Holy Spirit in our meetings. When
unnecessary pulpit restrictions prevail there is no liberty for
God to use his prophets and servants to speak against evil in
the church. The Bishops of the early church knew that where
there is no liberty, there is no Spirit.
In most of our churches a prophet sent by God would not be
allowed to speak in the church meetings. Because of this most of
our churches have gone astray. When Jesus was a boy, He went as
a stranger into the synagog and was allowed to teach and debate.
[Luke 2:46]
In those days all males were allowed to speak in the meeting
place. The Israelites considered debate very good for the
spiritual health of their souls. Therefore open debate was
encouraged in the synagogs. Today debate is looked down on, if
Jesus were to appear as a stranger in one of our modern
churches, He would not be allowed to speak.
What we have just said is what the Holy Spirit wishes to get
through to the Churches. The Bible confirms it to be true. As
Apostle Paul said: " Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is
liberty." [2 Cor. 3:17 KJV]
Apostle Paul said: " we speak, not in the words which man's
wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing
spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth
not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness
unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually
discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he
himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the
Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."
[1 Cor. 2:13 KJV]
If the natural man does not receive the things of the spirit,
why do we insist on letting only men trained in seminaries and
those approved by pulpit committees teach in our pulpits?
The Bible clearly shows man's knowledge is worth nothing
compared to spiritual knowledge which is only acquired through
the training of the Holy Spirit! Yet our churches only allow men
with worldly educations to speak in our churches.
As Paul said: "The foolishness of God is wiser than man; and
the weakness of God is stronger than man. For ye see your
calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh,
not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath
chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; as
God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the
things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and the
things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and the things
which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh
should glory in his presence." [1 Cor. 1:25 KJV]
Not understanding these things, most modern day pastors are so
brutish in knowledge they refuse to let those who are led by the
Holy Spirit speak, hence most of our churches are devoid of the
Spirit. [Ps. 12:2, 92:6, Jer. 10:21]
In the light of what has been said and by the power of the Holy
Spirit, this book is going to leave behind what man calls
orthodox theology. With boldness we are going to go forward into
the spiritual realm of what the Holy Spirit speaks of as the
simplicity of the Gospel.
Spiritual understanding, as we have stated, does not come from
going to man's institutions such as seminaries, but by much
prayerful study and obedience to God.
With much obedience, patience, perseverance, prayer and study
of the scriptures a man can increase his spiritual understanding
of the Bible and the nature of God.
A man does not get very far in the correct understanding of the
scriptures until he starts to understand the simplicity of the
Bible. That is why Apostle Paul said:" I fear, lest by any
means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your
minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in
Christ." [2 Cor. 11:3 KJV]
The Bible was written in the common language of the street
people, not in the language of the doctors, philosophers or
lawyers; this is why not many wise men after the flesh under-
stand the Bible.
We must become a fool to become wise, we must forget what we
have learned or what we have been taught by men, we must clear
our minds of the doctrines of men, so we can receive the truth
of the Holy Spirit, because man's thoughts only contaminate
spiritual things. [1 Cor. 1:26 3:18]
Wisdom and knowledge are not found in depth, but in simplicity
and obedience. " But where shall wisdom be found? and where is
the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof;
neither is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, it is not in me;
and the sea saith, It is not in me.... Seeing it is hid from the eyes of the
living, and kept close from the fowls of the air... Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is
wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." [Job 28:12-28 KJV]
In other words the Bible means just what it says and says just
what it means; we do not need educated men to teach us the
correct interpretation of the Bible. " After those days, saith
the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in
their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to
me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbor,
and every man his brother, saying, know the Lord: for all shall
know me, from the least to the greatest."
The Bible says: " the anointing which ye have received of him
abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as
the same anointing teacheth you all things, and is truth, and is
no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."
[Heb. 8:10, 1 John 2:27 KJV]
This does not mean we should not go to church or listen to
ministers teach. It means, we do not need educated men to
interpret the Bible; we only need preachers to bring us into
remembrance of what the Bible says.
The Bible is very straight forward and needs little if any
interpretation. There is a little perplexity in the translation
from Greek and Hebrew into English, however with the aid of the
Holy Spirit, Greek-English, Hebrew-English Interlinear Bibles
and lexicons, which can easily be obtained, the average person
should have no trouble understanding the Bible.
All it takes is determination, perseverance, sincerity,
honesty, prayer and much Bible study. What you put into it, is
what you will get out of it, like every thing else in life.
That is why the Bible said: " But this I say, he which soweth
sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth
bountifully shall reap also bountifully." [2 Cor. 9:6 KJV]
We can benefit from reading books written by men of God. As an
example it has taken me twenty-one years of spiritual training,
experience and diligent study to know and understand the things
we put in this book. Therefore my readers should benefit from
approximately 22,995 hours of my prayer and Bible study.
I take no credit for this diligence, because it was God which
supplied the determination, health, and steadfastness; without
His help, I would know nothing of value.
Mere man could study for a million hours, which would be a long
lifetime, but without the Holy Spirit he would not get the
correct understanding of the Bible. We give all the glory to
God. Since the Holy Spirit has been teaching me for several
years, much can be learned by reading my book.
We learn a great deal by reading the writings of holy men
through out the ages; such men as Bishop Clement, Bishop
Ignatius, Bishop Polycarp, Bishop Irenaeus and Bishop
Hippolytus. They were Holy Men of God whom we owe a great deal
for the support they have given us through their books. We are
debtors to those men and such men as Justin Martyr, Barnabas,
Hermas, Origen, Cyprian, Tertullian, Methodius and others who
wrote books during the first three hundred years of the church.
These men have all contributed a great deal to my present under-
standing, and without their help, I would never have had the
courage to write this book.
It is good to read the writings of godly men as long as we keep
in mind they are men and subject to mistakes; consider what they
say, then ask God for the correct understanding. Like the Bible
says: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be
given him." [James 1:5 KJV]
Do not get into the habit of reading man's books and reading
the Bible in the light of man's interpretation or you will soon
be in spiritual trouble. Always read man's books in the light of
the Bible, with the Bible the final authority. I know many
brethren who are being led astray by reading bible books and
commentaries on the Bible.
I have read most of the commentaries and have found them about
A person can get in a lot of trouble by reading books written
about the Bible and its interpretation. If a person gives a lot
of time to the study of such books, he will soon get off track
and not be able to remember whether he read something in the
Bible or in some book about the Bible.
We have met many brethren who quote things which they think are
in the Bible. We have tried to tell them it was not in the
Bible, but they would not believe us! It is easy to show people
something is in the Bible, but how do you show people something
is not in the Bible? It is almost impossible! We should read the
Bible ten times more than we read books about the Bible. We
should spend ten times more time reading the Bible than
listening to ministers teach the Bible or we can be sure we will
be led astray by false teachers.
God said: " Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trust-
eth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth
from the Lord. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and
shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched
places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited."
[Jer. 17:5 KJV] (Almost sounds like Salt Lake, Utah !) Hence be
careful, do not trust in men. The Greek Bible is and should be
the final Authority.
As Apostle Paul said: " 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." [Gal. 1:8 KJV]
You have probably noticed that I quote a lot of scripture in
this book, there is a good reason. Long ago a preacher was
criticizing my grandfather for quoting too much scripture in his
sermons. The preacher said: " A good preacher could preach for
hours on just one verse of the Bible, therefore all the
scripture quoting is unnecessary." My grandfather replied by
saying: " Yes, and the longer he preaches without quoting
scripture the further he gets from the Bible!" I have noticed,
my grandfather was correct.
Revelation chapter twenty-two tells us that any man who adds or
takes away words from the book, God will add the punishment
spoken of in the Bible and take his part out of the book of
life. James chapter three tells us, " let not many of you
become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall
incur a stricter judgment. [N.A.S.B.]
You would think these warnings would stop ministers from
preaching unsound doctrines, but they seem to pay no attention.
Apostle Paul said: " But speak thou the things which become
sound doctrine: ...Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that
he that is of contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing
to say of you." [Titus 2:1-8 KJV]
Pastors are supposed to meet the qualifications set forth in
First Timothy chapter three and Titus chapter one. To be
qualified for the office a man should be: " Holding fast the
faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by
sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers....
Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses,
(Preaching for hire) teaching things which they ought not, for
(money) filthy lucre's sake." [Titus 1:9 EKJV]
Unfortunately the time has come that apostle Paul was speaking
of when he said: " For the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they
heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall
turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto
fables." [2 Tim. 4:3 KJV]
Most modern Christians are doing just as Paul warned they
would, when he said; " But realize this, that in the last days
difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self,
lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to
parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious
gossips, without selfcontrol, brutal, haters of good, treacher-
ous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers
of God; Holding to a form of godliness (or religion), although
they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these.
....(For they are) always learning and never able to come to the
truth." [2 Tim. 3:1-7 EKJV]
Today our pulpits are filled with men like Jude warned us of,
when he said: " For certain persons have crept in (the church)
unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this
condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into
licentiousness (license for fleshly indulgence).... these men
revile the things which they do not understand; and the things
which they know not by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by
these things they are destroyed. Woe to them!
For they have gone the way of Cain... These are grumblers,
finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak
arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining advantage.
But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken
beforehand by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they
w ere saying to you. ' In the last times there shall be mockers,
following after their own ungodly lusts.` These are the ones who
cause divisions, worldly minded, devoid of the spirit." [Jude
Many of you are wondering why we are bringing such accusations
against modern day ministers! We are doing this to wake you and
the ministy up, getting everyone to understand before it is too
late, that today's conservative Christians were yesterday
considered liberals.
The conservative ministers of a hundred years ago were about 45
degrees to the left of the ministers of eighteen hundred years
ago. The so-called conservative ministers of today are about 45
degrees to the left of the conservative ministers of a hundred
years ago. This means most modern conservative ministers are
too liberal to lead us to eternal life.
In light of this, where does that leave today's ministers who
lean toward being liberal? Most Pastors do not get much time to
study the Bible, for they must be administrators, counselors and
social directors to keep their churches going.
Most pastors do not have enough time to study the Bible, much
less church history and the writings of the fathers of the first
hundred years. The main purpose of this book is to show pastors
and the lay members of the church how far the ministry has
slipped to the left in the last eighteen hundred years.
Many Pastors of the so-called conservative churches have
informed us they know we are speaking the truth, and agree with
what we are saying. But, they say they would not dare preach
such strong doctrine to their congregation, because almost
everyone would stop going to their church and they would be out
of work. Many of them say they agree with us but their
denomination would take away their license to preach if they
preach doctrines disapproved by their church.
Much of the remainder of this book will be dedicated to
argumentation using the Bible, church history and the writings
of the early church fathers, to show how far to the left the
ministry has slipped over the last eighteen hundred years.
We will also compare the Bible and the early Christian writings
with many of the popular bogus doctrines now so prevalent in the
church. We hope the scriptures we use to prove the invalidity of
these popular bogus doctrines will be so clear and easy to
understand the average person with at least a eight grade
education will be able to get the correct understanding.
We are aware that most modern pastors, ministers and theolo-
gians will sharply disagree with us because of what they have
been taught. On several occasions we have had many young
uncontaminated baby Christians study the scriptures we are going
to use and when asked with no prompting, they were able to give
the correct interpretation of the scripture.
However when ordained ministers were asked the same questions,
they left the simplicity of the Bible and commenced explaining
abstract interpretations, reasoning as to why these scriptures
did not mean what they appeared to mean!
Most interpretations of modern ministers tend to justify sin,
modern trends, concepts and whatever is popular with the
majority of modern Christians. Jesus knew of this problem when
he said: " I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that Thou didst hide these from the wise and the intelligent and
didst reveal them to babes." [Matt. 11:25 NASB]
Jesus said: " Yes; have you never read, ' Out of the mouth of
infants and nursing babes Thou hast prepared praise for
Thyself'?" [Matt. 21:16 NASB] " O Lord, our Lord, How majestic
is Thy name in all the earth, Who hast displayed Thy splendor
above the heavens! From the mouth of infants and nursing babes
Thou hast established strength, Because of Thine adversaries, To
make the enemy and the revengeful cease." [Psalms 8:1 NASB]
It looks as though it would be safer to ask young uncorrupted
babes for advice on the correct interpretation of the Bible,
rather than trusting corrupted intellectual and analytical
reasoning of well educated pastors who have been trained by
Christian institutions.
Sound logic would deduce it is easier for the Holy Spirit to
teach uncorrupted minds the spiritual truth contained in the
Bible, rather than men who have been contaminated by denomi-
national dogmas and creeds.
The Holy Spirit demands we clear the doctrines of men from our
minds, so He can teach us the truth. Beyond that, to receive the
truth God only demands that we be sincere and spend a lot of
time studying the Bible, so He can bring to our mind scripture
in other parts of the Bible which have a bearing on the
scripture we are presently studying.
This is not to say we should not listen to holy men who have
had years to pray and study the Bible. On the contrary, such men
can teach us more in a few minutes than we could learn in years
studying without the benefit of their experience. There is
nothing more distressing to an elder brother than to have some
baby Christian with only a couple of years experience trying to
teach a seasoned veteran of twenty years experience about the
Bible.
This is not to say the older brother cannot learn from the
younger man, because many times we learn from babies in Christ.
But if these young brethren would just listen some times instead
of trying to teach all the time, they would learn something.
The problem with most baby Christians is, they will not quit
arguing and giving their opinion long enough to listen to what
the older brother is trying to say, therefore they cannot learn
very fast.
People learn faster by listening than by talking. Another
problem with most baby Christians is, they do not read enough
before they start giving their opinion and disagreeing with more
mature Christians.
Age has nothing to do with spiritual maturity, therefore the
person who applies himself to much study spiritually outgrows
brethren who have been Christians much longer than themselves.
However, we must agree that wisdom grows with experience. There
is no substitute for life's experiences. The longer a Christian
faithfully studies the Bible and prays for understanding and
wisdom the wiser he becomes. The older, more mature Christian
who has done much studying with the observation of life's
experiences has a big advantage over the younger Christian even
if the younger Christian has been faithfully studying.
People can be 70 years old and still be baby Christians. Most
baby Christians start trying to teach the veteran Christian
before they even have a handle on the Bible. Most of them are
trying to teach us some unsound doctrine they heard a preacher
teach or some unsound doctrine they read in a book or heard from
a friend.
We must have patience with such brethren, we should be happy
that they are interested enough to even want to talk scripture.
When we run into such foolish baby Christians, we should try to
remember that we used to be just as foolish as they are. Hence
we should pray for them!
In the remaining chapters of this book we endeavor to teach you
the things you need to know in order to gain eternal life.
Serving the Lord is not as difficult as the devil would like us
to believe.
There are just a few basic rules the Lord requires us to abide
by in order for us to gain eternal life. This book contain all
you need to know to get a good understanding of the Bible, and
to do a good job of serving the Lord and living the faith.
This book teaches you the difference between the doctrines of
men, and things you need to obey in order to gain eternal life.
End of Chapter one!
Copyright (c) 1989, Elijah Gwinn, All Rights Reserved.
WHO'S A CHRISTIAN?
There are many erroneous views about how to become a Christian,
and how to tell whether a person is a Christian. Some ministers
teach, if you confess Jesus to be the Christ you are saved.
Others teach, if you believe in Jesus, repent, are baptized,
receive the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues, it proves you are
saved and a born again Christian.
Others teach, all you have to do is believe in Jesus and you
have eternal salvation, even if you continue in sin. They teach
once saved you are always saved, no matter what you do. Is this
what the Bible teaches? No, this is not what the Bible teaches.
In fact, the Bible teaches just the opposite!
Many false teachers get their doctrines from the clever
argumentation of famous men such as Augustine, Luther, Zwingli,
Calvin and others, rather than from what the Bible teaches.
These famous teachers were no doubt good and upright men, but
their doctrines were somewhat fallible. We do not believe they
understood nor envisioned their teaching would lead to the
present apostate doctrines of modern Christendom.
With their clever and witty discourse through the teachings of
once saved always saved, they have unknowingly turned the grace
of God into a license to sin your way into heaven. Thereby
fulfilling the prophesy: "For certain persons have crept in
unnoticed.... who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness
..." [Jude 4 NASB]
Licentiousness means a license to disregard accepted rules and
standards of morality. Because of the teachings of these men,
modern Christians believe they can break the laws of God and
still go to heaven. Such apostate doctrines are licentious. Many
of you are probably ready to get out the tar and feathers or
burn this book.
But before you take such drastic measures, consider what
Apostle Paul said: " But even though we, or an angel from
heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we
have preached to you, let him be accursed." [Gal. 1:8 NASB]
Paul means we should believe the Bible and let anyone who
teaches doctrines contrary to the Bible be accursed. There are
millions of ministers who would say the once saved always saved
teachings of Luther, Zwingli and Calvin are the correct teach-
ings of the Bible.
If their teachings were correct, why does the Bible
contradict them by saying: " For if after they have escaped the
defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome,
the last state has become worse for them than the first.
For it would be better for them not to have known the way of
righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy
commandments delivered to them. It has happened to them accord-
ing to the true proverb, 'A Dog returns to its own vomit, and a
Sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire." [2 Peter
Peter is telling us in this chapter that false teachers will
introduce destructive heresies, maligning the way of truth and
many professing Christians will follow their sensualistic and
liberal teachings, forsaking the right way. These false
ministers promise the people freedom but the outcome is
destruction and eternal darkness in hell.
Peter is telling us it would be better if we never became a
Christian, than to willfully disobey the commandments in the
Bible and consequently receive a more severe punishment because
of our willful sins. As Peter said, these people had escaped the
defilements of the world by the knowledge of Christ, therefore
they were Christians.
Jesus was speaking of people coming to the Lord and falling
away when He said: " When anyone hears the word of the kingdom
.... and immediately receives it with joy; Yet he has no firm
root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or
persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls
away." or " the man who hears the word, and the worry of the
world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it
becomes unfruitful."[Matt. 13:21 NASB].
In either case the people in this passage become Christians and
then return to the ways of the world and end up in hell.
If the once saved always saved doctrine were correct, the Bible
would not have said: "For in the case of those who have once
been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have
been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and having tasted the
good word of God and the power of the age to come, and then
have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to
repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of
God, and put Him to an open shame. [Heb.6:4 NASB]
In this passage the Bible is speaking of people who become
Christians by being born again, receiving the Holy Spirit,
learning the commandments of God and then falling away into an
unpardonable sin. In light of this passage, how can preachers
hold a straight face and teach us we are once saved always saved
or that we have eternal security?
There is more to being a Christian than just believing in
Jesus! Apostle James Said: " You believe that God is one. You do
well; the demons also believe, and shudder." [James 2:19] The
demons confess Jesus to be the Son of God: " I know who You
are-the Holy One of God! " " What do I have to do with You,
Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not
torment me!" [Mark 1:24, 5:7, Matt. 8:29 NASB]
Yes, the devil and all the demons believe Jesus to be the
Christ, the Son of the Most High God. " Demons also were coming
out of many, crying out and saying, " You are the Son of God!"
And rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because
they knew Him to be the Christ." [Luke 4:41 NASB] In light of
the above scriptures, logic would deduce that if devils believe
in Jesus there must be more to being a Christian than just
believing Jesus is the Christ!
There are more unpardonable sins than just denying Jesus is
Christ. The Bible teaches us that under the law of Moses anyone
who sinned willfully was stoned to death and those who sin
willfully after receiving the Holy Spirit deserve a worse
punishment; because they have insulted the Spirit of grace.
[Heb. 10:26]
Insulting the Spirit of Grace is blasphemy against the Holy
Spirit. Jesus Said: " Blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be
forgiven.... whoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it
shall not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in the age to
come." [Matt. 12:31 NASB]
If we sin willfully after we receive the knowledge of the
truth, we can no longer use Jesus as our sacrifice; Jesus died
as a sacrifice for the sins of the people committed in
ignorance, not for those committed willfully. Do you not know
that The law of Moses with the sacrifice of bulls and goats was
a shadow of that which was to come?
They sacrificed bulls and goats for the sins of the people
which were committed in ignorance. Jesus replaced that sacrifice
with His blood on the cross. There was never a sacrifice made
under the Law of Moses for willful sinners, they were all stoned
to death. [Num. 15:27-30, Deut.1:43,17:12, Heb.9:7]
Likewise under the New Covenant no provision is made for
willful sinners, they are doomed to eternal damnation. [Heb.
The apostate ministry of today like to make excuses for them-
selves and for the people by saying, if that is true no person
will gain eternal life. They say, it is too rigid, we are all
sinners and we all sin willfully at some time or the other after
we become Christians.
If you would study church history and the teachings of the
early church fathers, you would see that the early church
fathers sharply disagree with the teachings of modern
Christendom on this point. They all taught, the way is narrow
which leads to life and they excommunicated the willful sinners
and made no excuse for them.
They taught that the way is narrow and it will only be by the
grace of God that any of us gain eternal life. They fully
understood the scripture: "IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE
RIGHTEOUS ARE SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND
SINNER?" [1 Pet. 4:18 NASB]
Jesus Said: " Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide,
and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are
those who enter by it. For the gate is small and the way is
narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly are ravenous wolves.... You will know them by their
fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from
thistles, are they? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit;
but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree
produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is
cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them
by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will
enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My
Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, lord,' did we not
prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in
Your name perform many miracles? And then, I will declare to
them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE
LAWLESSNESS.'" [MATT. 7:13-23 NASB]
This passage completely contradicts those who teach we are
saved merely by believing in Jesus. It clearly shows that not
everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
According to this passage only those who sincerely call on the
name of the Lord and obey the commandments of God will be saved.
From this passage we must deduce, there are many who think they
are coming to the Lord, few coming to the Lord and fewer staying
with the Lord. Few who claim to be Christians are truly
Christians. We see many people on Television and in the churches
who appear to be coming to the Lord, but few of them actually
know the Lord. [John 15:8, Phil. 2:12, James 2:17-26, 1 John
Modern Christians say we are seeing a revival going on in the
churches and these are the end times? According to the Bible
both of these things cannot simultaneously happen at the same
time.
Apostle Paul said: " Let no one in any way deceive you, for it
(the end time) will not come unless the apostasy comes first,
and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of
destruction....."[2 Thess. 2:3 EKJV] In other words there will
be a falling away in the last days, not a revival.
This falling away, or apostasy, is a falling away from the true
teachings of the Bible. Unfortunately what we are seeing which
appears to be many coming to the Lord is in actuality many
people coming to an apostate, counterfeit church.
This apostate church is a church preaching about some false,
namby pamby Jesus who allows people to sin their way to heaven.
This false Jesus is not the Jesus of the Bible who sends people
to hell for their sins. Therefore we are not witnessing a
revival, we are witnessing an apostasy.
The late famous philosopher Bertrand Russel, though in error,
was closer to the truth about Jesus than most modern Christians
when he wrote his book " Why I AM Not A Christian". In his
slanted view he quotes several verses of scripture trying to
depict Jesus as a vindictive person who wants to send everyone
to hell who disagrees with Him or breaks His commandments.
While this is a distorted view of the true nature of Jesus, it
is more true to the Bible than an evil week kneed Jesus who lets
people sin their way to heaven. When even a famous philosopher
like Bertrand Russel understood the Jesus of the Bible to be a
very stern person who sends people to hell for breaking His
commandments, we do not Frankly understand how preachers can
hold a straight face and teach us Jesus is a namby pamby liberal
who lets us sin our way to heaven!
Many people say if we speak in tongues it proves we have
received the Holy Spirit and it proves we are born again
Christians. The Bible does not say speaking in tongues proves we
are Christians. The Bible does not say speaking in tongues
proves we are born again or that we have received the Holy
Spirit!
Jesus said something quite different. He said: " I am the true
vine, and My father is the vinedresser, Every branch in Me that
does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears
fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. You are
already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of
itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless
you abide in Me.
I Am the true 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. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a
branch, and it dries up; and they gather them, and cast them
into the fire, and they are burned.
If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you
wish, and it shall be done for you. By this is My Father
glorified, that you BEAR MUCH FRUIT, AND SO PROVE TO BE MY
DISCIPLES. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved
you; abide in My love.
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My Love; just as
I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love."
[John 15:1-10 NASB]
Jesus knew that Tongues and many other things can be faked, but
no-one can fake the fruits of being good or evil. That is why He
said our fruits prove whether we are His disciples. Nowhere in
the Bible does it say we prove to be his disciples by speaking
in Tongues!
Tongues were a sign to the people who are unbelievers, because
those speaking in tongues were known not to understand the
language they were speaking in, yet they preached Jesus to
people of another tongue. In other words the Holy Spirit allowed
them to speak in a foreign language they did not understand. The
tongues known as prayer tongues were not for a sign to anyone,
they were only to be used to pray to God things too hard for men
to utter.
In any event tongues were out of place in church meetings
unless there was an interpretation. [1 Cor. 14:28]
Thousands of self-proclaimed Christians go around speaking in
tongues and teaching others how to speak in tongues as if that
proved they were Jesus' disciples. Yet by their fruits these
same people prove not to be Jesus' disciples. We must be
careful, for Satan has a counterfeit for every genuine thing of
God!
If Christians would stop teaching each other how to speak in
Tongues, serve God and wait for gifts from God they would
receive genuine tongues. You may be thinking 'you should not
judge!' If you are thinking this you are in error, for the Bible
teaches us to judge. The Bible tells us to judge others by their
fruits and what they teach. [John 7:24, 2 Thess. 3:14, Titus 3 :10]
You are to judge us by what we are teaching you and how we
conduct ourselves. For years Satan and his followers have been
saying it is wrong to judge, saying Jesus said you should not
judge.
They are being both hypocritical and wrong! Satan always takes
the Bible out of context. Nowhere in the Bible does it tell us,
it is wrong to judge!!! Jesus very well knew that everything in
life is a judgment. He wanted us to make righteous judgments;
that is why he said: " Do not judge lest you be judged. For in
the way you judge, you will be judged; and by the standard of
the measure, it will be measured to you....first take the log
out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the
speck out of your brother's eye."
Jesus also said: " Do not judge according to appearance, but
judge with righteous judgment." " Be on your guard! If your
brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repent's, forgive him."
[Matt. 7:1, John 7:24, Luke 17:3 NASB]
These passages imply we should judge others with a righteous
judgement. The Bible consistently teaches us to judge. Nowhere
in the Bible does it tell us it is wrong to judge! Yet Satan has
many of us believing it is wrong to judge!
Apostle Paul also knew we are to judge, when he told us in
Romans chapter 16, to mark those who make smooth and flattering
speeches teaching doctrines which are contrary to the teachings
of the Bible.
Paul also wanted us to judge a righteous judgment, when he
said: " I wrote you in my letter, not to associate with
fornicators.... not to associate with any so-called brother if
he should be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a
reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-not even to eat with such
a one.... remove the wicked man from among yourselves.... Do
you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, matters
of this life?" [Rom. 16:17, 1 Cor. 5:9-13, 6:3 EKJV]
As we can see, we are to judge everything and hypocrites who
would like to justify their sins, tell us we should not judge! The Bible clearly states: " But he who is spiritual judges all
things, yet he himself is judged by no man." [1 Cor. 2:15 EKJV]
Speaking in tongues does not prove you are a Christian nor that
you are born again. Jesus said: " Truly, truly, I say to you,
unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." A
person must be born of God in order to gain eternal life. But
how do we know who is truly born of God? How do we know if a
person is being a hypocrite, play-acting as a Christian?
When a person is born of his natural parents he is born with
some of the sinful traits of his parents. Likewise those who are
born again of God take on some of the traits of God. The changes
that take place in a persons life style when he is born again
reflects the traits of God.
The change that takes place is the proof that a person is born
again. As the Bible says: " Whosoever is born of God doth not
commit sin". This means the person who is born again does not
commit willful sin. It could not be referring to ignorant sins
or sins of weakness or it would conflict with other parts of the
Bible. [1 John 3:9, 2:1, 1:8 KJV]
Jesus said: " For many are called, but few are chosen." [Matt.
back to their worldly lusts. A close examination will show, out
of the many who appear to be coming to the lord, the vast
majority soon fall by the wayside.
Jesus Said: " When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and
does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away
what has been sown in his heart. This is one on whom seed was
sown beside the road. And the one on whom seed was sown on the
rocky places, this is the man who hears the word, and immediate-
ly receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but
is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises
because of the word, immediately falls away.
And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is
the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world, and the
deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruit-
ful. And the one on whom seed was sown on good soil, this is the
man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears
fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and
some thirty." [matt. 13:19-43 NASB]
Only those who are truly born again will have the strength to
weather the storm by the help of the Holy Spirit. The ones who
fall by the wayside are the ones whom Jesus said: " I never knew
you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness." [Matt. 7:23
NASB]
James said " Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not
merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer
of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his
natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and
gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he
was. [James 1:22 NASB]
Multitudes claim they are born again and know the Lord. But
Apostle John said: " By this we know that we have come to know
Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, ' I have
come to know Him,` and does not keep His commandments, is a
liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word,
in him the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that
we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself
to walk in the same manner as He walked." [1 John 2:3 NASB]
This means those who claim to be Christians, but don't keep the
commandments of the Bible are liars. They can't be Christians if
they break the commandments, because Jesus said He does not know
those who break His commandments.
Multitudes claim they love their Lord Jesus , but by their
actions they prove they don't love Jesus! Jesus said: " He who
has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me... If
anyone loves Me, he keeps My word; and My Father will love him,
and We will come to him, and make Our abode in him. He who does
not love Me does not keep My words". [John 14:21-24 NASB]
In other words those who say they love Jesus, but break His
commandments are liars. They are not Christians, they don't
really love Jesus or they would keep the commandments of the
Bible. Those who truly love Jesus keep the commandments because
they have his Holy Spirit with it's attributes which make them
want to keep the commandments.
The Bible teaches us in many places: " Do you not know that the
unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be
deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, not adulterers,
nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous,
nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the
kingdom of God." [1 Cor. 6:9 NASB]
The Bible says: " Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which
are: Immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery (use of
hallucinogenic or mind altering drugs), enmities, strife,
jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
envying, drunkenness, carousing (attending drinking parties,
bars, taverns or night clubs), and things like these, of which,
I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who
practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
[Rom. 13:13, Gal. 5:19 EKJV]
Apostle Peter made it very clear that Christians are maligned
by the world because they do not run to the same excess of riot
as the world in pursuing a course of sensuality, lust,
drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable
idolatries. [1 Peter 4:3]
Apostate ministers say the apostles were not referring or
talking to Christians when they said sinners will go to hell.
Apostates say the apostles were speaking only to the unbelieving
world when they spoke of sinners going to hell. They try to make
a distinction between saved sinners and unsaved sinners.
They claim we are all willful sinners and the only difference
between sinners is whether they believe in Jesus. By the power
of God, we are telling you that Christians don't sin willfully
and all of the books of the New Testament were written to
Christians telling them how they should conduct themselves.
If the Bible were not speaking to Christian brethren why did
Apostle Paul say: " For the mind set on the flesh is death, but
the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind
set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject
itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so; and
those who are in the flesh cannot please God.... if anyone does
not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.... So
then BRETHREN, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to
live according to the flesh-for if you are living according to
the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to
death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all (men) who
are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God."
[Rom. 8:5-14 EKJV]
Apostle John made it clear what Christians don't do when he
said: " No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen
Him or knows Him.
Little children, let no one deceive you; the one who practices
righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who
practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the
beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He
might destroy the works of the devil.
EVERYONE HAVING BEEN BEGOTTEN OF GOD (born again) DOES NOT SIN,
BECAUSE HIS SEED REMAINS IN HIM, AND HE IS NOT ABLE TO SIN,
BECAUSE HE IS BORN OF GOD. By this the children of God and the
children of the devil are revealed: Everyone not doing righteous-
ly is not of God; also the one not loving his brother." [1 John
How much clearer could the Bible be? To sum up what the Bible
says: those who claim to be Christians and are practicing sin
are the children of the devil. Those who claim to be Christians
and are wilfully sinning are not Christians because Jesus does
not know those who are practicing lawlessness.
Those sinning willfully after receiving the truth are doomed to
hell, because God did not die for those who rebel against the
Holy Spirit. He died to cover the sins which the people commit
in ignorance and weakness. Those who do not believe in God are
sinning ignorantly, because they believe there is no God.
Those who are sinning willfully without being taught the
consequences of willful sin are sinning ignorantly because they
have not been taught the truth. The ministers who are not
teaching the people the truth about willful sin will receive
severe punishment, because the blood of the people will be on
their heads. [EZEK. 33:6]
Those who know there is a God, having received the Holy Spirit,
having read the Bible, knowing the truth and still willfully
rebel against the commandments of God, have insulted the Holy
Spirit, which is the unpardonable blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
Those who are living in sin are not keeping the commandments,
therefore they do not love Jesus.
All those who claim to be Christians and do not show the fruits
of righteousness are impostors who are playacting, pretending to
be Christians when in actuality they are the children of the
devil.
All those who claim to be born again Christians and those who
speak in tongues, but practice sin are the children of the
devil. True Christians are those who show the fruits of
righteousness, being quick to repent when confronted with their
sins. They claim to be Christians, and do not deliberately sin,
hence they are true Christians indeed.
People who go around waving a flag saying they are Christians
are generally two-faced hypocrites. A person who is a Christian
does not need to advertise he is a Christian.
True Christians will be persecuted and maligned by the world,
because they do not run to the same excess of riot as the world.
True Christians will be persecuted for preaching Jesus. Hence
they do not want nor need to advertise. They are persecuted for
not being of this world; and because they are different than the
world, the world will hate them.
Jesus said: " If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me
before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would
love its own; but because you are not of this world, but I chose
you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Remember the word that, I said to you, 'A slave is not greater
than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also
persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
But all these things they will do to you for my name's sake,
because they do not know the One who sent Me." [John 15:18 NASB]
You can be sure of one thing, if you are truly a Christian you
will be persecuted. If you do not suffer much persecution for
being a Christian then you are doing something wrong. If you are
being persecuted for being a Christian you are probably doing
something right! The more righteous you become the more you will
be persecuted, you can count on that. The more you try to serve
God the more Satan will attack you.
As Apostle Paul said: " And indeed, all who desire to live
godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." [2 Tim. 3:12 NASB]
This is a promise, he did not say you might be persecuted, he
said you will be persecuted!
As we have learned, a real Christian is a person who keeps the
commandments of God. He will be attacked by the world and by
Satan, but if he is faithful to God, the Holy Spirit will give
him the strength to repel the attacks.
We have read of many false beliefs and we have seen what the
Bible has to say about many of these beliefs, but how does a
person get into the faith and receive the Holy Spirit?
Many people talk of a supernatural experience they encountered
when they received the Holy Spirit. Some say you will know when
the Holy Spirit comes on you, because it will be earth shaking.
Others say the Holy Spirit will pick you up and throw you around
or slay you in the spirit. Some say the Holy Spirit will force
you to do something and you will have no choice but to do what
the spirit forces you to do.
Are we going to go through some supernatural event like this
when we receive the Holy Spirit? We hope not! The Spirit of God
is a meek and quiet Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not and will
not force anyone to do anything. God gives all men a free will
and the right to choose.
The Bible tells us in many places we have power over our own
will. " But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no
constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided
this in his own heart, to keep his own virginity, he does well."
[1 Cor.7: 37 Greek new Testament] " but without your consent I
did not want to do anything, that your goodness should not be as
it were by compulsion, but of your own free will. [Philemon 14
NASB]
Augustin [420 A.D.], in his treatise on grace and free will
said: " Now He has revealed to us, through His Holy Scriptures,
that there is in a man a free choice of will.
But how He has revealed this I do not recount in human
language, but in divine. There is, to begin with, the fact that
God's precepts themselves would be of no use to a man unless he
had free choice of will, so that by performing them he might
obtain the promised rewards.
For they are given that no one might be able to plead the
excuse of ignorance...In strict accordance with this James says:
` Do not err, my beloved brethren ....and have respect to
persons; ' and, ` Do not speak evil one of another.' So also
John in his Epistle writes, ` Do not love the world,' and other
things of the same import.
Now wherever it is said, ` Do not do this,' and ` Do not do
that,' and wherever there is any requirement in the divine
admonitions for the work of the will to do anything, or to
refrain from doing anything, there is at once a sufficient proof
of free will. No man, therefore, when he sins, can in his heart
blame God for it, but every man must impute the fault to
himself.
Nor does it detract at all from a man's own will when he
performs any act in accordance with God. Indeed, a work is then
to be pronounced a good one when a person does it willingly;
then, too, may the reward of a good work be hoped for from Him
concerning whom it is written, ` He shall reward every man
according to his works.'" [James 1:16, 4:2, 1 John 2:15, Matt.
We very much agree with Augustin about free will, however, he
is the father of the once in grace always in grace doctrine. We
do not agree with him on once in grace always in grace and
neither did the early church fathers agree with him on that
issue.
< br wp="br1"> As Augustin points out, if God controlled our will, then He
could not blame us for what we did wrong, because what we did
wrong would be God's fault. If God controlled our will, our sins
would be His sins instead of ours. But since God gives us free will
to choose to do right or wrong we cannot blame God, for we have
no excuse for our sins!
God wasted His time creating the Bible and giving us the
commandments if we do not have free will to choose obeying or
not obeying the commandments of God. Commandments are of no
value to robots who can't make choices nor to people who have no
will to obey or not obey!
God says: " Turn ye unto me, and I will turn unto you ," [Zech.
to us, belongs to His Grace!
The Bible says: " if you seek Him, He will let you find Him;
but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." [2 Chron. 15:2]
From these verses and others, we soon get the correct opinion,
God does not force any person to serve Him nor does He force
anyone to do anything against their will. He rewards those who
voluntarily submit to the will of God. Submitting to the will of
God and consistently bringing forth good fruits proves you are a
Christian.
The Spirit of God is a meek and quiet Spirit who does not force
His will on anyone. Therefore we are inclined to be sceptical
about people being slain in the spirit. If you have a spirit
that throws you around and forces you to do things, it sounds to
us more like the spirit of the devil, than the Spirit of God.
The Word of God tells us that God does not change. [Mal. 3:6]
He is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever. [Heb.13:8]
Hence when God says something in the Old Testament or New
Testament it is binding on Christians. Jesus did not come to
abolish the Law or the Prophets; He came to fulfill and extend
the Word of God. For until heaven and earth pass away, not the
smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until
all is accomplished. [Matt. 5:17]
We as Christians are under the grace of God as long as we
continue in His goodness, otherwise we are cut off from grace
and will be judged by the Law of Moses. [Rom. 11:20-24] The law
of Moses with Jesus' extensions will be in force until heaven
and earth pass away.
When Jesus sets up His kingdom on this earth for one thousand
years we will be governed by the Law of Moses with the ex-
tensions of Jesus, known as the New Testament.
The Law of Moses with the extensions of Jesus is now in force,
but Christians are not under the Law if they keep the command-
ments of God and do not sin willfully.
This is why the Bible says: " Blessed are those whose lawless
deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered,
blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into
account." [Rom. 4:8 NASB] Thank God, all of our ignorant sins
are covered and our sins of weakness can be forgiven or no
person would be saved, because we often sin ignorantly.
However if we sin willfully after we have received the Holy
Spirit and the knowledge of the truth, we automatically come
under the full force of the law and we suffer the consequences.
In Ephesians chapter two and Colossians chapter two, the Bible
tells us Christ Jesus has abolished in His flesh the enmity,
which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances. That
He has canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of
decrees against us which was hostile to us; and He has taken it
out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. [Eph. 2:15, Colo.
This does not mean the Law of Moses has been done away with
like so many people insist. Such an interpretation would make
Jesus a liar (God forbid!). Jesus said, heaven and earth would
pass away before the Law passed away. [Matt. 5:17]
The correct interpretation is, the ordinances of the Law and
the sacrifices and rituals contained in the Law were no longer
necessary, because Jesus died on the cross, thereby making the
rituals and sacrifices unnecessary.
As God said through Isaiah: " Bring your worthless offerings no
longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New Moons and Sabbaths,
calling of assemblies- I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn
assembly.
I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, they
have become a burden to Me. I am weary of bearing them." [Isa.
As the Lord said through David: " Sacrifice and offering thou
didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and
sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo I come: in
the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy
will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart." [Ps. 40:6 KJV]
It pleases God when we willfully obey Him, however willful
sinners are an abomination to the Lord. Willful sinners were not
saved under the Law nor are they saved by Jesus dying on the
cross. We are under grace and not under the Law of Moses as long
as we do not sin willfully.
In other words the moral part of the Law of Moses and the
Righteousness of the Law are still in full force. The
sacrifices, rituals and shadows of the law have been done away
with. Many of the ordinances and laws of Moses were changed by
Christ Jesus, because the old ordinances and laws were only a
shadow of the Perfect Law which was to come. [Colo. 2:17, Heb.
Fleshly circumcision for instance was a shadow of the true
circumcision, which is the circumcision of the heart; the
Sabbath was a shadow of the New Sabbath of continued day by day
service to the Lord.
When a Christian falls from grace, he will be judged by the law
of Moses as amended by Christ Jesus. Jesus changed the Law from
mere shadow, to law of true righteousness. [Deut. 18:18, Heb.
All these changes in the law are not of one doing away with the
Law, but of one fulfilling, extending, and widening the Law in
order to make it the Perfect Law of Liberty. We are not to use
this Law of Liberty as a cloak of maliciousness, but as servants
of God. [1 Pet. 2:16]
The grace of God covers all the sins we committed before
baptism and the ignorant sins and sins of weakness we commit
after baptism.
The grace of God was never intended to cover the willful sins
of those under the Law of Moses nor of those under the Perfect
Law of Liberty. Those who fall from grace by willfully sinning
become under the full force and penalty of the law.
We must remember, most people who return to sin after baptism
never really repented in the first place. They went into baptism
as sinners without being sincere, therefore they went up out of
the water without receiving anything of the Lord. Repentance
means to turn from sin to righteousness.
The person not sincere about repentance does not receive the
Spirit of God! Therefore he is not able to live in righteousness
nor does he have the strength to avoid willful sin.
We do not believe it is possible for a person to fully commit
an unpardonable sin until he has been taught the doctrine of
willful sin. Most pastors have let their congregations down in
this respect, hence the willful sins of their congregations will
be on the pastors head! [Ezek. 33:6]
If the people in those congregations want to repent of the
willful sins they have committed when they were ignorant of the
doctrine of willful sin, they may be forgiven.
The false teachers who never preach about willful sin may find
it difficult to find repentance since they ignored the warning
of God: " Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren,
knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgement. [James
he will! We would not condemn them providing they repented and
make a public confession of their error.
We cannot imagine how people could believe they have the Holy
Spirit when they are running around sinning willfully, for the
Bible said: " No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has
seen Him or knows Him... The one who practices sin is of the
devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning...No one who
is born of god practices sin, because His seed abides in him;
and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
By this the children of God and the children of the devil are
obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of
God, nor the one who does not love his brother." [1 John 3:6-10
NASB]
This could not possibly be talking about ignorant sin, it is
talking about willful sin, otherwise it would contradict 1 John
He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not
sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." First
John 1:8-10 is clearly speaking about ignorant sin and sins of
weakness!
The Bible says: " for all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God... [Rom. 3:23] This verse is clearly speaking of
ignorant sin and sins of weakness, otherwise it would contradict
other parts of the Bible.
Apostle Paul said: " Do you not know that when you present
yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of
the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of
obedience resulting in righteousness?... and having been freed
from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.... so now present
your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in
sanctification. [Rom. 6:16-19 NASB]
Apostle Paul also said: " For those who are according to the
flesh set their mind on the things of the flesh, but those who
are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the
mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit
is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile
toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God,
for it is not even able to do so; and those who are in the flesh
cannot please God... But if anyone does not have the Spirit of
Christ, he does not belong to Him...
So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh,
to live according to the flesh- for if you are living according
to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting
to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all (men) who
are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God."
[Rom. 8:5-14 EKJV]
Paul is telling us, those who serve self by practicing sin are
not Christians. He is saying we are freed from sin, we are
sanctified by our good works and the wages of sin is death even
for those who call themselves Christians.
If you were drowning in a tossing sea and some person came
along and pulled you into a boat, he saved you! But if on his
way to save more people, you foolishly jumped back into the sea
and again started drowning are you still saved? No, so also it
is with the Kingdom of God! You are not fully sanctified by the
blood of Jesus until you start to mature and bring forth good
fruits. This is why Paul said: " work out your salvation with
fear and trembling... [Phil. 2:12 NASB]
What does "sanctified" mean? The term "Sanctified" means to be
separated from the world; To be free from sin; To be set apart
as holy; To be purified; To bring forth good spiritual fruit.
One is not sanctified until he turns 180 degrees away from sin,
heathenism, paganism, lust, greed, and selfishness. One is
sanctified when he puts serving Christ and his fellow man ahead
of serving self.
This is why James said: " So also faith, if it does not have
works, is dead by itself....You believe that God is one. You do
well; even the demons believe and shudder. But will you know, O
vain man, that faith apart from works is dead? Was not our
father Abraham justified by works, having offered up his son
Isacc on the alter? You see that faith worked with his works,
and by the works the faith was made complete.... You see then,
that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.... for
as the body is dead without (the) spirit, so also faith is dead
without works." [James 2:17-26 Greek new Testament]
Christ gave us the seeds of grace by dying on the cross. But,
if you let the seed given to you rot, producing no good fruit,
the precious seed becomes worthless and consequently Christ will
destroy you for letting His holy gift rot. The once saved always
saved preachers will stop at nothing to disseminate their
doctrine. In fact almost all English translations of the Bible
have been distorted under the control of the various once saved
always saved denominations.
As a prime example look at Ephesians chapter 2:5 & 8 and 1 Corinthians
They like to point out the past t ense. In both 1 Cor. 1:18 and
pale of saving privilege, to be in the way of salvation, to
deliver from or to set free from.
The King James version was under the influence of the Church of
England, they translated Eph. 2:5 as " (by grace ye are saved;)"
and verse 8 as " by grace are ye saved " . The New American
Standard Bible, The New King James Bible, and the N.I.V.
translate verse 5 and 8 as " by grace you have been saved " The
King James II Version has the translation which is nearest to
the meaning of the Original Greek New Testament.
It translates verse 5 as " by grace you are being saved " and
it translates verse 8 as by grace you are saved, ". Both verses
to be true to the Greek Bible, should have been translated: by
grace you are being saved. Why do they translate one verse
correctly and the other verse differently when the same Greek
words were used in both places?
The translators translated it differently because of the
pressure from those in the majority who believe in once saved
always saved and eternal security.
In 1 Cor. 1:18, the King James Version translates (tois de
sozomenois) as: " but unto us which are saved " But the New
American Standard Bible, The New King James Bible, the King
James II Version and The N.I.V. all translate it " But to us who
are being saved ". which is the correct translation.
In 2 Cor. 2:15 the King James Version translates (en tois
sozomenois) as: " in them that are saved, ". But the King James
II Version correctly translates it " in those being saved, " and
The New King James Bible, N.I.V. and New American Standard Bible
translate it as: " among those who are being saved ".
As you can see, (being saved) and (you are saved), give those
verses an entirely different meaning. This is just a prime
example of the fact, the only contradictions of the Bible are
due to poor translation and it is not the fault of the Original
Hebrew and Greek Bibles when contradictions occur. We know of no
contradictions in the original Hebrew and Greek Bibles, however
we know of many contradictions in the English translations of
the Bible.
The above verses are just a few of the verses dealing with
being saved and the original Bible always confirms that " we are
being saved". The Greek text never implies the past tense of "
we are saved". Many of the Bible translators would not know the
Spirit of God from the spirit of the devil, therefore how can
they properly translate the Bible when they do not understand
what it is saying?
Men filled with the Holy Spirit who have a limited
understanding of Greek and Hebrew can make a more correct
translation of the Bible than learned scholars who don't have
the Holy Spirit.
Like Apostle Paul said: " For ye see your calling, brethren,
how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not
many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things
of the world to confound the wise... But we speak the wisdom of
God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained
before the world unto our glory.... Which things also we speak,
not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy
Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of
God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know
them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is
spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no
man." [1 Cor. 1:26-27, 2:7 & 13-15 KJV]
End of Chapter two!
Copyright (c) 1989, Elijah Gwinn, All Rights Reserved.
PERSECUTION OF THE SAINTS
The Early Christian Church kept its doctrines very pure up to
about the year 202 A.D.. From 202 A.D. until 313 A.D., the Roman
and Western branches of the Church drifted a little to the left.
The Eastern branch of church drifted very little from the
original doctrines of the church until 313 A.D.. The Roman
Bishop Victor (190-202) was the first to try to dictate to the
Eastern Church, but he was sharply rebuked by the Western Bishop
Iranaeus of Lyons for trying to usurp authority over the Eastern
Bishops.
The Roman Bishops, Zephyrinus (A.D.202-218) and Calixus
(218-223) were the first to use Matthew 16:18 to base their
claim of being Pope, but Tertullian the theologian of Carthage
(A.D.160-220), rebuked them calling them Usurpers of Authority
because they dared to declare themselves Bishop of Bishops.
In the year 313 A.D. Constantine the Emperor of Rome became a
Christian and issued an edict granting Everybody freedom to be a
Christian. Within a year 10,000 Roman Politicians were Baptized
into the Christian Church.
It became politically expedient to become a Christian, because
the emperor was a Christian. Shortly thereafter wealthy Romans
began buying important offices in the church, for it was as
prestigious to be a deacon, elder or bishop in the church as it
was to be a senator or an high ranking officer in the military.
Sylvester 1 (A.D.314-335), was Bishop of Rome when under
Constantine, Christianity was virtually made the State Religion
of the Roman Empire, with Constantine regarding himself as Head
of the Church. Constantine was by no stretch of imagination a
Christian by orthodox standards of morality.
In 391 A.D. Emperor Theodosius officially made Christianity the
state Religion and banned all other Religions in the Roman
empire. Gregory 1 (A.D. 590-604), is generally regarded as the
First Pope of the Roman Church.
As you can see the church stayed very pure until worldly
government started creeping into the church. As long as
Christianity was illegal true Christianity flourished with
purity. But as soon as Christianity became legal and government
started getting involved in the church, corruption quickly
contaminated the church.
The church was greatly persecuted from the time of the great
fire in Rome (A.D.64), which was started by Emperor Nero and
blamed on the Christians. From A.D. 64 until A.D. 305 the church
suffered one persecution after another. Only those who were
sincere claimed to be Christian during this period. During this
period around seven million Christians were murdered by the
Romans because they would not renounce their faith in Christ.
The rest of this page and the next few pages give a graphic
account of the gruesome horrors that befell the good Christians
in the first 275 years of the church. The reason we are giving
such a graphic account of the persecutions of the early church
are threefold.
First, we want you to understand what millions of holy
Christians had to go through because of their Christian
convictions. We want you to mentally note the names of some of
these holy men, so you will more greatly appreciate their
teachings. We are going to heavily quote from the writings of
many of these holy men in the rest of this book.
Secondly, we want you to understand what millions of good
Christians had to suffer through, to get you ready for the
upcoming persecutions which are going to soon befall us
Christians.
Thirdly, when we get into the subject of positive thinking and
the Rapture of the Christian Church, we want you to remember
these few pages of terror, so you will not be duped by Satan and
his false teachers who teach nothing bad can happen to a
Christian.
The early Christians were tortured, burned alive, skinned alive
with their wounds packed in salt, Crucified, thrown to the
Lions, torn to pieces by wild dogs, dipped in hot oil and every
other evil thing you could imagine just because they confessed
to being Christians.
Apostle James son of Zebedee was beheaded on July 25th. 44
A.D.; Apostle Phillip was crucified on May first A.D. 52;
Apostle Matthew was slain with a halbert on September 21, A.D.
Apostle James, the Lord's brother, when ninety-four years old
was cast down from a pinnacle of the temple, after which they
beat out his brains with a fuller's club.
Apostle Matthies was first stoned and then beheaded. Apostle
Andrew was fixed on the cross with cords in place of nails so
that he would die more slowly. He preached from the cross for
the most part of two days, until his strength failed him. He
died on the 30th. of November.
Under the persecution of Nero, Apostle Peter and Apostle Paul
were both murdered on the 29th. day of June about 67 A.D.; Peter
was crucified with his head downwards. This position was,
however, of his own choice, as he counted himself unworthy to
suffer in the same manner as did his master Jesus. Paul was, by
the order of Nero, beheaded with a sword.
Apostle Jude was crucified on October 28th. 72 A.D.; Apostle
Bartholomew was first scourged, crucified, then beheaded. Apostle
Thomas was thrust through with a spear and died. Apostle Luke was
hung on an olive tree by heathen priests. Apostle Simon was
crucified on October 28th. 74 A.D..
Apostle John was the only Apostle to escape a violent death, he
was allowed to die of old age. Emperor Domitian sent John to be
cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. But a miracle occurred and
he sustained no injury from the oil; therefore he was sent to the
island of Patmos to work in the mines. Later he was released and
he died on the 27th. of December 100 A.D.
Emperor Domitian (A.D.95), instituted a persecution against
Christians. It was a short persecution but it was extremely
violent. Thousands of good Christians died because of his wicked
decrees.
Since Christianity was illegal, Emperor Trajan (A.D. 98-117),
felt he should uphold the laws of the Roman Empire. Christians
were regarded as a secret society. Since Christians refused to
take part in Emperor worship they were considered enemies of the
State. Under Trajan Christians were not sought out. But when
accused they were punished. Under this persecution Apostle
Simeon, the brother of Jesus, was killed and Bishop Ignatius was
thrown to wild beasts and many others were killed.
Emperor Hadrian (A.D.117-138) persecuted the Christians less
vindictively, however, Pastor Telephorus and many others suffered
martyrdom under his reign.
Emperor Antonius Pius (A.D.138-161) felt he must kill
Christians, thus upholding the laws of the Roman Empire. Bishop
Polycarp the disciple and student of Apostle John and many others
suffered martyrdom under his reign.
Emperor Marcus Aurelius (A.D.161-180) encouraged the persecution
of Christians. It was the most cruel and severe persecution since
Nero. Many were thrown to wild beasts and beheaded. The great
Christian writer Justin Martyr was put to death.
Emperor Septimius Severus (A.D.193-211) severely persecuted the
Christians. Many Martyrs were daily torn to pieces by wild
beasts, beheaded and crucified. Leonidas, the father of the
great Christian writer Origin was put to death under his reign.
Emperor Maximin (A.D.235-238) persecuted the Christians
violently. Bishop Pontianus of Rome was executed. After him
Bishop Anteros of Rome was put to death. Roman Senator
Pammachius with his family and forty-two others were beheaded
and their heads put upon the gates of the city. Another Senator
by the name of Simplicius suffered martyrdom. Rev. Calepodius
was dragged through the streets and thrown into the Tiber River
with a millstone about his neck.
Hippolytus, the great Christian preacher and writer, was tied
to wild horses and dragged until he died. During this
persecution thousands of Christians were buried in heaps fifty
or sixty to the pit, just like the Germans were buried by the
Soviet-Zionists after world war II.
Emperor Decius (A.D.249-251) was determined to exterminate
Christianity by violence. He wanted once and for all to destroy
Christianity from the face of the earth. He murdered tens of
thousands of good Christians.
Emperor Valerian (A.D.253-260), was more severe than Decius; he
also aimed at the total destruction of Christianity. Many Church
leaders were put to death during this persecution. Bishop
Cyprian of Carthage was put to death. Bishop Stephanus of Rome
was beheaded. Bishop Saturnius of Thoulouse was tied to the tail
of a bull, which was driven down th e steps of a heathen temple,
by which his brains were dashed out.
An edict was signed by Valerian for putting to death all of the
Christian clergy of Rome. Bishop Sextus was beheaded on August
Emperor Diocletian (A.D.284-305) was the last but not the least
Roman Emperor to persecute the Christian Church. He was the most
severe of all the Roman Emperors. The only Roman Emperor who
will be more severe than him is the Beast man of the last days
who will start the mark of the beast.
During the Diocletian persecution, Christianity of every
denomination was outlawed. Christians were sacrificed, beheaded,
almost every means of cruelty was adopted that the evils of the
human mind could devise to destroy Christians. Many were hung
with their heads downward over a slow fire. Scourges, racks,
swords, daggers, poison, crosses and starvation were used in
various places. It is estimated that well over a million good
Christians died in this persecution.
Many modern day Christians are into positive thinking without
knowing they are into witchcraft. Many positive thinkers believe
God would never let anything bad happen to a good Christian.
It is blasphemy against the Saints who were Martyred in the
service of Jesus to think we are so holy God will not let us
suffer through the tribulation. To think we are so holy God will
not allow anything bad to happen to us, is nothing more than
lofty arrogance. Frankly we do not know how a person can become
more holy than those who gave their life for the Lord. Because
of such arrogance in the church we will continue!
From 1229 A.D. to 1244 A.D. the Roman Catholic Church murdered
over 250,000 Albigense Christians. From 1393 A.D. to 1870 A.D.
well over a million Waldensian Christians were murdered by the
Roman Catholic Church.
In fact more Protestant Christians were murdered by the Roman
Catholic Church from 1520 A.D. to 1870 A.D. than the Roman
Emperors murdered in all of the history of the early church. The
Roman Catholics used all of the same evil tortures and were more
brutal than any of the Roman Emperors. There have been a
thousand times more Christians murdered for their faith in Jesus
than Jews murdered by the Nazis in the second world war.
Many of these Protestant Christians were put to death by the
most horrid nature, such as could have only been invented by
demons instead of men! Some were laid on wagon wheels and the
wagons were driven until parts of their bodies fell off. Then
they were fed to Dogs and pigs. A great number were fastened to
horses' tails, and the beasts were set at full gallop by the
riders. Some had their breasts cut off with shears and tortured
until from loss of blood they expired. Mothers were hung naked
on branches of trees and their children thrown to dogs and
swine.
In other places Christians were driven stark naked in the most
severe weather for miles then hanged, burnt and buried alive.
One hundred and fifty men, women and children were taken by
order of Phelim O'Neal to Portendown bridge, where they were all
forced into the river and drowned.
Many Protestants were set in stocks till they confessed where
their money was, after which they were put to death.
They took children from English women and dashed out their
brains before their mothers faces; after which they threw the
mothers into the river and drowned them. Millions of Protestants
were put to death by sword, famine, fire, water and all other
severe and cruel deaths that rage, malice and evil could invent.
We could go on in graphic detail for another 400 pages about
the recorded cruelty to Protestant Christians and Early Christ-
ians but we think you have more than gotten the message by now,
therefore we will stop. If you want more information about
Christian Martyrs, read Fox's Book of Martyrs.
It seems modern Christians have a short memory or they would
not be duped into believing nothing bad can happen to good
Christians. Satan loves to teach us positive thinking, the
pre-trib rapture and nothing bad can happen to good Christians,
so he can catch us off guard and destroy us.
Throughout History true Israelites and Christians have been the
scapegoat for evil men. Evil men always blame the Christians and
true Israelites for almost everything that goes wrong. There is
a reason why evil men always pick on true Israel and Christians.
Israelite-Christians are God's last day standard bearers. Satan
wants to wipe them out. Bible prophecy claims true lost
Israelites will wake up and return to Christ in the last days.
[Rom. 11:1-32]
Satan wants to destroy them because he knows they will be
future preachers of Christ. Satan has wanted to destroy White
Israel since God gave them an eternal blessing. [Gen. 12:2-3,
HISTORY OF THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS
Now we will give some history and background on some of the
early church fathers who were Christian writers in the first 250
years of the Christian Church. We will also give some background
on the attitude of the church fathers concerning sin.
The ancient church was distinguished for strict discipline.
Previous to Emperor Constantine, discipline rested purely on
moral sanctions and had nothing to do with civil constraints and
punishments.
The object of discipline was the dignity and purity of the
church and the spiritual welfare of the offender; punishment was
for the purpose of correction.
The extreme penalty was excommunication or exclusion from all
or part of the privileges of the faithful. This was inflicted
for schism, heresy and all gross crimes, such as blasphemy,
fornication, adultery, bearing false witness, theft, murder and
the denial of Christ Jesus during persecution. These were
classed as mortal sins.
People who committed gross sins were readmitted into the church
with full fellowship only after they went through a three or
four year Penance. There were four classes of Penitents, the
Weepers, Hearers, Kneelers, and Standers. The Weepers were kept
prostrated outside of the church doors begging for forgiveness.
The Hearers were allowed to hear Sermons and Scripture lessons,
but not to participate in the other functions of the church. The
Kneelers were allowed all the privileges of Hearers and allowed
to attend the public prayers, but only in the kneeling posture.
The Standers were allowed to take part in the whole church
service standing, but were excluded from taking the Lord's
supper.
After the fulfillment of this probation came the act of
reconciliation. The penitent made a public confession of their
sins, received absolution by the laying on of hands by the
ministry, were again greeted by the congregation with a holy
kiss and admitted to celebrate the Lord's Supper. However these
people were forever disqualified from being ministers of the
church.
The whole church agreed that church punishment would not
forestall the judgement or the punishment of God at the last
day, but was merely temporal. It was, however, questioned
whether the church should restore gross offenders on confession
of sorrow or leave them to the judgement of God.
The great theologians Tertullian and Hippolytus, The whole
African Church, Spanish Church, and most of the Eastern Churches
stood against the restoration of those who had forfeited the
grace of baptism by mortal sin, especially denial of Christ
during persecution.
The Roman Church was always more liberal than the rest of the
church, hence they readmitted gross sinners and those who had
denied the Lord because of persecution. It is no wonder that the
Roman Church on this point, as well as others, outgrew the
opposition. The more liberal the church the larger the church!
As Jesus said: " the gate is wide, and the way is broad that
leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it."
[Matt. 7:13]
Justin Martyr (A.D.110-165) was a defender of the faith who
wrote letters to the government stating how true Christians were
good people being falsely accused of things they were not guilty
of doing. He was a philosopher before he became a Christian; he
was a great writer and is recognized as the greatest of the
early apologists and defenders of the faith.
Bishop Irenaeus and Tertullian often quoted his writings.
Rusticus the prefect of Rome tried to get Justin to renounce his
faith in Jesus. When Justin refused he was scourged and
beheaded.
Bishop Polycarp (A.D.65-156) was instructed by some of the
Apostles themselves. He was appointed Bishop of Smyrna by
Apostle John. Polycarp had the privilege of conversing with many
who had seen Christ. He was said to have personally known
Apostle Andrew.
Polycarp was a very good Christian Bishop. He was a true and
holy man and an able professor of theology. He wrote an Epistle
to the Philippians, which is still in existence. [A.N.F. Vol. 1]
Polycarp, after prayer one day, told his disciples, " I have
seen a vision of a pillow blazing with fire. I must be burning
alive." Shortly afterward the police arrested him and pleaded
with him to reject Christianity while in a crowded arena.
Polycarp refused and said: " Away with the atheists!" The
proconsul said: " Take an oath, and I shall release you. Curse
Christ," continued the proconsul. Polycarp replied: " Eighty-six
years have I served Him, and He never did me wrong. How can I
blaspheme my King Who saved me?" The proconsul again asked him
to deny Christ. Polycarp said: " Do you know who I am? I am a
Christian!"
The proconsul said: " I have wild beasts. I shall throw you to
them, if you do not change your mind." Polycarp calmly replied:
" call them!" The proconsul said: " I shall have you consumed
with fire, if you despise the wild beasts." Polycarp Answered,
"The fire you threaten burns but an hour and is quenched; you do
not know the fire of the coming judgement and everlasting
punishment laid up for the impious.
But why do you delay? Come, do what you will." The proconsul
turned to the crowd and said: "Polycarp has confessed himself to
be a Christian!" "Then burn him alive!" screamed the crowd. The
fire was kindled and a sheet of flames flashed upward around his
body. When he did not immediately fall in the flames, an
executioner stabbed him with a dagger and thus ended his life.
Bishop Irenaeus (A.D.130-202) was a student and disciple of
Bishop Polycarp. When Irenaeus was a young student of Polycarp,
he would often plead with the aged Polycarp, saying: "Tell us
more of your conversations with the Apostle John!" Irenaeus
became one of the greatest theologians of the early church. He
wrote several books against the false teachers of the early
church. Many of these books are still in existence. [A.N.F. Vol.
Polycarp sent Pothinus into Celtic Gaul (France) at an early
date as an evangelist. Pothinus became Bishop of Lyons, France
and Irenaeus joined him as a presbyter, having been his fellow
pupil under Polycarp. Pothinus closed his holy career by a
martyr's death; and Irenaeus became his successor as Bishop of
Lyons.
Bishop Irenaeus was one of the greatest defenders of the faith
in the early church. He was a holy man of God and because of his
faith in Christ Jesus he was beheaded by the order of the
Emperor, A.D. 202.
Bishop Hippolytus (A.D.170-236) was a student and disciple and
of Bishop Irenaeus. He was said to resemble Irenaeus much in his
personal character. Many called him Irenaeus risen again. He
followed Irenaeus in his example of withstanding the Bishops of
Rome in their quest for power, wanting to be Bishop of Bishops.
Hippolytus wrote many books against the false teachers of his
time, many of which are still in existence. [A.N.F. Vol. V]
Bishop Hippolytus was a great theologian and Bible teacher. He
mightily stood against the false teachers of his day. He defend-
ed the faith at a time when many errors had crept into the
church, many were at variance with each other. By this time many
false doctrines were prevailing in the church. The church
suffered a great loss at his death, because he was the last
super defender of the faith.
The evil pagans tied Hippolytus to a wild horse and dragged him
through the streets till he was dead. Shortly after his death
the church started drifting toward the liberal Roman doctrines.
He was the last truly great theologian in the early church.
There were many good theologians after his death but none of
them had the power and great grasp of the true teaching of the
scripture like men such as Irenaeus, Polycarp and himself.
Tertullian (A.D.150-220) was a theologian who became a
Christian about 185 A.D. and a Presbyter about 190 A.D., he
received some of his training from Irenaeus but seemed to be
somewhat rigged or unsound in some of his theology.
He was the author of many Christian books which are still in
existence. [All of A.N.F. Vol. III and part of Vol. IV]] Many
Bishops such as Cyprian (A.D.200-258) considered Tertullian
their mentor. Clement of Alexandria (A.D.153-217) and
Tertullian's theology was much the same as the modern day
Mennonites, Amish and ultra conservative Pentecostals. In my
opinion they were a little too strict and legalistic, but by
reading Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian's books we can
quickly get a grasp of how strict the church of their time was.
Origen (A.D.185-254) became a presbyter in 231 A.D.; he
received some of his training from Hippolytus. He succeeded
Clement as head of the school of theology at Alexandria. Then,
afterward, he started his own school where he was professor of
theology.
He was unsound in some of his theology because he tried to
blend worldly philosophy with Christian theology. He is
considered the father of universalism, which is a false
doctrine. We do not know for sure whether he ever believed such
a doctrine. However, much can be learned by studying his
writings. From his writings we can see what the beliefs of the
church were at his time and place in church history. [A.N.F.
Vol. X]
There were other early church theologians and writers who also
were great men of God. Clement (A.D.30-100) wrote a great
Epistle to the Corinthians. Mathetes (A.D.70-130) wrote an
Epistle to Diognetus. Bishop Ignatius (A.D.30-107) wrote some
great Epistles to the Ephesians. Magnesians, Trallians, Romans,
Philadelphians, Smyrnaeans, and one to Bishop Polycarp, many of
which are still in existence. [A.N.F. Vol. 1]
In the early church the Epistles, letters and books of
Polycarp, Clement, Methetes, Ignatius, Barnabus, (A.D. 30-100),
Justin Martyr, Hermas, (A.D. 160), and Irenaeus were circulated
along with the present books of the Bible. These books were not
included in the Bible when in 397 A.D. the Roman Catholic Church
decided which books to include in the Bible.
We are not saying these books should have been included in the
Bible. We know God had a hand in guiding the Roman Catholics in
their selection of the books to include in the Bible, even
though the men making the selection were somewhat corrupted in
their doctrinal beliefs.
What we are saying is that the well circulated books, letters
and Epistles mentioned above were just as well thought of in the
early church as the books of the New Testament themselves.
Therefore we believe these books should have been given to us as
a History of Christian Thought with as wide a circulation as
they had in the early church.
End of Chapter three!
Copyright (c) 1989, Elijah Gwinn, all rights reserved.
TEACHINGS OF THE EARLY CHURCH
Now that you have a little background on the authors, we will
teach you from the writings of the early church fathers and give
references.
There are many books written by holy men of God contained in
the ten volume set of the Ante-Nicene Fathers. There are also
many books in this ten volume set which are false books contain-
ing false doctrines.
Many authors who were false teachers tried to claim they were
one of the twelve apostles, which they were not; others claimed
to be holy men of God, but by their writings it is evident they
were not men of God. We will not be quoting from any of the
books written by false teachers.
It is evident by studying church history and the volumes of the
Ante-Nicene Fathers that some of the writings in these volumes
were authenically written by holy men of God who were highly
respected by the ministry of the early church.
We will be quoting only from those books which are considered
by many Bible scholars and theologians as being authenically
written by genuine leaders of the early church who were holy men
of God martyred for their faith in Jesus and respected by the
majority of the members of the early church.
Many of these writings are difficult to read because the trans-
lation does not flow smoothly in English. We believe, however,
that you will understand them in spite of the translation
difficulty, because they agree with the Holy Spirit, Holy Bible
and the other chapters of this book.
Hermas (A.D.160) was one of the leaders in the early church.
His writings were included in some of the early Bibles. He
taught that it was possible to repent once more after baptism,
but he who sins again after this second repentance will find it
difficult to be forgiven.
Hermas said: " After that great and holy calling, if anyone
sins who has been tempted by the devil, he has one repentance.
But if he continually sins and repents, it is of no advantage to
such a man, for he will hardly live." [A.N.F. Vol. II]
Toward the end of the second century and early in the third
there was a general opinion that the church could not, and
should not, forgive those who were guilty of homicide,
fornication, or apostasy. This was the opinion of the great
theologians Hippolytus, Tertullian and Origen, the whole African
and Spanish church and most of the Eastern Church.
They all took ground against the restoration of those who had
forfeited the grace of baptism by mortal sin, especially denial
of Christ. To the early church unlike the church of today, the
willful sins of Christians were mortal sins of which there was
no forgiveness. It seems that today's Christians, unlike those
of the early church, want to believe in a namby pamby Jesus who
always forgives sinners no matter what they do.
They do not seem to understand that this same Jesus is the God
who in one day destroyed 24,000 for committing fornication [Num.
second coming. [Zech. 14:12, Matt. 13:41]
Liberals think God has changed! They think He is sorry and has
repented for being so hard on the sinners of the past. They do
not understand that God never changes. He is the same yesterday,
today and forever. [Mal. 3:6, Heb. 13:8, James 1:17]
The Constitutions of the Holy Apostles said: " There is no sin
more grievous than idolatry, for it is an impiety against God:
and yet even this sin has been forgiven upon sincere repentance.
But if any one sin in direct opposition and on purpose to try
whether God will punish the wicked or not, such a one shall have
no remission, although he say with himself, ` All is well, and I
will walk according to the conversation of my evil heart.' Such
a one was Amon the son of Manasseh.
For the Scripture says: 'And Amon reasoned an evil reasoning of
transgression, and said, my father from his childhood was a
great transgressor, and repented in his old age; and now I walk
as my soul lusteth, afterwards I will return unto the Lord. And
he did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before
him. And the Lord God soon destroyed him utterly from His good
land. And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in
his own house, and he reigned two years only.`" [A.N.F. Vol. VII
page 408]
Modern Christians get very upset when we tell them a person has
shown by his evil works, he is not a Christian. They always say
we should not judge. As we stated before, only hypocrites
believe we are not to judge, true Christians know that every-
thing in life is a judgment.
Justin Martyr (A.D.110-165) wrote to the government concerning
who is a Christian and who is not a Christian. He said: " Let
those who are not found living as He (Jesus) taught, be
understood to be no Christians, even though they profess with
their lips the precepts of Christ; for not those who make
profession, but those who do the works, shall be saved,
according to His word: `Not every one who saith to Me Lord,
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth
the will of My Father which is in heaven.
For whosoever heareth Me, and doeth My sayings, heareth Him
that sent Me. And many will say unto Me, Lord, Lord, have we not
eaten and drunk in Thy name, and done wonders? And then will I
say to them, Depart from Me, ye workers of iniquity. Then shall
there be wailing and gnashing of teeth, when the righteous shall
shine as the sun, and the wicked are sent into everlasting fire.
For many shall come in My name, clothed outwardly in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly being ravening wolves.
By their works ye shall know them. And every tree that bringeth
not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.' And
as to those who are not living pursuant to these His teachings,
and are Christians only in name, we demand that all such be
punished by you.... we believe (or rather, indeed, are
persuaded) that every (evil) man will suffer punishment in
eternal fire according to the merit of his deed." [A.N.F. Vol. 1
page 168, Matt. 7:21-24]
Any Christian minister worth two cents would agree with Justin,
because Apostle John said: " Whosoever is born of God doeth not
commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin,
because he is born of God. In this the children of God are
manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not
righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his
brother." [1 John 3:9 K.J.V.]
In spite of what Apostle John said modern Christians want to
believe in some weak kneed Jesus who will let them sin their way
to heaven. Because of this most modern day preachers and
theologians teach just the opposite of what the early church
fathers taught.
Most modern day preachers are hirelings who are more interested
in making a good living and prestige than teaching the true word
of God, hence they teach the people what they want to hear. As
Apostle Paul said: " the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled,
they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to
their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth,
and will turn aside to myths." [2 Tim. 4:3 NASB]
The writings of Barnabus (A.D. 100) were included in the Bibles
of the early church. He said: " Thou shalt confess thy sins.
Thou shalt not go to prayer with an evil conscience. This is the
way of light. But the way of darkness is crooked, and full of
cursing; for it is the way of eternal death with punishment, in
which way are things that destroy the soul, viz., idolatry,
overconfidence, the arrogance of power, hypocrisy, double
heartedness, adultery, murder, rapine, haughtiness, trans-
gression, deceit, malice, self sufficiency, poisoning, magic,
avarice, want of fear of God.... who turn away him that is in
want, who oppress the afflicted, who are advocates of the rich,
who are unjust judges of the poor, and who are in every respect
transgressors.
It is well, therefore, that he who has learned the judgments of
the Lord, as many as have been written, should walk in them. For
he who keepeth these shall be glorified in the kingdom of God;
but he who chooseth other things shall be destroyed with his
works. On this account there will be a resurrection, on this
account a retribution...." [A.N.F. Vol. 1, page 149]
Modern day preachers like to preach once saved always saved;
they claim no person including ourselves can pluck us out of
God's hand! We maintain that no person including the devil can
pluck us out of God's hand, but we can willfully jump out of
God's hand, for God does not force anyone to be His disciple but
gives us free will.
Bishop Irenaeus (A.D. 130-202), had something to say which was
quite the opposite of what modern preachers teach. He said: "
All men come short of the glory of God, and are not justified of
themselves, but by the Advent of the Lord. ... what shall the
men of the present day suffer, who have despised the Lord's
coming, and become the slaves of their own lusts?
And truly the death of the Lord became (the means of) healing
and remission of sins to the former, but Christ shall not die
again in behalf of those who now commit sin, for death shall no
more have dominion over Him; but the Son shall come in his glory
of the Father, requiring from His stewards and dispensers the
money which He had entrusted to them, with usury; and from those
to whom He had given most shall He demand most.
We ought not therefore, as that presbyter remarks, to be puffed
up, nor be severe upon those of old time, but ought ourselves to
fear, lest perchance, after [we have come to] the knowledge of
Christ, if we do things displeasing to God, we obtain no further
forgiveness of sins, but be shut out from His kingdom.
And therefore it was that Paul said, `For if [God] spared not
the natural branches, [take heed] lest He also spare not thee,
who, when thou wert a wild olive tree, wert grafted into the
fatness of the olive tree, and wert made a partaker of its
fatness. ` ....God showed Himself not well pleased in many
instances towards those who sinned, so also in the latter,' many
are called, but few are chosen.` As then the unrighteous, the
idolaters, and fornicators perished, so also is it now: for both
the Lord declares, that such persons are sent into eternal fire;
and the apostle says `know ye not that the unrighteous shall not
inherit the kingdom of God?
Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
adulators, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themse lves with man-
kind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.' [Rom.
` And as it was not to those who are without (the church) that
he said these things, but to us, (Christians) lest we should be
cast forth from the kingdom of God, by doing any such thing, he
proceeds to say, `And such indeed were ye; but ye are washed,
but ye are sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and
by the Spirit of our God.' And just as then, those who led
vicious lives, and put other people astray, were condemned and
cast out, so also even now the offending eye is plucked out, and
the foot and the hand, lest the rest of the body perish in like
manner. [Matt.18:9]
And we have the precept: `If any man that is called a brother
be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a
drunkard, or an extortioner, with such an one no not to eat.'
[1 Cor. 5:11]
And again does the apostle say, `Let no man deceive you with
vain words; for because of these things cometh the wrath of God
upon the sons of mistrust.
Be not ye therefore partakers with them.` And as then the
condemnation of sinners extended to others who approved of them,
and joined in their society; so also is it the case at present,
that `a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.' And as the
wrath of God did then descend upon the unrighteous, here also
does the apostle say: `For the wrath of God shall be revealed
from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness, of
those men who hold the truth in unrighteousness.'" [A.N.F. Vol.
We should be able to see from these writings that Bishop
Irenaeus does not believe in once saved always saved. We must
take into account that Bishop Irenaeus was taught by Bishop
Polycarp who in turn was taught by some of the Holy Apostles
themselves.
Frankly, we would rather believe a Christian Martyr like
Irenaeus rather than modern day preachers and theologians.
Besides it is better to get our information as close to the
source as possible and we cannot get any closer to the source
than Bishop Irenaeus except for his teacher Polycarp the student
of Apostle John or the Bible itself.
Bishop Irenaeus goes on to tell us that when the Lord comes for
His church only those without spot will be able to go into the
wedding chamber. He said: " Still further did He (Jesus) also
make it manifest, that we ought, after our calling, to be also
adorned with works of righteousness, so that the Spirit of God
may rest upon us; for this is the wedding garment, of which also
the apostle speaks, `Not for that we would be unclothed, but
clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up by
immortality.'
But those who have indeed been called to God's supper, yet have
not received the Holy Spirit, because of their wicked conduct
`shall be,' He declares, `cast into outer darkness.' He thus
clearly shows that the very same King who gathered from all
quarters the faithful to the marriage of His Son, and who grants
them the incorruptible banquet, [also] orders that man to be
cast into outer darkness who has not on a wedding garment, that
is, one who despises it.
For as in the former covenant, 'with many of them was He not
well pleased;` so also is it the case here, that 'many are
called, but few chosen.`.... But it is one and the same God, the
Father of our Lord, from whom also the prophets had their
mission, who does indeed, through His infinite kindness, call
the unworthy; but He examines those who are called, [to
ascertain] if they have on the garment fit and proper for the
marriage of His Son, because nothing unbecoming or evil pleases
Him.
This is in accordance with what the Lord said to the man who
had been healed: `Behold, thou art made whole; sin no more, lest
a worse thing come unto thee.' For he who is good, and right-
eous, and pure, and spotless, will endure nothing evil, nor
detestable in His wedding chamber." [A.N.F. Vol. 1 page 517]
There are many modern day disciples of Ulrich Zwingli (A.D.
is nothing we can do to change our predestination. He taught
that we are once saved always saved and if we are one of the
saved ones there is nothing we can do to become unsaved. He also
taught that if we are one of the unsaved ones there is nothing
we can do to become saved.
Bishop Irenaeus taught just the opposite. He said: " God
therefore has given that which is good, as the apostle tells us
in this Epistle, and they who work it shall receive glory and
honour, because they have done that which is good when they had
it in their power not to do it; but those who do it not shall
receive the just judgement of God, because they did not work
good when they had it in their power so to do.
But if some had been made by nature bad, and others good, these
latter would not be deserving of praise for being good, for such
were they created; nor would the former be reprehensible, for
thus they were made [originally].
But since all men are of the same nature, able both to hold
fast and to do what is good; and, on the other hand having also
the power to cast it from them and not to do it, -some do justly
receive praise even among men who are under the control of good
laws (and much more from God), and obtain deserved testimony of
their choice of good in general, and of persevering therein; but
others are blamed, and receive a just condemnation, because of
their rejection of what is fair and good.
And therefore the prophets used to exhort men to what was good,
to act justly and to work righteousness, as I have so largely
demonstrated, because it is in our power so to do, and because
by excessive negligence we might become forgetful, and thus
stand in need of that good counsel which the good God has given
us to know by means of the prophets.
For this reason the Lord also said, `Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good deeds, and glorify your
Father who is in heaven.' And, `Take heed to yourselves, lest
perchance your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and
drunkenness, and worldly cares.' And, `Let your loins be girded
about, and lamps burning, and ye like unto men that wait for
their Lord, when He cometh and knocketh, they may open to Him.
Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when He cometh, shall
find so doing.' And again, `The servant who knew his Lord's
will, and does it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.' And,
`Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?'
And again, `But if the servant say in his heart, The Lord
delayeth, and begin to beat his fellow-servants, and to eat, and
drink, and to be drunken, his Lord will come in a day on which
he does not expect Him, and shall cut him in sunder, and appoint
his portion with the hypocrites.'
All such passages demonstrate the independent will of man, and
at the same time the counsel which God conveys to him, by which
He exhorts us to submit ourselves to him, and seeks to turn us
away from [the sin of] unbelief against Him, without, however,
in any way coercing us. No doubt, if any one is unwilling to
follow the Gospel itself, it is in his power [to reject it], but
it is not expedient. For it is in man's power to disobey God,
and to forfeit what is good; but [such conduct] brings no small
amount of injury and mischief.
And on this account Paul says, `All things are lawful to me,
but all things are not expedient;' [1 Cor. 6:12] referring both
to the liberty of man, in which respect `all things are lawful,'
God exercising no compulsion in regard to him; and [by the
expression] `not expedient' pointing out that we `should not use
our liberty as a cloak of maliciousness,' for this is not
expedient." [A.N.F. Vol. 1 page 519]
Many of today's preachers teach that we are all the sons and
daughters of God therefore all men are brothers. Bishop Irenaeus
clarifies this point using the Bible. He said: " Since, there-
fore, all things were made by God, and since the devil has
become the cause of apostasy to himself and others, justly does
the scripture always term those who remain in a state of
apostasy `son of the devil' and `angels of the wicked one'
(maligni).
For [the word] `son,' as one before me has observed, has a
twofold meaning: one [is a son] in the order of nature, because
he was born a son; the other, in that he was made so, is reputed
a son, although there be a difference between being born so and
being made so. For the first is indeed born from the person
referred to; but the second is made so by him, whether as
respects his creation or by the teaching of his doctrine.
For when any person has been taught from the mouth of another,
he is termed the son of him who instructs him, and the latter
[is called] his father. According to nature, then (that is,
according to creation) so to speak, we are all sons of God. But
with respect to obedience and doctrine we are not all the sons
of God: those only are so who believe in Him and do His will.
And those who do not believe, and do not obey His will, are
sons and angels of the devil, because they do the works of the
devil. .... According to nature, then, they are (God's) child-
ren, because they have been so created; but with regard to their
works, they are not His children.
For as, among men, those sons who disobey their fathers, being
disinherited, are still their sons in the course of nature, but
by law are disinherited, for they do not become the heirs of
their natural parents; so in the same way it is with God, those
who do not obey Him, being disinherited by Him, have ceased to
be His sons. ....these are, at the same time, all created by one
and the same God. When, however, they believe and are subject to
God, and go on and keep His doctrine, they are the sons of God;
but when they have apostatized and fallen into transgression
they are ascribed to their chief, the devil-to him who first
became the cause of apostasy to himself, and afterwards to
others." [A.N.F. Vol. page 524,]
Bishop Irenaeus warns us in the following writing that only
those who have sincerely repented and have started doing the
works of righteousness receive the Spirit of God. He warns us
that Gentiles are a wild olive tree who are grafted into the
good olive tree, but if the graft does not take root, the graft
is removed and thrown into the fire. [Rom. 11:21]
Bishop Irenaeus said: " This truth, therefore, [he declares],
in order that we may not reject the grafting of the Spirit while
pampering the flesh. `But thou being a wild olive-tree,' he
says, `hast been grafted into the good olive-tree, and been made
a partaker of the fatness of the olive-tree.' As, therefore,
when the wild olive has been engrafted, if it remain in its
former condition, viz., a wild olive, it is `cut off, and cast
into the fire;' but if it takes kindly to the graft, and is
changed into the good olive-tree, it becomes a fruit bearing
olive, planted, as it were, in a king's park (paradiso) : so
likewise men, if they do truly progress by faith towards better
things, and receive the Spirit of God, and bring forth the fruit
thereof, shall be spiritual, as being planted in the paradise of
God.
But if they cast out the Spirit, and remain in their former
condition, desirous of being of the flesh rather than of the
Spirit, then it is very justly said with regard to men of this
stamp, `That flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of
God;' just as if any one were to say that the wild olive is not
received into the paradise of God. Admirably therefore does the
apostle exhibit our nature, and God's universal appointment, in
his discourse about flesh and blood and the wild olive.
For as the good olive, if neglected for a certain time, if left
to grow wild and to run to wood, does itself become a wild
olive; or again, if the wild olive be carefully tended and
grafted, it naturally reverts to its former fruit bearing
condition: so men also, when they become careless, and bring
forth for fruit the lusts of the flesh like woody produce, are
rendered, by their own fault, unfruitful in righteousness.
For when men sleep, the enemy sows the material of tares; and
for this cause did the Lord command His disciples to be on the
watch. And again, those persons who are not bringing forth the
fruits of righteousness, and are, as it were, covered over and
lost among brambles, if they use diligence, and receive the word
of God as a graft, arrive at the pristine nature of man, that
which was created after the image and likeness of God. [Rom.
But as the engrafted wild olive does not certainly lose the
substance of its wood, but changes the quality of its fruit, and
receives another name, being now not a wild olive, but a fruit
bearing olive, and is called so; so also when man is grafted in
by faith and receives the Spirit of God, he certainly does not
lose the substance of flesh, but changes the quality of the
fruit [brought forth, i.e.,] of his works, and receives another
name, showing that he has become changed for the better, being
now not [mere] flesh and blood, but a spiritual man, and is
called such. [1 Cor. 15:50]
Then again, as the wild olive, if it be not grafted in, remains
useless to its lord because of its woody quali ty, and is cut
down as a tree bearing no fruit, and cast into the fire; so also
man, if he does not receive through faith the engrafting of the
Spirit, remains in his old condition, and being [mere] flesh and
blood, he cannot inherit the kingdom of God. [John 15:2]
Rightly therefore does the apostle declare, `flesh and blood
cannot inherit the kingdom of God;' and, `Those who are in the
flesh cannot please God:' not repudiating [by these words] the
substance of flesh, but showing that into it the Spirit must be
infused. and for this reason, he says, `This mortal must put on
immortality, and this corruptible must put on incorruption.'"
Bishop Irenaeus goes on to say : " But if the Spirit of Him who
raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up
Christ from the dead shall quicken your mortal bodies, because
of His Spirit dwelling in you. And again he says, in the Epistle
to the Romans, `For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die.'
`But if ye through the Spirit do mortify the works of the
flesh, ye shall live. For whosoever are led by the Spirit of
God, these are the sons of God.'" [A.N.F. Vol. 1 page 536, Rom.
Bishop Irenaeus goes on to tell us that those who turn to sin
after becoming Christians are not truly Christians, but the
children of the devil.
He states that Christians who practice sin whether it be
adultery, fornication, uncleanness, luxuriousness, idolatries,
witchcraft, emulations, animosities, irritable speeches,
dissensions, heresies, envying, drunkenness, carousing, (going
to drunken parties), effeminate men, Homosexuals, thieves,
covetous, revilers, and rapacious persons shall in no way
inherit the kingdom of God.
Modern ministers seem to be quick to baptize any person who
wants to be baptized. They do not seem to care if the person
wanting baptism has ever been taught the word of the Lord! They
are too concerned about filling their church with bodies, so
they can have the prestige of being pastor over a large
congregation; they are also too concerned with taking in more
money.
This is a big mistake and because of it millions are perishing.
The early church insisted that those being baptized go through
some tutoring and show some fruits meet for repentance before
they would baptize anyone into the faith.
They taught that you should not lay hands on a person suddenly,
because being too quick to baptize people into the faith did
them more harm than good. The people in the early church
believed that baptism by immersion in the name of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit was the starting point of Christian
life. [1 Tim. 5:22]
Baptism was to them "the seal of eternal life," and it is also
rebirth unto God, that we be no more children of mortal men, but
of the eternal and everlasting God.
Through baptism, man becomes part of that new humanity which is
the body of Christ, and thus comes to share in the resurrection
of the head of that body, Christ the Lord. To them Jesus was
baptized in order to purify the water, so that we could be
purified by immersion into the water by baptism. [Rom. 6:4]
The church is the mother of the Believers, the Immersion into
water is the womb of the mother, one enters the church through
baptism, and is nourished within it by means of the Eucharist.
Baptism is the washing away of sin, and in that act that
illumination takes place which is at the root of the Christian
life. Baptism does not give the fullness of that life, but it is
the starting point for further growth that should take people to
perfection. [Colo. 2:12]
Tertullian (A.D. 150-220) Said: " baptismal washing is a seal
of faith, which faith is begun and is commended by the faith of
repentance. We are not washed in order that we may cease sinn-
ing, but because we have ceased, since in heart we have been
bathed already. For the first baptism of a learner is this, a
perfect fear; thenceforward, in so far as you have understanding
of the Lord, faith is sound, the conscience having once for all
embraced repentance." [A.N.F. Vol. III page 662]
Tertullian goes on to say : " So it is becoming that learners
desire baptism, but do not hastily receive it: for he who
desires it, honors it; he who hastily receives it, disdains it:
in the one appears modesty, in the other arrogance; the former
satisfies, the latter neglects it; the former covets to merit
it, but the latter promises it to himself as a due return; the
former takes, the latter usurps it.
Whom would you judge worthier, except one who is more amended?
Whom more amended, except one who is more timid, and on that
account has fulfilled the duty of true repentance? For he feared
to continue still in sin, lest he should not merit the reception
of baptism.
But the hasty receiver, inasmuch as he promised it himself (as
his due), being forsooth secure (of obtaining it), could not
fear: thus he fulfilled not repentance either, because he lacked
the instrumental agent of repentance, that is fear.
Hasty reception is the portion of irreverence; it inflates the
seeker, it despises the Giver. And thus it sometimes deceives,
for it promises to itself the gift before it be due; whereby He
who is to furnish the gift is ever offended." [1 Tim. 5:22]
He goes on to say : it " behooves them, while learners, not to
sin; in other words, may they thereafter know nothing of
repentance, and require nothing of it. It is irksome to append
mention of a second-nay, in that case, the last-hope; lest, by
treating of a remedial repenting yet in reserve, we seem to be
pointing to a yet further space for sinning.
Far be it that any one so interpret our meaning, there were
even now, on that account, an opening for sinning; and as if the
redundance of celestial clemency constituted a license for human
temerity. Let no one be less good because God is more so, by
repeating his sin as often as he is forgiven.
Otherwise be sure he will find an end of escaping, when he
shall not find one of sinning..... God foreseeing, although the
gate of forgiveness has been shut and fastened up with the bar
of baptism, has permitted it still to stand some-what open.
In the vestibule He has stationed the second repentance for
opening to such as knock: but now once for all, because now for
the second time; but never more because the last time it had
been in vain. For is not even this once enough? " [A.N.F. Vol.
III page 662-663, Heb. 6:6]
To the early church baptism was also a form of circumcision.
Justin Martyr (A.D. 110-165), said: " As circumcision began with
Abraham, and the Sabbath and sacrifices and offerings and feasts
with Moses, and it has been proved they were enjoined on account
of the hardness of your people's heart, so it was necessary, in
accordance with the Father's will, that they should have an end
in Him who was born of a virgin.
....And we, who have approached God through Him, have received
not carnal, but spiritual circumcision, which Enoch and those
like him observed. And we have received it through baptism,
since we were sinners, by God's mercy; and all men may equally
obtain it." [A.N.F. Vol. 1 page 216]
The early church believed that baptism was the symbol of new
birth. They believed the person being baptized is born again
through the process of baptism. He is purified and circumcised
by the waters of baptism, thereby enabling the Holy Spirit to
inhabit the cleaned vessel which had been purified by immersion
into the water.
To the early church the water had been purified by Christ's own
baptism. Hence it was to them necessary to be baptized by
immersion in order to inherit the kingdom of God. Those baptized
were baptized in the name of the triune God.
Justin Martyr said: " As many as are persuaded and believe that
what we teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live
accordingly, are instructed to pray and to entreat God with
fasting for the remission of their sins that are past, we
praying and fasting with them. Then they are brought by us where
there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which
we were ourselves regenerated.
For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe,
and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they
then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said,
`Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of
heaven.'" [John 3:3, Matt. 28:19, A.N.F. Vol. 1 page 183]
The early church did not believe in keeping the old Sabbath or
the old circumcision laws, because they knew that Christ changed
the Sabbath to a seven day per week Sabbath in which we are to
keep God's commandments and serve Him seven days a week. They
knew that true Christians had entered into God's rest, therefore
we rest with God seven days per week. [Heb. 4:1-11]. Likewise
they knew that He changed circumcision to the circumcision of
the heart which is received by baptism. [A.N.F. Vol. 1 page 200]
Concerning circumcision and the Sabbath of the Law of Moses,
Justin Martyr (A.D. 110-165), said: "But if some, through
weak-mindedness, wish to observe such institutions as were given
by Moses, from which they expect some virtue, but which we
believe were appointed by reason of the hardness of the people's
hearts, along with their hope in this Christ, and [wish to
perform] the eternal and natural acts of righteousness and
piety, yet choose to live with Christians and the faithful, as I
said before, not inducing them either to be circumcised like
themselves, or to keep the Sabbath, or to observe any other such
ceremonies, then I hold that we ought to join ourselves to such,
and associate with them in all things as kinsmen and brethren."
[A.N.F. Vol. 1 page 218]
Bishop Clement of Alexandria (A.D.153-217), speaking of the
difference between ignorant sin and willful sin said: " He,
then, who has received the forgiveness of sins ought to sin no
more.
For, in addition to the first and only repentance from sins
(this is from the previous sins in the first and heathen life-I
mean that in ignorance), there is forth-with proposed to those
who have been called, the repentance which cleanses the seat of
the soul from transgression, that faith may be established....
Accordingly, being very merciful, He (God), has vouchsafed, in
the case of those who, though in faith, fall into transgression,
a second repentance; so that should any one be tempted after his
calling, overcome by force and fraud, he may receive still a
repentance not to be repented of.
`For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the
knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for
sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery
indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.' [Heb. 10:26]
But continual and successive repenting for sins differ nothing
from the case of those who have not believed at all, except only
in their consciousness that they do sin. And I know not which of
the two is worst, whether the case of a man who sins knowingly,
or of one who, after having repented of his sins, transgresses
again.
For in the process of proof sin appears on each side; the sin
which in its commission is condemned by the worker of iniquity,
and that of the man who, foreseeing what is about to be done,
yet puts his hand to it as a wickedness.
And he who perchance gratifies himself in anger and pleasure,
gratifies himself in he knows what; and he who, repenting of
that in which he gratified himself, by rushing again into
pleasure, is near neighbor to him who has sinned wilfully at
first.
For one who does again that of which he has repented, and
condemning what he does, performs it willingly. He, then, who
from among the Gentiles and from that old life has betaken
himself to faith, has obtained forgiveness of sins once.
But he who has sinned after this, on his repentance, though he
obtain pardon, aught to fear, as one no longer washed to the
forgiveness of sins. For not only must the idols which he
formerly held as gods, but the works also of his former life, be
abandoned by him who has been `born again, not of blood, nor of
the will of the flesh,' but in the Spirit; which consists in
repenting by not giving way to the same fault.
For frequent repentance and readiness to change easily from
want of training, is the practice of sin again. The frequent
asking of forgiveness, then, for those things in which we often
transgress, is the semblance of repentance, not repentance
itself. "[A.N.F. Vol. II, page 360]
Bishop Clement goes on to say : " Revolt and distraction and
disobedience are in our own power, as obedience is in our power.
Wherefore voluntary actions are judged ....What is voluntary is
either what is by desire, or what is done by choice, or what is
of intention. Closely allied to each other are these things-sin,
mistake, crime.
It is sin, for example, to live luxuriously and licentiously; a
misfortune, to wound one's friend in ignorance, taking him for
an enemy; and crime, to violate graves or commit sacrilege.
Sinning arises from being unable to determine what ought to be
done, or being unable to do it; as doubtless one falls into a
ditch either through not knowing, or through inability to leap
across through feebleness of body.
But application to the training of ourselves, and subjection to
the commandments, is in our own power; with which if we will
have nothing to do, by abandoning ourselves wholly to lust, we
shall sin, nay rather, wrong our own soul.... Mistake is sin
contrary to calculation; and voluntary sin is a crime (adikia);
and crime is voluntary wickedness.
Sin, then, is on my part voluntary. Wherefore says the apostle,
`Sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the
law, but under grace.' Addressing those who have believed, he
says, `For by His stripes we were healed.' Mistake is the
involuntary action of another towards me, while a crime (adikia)
alone is voluntary, whether my act or another's. These differen-
ces of sin are alluded to by the Psalmist, when he calls those
blessed whose iniquities (anomias) God hath covered.
Others He does not impute, and the rest He forgives. For it is
written, `Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose
sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not
impute sin, and in whose mouth there is no fraud.' This
blessedness came on those who had been chosen by God through
Jesus Christ our Lord. For `love hides the multitude of sins.'
And they are blotted out by Him `who desireth the repentance
rather than the death of the sinner.' And those are not reckoned
that are not the effect of choice; '.....
John, too, manifestly teaches the differences of sins, in his
larger Epistle, in these words: `If any man see his brother sin
a sin that is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give
him life: for these that sin not unto death,' he says. For
`there is a sin unto death: I do not say that one is to pray for
it. All unrighteousness is sin; and there is a sin not unto
death.'" [A.N.F. Vol. II, pages 361-362, 1 John 5:16]
Origen (A.D.185-254) was one of the more liberal theologians in
the early church. However the church was unified about their
opinion of the identity of a true Christian. We will quote the
liberal Origen to show the unity of the church in this matter,
Origen said: " he who commits those great sins is not a brother,
even if he be called a brother, as the Apostle says, `If any one
is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater,
etc., with such an one no not to eat;' [1 Cor.5:11] , for no one
who is an idolater, or a fornicator, or covetous, is a brother;
for if he, who seems to bear the name of Christ, though he is
named a brother, has something of the features of these, he
would not rightly be called a brother.
... he who distinguishes between the brother and him who is
called the brother might teach that, in the case of the least of
the sins of men, he who has not repented after the telling of
the fault is to be reckoned as a Gentile and a publican, for
sins which are `not unto death,' or, as the law has described
them in the Book of Numbers, [Num. 15:27], not `death bringing.'
" [A.N.F. Vol. X, page 492, 1 John 5:16, Matt. 12:32, Heb. 6:6,
Modern day pastors are deceived by the devil's lies, they try
to tell us the only unpardonable sin is denying Jesus is the
Christ. They say the only unpardonable sin is when a Christian
quits being a Christian by denying Christ and no longer desiring
to be a Christian. They say when you commit the unpardonable sin
you will no longer have the desire to go to church or serve the
Lord.
As we have seen from the writings of the early church, Origen
and all the fathers of the early church totally disagree with
modern day preachers on this point! The teachings of the entire
early church as well as Origen's above passage makes it very
clear that the unpardonable sin spoken of by Jesus and Apostle
John was considered by the early church as referring to willful
sins. [Matt. 12:32, Heb. 6:6, 10:26, 1 John 5:16, Num. 15:27,
Deut. 1:43, 17:12]
They made it very clear that denying Christ is not the only
unpardonable sin. According to the Bible and the teachings of
the early church willful sin has always been an unpardonable sin
under every law or covenant of God. The Bible makes it very
clear that God did not change the unpardonable willful sins to a
pardonable sin under the new covenant in the new testament.
Origen goes on to tell us that those who commit and repent of
the same sin often, will not be forgiven by the church nor God.
[A.N.F. Vol. X, page 492-493]
The beloved Bishop Polycarp (A.D.65-156), said: " He who raised
Him (Jesus), up from the dead will raise up us also, if we do
His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved,
keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love
of money, evil speaking, false witness; `not rendering evil for
evil, or railing for railing,' or blow for blow, or cursing for
cursing, but being mindful of what the Lord said in His
teaching: `Judge not, that ye be not judged; forgive, and it
shall be forgiven unto you; be merciful, that ye may obtain
mercy; with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you
again'... I exhort you all, therefore, to yield obedience to the
word of righteousness, and to exercise all patience, such as ye
have seen [set] before your eyes, not only in the case of the
blessed Ignatius, and Zosimus, and Rufus.
But also in others among yourselves, and in Paul himself, and
the rest of the apostles..... For if a man cannot govern himself
in such matters, how shall he enjoin them on others? If a man
does not keep himself from covetousness, he shall be defiled by
idolatry, and shall be judged as one of the heathens.... The
Epistles of Ignatius written by him to us, and all the rest [of
his Epistles] which we have by us, we have sent to you, as you
requested. They are subjoined to this Epistle , and by them ye
may be greatly profited; for they treat of faith and patience,
and all things that tend to edification in our Lord.
Any more certain information you have obtained respecting both
Ignatius himself, and those that were with him, have the
goodness to make known to us."
As you can see from this Epistle from Polycarp, the early
church was very fond of the writings of Bishop Ignatius and
other early saints who had personally spoken to the apostles. We
can also see that Bishop Ignatius was in full agreement with the
rest of the church concerning circumcision and the Sabbath.
Bishop Ignatius said: " For some are in the habit of carrying
the name [of Jesus Christ] in wicked guile, while yet they
practice things unworthy of God, whom ye must flee as ye would
wild beasts..... Do not err, my brethren. Those that corrupt
families shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
He also said: " For if we still live according to the Jewish
law, we acknowledge that we have not received grace...If,
therefore, those who were brought up in the ancient order of
things have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer
observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the
Lord's Day, on which also our life sprung up again by Him and by
His death- whom some deny, by which mystery we have obtained
faith, and therefore endure, that we may be found the disciples
of Jesus Christ, our only Master..... Let us not, therefore, be
insensible to His kindness. For were He to reward us according
to our works, we should cease to be.
Therefore, having become His disciples, let us learn to live
according to the principles of Christianity..... It is absurd to
profess Christ Jesus, and to Judaize. For Christianity did not
embrace Judaism, but Judaism Christianity, that so every tongue
which believeth might be gathered together to God." [A.N.F. Vol.
Bishop Ignatius also warns us that those who profess to be
Christians but follow false doctrines will end in a fatal death.
He said: " I therefore, yet not I, but the love of Jesus Christ,
entreat you that ye use Christian nourishment only, and abstain
from herbage of a different kind; I mean heresy.
For those [that are given to this] mix up Jesus Christ with
their own poison, speaking things which are unworthy of credit,
like those who administer a deadly drug in sweet wine, which he
who is ignorant does greedily take, with a fatal pleasure, lead-
ing to his death.... flee therefore, those evil offshoots [of
Satan], which produce death-bearing fruit, whereof if any one
tastes, he instantly dies. For these men are not the planting of
the Father." [A.N.F. Vol. 1, page 68 & 71]
In the early church there were many false doctrines just as
there are in the church today. Some of these false doctrines
stated we are predestinated to be good or evil therefore we have
no free will to choose or not to choose to keep the commandments
of God. Almost all of the writings of the early church fathers
were written to refute false doctrines
In refuting one of these false doctrines about predestination,
Bishop Hippolytus (A.D. 170-236), said: " He (God), makes what
is glorious and excellent; for He who makes it is good. Now man,
that was brought into existence, was a creature endued with a
capacity of self determination, yet not possessing a sovereign
intellect, nor holding sway over all things by reflection, and
authority, and power, but a slave to his passions, and compris-
ing all sorts of contrarieties in himself.
But man, from the fact of his possessing a capacity of self
determination, brings forth what is evil, that is, accidentally;
which evil is not consummated except you actually commit some
piece of wickedness.
For it is in regard of our desiring anything that is wicked, or
our meditating upon it, that what is evil is so denominated.
Evil had no existence from the beginning, but came into being
subsequently.
Since man has free will, a law has been defined for his
guidance by the Deity, not without answering a good purpose. For
if man did not possess the power to will and not to will, why
should a law be established? For a law will not be laid down for
an animal devoid of reason, but a bridle and a whip; whereas to
man has been given a precept and penalty to perform, or for not
carrying into execution what has been enjoined.
For man thus constituted has a law been enacted by just men in
primitive ages. Nearer our own day was there established a law,
full of gravity and justice, by Moses, to whom allusion has been
already made, a devout man, and one beloved of God..... And we
believe the Logos (Jesus), to have passed through every period
in this life, in order that He Himself might serve as a law for
every age, and that, by being present (amongst) us, He might
exhibit His own manhood as an aim for all men.
And that by Himself in person He might prove that God made
nothing evil, and that man possesses the capacity of self
determination, inasmuch as he is able to will and not to will,
and is endued with power to do both." [A.N.F. Vol. V page 151]
Bishop Irenaeus (A.D.130-202), tells us that apostle John, the
disciple of the Lord, going to bathe at Ephesus, and perceiving
Cerinthus the false teacher within, rushed out of the bath house
without bathing, exclaiming " Let us fly, lest even the bath
house fall down, because Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth, is
within." And Polycarp himself replied to Marcion the heretic,
who met him on one occasion, and said, " Doest thou know me
Polycarp?" Polycarp replied " I do know thee, the firstborn of
Satan."
Such was the horror which the Apostles and their disciples had
against holding even verbal communication with any corrupters of
the truth; as Paul also says, " A man that is an heretic, after
the first and second admonition, reject; knowing that he that is
such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself."
[Titus 3:10]
In our modern age with the false teachers in control of 97
percent of the churches, most modern Christians unlike the early
Christians, don't seem to mind being in a church or house with a
false teacher! It seems modern Christians fear being alone, with
no brethren to fellowship, more than they fear the price they
will pay for being in the same church or house with false
teachers and fellowshipping with them!
Modern Christians will pay an awesome price for their apathy
and lack of concern for the support they are lending false
teachers by being under the same roof and fellowshipping with
them and their followers. Just being in attendance with them
gives the brethren and the world the impression we support and
agree with their false doctrines!
Being in attendance in their church gives false teachers the
prestige and power they need to deceive others. People are
easily impressed by the large following a minister seems to have
and this helps him deceive people. That blood of the people who
are deceived will be on the heads of all those who are in
attendance, because being in attendance in their church and
fellowshipping them looks as if we are in agreement with them
and support them.
Marcion the heretic, like many false teachers of today, taught
that Christians do not have to keep the commandments of the Old
Testament, because they are not under the law but under grace.
In refuting this false doctrine, Irenaeus said: " And that the
Lord did not abrogate the natural [precepts] of the law, by
which man is justified, which also those who were justified by
faith, and who pleased God, did observe previous to the giving
of the law, but that He extended and fulfilled them, is shown
from the words.
`For,' He remarks, ` it has been said to them of old time, Do
not commit adultery. But I say unto you, that every one who hath
looked upon a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery
with her already in his heart.' And again: `It has been said,
Thou shalt not kill.
But I say unto you, every one who is angry with his brother
without a cause, shall be in danger of the judgment.' And, ` it
hath been said, Thou shalt not forswear thyself. But I say unto
you, swear not at all; but let your conversation be, Yea, yea,
and Nay, nay.' And other statements of a like nature.
For all these do not contain or imply an opposition to and an
overturning of the [precepts] of the past, as Marcion's
followers do strenuously maintain; but [they exhibit] a fulfill-
ing and an extension of them, as He does Himself declare:
`Unless your righteousness shall exceed that of the scribes and
Pharisees, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.' For
what meant the excess referred to? In the first place, [we must]
believe not only in the Father, but also in His Son now
revealed; for He it is who leads man into fellowship and unity
with God.
In the next place, [we must] not only say, but we must do; for
they said, but did not. And [we must] not only abstain from evil
deeds, but even from the desires after them.
Now He did not teach us these things as being opposed to the
law, but as fulfilling the law, and implanting in us varied
righteousness of the law. That would have been contrary to the
law, if He had commanded His disciples to do anything which the
law had prohibited.
But this which He did command-namely, not only to abstain from
things forbidden by the law, but even from longing after them,
is not contrary to [the law], as I have remarked neither is it
the utterance of one destroying the law, but of one fulfilling,
extending, and affording greater scope to it..... instead of the
law enjoining the giving of tithes, [He told us] to share all
our possessions with the poor; and not to love our neighbors
only, but even our enemies....
Now all these [precepts], as I have already observed, were not
[the injunction] of one doing away with the law, but of one
fulfilling, extending, and widening it among us: just as if one
should say that the more extensive operation of liberty implies
that a more complete subjection and affection towards our
Liberator had been implanted within us.
For He did not set us free for this purpose, that we should
depart from Him (no one indeed, while placed out of reach of the
Lord's benefits, has power to procure for himself the means of
salvation), but that the more we receive His grace, the more we
should love Him.
Now the more we have loved Him, the more glory shall we receive
from Him, when we are continually in the presence of the
Father." [A.N.F. Vol. 1 page 477]
Bishop Irenaeus very well knew " the one who says, `I have come
to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and
the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the
love of God has truly been perfected." [1 John 2:4]
Concerning the Sabbath Irenaeus said: " circumcision after the
flesh typified that after the Spirit. For `we' says the apostle,
`have been circumcised with the circumcision made without
hands.' And the prophet declares, `Circumcise the hardness of
your heart.' But the Sabbaths taught that we should continue day
by day in God's service.
`For we have been counted,' says the Apostle Paul, `all the day
long as sheep for the slaughter;' that is, consecrated [to God],
and ministering continually to our faith, and persevering in it,
and abstaining from all avarice, and not acquiring or possessing
treasures upon earth.
Moreover, the Sabbath of God (requietio Dei), that is, the
kingdom, was, as it were, indicated by created things; in which
[kingdom], the man who shall have persevered in serving God (Deo
assistere) shall, in a state of rest, partake of God's table.
And that man not justified by these things, but that they were
given as a sign to the people, this fact shows -that Abraham
himself, without circumcision and without observance of the
Sabbaths, `believed God, and it was imputed unto him for
righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.'
....David also says : `Sacrifice and oblation Thou didst not
desire, but mine ears hast Thou perfected; burnt-offerings also
for sin Thou hast not required.' He thus teaches them that God
desires obedience rather than sacrifices and holocausts, which
avail them nothing towards righteousness; and [by this
declaration] he prophesies the new covenant at the same time."
[A.N.F. Vol. 1, page 481]
SUMMARY
The early church fathers taught that all people who claim to be
Christians but practice sin are the disciples of the devil. They
did not believe in once saved always saved, but rather believed
that Christians could fall from grace by their own free will.
They did not practice the old circumcision nor Sabbath laws,
but they observed Baptism and the circumcision of the heart in
place of the circumcision of the law. Righteousness and service
to God every-day took the place of the Sabbath. They excommuni-
cated willful sinners and those who committed gross sins. They
took the Bible literally and practiced holiness.
The Bishops of the early church fully understood the difference
between ignorant sin, sins of weakness, and willful sins. They
made it very clear that willful sin is an unpardonable sin and
that the sin unto death was one and the same as a willful sin.
They made it very clear that we should not fellowship with will-
ful sinners or those who call themselves Christians and disobey
the commandments of God. They made it very clear that we should
not sit under the same roof with false teachers nor eat with
those who practice sin and claim to be Christians.
End of Chapter four! Book Continued on part 2!