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2012-01-20T07:21:00.001-06:00

Tripod Me Series #4

2011-11-18T07:32:00.001-06:00

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2011-11-16T06:39:00.001-06:00

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2011-11-15T22:16:00.001-06:00

Living The Divine Life

2009-12-08T21:29:00.001-06:00

Living The Divine Life

Have you ever dreamed about living a miraculous life? Living a life that is not so encumbered by the limitations of this world, a life not so guided by the everyday conundrum of the mundane?

Take a look at the following text

(Luke 1:26) In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town inGalilee,

(Luke 1:27) to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.

(Luke 1:28) The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

(Luke 1:29) Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

(Luke 1:30) But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.

(Luke 1:31) You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

(Luke 1:32) He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,

(Luke 1:33) and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

(Luke 1:34) "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

(Luke 1:35) The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^[3] the Son of God.

(Luke 1:36) Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.

(Luke 1:37) For nothing is impossible with God."

(Luke 1:38) "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

This is the Christmas season… and around us we see lights, and Christmas trees, Christmas shopping, sales and wrapping and so on… There are so many things associated with this season… from presents, cantatas to dinners, and shopping, oh man there is so much shopping!! But the season also houses in it, the theme and the possibility of the miraculous…

There is so much that is miraculous about Christmas – so much divinity in this event! And to be honest we should take notice – because of the individuals involved are – People like Joseph, Elizabeth and even Mary – are nothing more than people, humans just like you and I, they are nothing more than normal everyday people – whom were touched by, and encountered by and engaged with divinity.

I want to talk to you about what it takes:

· To live in the miracle

· to live connected to divinity

· to live a life susceptible to phenomenon, susceptible to the supernatural… susceptible to the celestial

And this brings me to my first thought – WE ARE NOT ALONE…

We are not without traveling companions,

We are not without the assistance of divine fellow servants

We do not travel these life highways alone

We do not face trials alone

We do not face life decisions alone

Instead it is true to state and to say that the celestial are among us, divinity is with us… it surrounds us, communicates to us, and moves us

look at Luke chapter 1

(Luke 1:26) In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town inGalilee,

(Luke 1:27) to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.

(Luke 1:28) The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Notice the occurrences here:

· angels on the earth

· The celestial interacting with humanity

· Talking with humanity

· Moving humanity

Luke 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

Luke 2:9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Luke 2:11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ^[1] the Lord.

Luke 2:12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Luke 2:13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

· Joseph was not alone

· Mary was not alone

· Daniel in the book of Daniel was not alone

· John the revelator talked with an angel he was not alone

· Even lowly shepherds in the field had an encounter with what the bible calls heavenly hosts!

You my dear friend are not alone –

· You are connected to divinity

· You are surrounded by divinity

· You are loved by divinity

you encounter it everyday – many times completely unaware

(Hebrews 13:2) Do not neglect hospitality, because through it some have entertained angels without knowing it.¹

You see that we are not alone – we are surrounded and encirculed and connected to the divine – to God – ALL DAY LONG!

We need to be come – conscious of it- Aware of HIS presence

CHRISTMAS SPEAKS THIS TO US WE ARE NOT ALONE

My next thought is With this touch of divinity, with God - Nothing Is Impossible

There is a point where Jesus is teaching his disciples about salvation and they are stating that what Jesus is telling them is a hard thing and they wonder who can do what Jesus is telling them

And Jesus replies

(Matthew 19:26) But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

You see what he is saying here is so true – so many of the things that we do are connected only to ourselves

So many of the things that we attempt, we attempt all by ourselves

You will find repeatedly in the bible men attempting a task while not connected to divinity and they fail - Yet those same men when connected to God and while operating with God succeed at this exact same task

When we connect to God we connect to success

When we connect to God we connect to power

When we connect to God we connect to might

When we connect to God we connect to victory

There is no failure in God

There is no lack in God

There are no deficiencies in God

When we connect to the power of God

When we connect to the might of God

When we connect to the anointing of God

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

(Luke 1:34) "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

(Luke 1:35) The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^[3] the Son of God.

(Luke 1:36) Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.

(Luke 1:37) For nothing is impossible with God."

Mary knows what the angel has said is not physically possible

It is beyond her to conceive a child without knowing a man

She looks at this and says “How will this be?”

How many of us look at the task before us and wonder – How will this be?

I can’t do this

I can’t afford this

I cannot achieve this

HOW WILL THIS HAPPEN?

GOD of course is the answer God does miracles through humanity – He did amazing things through

Mary, Moses, Daniel, or Paul… to name few! There are a long list of humans who said – How? But The answer was and is GOD!

My Next thought is - The Willing & Surrendering Spirit SAYS “Do with Me as you will”

This is a very critical point – Mary works with the divine will of God, she allows it to overshadow her, she follows its flow where ever it goes and she flows with it. How strange a thing this is that we often fail to recognize the move of God, and fail to get on board with the plan of God!

The greatest hindrance to a miraculous existence, to a celestial experience, to divine life is our insistence on our own way.

Moses operated in the miraculous – because he was in the plan of God

Think of Shadrach – Meshach and Abednego – the Hebrew men who did not die in the fiery furnace. These men were not immune to fire, They did not have a genetic disposition that gave them the ability to withstand flames, heat and fire. So how did the miraculous happen, or this amazing event transpire? Simple Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were operating in the flow of GOD!

Connected to the divine current of God – to the way God was moving, created a new realm of possibilities, an absolutely powerful avenue of the divine… functioning, operating and performing the miraculous!

Listen to the book of James

Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.

Jas 4:2 You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way.

Jas 4:4 You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble."

Jas 4:7 So let God work his will in you

Where does the breakdown happen… In selfishness, our personal desires, our fleshy or selfish wants!

There is great power in disconnecting from self so we can follow God, disconnecting from what we want, disconnecting from our selfish desires, disconnecting from our own will our own current or flow which is full of limitations and full of impossibilities…

Paul called addressed this disconnect in (1 Corinthians 15:31) I die daily.

And again in the book of Galatians

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

Paul is saying “this is not about what I want” or “This is not about my ego, or my self image” -This is not about my own selfish desires… This is about what GOD is doing and my connection and life in him

(Luke 17:33) People who try to save their lives will lose them, and those who lose their lives will save them.

There is a section of scripture that I always found so intriguing and it is in the book of Acts… notice this

(Acts 16:6) Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.

(Acts 16:7) After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit^[a] did not permit them.

Notice that Paul has a desire, and even attempts to fulfill it… but when this does not work, for whatever reason, the writer says the Spirit, the divine, did not permit them to go… How unique is this? How incredible that there is no blame on the world, or the devil or some force of evil… but instead He accepts what is happening stating that God is in charge!

Our job is just to recognize and cooperate with that divine guidance. To stop letting life be a struggle, and, instead, begin to flow with effortless ease in the direction that God guides…

The Miraculous life is found in those that trust in God, obey and flow with God… connect with Him… Surrender to God… Accept the fact that God is with us… that in Him we move, we live, we breath and we have our being(Acts 17:28)

The Easy Encounter With God

2009-08-21T00:31:00.006-05:00

So what’s wrong with the world today, what’s wrong with the church? Why are people so embittered against the church, and why is it so hard to get them connected, why are we frustrated, why are ministers leaving the ministry?

These are a few of the questions that loom among the believers today and I am sure there are a million opinions on this issue, I have one too… I don’t think that my opinion is of any more validity than any one else’s, but hey it’s my blog and I’ll blog if I want too!

My personal opinion is this – years of self righteous, self serving, self pinning, egotistical, religious, hypocritical, self defined virtue have taken its toll. So much so that we don’t even know what church is suppose to look like, or feel like! We don’t know how to respond to one another, to respond to the call of Christ or to the world without!

Who to love, how to love, what to love and what is love seem to be the most evasive answers to our “Christian society” today.

We are stuck between the manufactured image of our modern Christ, and the frustration that product produces.

It has so many of us feeling lost and uncertain.

Let’s face it we are tired and frustrated… tired of trying to play the part and look the image… saying the “Christian thing” in the Christian way, feeling frustrated that God did not “show up” or did not respond the way the televangelist said he would and wondering where in the world we are!

So many are tired of the right song at the right moment followed by the manufactured right words – it has become nauseating and all the while– there He is, Jesus, consistent, persistent, loving and waiting by that same ole well… The same well that he waited by for the Samaritan woman – Who like us was not worthy, who like us was frustrated, who like us was totally and utterly confused, who like us needed an encounter with the real Jesus! (John 4)

Interestingly enough Jesus seemed happy to oblige, happy to wait for this woman – in fact the encounter was His idea and… I like that… a God who looks for the opportunity to have an encounter with me, with you… a God who looks for the moment to clear it all up a bit… a God who takes the time to wait in a place where he knows I will show up… just to encounter me… Wow – can I fathom being “God –Chased!”

Encountering God may not be the maze we once propagated it to be… Could it be that God wants to expose us to His love, His grace and His power?(Luke 13:35) (John 1:14-17) Could it be this seeming chase to find Him, this elusive game of His presence being just out of our reach that all this has been a sham? A rouse, even perhaps a tool to keep us in line?

I don’t even know if I want to answer that, all I know is the God defined by scripture seems to be hunting continually for us… I find Him calling men, (Mark 1: 16, 17, 18) seeking them in the cool of the day,(Genesis 3:8) seeking them under trees,(1 Kings 19:5) in a manger at some dirty stable(Luke 2:1-14) in upper rooms(John 20:24-29), and walking along roads( Luke 24:13-32) and even through burning bushes and MOST PROMINANTLY ON A CROSS…

And so the question is – WHO ARE YOU GOD? - The God who abides ever elusively or are you the one who continually calls to man, even hunts for him? The one who has broken every barrier to get to us, the one who circumvented the spirit/flesh barrier, the life/death barrier – even the sin barrier to reach us, to get into our presence, and to bring us into yours?

This seems to be You? All that I can say to this is “Thank you”

Thank you Jesus because I am so lost sometimes and what I really need is for you to come find me… and you do(Matthew18:12-14)

Thank you God because I get so depleted and what I really need to know is that you love me, and you promise me that you do (Jeremiah 31:3)

Thank you Jesus because sometimes I get weary and I need a friend and you are…(John 15:15)

Be the self defined God of my life… Set me free of my illusions and let me see you through your own description of who you are!

Because you are magnificent, glorious and great! The God who went through ALL THE TROUBLE OF SENDING HIS OWN SON - and for what?!?

For you and for me... Can you accept that today? Can you receive that today? That God has chased you... Called you... Wants you? He does you know... He loves you... and you can't change that... Thank God - For He has loved us with an everlasting, unending, unfathomable love(John 3:16)

Without Spot!

2008-10-27T07:00:00.001-05:00

With anger Janice threw her purse to the table, she could not believe what happened today; she was furious, frustrated and offended! She reached for the phone and called her best friend “Sarah” Janice started “you won’t believe what happened today, I am furious” Sarah sensing Janice’s rage she quickly asked Janice “What in the world happened?” “Well, you wont believe it” Janice quipped “Do you remember James, the man I work with, you know the one I have been witnessing too – well today he literally had the nerve to ask me if I wanted to have an affair!” Janice heatedly lamented. “I mean me, a Christian – How could he?”
Sarah sensing the obvious pain and frustration tried to intervene, but Janice was already starting the next wave of her tirade – “I don’t get it, I was kind, I smiled, I showed interest and care – I even ate lunch with him once – all the things that Jesus did! I even…” before she could go on Sarah interrupted “Janice –in all your WWJDing did you ever actually tell James about Jesus? Did you make it clear that you where a sold out, born again, spirit filled Christian?” silence dominated the cell waves for a moment – Janice had forgotten the most important element in propagating Christianity – was actually being a Christian.

In our attempts to become relevant and reachable to an unchurched world, I watch as the lines of distinction between the church and the world really have begun to blur and not to our credit – I am not talking about musical styles or apparel, but plain ole common ethics – ethics are merely a system of moral principles governing the appropriate conduct for a person or group – I am amazed as the masses compromise these elements when they seem to suit them and uphold them in an attempt to manipulate others…

For instance Christian musical groups seem to find creative ways to hide their faith in their lyrics, witnessing techniques set at hiding our truest views in relevant words, and of course the “post modern language and behavior approach” whose motive is “to win them you have to be like them” mentality.

Certainly we could dive much further and all the more offensive if we so chose; one would merely need to address improper relationships in the church, conservatives voting liberal instead of God’s values - I am still dying to figure that one out, particularly in pertinent in the coming days – I mean the erosion of common sense holiness is apparent! In fact in an ethics class recently the instructor had to tell the class “When you pastor a church don’t invite the secretary to ride with you to the bank or to look at new carpet or anywhere else!” another stated “If you have a problem with internet pornography get help – and stop doing it” More than once I have seen praise teams, worship bands and church members whose apparel allowed me to see… more – actually much more than I should see.

While I do not believe that holiness has completely faded into oblivion I do believe it has taken a back seat or has been removed from the center stage – common ethics are no longer givens – the next generation has to be told about potential dangers, from leaders because they never learned them as basic ethics 101 - which perhaps could be the reason accusations are becoming more and more common! Interestingly enough Paul stated in (Romans 2:24) As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

The notion was that the sins of God’s people where in some ways tarnishing the image of God among the heathen… Have you considered how failures not only affect the church but those outside the church as well? I was not serving the Lord when Jimmy Swaggert fell – but I well remember it: he bashed Rock and Roll it seemed every Sunday, sending all us rockers to hell in his sermons… when news of his fall hit my ears – I confess it was damaging, when ministers fall, marriages fail, and churches split – make no mistake friends the world is watching, and yet another brick wall is built, another excuse supplied and another reason is gained to stay away from Jesus and the hypocrites that follow Him.

Over the next few weeks and days I’d like to deal with a few controversial topics relating to Godly principles. Certainly feathers will be ruffled and toes stepped on – and you (yes I am talking to you) may even disagree with my personal assessment. Few are as avid against the destruction of legalism as am I, but we must equally understand that the ruse of covert Christianity is not consistent with the faith of our forefathers: Peter, James or Paul, nor is it is not consistent with the spread of our faith all around the world… Hugs are good, grace is glorious, but there’s value in an ole fashioned altar call from time to time…

Change Christianity from its original ingredients, and sooner than later its really not Christianity any more – I was once served meat loaf with and interesting twist, and honey I can tell you just because you call it meat loaf – that does not make it meat loaf – “I’ve had Meat Loaf, and this dear lady aint no Meat Loaf”

I remember

2008-09-11T11:54:00.003-05:00

Did the red seem a little more vibrant, the blue a little more precious, and the stars somehow more majestic on the US flag today?

They did for me, as I passed by the flag at Carbondale park flying at half mast this morning, and I admit it – tears formed in my eyes – it is a beautiful flag. I love my country so much, and as I reflected on the September 11^th that tragically unfolded seven years ago… I realized it still hurts a little, and I am still a little upset over the whole thing… and still a little angry.

I am moved at the Twin Towers, on our soil, burning in the New York skyline, the people leaping from burning structures, on our soil, our US brothers and sisters, jumping to their death, and others who gave their lives in the hopes of saving some: fireman, policemen and ambulatory services succumbing to death all at the means of terrorists, and on our soil.

I have not forgotten them
I have not forgotten the killers who sinned against them, and us.
I have not forgotten the images of destruction, death and ruin.
I have not forgotten the threats, and cheers of Muslim extremists.
I have not forgotten the tears I cried on that day.
I have not forgotten the stories of those who lost family, those who survived, and the lives of children who lost their parents.
I have not forgotten the messages on answering machines of those who stated their last goodbyes
I have not forgotten the plane in the pentagon
I have not forgotten the plane in the field
I have not forgotten 9/11 and I hope I NEVER do.

I hope time does not dull the senses, time does not dull the resolve, time does not dull the memory of transgressors murdering innocent Americans… I hope time does not dull the feeling of my honored citizenship on that day when we as a country where one, we where honored, we where proud and patriotic! I hope time does not dull the reality of evil that exists in this world, and resolve that good must persevere!

I contend that 9/11 is the most significant event to occur in my life time… and perhaps the history of this nation, and though life continues, business is usual, and the world turns – I am today emotional; emotional over the date, emotional over the memory and emotional over the event… and today I remember! To the victims, the hero’s to dead, and to terrorists – I REMEMBER YOU!

September 11, 2001 ever ingrained in my spirit; I remember where I was, the station that was playing, and the spot in the road. I remember the scenes from the television, the call home and the days that followed…

Today take a moment to look at the flag, today take a moment to say a prayer for the fatherless, the widowed and the hurting, today take a moment to pray for our leaders… today take a moment to remember

My Review of "The Shack"

2008-09-08T14:34:00.003-05:00

Okay – well here goes my spin on the book "The Shack". There has been a lot of buzz about the book. Some good some bad, some fair and some just down right rude!
The Shack is a novel by William P. Young, and the book has made quite a few waves in Christian circles. It has been on the New York Times best sellers list and at the time of this opine it is among the top ten at Amazon .com as well!

So what’s the deal - a whole host of reviewers have labeled the book as poorly written, while others have even called it “heresy” to the opposite extreme the highly respected Eugene Peterson, who is responsible for the Message Bible, stated:

"When the imagination of a writer and the passion of a theologian cross-fertilize the result is a novel on the order of The Shack. This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his. It’s that good!"

Eugene Peterson, Professor Emeritus Of Spiritual Theology,
Regent College, Vancouver, B.C.

Other churches claim to be giving the book away by the box loads, because it is so good… So who is right?
What do I think?

Well I read the book in a weekend and I loved it! I laughed and, admittedly, I cried, and felt the presence of God. I think the book is absolutely fantastic! It is the most unconventional, weird and outside the box Christian book I have ever read, and it made a profound impact on me! I cannot recommend it enough! READ THIS BOOK!

Now that being said is it the most theologically sound book on the market? No it is not, nor is that the intention of the author. The author’s intention is to show the love of God, and those who criticize the book based on its theological stumblings didn’t "get it" to begin with…

The book is not a discourse of doctrine; it is instead a journey through the soul of a broken man, who experiences the love of God. It is unconventional to be certain… but it is a beautiful exchange that shows a God who is not impressed, nor desires, for humanity to live in guilt, condemnation, and shame… With the constant nagging of "I’m not doing enough" Well: Hip Hip Hooray! It explores on an emotional level the acceptance of completion in Christ – a main theme of the apostle Paul by the way – which in a world of witch trials, seed- faith (sowing seeds for miracles) and other barterings with God – I further applaud- again "Hip Hip Hooray!"

For certain there are some portions of the book that are not absolutely 100% concrete correct, but the book challenges the Pharisee resident in all of us, it challenges us to instead of simply seeing, and abiding by the rules of the bible the book pushes us to the spirit of the law, instead of the regulations we are pushed to relationship – The relationship between God and man, and man and man… (one more time now all together "HIP HIP HOORAY")

Once again- I never said the book was perfect nor am I ready to trade in the ole KJV and inquire about the leather bound – gold leaf version of "The Shack" to astutly stuff under my arm on a Sunday morning! But my goodness I will contend my heart was enlightened, my spirit was lifted and my soul did rejoice!

Few books make a profound impact on me, in fact it is rare that I finish one, this one I finished, and it has left its mark. If you’re looking for the next series of Doctrinal Discourses on the Trinity, or The Finite Understandings of the Symbolism on the book of Revelation Accurately Explained – the book is certain to disappoint – if however you can open your mind and let your heart take a ride with a God who possibly loves us so much more than we imagined – I think you’ll enjoy the book (gee just for old times sake “HIP HIP HOORAY”)

A few concerns
To be fair in the latter chapters a discourse gives ever so slightly the appearance of universalism and the discerning eye will raise its brow– it does later however talk of the need for repentance and relationship with Jesus Christ…

The Trinity aspect is sometimes unique – and not always consistent – but lets say this word out loud together "FICTION"

Finally the subject recently came up in our discussion on Wednesday evening about God first appearing to Mack (the main character) as an overweight black woman, and how odd that was… to which came the quick rebuttal “But you don’t mind Him as a talking burning bush?”

God Bless you and I hope you enjoy the read!
Craig

Did Jesus Tell Us To Use His Name At Baptism?

2008-08-21T23:13:00.006-05:00

The existence of the Apostolic Oneness Pentecostal belief system typically centers around one central verse: Acts 2:38, of which they interpret the entire Word of God through this one verse. This style of biblical interpretation causes great error, of which is clearly evident in their theology.
As time allows over the next few weeks I am going to deal with each "Oneness Pentecostal Misunderstanding" at a time and try and better clarify the true meaning of the verse and verses they have through the years distorted and abused for personal gain...

The assessment of the Oneness Pentecostal is that the Apostle Peter's wording in Acts 2:38 is that “JESUS” is the one name subscribed to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

Apostolic believe that that Jesus spoke a cryptic mysterious riddle and the apostles understood the cryptic message of Jesus, that they where not to invoke the name of the Father, the Son and The Holy Ghost at baptism as Jesus said, but instead – this was a coded message to use the actual name "Jesus"!

Okay one issue at a time

1) Did Jesus ever speak in this code prior to this?

Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Mark 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

We can see that Jesus uses freely “my name” in the above texts to indicate that we are to use His actual name - so why now at such a crucial point of salvation does Jesus “mix it up” a bit? Why not be forthwith with it? Why all the code?

2) Is the name of the Father, JESUS?

Here is the crux of the matter – What we really have to determine is this one issue. Is the name of "Jesus" the name of the Father? It is critical because this is where the doctrine stands or falls. Jesus Name people/Oneness Pentecostals state JESUS is the one name of GOD revealed to humanity by which to call – Hence the name of the Father is JESUS, and the Holy Spirit is JESUS, and of course Jesus is JESUS.

The problematic scene we have – is biblically we do not see such a reality, the bible never tells us the name of Jesus is the one name of God

This causes us a problem with the Oneness interpretation of Acts 2:38.

There is no scriptural text to validate that the one name of JESUS is the one name ascribed to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. In fact scripture contains distinctions such as those noted in the greetings to the Romans See Romans 1:1-7

(Rom 1:7) To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Again in 2 John 3 (2 John 1:3) Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Such greetings and statements are VERY problematic for the oneness adherents; in fact in most cases such a greeting would not be welcome among oneness ranks, for its supposed Trinitarian implication.

Typically most of the text that is used to support this view are interpretational errors such as…

(John 5:43) I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible states…
John 5:43 - I am come in my Father's name,.... Power and authority; by his consent, with his will, and according to a covenant with him: Christ came not of himself, of his own accord, by a separate power and will of his own, but was called, and sent, and came by mutual agree meat; and brought his credentials with him, doing the works and miracles which his Father gave him to finish:

Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible states…
I am come in my Father’s name - With all his influence and authority. Among the rabbins, it was essential to a teacher’s credit that he should be able to support his doctrine by the authority of some eminent persons who had gone before. Hence the form, Coming in the name of another.

The most accurate rendition of this is “I am come in my Father’s authority, power and consent” not that the name of the Father is JESUS. You’ll find few biblical scholars who assume the text to mean anything more than the commentaries above have noted. Much like David stated

(1 Samuel 17:45) Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

Meaning the power, authority and might of GOD, David was not implying that the name of the Father was DAVID!!! But under the exegesis of apostolics – we must assume this to be the meaning since they insist the same words spoken by JESUS to mean this very thing.

Another instance is seen here in (John 10:25) Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

The greek word for “name” according to Strongs is:
G3686 ὄνομα
onoma
on'-om-ah
From a presumed derivative of the base of G1097 (compare G3685); a “name” (literally or figuratively), (authority, character): - called, (+ sur-) name (-d).

”Name” here could be figuratively or literally – but we see the two fold meaning
1) a “name
2) authority, character
It is scholarly assumed to mean: authority, character

Thirdly and one I often heard when I was a Oneness Pentecostal was the poor usage of Zechariah 14:9. Some assume the prophecy of Zechariah 14:9 to be fulfilled by the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ

It reads

Zechariah 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

Insisting this prophecy has been fulfilled and that name is Jesus, oneness adherents often site this verse to establish the validity of their doctrine…

Lets look at the verse in context…

The chapter starts with this prophetic word

(Zechariah 14:2) For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

(Zechariah 14:3) Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

(Zechariah 14:4) And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown

Zec 14:4 -

… The place of His departure at His ascension shall be the place of His return: and the “manner” of His return also shall be similar (Act_1:11). He shall probably “come from the east”…

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Zec 14:1 - Behold, the day of the Lord cometh,.... Or the day when the Lord will come, both in his spiritual and personal reign; for this is not to be understood of his first coming in the flesh…

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

One Lord, and his name one - There shall be in those blessed days, only one religion, and one form of religion. There shall not be gods many, and lords many. All mankind shall be of one religion, the essence of which is, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength; and thy Neighbor as thyself.”

Further the context states

Zec 14:11 And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.

Zec 14:12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.

Obviously this is a futuristic event and not a current reality! Therefore their use of Zechariah 14:9 is improper.

Oneness adherents have a real problem now, since we do not have the scriptural ability to attribute the name of JESUS CHRIST to the Father! In fact thier entire theology is debunked in this one little article!

Interestingly enough the bible actually tells us that Jesus Himself we receive a new name

(Revelation 3:12) Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Oneness proponents for years have insisted that Jesus is the one name discussed in Zechariah and that Jesus spoke cryptically in Matthew 28:19 - the unfortunate reality is the rest of the bible does not support such a premise - Error results in any fringe group when a single verse becomes the cornerstone of their movement, and not the unchanging Word of God - the bible reminds us to take the WHOLE COUNSEL - not just a few pet verses

It Stinks To Be Stuck - PART ONE

2008-08-04T21:03:00.004-05:00

Alright it's time to blog again - I have been swamped, and unable to write for a little bit - BUT I'M BACK WITH A VENGEANCE!

This is a five part series about being stuck in life - Based on the Hebrews 40 year adventure in the desert on the way to the promise land!

Enjoy!

(Hebrews 3:12) See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

(Hebrews 3:13) But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

(Hebrews 3:14) We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.

(Hebrews 3:15) As has just been said:"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."^[2]

(Hebrews 3:16) Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?

(Hebrews 3:17) And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert?

(Hebrews 3:18) And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed^[3] ?

(Hebrews 3:19) So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

Heb 4:1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.

Heb 4:2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.^[1]

Heb 4:3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.' "^[2]

Heb 4:4 And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "And on the seventh day God rested from all his work."^[3]

Heb 4:5 And again in the passage above he says, "They shall never enter my rest."

Heb 4:6 It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience.

The bible tells us that the Hebrews Children where headed for the promise land… they where headed for that place where the land of milk and honey flowed .

That land of blessing…

The promise that God had procured for them. It was approx an 8 day trip….. However it took them 40 years! Talk about going the long way around! Shee

40 years they wandered through the desert
40 years they wasted time going around in circles…

40 years of the same scenery

How frustrating it must have been to be so close… yet never reaching their destination…

Do you ever feel that way? Like you're so close but just not quite there? Like you have been looking at the same ole scenery for way to long?

I want to talk to you about reaching the promise land, because perhaps you have left Egypt(so to speak)… You have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, you have accepted the Lord as your king – you’re a follower of HIM… There has been powerful changes in your life, but yet, you feel stuck

You're stuck in the desert, you feel stuck, you act stuck, why, you look stuck!

Maybe you came from a family that is stuck, and they passed their "stuckness" on to you and you... well if things don't change you may pass your "stuckness"(Yes, I know that's not a word) onto your kids!

You don’t want to be stuck, you don’t like to be stuck, but still you are stuck, and you feel like you just might die stuck.

You feel like: I'm gonna die stuck in this place, I’m gonna die stuck with this face, I’m gonna die stuck!

and I don't have to tell you: it stinks to be stuck

I want us to look at the things that keep us stuck

Cuz the same things that kept them stuck in the desert, are the same things that keep us stuck today. We'll look at one element that keeps us stuck per article and work our way through

#1 Murmering

(Exodus 14:11) They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?

(Exodus 14:12) Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"

(Exodus 14:13) Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.

(Exodus 14:14) The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

They had already seen God move in mighty ways – yet they have become grumblers, complainers and murmers

In case you don't know – nobody, including God, likes a complainer

Complaining is bad

Complaining and grumbling keeps you stuck!

Some people all they do is complain. They have and maintain a poor out look on life, all they can see is the bad, and are quick to share how rough they have got it! It is poor me the moment they awake and they stay that way day after day after day.

When you murmur and complain you are in effect telling God

Your plan and your work in my life is not satisfactory!
I don’t care for your way of doing things!

When we complain, we focus only on what’s wrong. Things may be mostly fine but complainers only talk about the problems, annoyances and peeves they perceive are ruining their lives!

The problem with being a complainer is your perception of the situation will look a lot worse than it really is. You'll actually retard or impair your ability to correctly view your life, and the challenges that come your way.

Another very serious issue is science has discovered that complaining is actually habit forming. You actually training your mind to look at the negative. Listen to that for a moment. It is a proven fact that the mind forms its own habits, it own cycle of thought.

Now we can break these cycles of thought but it takes purposed thinking to do so, it is not the immediate subconscious tendency(praise God - we can form good God like habits of subconscious thought too) I said all that to say this - the more you complain the more subconscious habits your are creating - this means your thought tendency will be that of depression, frustration and defeat!

That’s why Paul tells us to think about the good things

(Philippians 4:8) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

My favorite section of this verse is "if anything is excellent or praiseworthy"

If anything is excellent or praiseworthy - it gives me the impression that even if we have to dig down for something that is praiseworthy... scrape the bottom of the barrel for something praiseworthy, if there is "anything" at all- we need to think about that one thing!

(Exodus 16:2) In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.

(Exodus 16:3) The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the LORD's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death."

In Jude the Bible talks about wickedness and it says:

(Jude 1:16) These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

How ironic that grumbling and fault finding is listed among wicked deeds - further more we are reminded again in Philippians

Ph'p:2:14: Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Psychologist Martin Seligman showed the world in his research that people who see the world in a positive light have a long list of advantages - let me name a few :

They live longer
They’re healthier
They have more friends and better social lives
They enjoy life more
They’re more successful at work

All this just by thinking positive! How much more should we than world have the ability to THINK POSITIVE?

Tired of being stuck - I want to challenge you this week to refrain from grumbling and complaining - When the tendency arises - SHOOT IT DOWN with the power of the Spirit - whose tendency is life, love and faith...

Time to get "unstuck" one chain link at a time and from this day forward - you no longer grumble - you no longer complain - in fact you need to be the grateful and positive person you know~

VOWS RENEWED!

2008-05-27T22:00:00.000-05:00

Over the memorial day weekend Gina and I renewed our vows! The ceremony was held at the Church In the Grove, at The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I have wanted to do this for awhile since Gina and I were not yet serving the Lord when we were originally married. So this was really special to me - to make this vow to one another and to God as well.

I worked hard to set this up as a complete surprise, but Gina was on to me, she had figured out what I was up to the night before... Though I never verified if she was guessing correctly!

The Church in the Grove is on the grounds of The Great Passion Play which has long been our favorite vacation spot since we where originally married some 12 years ago now... So it was the perfect location... the minister was Marvin Peterson, who believe it or not - ministers at a local Assemblies of God church - so that was a cool point of connection and Minister Peterson did a GREAT job - Gina and I were fortunante enough to make friends with he and his wife Kay after the ceremony, so I hope to further that friendship, they were both wonderful people!

As life would have it - artist Jack Dawson was in town that weekend, and we were able to meet him and he signed a print of his work entitled "Two Become One" which is a portrait of marriage... he has some great work - all his art is distinctly christian and has a powerful message- alot of which is on display at the Sacred Arts Center at the Great Passion Play.

Anyway I just wanted to share some of the love - we had an incredible weekend together and it was great to just share with each other in uninterrupted fashion love, spiritual insight and togetherness - You know life and business are so intrusive to a marriage... I am sure some of you have noticed that... it is amazing what setting some time aside just for each other can do to remind you how wonderful the person you married is... I am hoping you experience that today...

Well thanks Gina - for marrying me - again!

Also if you have never been to The Great Passion Play why? You're missing out!

The Most Dangerous Thing!

2008-05-09T13:29:00.003-05:00

Oozing from the darkness it comes, lurking in the night, and creeping in the shadows, the clutches of its cold hands steal the life from its victims – no one is safe, no hiding place can be found – it knows where you are AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

I love people! Talking to them, hanging out with them, and gaining their perspective. I have heard a number of different opinions on the most dangerous thing! That which is infiltrating Christianity and leading thousands to hell!!!

Just the other day I heard someone say – “The most dangerous thing in Christianity is legalism” then later that same day – I heard a preacher on the radio state “The most dangerous thing in Christianity today is this false grace message in the church!”

Hmmm how can two things be the MOST dangerous… I know for instance my wife is the “most beautiful” – She shares that title with no one, and I can think of none who match her beauty – for that cause she is the “MOST” – (http://sisterginasblog.blogspot.com/) which denotes a singular position or as Encarta Dictionary states “the best of all” – but I digress – my theme is not the value or debate of the over use of “most” – nor the intense beauty of my wife - but instead to opinionate on what I believe to truly be the most dangerous thing, of which neither of the above mentioned(legalism or false grace) holds that title.

The most dangerous thing in Christianity is religion without love. There is nothing as heinous, dangerous and deadly as this. When we fail to operate in love, we get legalism, false grace, and all sort of other symptoms – all of which are only effect pointing to a root cause and lack of true love is that cause.

When we live in loveless faith the actions we perform are based on either mere duty or fear, neither of which is really all that pleasing to God …

(1 Corinthians 13:3) If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

(1 Corinthians 13:1) If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

Loveless faith produces strange doctrines, and church splits, immorality and gossip. Loveless faith is the root of symptoms like: prayerlessness and dull dry worship. Loveless faith is the reason we don’t read like we used to and witness like we once did… Love wanes… and when this happens we lose our burden for the lost, our compassion for others and our patience with the world, and the body of Christ!
Sadly some have only had religion, some denominations are founded on loveless faith, and when love is absent – fear is present – and fear and love – well they don’t mix! You see perfect love casts out fear

(1 John 4:18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Interestingly enough some denominations are completely fear based, and do the things that they do based on fear… The disciples of those denominations often times are prophets of fear, breeding more prophets of fear, who breed more prophets of fear…

(Matthew 23:15) "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

Lack of love creates pride, arrogance, selfishness and self centeredness… If you continually are asking “What about me?” – and “No one ever considers me” and other similar statements – You may be lacking in love…

(Matthew 5:44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
(Matthew 5:45) That ye may be the children of your Father …

(Luke 6:29) And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
(Luke 6:30) Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
(Luke 6:31) And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
(Luke 6:32) For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

How Important is all this?
What is the most important commandment? Studies reveal that many have stated
- Thou shalt not kill
- Thou shalt not commit adultery

As being the top two, however interestingly enough neither are correct! Instead the most important commandment is LOVE

(Matthew 22:36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
(Matthew 22:37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
(Matthew 22:38) This is the first and great commandment.
(Matthew 22:39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
(Matthew 22:40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

See when you have love you wont kill, steal or commit adultery – you wont be legalistic, nor will you be involved in false grace – because love:

is not self-seeking
it keeps no record of wrongs.
rejoices with the truth
it is not easily angered
Love is patient
love is kind

You can find all these attributes of love in 1 Corinthians 13…
How is your love life anyway? You know what I mean – Are you loving?
Loving in your relationships with friends and foes?
Loving in your worship?
Loving in your bible reading?
Loving in your marriage?
Loving in your doctrines?

Its worth asking since all the law and all the prophets hang on love

Lopsided to Learning

2008-05-02T13:16:00.004-05:00

Cleaning the Cup – Part two – De-spiritualizing the Faith
Lopsided to Learning

Recent studies have shown that Christianity which accompanies the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the act of Glossolalia(speaking in Tongues) is one of the fastest religions/faiths in the world! Well, praise the Lord, that is excellent news! However further study and evidence details that the practice, doctrine and personal experience of this event is actually declining among long time Pentecostal denominations… That seems almost contradictory!
In my research however I have found some unique substantiation of such views! Why these elements exist I don’t know, perhaps there are circumstances that skew the data collected, in any event I can personally attest that to some the element of Spirit in faith while not shunned is certainly not chased or strongly desired.
There is no substitute for knowledge. Without a doubt we quickly understand that knowledge possess power and is critical to the growth, potency, and longevity of the faith. In fact Paul admonishes us:

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

Wholeheartedly I concede to the wisdom of scripture and the critical need for its application and understanding, after all Paul again instructs us:

(2 Timothy 3:16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Equally we must further understand there is no substitute for the Spirit of God, and His active presence in our lives.

For these the Word and the Spirit are merely two halves of one whole! Greater credence given to one than the other creates an imbalance, an unharmonious blend, which creates an unfortunate deficiency.

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

This in mind, perhaps one of the shortcomings to which we voluntarily succumb is we are more given to knowledge, lopsided to learning, and we have not given ample credence to the move of the Spirit.
We are inundated, over-whelmed; covered up with books, series, programs and teachings. Certainly the market contains more product than any person can digest! For every fear, circumstance and question, a book has been written, and thank God for it, I take no issue with knowledge… But knowledge alone will not, cannot, and has not been possessed singularly with the power to change, heal and deliver. In fact by design that is not the job of knowledge alone, it contains a powerful partner… the Spirit.

For this cause Jesus spent a great deal of time teaching the disciples, but they were commanded not to do anything until they became infused with the Spirit! What a potent truth this is! Knowledge was not enough!

Consider the Spirit’s job - He produces within us
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-control
(Galatians 5:22)
(Galatians 5:23)

Again we are told
(Galatians 5:16) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

(John 16:13) But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.

Consider the gifts that accompany the Spirit of God

(1 Corinthians 12:7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
(1 Corinthians 12:8) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
(1 Corinthians 12:9) To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
(1 Corinthians 12:10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Words of wisdom
Word of knowledge
Healing
Prophecy

Just to name a few! Wow! That is some powerful stuff! Imagine operating as a body in the gifts of the Spirit, not just in the service, but as equally important in our communities as well! We’d turn the world upside down!

No wonder Paul tells us

(Galatians 5:25) Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Or
(Ephesians 4:30) And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God

Or
(1 Thessalonians 5:19) Quench not the Spirit.

Let’s expand that a bit. Imagine this power in operation in you as a: Father, a Mother, or an employee… As a husband a wife, or a neighbor…

The Spirit is in operation in our lives, not just at our services, He is ever present, all the time! Let Him invade your everything! Your personal life, your love life, your parenting, or your checkbook, in all things! We are supposed to be spiritual beings, filled with the Holy Spirit, functioning in His abilities and directions! … in Him we move, we live, we breath and have our being…

Look at these scriptures for the very personal relationship others had with the Spirit

(Acts 15:28) For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

(Acts 16:6) Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

Do you see the interpersonal relationship being presented here?
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us
were forbidden of the Holy Ghost

We have the Spirit working with, speaking to and directing the paths of the early church…

Imagine for a moment, giving the Spirit freedom in your life, allowing Him permission to function in every area… Letting the Spirit out of the box! Giving attention to His presence in little and big ways and opening our minds up enough to accept the supernatural!

Hearing His voice
Feeling His presence
Seeing His hand in our circumstances

It’s possible; actually it: “is” – it is a reality, it is an absolute - when we allow it.

Open yourself to Him. He is in you… Feel His presence, His guidance, His unction… He is the comforter, the teacher and He guides our steps…

BE SPIRITUAL!

Lets get Spiritual… Let us walk in the Spirit, lets us as Paul said: live by the Spirit, and keep in step with the Spirit.

There is within you, by the power of God, receptors, antennae for the Holy Spirit… its time to tune… He who hath an ear let Him hear what the SPIRIT saith!

Cleaning the Cup - Part One

2008-04-01T09:10:00.004-05:00

Okay as you read this I am sorry I don’t have some elaborate study or dissertation on Grace, Faith, God or the Trinity in this post. I have been too swamped to do one of the things I enjoy immensely and that is to simply write. To share via keyboard my thoughts, theologies, and opinions! That being said – Let me quickly and simply state a small item of interest with you – in the changing of my mind regarding our culture today.

WARNING – you may be offended!

I find oddly that often times my mind develops a disposition and attitude towards a particular subject – it fully develops into action, disposition and perspective and it becomes ingrained eternally in my mind – THEN – God comes along and blows the whole thing away with His insight!

SUCH IS THE CASE HERE
For some time now we have lamented of the attitude, prejudice and disposition of secular society’s growing intolerance for Christianity. Rightly so, for in many ways we are public enemy number 1 for an ever growing biased liberal agenda, and we, the Church, don’t like it!

Across the nation pulpits preach of such injustices, sins and unfair attacks on us – the Christians! A case I don’t dispute, “Preach on Brother!”

However in my ranting to God (yes, sometime I rant to God) He illuminated, quite brightly the source of their prejudice.

WHAT IS IT?

God “Why do you think they feel as they do?”

Craig: “ummm”

God: “Well since you have so many opinions on it – you must know?”

Craig: “Well I – because – um – it must be the devil?”

God: “Craig, the Church merely tastes the fruit of their own seed”

WHAT?

Think about it for a moment. Let’s take a look at some of the things the church has displayed for public viewing! We don’t need to go as far back as the Salem Witch Trials; we could, but let’s keep it a bit more contemporary!

In the last 20 years or so, many a pulpit on the public platform has been filled with hell fire and brimstone preachers who have, preached, ranted even, on the sins of rock music, loose living and the robbing of God… only to see those words become a seeming ruse in the eyes of the world, as these same prophets are found to be entangled in a web of prostitution, philandering and lies.

The world has seen others who have preached on the sacredness of marriage and finance, skillfully enumerating on the principles of purity, and then were discovered to be trysting with ministry secretaries and retarding financial records for personal gain.

The stage of humanity has witnessed the holy and celibate Catholic Priest who trust and confidence has been bestowed only to reveal the heartbreak as some have engaged in abuse and pedophilia.

Family Rights Preachers who have shouted the truth of moral conduct and integrity, from our platforms, behind Cross- laden pulpits, ensconced in stained glass, then grace the front page with stories of drugs and homosexuality.

How would you feel?

Perhaps you too would have your confidence in the Church, the message and the God they espouse to be a tad suspect, or shaken? Our image has been a bit dirtied; it has unfortunately lost some of its credibility, and shine. Yes, my siblings in Christ, we have been set at a disadvantage, so its time to knock that ole chip off… our culture has been damaged to some degree, not by the message, but by some who carried it.

Regardless of the contents, a poorly washed glass, even in the finest restaurant – makes even the most wonderful beverage intensely suspect.

The platform of our message is not as tied to it’s delivery as it is to the integrity of the vessel delivering it! You and I need to find the heart of God for people, the heart of God for society and begin to minister from His heart, with His passion, with His concern, and His love for purity.

The use of commercialized Christianity is over! The Church has to start operating in the values of Jesus Christ! NOT Commercial Christianity!

You and I need to make a complete and final decision regarding the importance of our integrity and our purity in the salvation of others, and our ministry.

Billy Graham realized that even one moral failure on his part, could possibly cost the salvation of thousands. The message it sent might supersede all the others he had labored so arduously to deliver.

Somehow we have to come out from the white washed pillars

Somehow we have to come out from the white washed pillars and stained glass into the streets and the homes of those who have no hope and have wrongly assumed Christians are hypocritical, superficial and greedy.

It is time to move past the pulpiteers

Past professional preachers

To those who desperately are seeking the heart of God, and the lost!

Relationships of love and service must be our greatest sermons, truth, purity and righteousness our most elaborate jewels!

I don’t pretend this is any small task. Certainly this requires love like we have yet to imagine, work that we have yet to engage, sacrifice that we have not before suffered, and effort we have yet to have toiled. But we can do it… CORRECTION – We must do it!

As Jesus cried over Israel, we realize He wept at their unbelief, their deception, and lost state. This disposition is seen most prominent, during their violent repudiation of Him – as He uttered
“forgive them Father for they know not what they do”

Those words came from our Christ while nailed to our cross.

However it was this condition of humanity that I believe oft times was His motivation. As the old song goes – “When He was on the Cross, we where on His mind.”

With this thought I forgive society for their feelings of anger towards the Church whom they have incorrectly perceived as the exact likeness of God, along with those who in time past have unfortunately fallen and brought reproach. I have no intention of crying over spilled milk, or of blaming those mentioned whom may have made the road ahead harder than perhaps it had to be, all is under the blood.

In like manner to whom do we beseech forgiveness:
Society for failing to be the servant Jesus Christ called us to be?
God: for using His Name, and Gospel for gain, institution and profit?
To God for using Holiness as a means of propagating and forcing our particular prejudice and preference?
To the Word, for twisting its phrases to abuse, injure and harm the hearts of those it was given to deliver?

For those of us who have been commissioned by Jesus to go and make disciples, preach to every creature…a word with you, if I may…

You in many ways are the message and image of God to so many, some you may never even realize.

I am amazed at times the comments I hear from those who have been impacted by the actions of others, both positive and negative, and the impact it has had on their spiritual condition… Truly we are living epistles

(2 Corinthians 3:3) clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

The moist poignant and effective sermon is not the one preached by Word, but by life and action. The truth of that statement is so powerful and forceful! You’ve heard it before, and I fear its commonality has dulled its force.
Until my next installment... Keep the faith!

On the Verge, or afraid to Merge?

2008-01-21T16:53:00.000-06:00

On the Verge, or afraid to Merge?

(1 Peter 2:9) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

Each morning I drive to work, and along my journey two highways intersect, and we the driver, are channeled through what is known as a “merge lane”. Now, this sounds as simple as it’s aptly named, all one must do is merge. However, invariably there in the lane made for the “merge” is someone STOPPED, yes that’s right someone is STOPPED IN THE MERGE LANE, their blinker is racing treating the merge lane, like a stop sign or a point in which to yield …

Don’t they get it? They’re not supposed to be stopped, waiting, or yielding!!! They are supposed to MERGE!!!

“PUNCH THE GAS LADY, AND MERGE!” I think to myself or vocalize in the privacy of my automobile…

What keeps people from merging?

Are the insecure?

Do they not feel it’s safe?

Do they not feel ready to do so?

Well there’s a lesson here for sure! I think in some ways it is what keeps us from victory, destiny and purpose… For we are either on the verge, or we’re afraid to merge.

What keeps us from traveling roads that we so desire to travel, from taking land that we want to take…

What keeps us from victory? What keeps us from a breakthrough, from a revival, from a real move of God? What holds us back?

Well, one thing I am certain of is it cannot be God. For through the ages since the dawn of creation it is easy to see from all the work the Lord has invested in us, His creation that God wants to move!

1) God desires to perform His work with us, not without us!

From the Tabernacle, to the cross, from the resurrection to the ascension, from Pentecost to the living Word! We have witnessed a God, who desires to move among us, His people. He desires to interact, and empower you and me, so that we can do great things!

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, prophesied in Joel, poured out in the upper room, manifest in millions of believers all over the world since the day of Pentecost is proof that God desires to work through us, and has made the provision to do so!

In fact Jesus stated the same anointing that was on Him is going to be on you and I, and as many as the Lord our God shall call. That is proof that God desires to work among us

From the men such as Abraham, Moses, Noah, to men like Peter, Paul and Silas, it is clear and evident that the desire of God is to empower His people for service.

Remember God said you shall be endued with power from on high and you shall be witnesses unto me… to the uttermost parts of the earth!

It was God who said

(Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Why however do we still seem to be in such lack, regarding a move of God?

Why are our altars not overwhelmed?

Why are our pews not crowded?

Why are we not making more noise in our city?

Well Consider the apprehension of humanity.

2) Because the typical first response of the prophet is to run from the call of God.

In every move of God, God had to deal with “apprehension” and that in one of two forms:

1) laziness or 2) insecurity..

I am sure there’s a more eloquent way of wording this, but by and by, these two road blocks are the biggest obstacles.

Consider the all great bible hero’s!

Gideon, the valiant warrior who fought with great faith!

Moses, the deliver escorting the Israelites from the clutches of Egypt the tyrannical enslavers!

Peter of whom the first church was lead!

Jonah, the fiery evangelist to Nineveh!

All of them were men of meager means, and lives, all of them ran, before God made them giants.

For seldom does God choose the noblemen of this world to be the leaders of His battalions, it is those of seemingly little consequence that He plucks from the vineyard of normalcy and then ripens them to greatness!

He has used men and woman worse than, less talented than, and more fearful than you and I…

And through them He has

Split seas

Slain armies

Raised the dead

Through them He has done mighty acts, moved heaven and earth, changed nations and called out a church of every people and tongue! What mighty things God can do through His people!

Christian apprehension for the most part, is due to our lack of confidence in who we are, or what we can be? This is a grave error, one that God often has to correct first, before He can use us, and before he could use the men I just mentioned

We must be forced to see, what God is capable of doing in spite of faults, and shortcomings! A critical lesson is learned.

The weakness of men, platforms the power of God!

(2 Corinthians 12:10) …. for when I am weak, then am I strong.

It is when we are most weak that God can show the greatness of His strength!

It is in that, that we are most inept that sets the stage for the anointing! That platforms a real move of God!

The struggle God had with Moses, Gideon and others is training them not to look to themselves as the answer, the power, or the solution.

We have never been the solution…

We have never been the answer

Jesus is the answer!

Why is that so hard to learn?

Finally

3) We all have that within us that desires to do something great, something special, something noteworthy.

We have falsely labeled that desire as “ambition” and unfortunately, many times, it becomes little more than that.

How sad some settle for mere stardom, fame and fortune. They spend their lives chasing lights, and sound stages… When what waited for them was the real purpose God designed for them. The fire of doing His will.

Some have wasted away, famine’d by the chasing of stardom, and magazine covers… Certainly this sheds new light on why some, who seem to have it all…

Fame

Money

Success

And having attained the dream they become such a mess, doped up, drugged up, depressed, lost and suicidal!

Why?

Because they sought to fulfill the God impregnated desire within them to be something special… by means of worldly treasures.

Their failure to interpret that as worldly gain instead of Godly purpose produced within them despair, feeling unfulfilled, and lost, and many times suicidal…

I promise you God has a plan, and that plan for you was designated before your conception… and nothing will fill that void. Not money, not fame, not notoriety…

So go ahead… man, woman, whomever you are…PUNCH THE GAS AND MERGE!…. Move into the flow of God, get on destiny’s road. There’s a highway or purpose ready for your wheels man, so get the pedal to the metal and start livin the life the Lord has designed!

There Is a Killer On The Loose! Legalism

2008-01-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

A famous Oneness Pentecostal preacher once stated about Holiness Dress Standards:

“Standards are designed to be your guard rails – to be your barriers”

His thoughts here have unfortunately found their way into many sermons, stories and counseling sessions… Now, legalism is not singular to elements of the apostolic movement. It can be found just about anywhere, and any church, however this statement best serves my purpose of teaching today, so lets use it as a springboard.

Legalism is: Imposed or implied extra biblical rules – the commandments of men, mandated in an attempt to earn: salvation, anointing and/or favor with GOD. To attain higher levels of holiness by the adherence conditions/ ordinances and/or standards not biblically based, and the disdain or disfavor of those who do not follow said conditions, ordinances, and standards.

In a nutshell these definitions are definitive of legalism….

Legalism, definition number one: "2 Theology. The doctrine that salvation is gained through good works

(Random House College Dictionary, pg. 765).

Legalism, definition number two: "2. The doctrine of salvation by works, as distinguished from that by grace"

(New Illustrated Webster's Dictionary of the English Language, pg. 559).

Legalism is a killer. Legalism seeks to destroy joy, love, peace, righteousness and relationship with and through Jesus Christ. Legalism is the dagger of death in the body of life, and Holy Spirit liberty, it is truly loathsome: scripturally and to the Lord Jesus. It seeks to instill a sense of righteousness or the appearance of righteousness, without really being righteous, and unfortunately it diminishes the potency of the cross. In this manner: legalism is very dangerous.

With great veracity legalism seeks and destroys. It shows no mercy (for legalism knows no mercy) on its victims. It gains its stranglehold on its prey and squeezes till all life is gone….

In defining Legalism and what it is or to further illustrate legalism. The shining example of Legalism is the Pharisees. Let’s take a look.

The Pharisee’s existed in the days of JESUS CHRIST. They were or at least considered themselves to be, the elite in the spiritual horizon of that day. They were the original hard liners, and rule keepers, and makers. They remain the picture of legalism.

They were known for insisting that the law of GOD be observed as the scribes interpreted it and more or at least equally important was their additions to the law, the keeping of their own traditions and time honored customs. They equated these customs and traditions to be as sacred and as powerful as the WORDS OF GOD…

This is one form of legalism

Legalism is imposed or implied extra biblical rules – the commandments of men, mandated in an attempt to earn: salvation, anointing and/or favor with GOD.

To attain higher levels of holiness by the adherence of conditions/ordinances/standards that are not biblically based, and the disdain or disfavor of those who do not follow said conditions, ordinances, and standards.

The Pharisee’s had made the traditions surrounding the law as important as the law itself!

(Matthew 15:8) This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

(Matthew 15:9) But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

What the Pharisee’s decided to do was to construct a protective wall around the law, the commandments. The reason was to decree greater separation. This wall consisted of many, many additional man made laws. The thinking was that by applying these “guard rails” as they were. They formed a protective covering ,“guardrails”, a help that would prevent one from falling into real sin, or breaking the law.

The problem was that as time went on these “guard rails” became just as sacred and pure, and sometimes of more esteem than the actual commandments of GOD.

The warning of Jesus Christ about the tradition of men that makes the WORD OF GOD of none effect (Mark 7:1-13), is in fact, a direct reference to these “guard rails” They are know as the Talmud, or more specifically, the earliest rendition, and the short version was called the Mishnah, which existed in Christ’s time.

These traditions, these thoughts of men became as sacred as the law themselves, and they in essence made the cross of non effect. Why? Because they relied on their rules for righteousness instead of God.

. Josephus (famed historian of the time of JESUS CHRIST) tells us that the Pharisees had an obsession with "regulations handed down by former generations and not recorded in the Laws of Moses" (Josephus, Antiq. XIII. x. 6)

Jesus continually referred to the Mishnah as the "tradition of the elders" or the "tradition of men" (Matt 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-23; also see Josephus, Antiq. XIII. xvi. 2). And he condemned the practice strongly…. Perhaps this was the strongest admonition and rebuke that JESUS CHRIST made.

Nelson Illustrated Bible Dictionary states:

At some points during Jewish history traditions and the Talmud had been considered equal to or better than the scripture itself. Jesus encountered such an attitude among the Pharisees. Christians must be careful not to make the same mistake in refard to our own traditions(end quote)

Wow! Truer words have not been uttered in regards to Legalism, and the mandate of extra biblical rules to bring about righteousness. It is a false assumption that the WORD OF GOD is not complete and capable for instruction in righteousness.

In fact the bible records these words

(2 Timothy 3:16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

(2 Timothy 3:17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Legalism Thinks It Can Earn It’s Own righteousness

Luk 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Nelson Illustrated Bible Dictionary states:

The Pharisee’s thought they could match GOD’s standards by keeping all the outward rules….. This can easily happen when people think GOD’S will is the same thing as their list of what they can and can’t do…

People who are ensnared in the deception of legalism have the false concept that righteousness is something that is earned. That they can trust in their good works to solidify their relationship with GOD, to become more right in the sight of GOD.

Legalism attests favor with GOD, power with GOD on the basis of personal sacrifices, the bible calls those “dead works.”

One such assumption is “If obedience to the WORD is good, extra sacrifices must be better.”

This however is not true, and it is the same concept held by the Pharisee’s, and we know how JESUS felt about them.

“Why is legalism so dangerous? I mean isn’t it better to be, more, safe? Isn’t it better to be more conservative?” You know “to steer as far away from the line as possible.”

These questions and comments have often been asked to me when discussing legalism, and dead works. They seem harmless enough, almost sensible, but let’s look at why these thought processes are dangerous …

One translation records Galatians in this manner

Galatians 5:4 When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace.

Another example

(Romans 10:3) For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Herein lays the snare – Those who hold a works mentality or a legalistic approach to GOD, have failed to submit themselves, to the righteousness of GOD. That is the cross of Jesus Christ! They have not REALLY trusted in the saving and transforming power of HIS spirit. That is an important statement. I’d like to say it again:

“Those who hold a works mentality or a legalistic approach to GOD, have failed to submit themselves, to the righteousness of GOD. That is the cross of Jesus Christ! They have not REALLY trusted in the saving and transforming power of HIS spirit.”

This literally means that those in legalism have sought to establish their own kind of righteousness, despite the clear and present teachings of salvation, and the righteousness of GOD in CHRIST JESUS.

They have discarded the righteousness of CHRIST, in exchange for the righteousness they can attain by their own performance. At the very least they have in a non-verbal manner assumed the righteousness and instruction of the bible not quite sufficient, thereby in their mind reasonably adding to His work, as they assume and see fit.

They have not submitted, no they have not SURRENDERED to the CROSS, the righteousness of GOD, and have sought to pursue and maintain their own version of righteousness, which in truth is not righteousness at all! They have sought their own means of anointing.

(Isaiah 64:6) all our righteous nesses are as filthy rags……

Anointing, salvation and other blessings of GOD are solely based on faith in the gospel and the giver of that Gospel. The WORD OF GOD clearly defines what true salvation is and where it comes from, anointing and the entrance into God’s presence, favor and grace, are all applied the same way. They come by faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. We must therefore pursue it HIS way, put away the ideas and doctrines of men, and attain it by HIS WORD, and by His way...

Excel08

2008-01-03T22:24:00.000-06:00

Sooner or later someone was going to, and probably already has, coined the phrase “life will be great in 2008”, or “Things are great in 2008” or something of that nature. So remember you heard it here first! Honestly though why shouldn’t it be, and why shouldn’t 08 be great?

For this reason I am starting my EXCEL08'd series of posts. Ideas and suggestions for accelerating your life towards your goals... Each week I will blog a new concept to accelerate your life in 08! Let me know what you think!

I think it's time to get up and get going, and "New Years" are good for that; they instill within us the positive springboard of a new beginning. This is a new year, and we can deem it as a new beginning for us, and as we forge ahead, I’d like to make the challenge to you, that you make this the best year you have ever had!

You have 1 year, that’s 12 months, or 365 days, to make this the best year you have ever had! A year of accomplishments, a year of laughter, a year of healing, a year of true joy, whatever the case may. Why can’t this be YOUR YEAR?

A year of leading someone to Jesus Christ, a year of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, helping someone have a better life, or perhaps getting involved in children's ministries, or some form of Church outreach, or letting go of those things that have held you back.

What needs to be changed for your life to be excel08’d?

Make a good solid list of things you want to see changed.

Let me make a suggestion; Concept #1 What are some of the biggest regrets you have? Take those regrets, those items, write them down and resolve to change them.

Make your regrets, your resolutions!

What has been holding you back? Perhaps you feel you are to easily angered, or you let others push you around, maybe you’re fat, or perhaps you don’t have a solid prayer life. Whatever the case may be I challenge you to make a list of regrets and then make your regrets your resolutions!

By the power of the Holy Spirit, those changes can come to pass, by the work of the Holy Spirit you can change!

What do you regret about your life, what is that thing that has been keeping you down?

Make the decision, that you can be changed, that God is able, that no mountain is so heavy, He can't move it, no problem so ingrained that He can't change it!

So it’s time to get excel08’d and implement this first concept into your life!

Remember Jesus teaches us:

(Matthew 17:20) .... If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Here is what I suggest, get together in a quiet place with the Holy Spirit ask Him; "What are my faults, what is holding me back?" think about your regrets, go make that list of potential changes, that list of dreams you desire, and bring them to the Lord, let the Spirit of God shape and mold you, and then reach by the power of the Holy Spirit KNOW things have changed...

Act in accordance to that change, live it, feel it, imagine yourself in your mind as you, without that hindrance.

When we view the bible and see the list of impossibilities that God conquered and the great things He has done through average men and women, and we realize that He can do anything, not just with them, but with us too! With His power, guess what, we can do ALL THINGS

(Philippians 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Okay it's time to Xcel08 your life! Get up, get going, and get er done!

CONTENDING WITH ONENESS THEOLOGY By Bob Beeman

2008-01-02T09:58:00.000-06:00

CONTENDING WITH ONENESS THEOLOGY

Pastor Bob Beeman

1. DEFINITION
Those who observe oneness theology are known by several different names. They commonly refer to themselves as "Apostolic" or "Jesus' name" churches. Most outsiders refer to them as "oneness," "Jesus-onlys," "modalists," "monarchianists," "Sabellians," etc. By far, the largest oneness group is the United Pentecostal Church International (UPC, or UPCI) which boasts of over 700,000 members in the United States.

Perhaps the easiest way to define oneness theology would be to make some comparisons. First let's compare it to Mormonism.

Mormons teach a polytheistic view of God in which the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are each three different Gods. That is three persons in three Gods, one person for each God or what is known as tritheism (a form of polytheism). On the other hand, the oneness pentecostals teach only one person in one God. They believe the Father and the Holy Spirit are merely different "manifestations" or "modes" of the one God, Jesus. This is what is formally called modalism. Next, let's compare what the Bible teaches. As will be shown later, the Bible teaches a Trinity of persons in the one Godhead. That is three persons but only one God. This view is called monotheism, because it holds to the view of only One True God.

The modern day version of oneness theology got its start at a pentecostal camp meeting in April 1913 with one man's "revelation" that baptism "in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38) was the only correct way to adhere to Jesus' command to baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). This error concerning water baptism led others to a conclusion that Jesus Christ is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Out of this they developed the notion that the trinitarian view of the Godhead was a pagan invention of the early church councils.

As stated above, oneness pentecostals see the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as mere "modes" or "manifestations" of God in various activities. During the creation, they see God as being in the "Father" mode; during the incarnation, they see God as being in the "Son" mode; and when working in people, they see God as being in the "Holy Spirit" mode. Any relationship between the Father and the Son is explained as a relationship between the "dual natures" of Jesus, that is between Jesus' divine "nature" and Jesus' human "nature." In other words, when Jesus prays His human "nature" is supposedly speaking to His Divine "nature." They fail to understand that this would mean He was merely talking to Himself. They claim that because "God is one"; any personal relationship between the "modes" of God is not real, but only apparent. As I will show later, this understanding of the Godhead creates a multitude of problems

Oneness pentecostalism has grown to over 17 million adherents worldwide making it perhaps the largest anti-trinitarian movement in the world. (I believe the Mormon church is second with 10 million adherents.) What sets oneness pentecostalism apart from other anti-trinitarian groups is its seeming orthodoxy. Unlike Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses oneness pentecostals teach both that there is one God and that Jesus is fully God. For this reason, many Christians have difficulty seeing the subtle heresies of oneness pentecostalism.

2. PECULIARITIES
Oneness pentecostals have other peculiar doctrines besides their view of the Godhead. For instance, they also teach the doctrine of baptismal regeneration. Furthermore, they teach their own peculiar version of baptismal regeneration. They teach that one must not only be baptized to be saved but one must be baptized only "in the name of Jesus" alone in order to be saved. That is, they deny the salvation of anyone who has been baptized with the Trinitarian formula of "the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matt.28:19). Oneness pentecostals, further believe that after water baptism one must receive "the gift of the Holy Ghost," evidenced by "speaking in tongues" in order to be truly saved. Oneness theology is further accompanied in most cases by a legalism regarding attire and hygiene. These rules may deviate slightly from church to church but overall they are held as the "standard of holiness" by oneness pentecostals. In most cases, women are required to wear skirts or dresses, but never pants or slacks. Women are not allowed to cut their hair. Women are not allowed to wear jewelry or makeup. Men are not allowed to have either long hair or facial hair. No one is allowed to wear shorts, or anything that would expose the legs. There is also the issue of sleeve length. Most teach that a sleeveless shirt would be wrong to wear, without mandating how long the sleeve should be. Another church may mandate that sleeves be no shorter than the elbow, with others stipulating that they must be all the way to the wrist. Some will teach that your salvation is at stake if you do not abide by these rules.

3. THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY

A. THE TRINITY IN A/G DOCTRINE

The following is quoted from the Assembly of God Statement of Fundamental Truths :

THE ONE TRUE GOD
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent "I AM," the Creator
of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as
embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
(Deut. 6:4; Isa. 43:10, 11; Matt. 28:19; Luke 3:22).

THE ADORABLE GODHEAD

(a) Terms Defined

The terms "Trinity" and "persons" as related to the Godhead, while not found in the Scriptures, are words in harmony with Scripture, whereby we may convey to others our immediate understanding of the doctrine of Christ respecting the Being of God, as distinguished from "gods many and lords many." We therefore may speak with propriety of the Lord our God, who is One Lord, as a trinity or as one Being of three persons, and still be absolutely scriptural (examples, Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; John
14:16, 17).

(b) Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead

Christ taught a distinction of Persons in the Godhead which He expressed in specific terms of relationship, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, but that this distinction and relationship, as to its mode is inscrutable and incomprehensible, because unexplained.
Luke 1:35; 1 Cor 1:24; Matt. 11:25-27; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 John 1:3,4.

(c) Unity of the One Being of Father, Son and Holy Ghost

Accordingly, therefore, there is that in the Son which constitutes Him the Son and not the Father; and there is that in the Holy Ghost which constitutes Him the Holy Ghost and not either the Father or the Son. Wherefore the Father is the Begetter, the Son is the Begotten, and the Holy Ghost is the one proceeding from the Father and the Son. Therefore, because these three persons in the Godhead are in a state of unity, there is but one Lord God Almighty and His name one.

John 1:18; 15:26; 17:11, 21; Zech !4:9.

(d) Identity and Cooperation in the Godhead

The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are never identical as to Person; nor confused as to relation; nor divided in respect to the Godhead; nor opposed as to cooperation.
The Son is in the Father and the Father is in the Son as to relationship. The Son is with the Father and the Father is with the Son, as to fellowship. The Father is not from the Son, but the Son is from the Father, as to authority. The Holy Ghost is from the Father and the Son proceeding, as to nature, relationship, cooperation and authority. Hence, neither Person in the Godhead either exists or works separately or independently of the
others. John 5:17-30, 32, 37; John 8:17, 18

(e) The Title, Lord Jesus Christ

The appellation, "Lord Jesus Christ," is a proper name. It is never applied, in the New Testament, either to the Father or to the Holy Ghost. It therefore belongs exclusively to the Son of God Rom 1:1-3, 7; 2 John 3

(f) The Lord Jesus Christ, God with Us

The Lord Jesus Christ, as to His divine and eternal nature, is the proper and only Begotten of the Father, but as to His human nature, He is the proper Son of Man. He is, therefore, acknowledged to be both God and man; who because He is God and man, is "Immanuel," God with us. Matt. 1:23; 1 John 4:2, 10, 14; Rev. 1:13, 17.

(g) The Title, Son of God

Since the name "Immanuel" embraces both God and man in the one Person, our Lord Jesus Christ, it follows that the title, Son of God, describes His proper deity, and the title Son of Man, His proper humanity. Therefore, the title, Son of God, belongs to the
order of eternity, and the title, Son of Man, to the order of time. Matt. 1:21-23; 2 John 3; 1 John 3:8; Heb. 7:3; 1:1-13.

(h) Transgression of the Doctrine of Christ

Wherefore, it is a transgression of the Doctrine of Christ to say that Jesus Christ derived the title, Son of God, solely from the fact of the incarnation, or because of His relation to the economy of redemption. Therefore, to deny that the Father is a real and eternal Father, and that the Son is a real and eternal Son, is a denial of the distinction and relationship in the Being of God; a denial of the Father, and the Son; and a displacement of the truth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. 2 John 1:9; John 1:1; John 1:2; John 1:14; John 1:18; John 1:29; John 1:49; 1 John 2:22,23; 1 John 4:1-5 Heb. 12:2.

(i) Exaltation of Jesus Christ as Lord

The Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, having by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; angels and principalities and powers having been made subject unto Him. And having been made both Lord and Christ, He sent the Holy Ghost that we, in the name of Jesus, might bow our knees and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father until the end, when the Son shall become subject to the Father that God may be all in all.

Heb. 1:3; 1 Peter 3:22; Acts 2:32-36; Rom. 14:11; 1 Cor 15:24-28.

(j) Equal Honor to the Father and to the Son

Wherefore, since the Father has delivered all judgment unto the Son, it is not only the express duty of all in heaven and on earth to bow the knee, but it is an unspeakable joy in the Holy Ghost to ascribe unto the Son all the attributes of Deity, and to give Him all
the honor and the glory contained in all the names and titles of the Godhead except those which express relationship (see paragraphs b, c, and d), and thus honor the Son even as we honor the Father.

John 5:22, 23; 1 Peter 1:8; Rev. 5:6-14; Phil. 2:8, 9; Rev. 7:9, 10; 4:8-11

B. THE TRINITY IN THE ATHANASIAN CREED

*************** ****************
ATHANASIAN CREED

1. Whosoever will be saved, before all things is necessary to hold the universal Christian faith.

2. Which faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.

3. But this is the universal Christian faith: That we worship one God in trinity, and trinity in unity;

4. Neither confounding the persons; nor dividing the substance.

5. For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son; another of the Holy Ghost.

6. But the Godhead of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is all one: the glory equal, the majesty co-eternal.

7. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, such is the Holy Ghost.

8. The Father is uncreated; the Son is uncreated; the Holy Ghost is uncreated.

9. The Father is incomprehensible; the Son is incomprehensible; the Holy Ghost is incomprehensible.

10. The Father is eternal; the Son is eternal; the Holy Ghost is eternal.

11. And yet there are not three eternals; but one eternal.

12. And also there are not three uncreated; nor three incomprehensible; but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.

13. So likewise the Father is almighty; the Son is almighty; and the Holy Ghost is almighty.

14. And yet there are not three almighties, but one almighty.

15. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God.

16. And yet there are not three Gods, but one God.

17. So the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, and the Holy Ghost is Lord.

18. And yet there are not three Lords, but one Lord.

19. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every person by Himself to be God and Lord;

20. So are we forbidden by the Catholic religion to say: there are three Gods, or three Lords.

21. The Father is made of none; neither created nor begotten.

22. The Son is of the Father alone; not made; nor created; but begotten.

23. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and the Son not made; neither created; nor begotten, but proceeding.

24. Thus there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons: one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.

25. And in this trinity none is before or after another, none greater nor less than another.

26. But the whole three persons are co-eternal together, and co-equal.

27. So that in all things, as aforesaid, the unity in trinity, and the trinity in unity is to be worshipped.

28. He, therefore, that will be saved, must thus think of the trinity.

Athanasius (A.D. 297?-373)

cf."The Creed of Athanasius" -- Vol.7, page 366, Anti-Nicene Fathers.

C. THE TRINITY REVEALED IN THE BIBLE

THE TRINITY IS REVEALED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Gen.1:26
"And God said, Let US make man in our image, after our likeness..."
Gen.3:22
"And the Lord God said, Behold the man is become as one of US, to know good and evil:..."
Gen.11:7
"...let US go down, and there confound their language..."

THE TRINITY IS REVEALED IN WATER BAPTISM
Mark 1:9-11
"And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased"
(The above verses show the Father speaking, the Son being baptized, and the Spirit descending. That is three persons all manifest at the same time.)
Matthew 28:19
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
(From the Greek text of Matthew 28:19, one can see that "onoma" (name) is singular and that definite articles "tou" (the) are placed in front of "patros" (Father), "huiou" (Son), and "hagiou pneumatos" (Holy Spirit) indicating plurality within unity or three in one.)

THE TRINITY IS REVEALED IN SALUTATIONS
1Pet.1:2
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:..."
2Cor.13:14
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."

THE TRINITY IS REVEALED IN RELATIONSHIPS
Gal.1:1,3
"Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)...Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ."
2Cor.1:2-3
"Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort."
Eph.6:23
"Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Philippians 2:11
"And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
2Tim.1:2
"To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."
Titus 1:4
"...Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour."
1Pet.1:2-3
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,...Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ..."
2John 3
"Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love."
(The above verses show that the Father and the Son are not two different manifestations of one person but are actually two distinct and different persons who interact and relate to one another.)

THE TRINITY IS REVEALED IN CREATION
John 1:1-4,14
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him (Jesus); and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men....And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
Notice in the above verses it says "All things were made by him (Jesus); and without him was not any thing made that was made." This shows that the Lord Jesus created ALL the things that were created. The Lord Jesus is the Creator of all things! This proves that He is God. Next, notice that the Word (Jesus) was not only God, but He "was WITH God." This speaks of a relation between two different persons (God the Father and God the Son). Some might argue that the "Word" was merely the human nature of Jesus and that this relation between the Word and God is merely the dual nature of the humanity of Jesus being "WITH" the Divinity of Christ. However, this passage plainly states that the Word was "with" God before Jesus became flesh and dwelt on earth. The Word "WAS" God and was "WITH" God "IN THE BEGINNING" before creation "…and without him was not any thing made that was made."
John 17:5
"And now, glorify Me, O Father, with yourself, with the glory which I had with you before the world existed."
The Greek word 'para' ("with") is almost always used in regards to a personal relationship, and is obviously meant as such in this context, which uses the relational pronouns "I" and "You" in relation to the "Father." This verse confirms the relationship before creation between the Father and the Son which is spoken of in John 1:1 thus confirming the doctrine of the Trinity.

ONE TRUE GOD
Lest I be misunderstood, let me plainly state again, "There is only ONE TRUE GOD, in the Bible. All the rest are false gods and no gods at all. When one relegates Jesus to being a lesser God than Jehovah, then he has in essence made Jesus a false god and no god at all. The Jews that God used to write the Bible were monotheists, believing in the existence of only one God. Monotheism is the only understanding which is true to the whole revelation of God. Monotheism is what the Bible teaches. Polytheism is a pagan belief, and is the exact opposite of what the Jews believed. I say this to plainly refute the idea that Trinitarians believe in three Gods. We are NOT tritheists! We do not believe in three Gods. We believe in ONE GOD in three Persons. Isaiah 43:10 states: "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me." (ASV) Was there ANY god formed BEFORE Jehovah? The text says NO. Is there ANY god AFTER Jehovah? The text says NO. This means that the only God that exists is Jehovah. Any time a true and living God is mentioned in the Bible it must be Jehovah that is referred to because Isaiah 43:10 (quoted above) is very plain that the only God that exists is Jehovah. Since John 1:1 states that Jesus is God, Jesus must be Jehovah. The next verse in Isaiah chapter 43 is further proof that Jesus is Jehovah. Isaiah 43:11 states: "I, even I, am Jehovah; and besides me there is no saviour." (ASV) This verse states very simply that Jehovah is the ONLY SAVIOR. Since all agree that Jesus is a saviour, Jesus is further proven to be Jehovah.

In the Old Testament, there are terms referring to God (such as Elohim) which speak of plurality and could be translated as "gods" if taken out of context, but in the context of the full counsel of God (the Bible as a whole) we must interpret them as saying there is only one God. (Det.6:4-9, Mark 12:28-34, Mal. 1:6, Mal.2:10, Isa.44:6-8, Isa.45:2-6&23, Isa.46:8-9, 1 Cor.8:4-6, Eph.4:5-6, 1 Tim.2:5, James 2:19, and Rev.4:2-3). This plurality helps us to understand certain things about God's nature when THE FATHER IS CALLED GOD (John 6:27 and John 17:3), JESUS IS CALLED GOD (John 1:1 and Isa.9:6, Isa.10:21, and Phil.2:10-11), and THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CALLED GOD (Acts 5, 1Cor.3:16, ICor.6:19, 2Cor.3:17, and Eph. 2:22). Since we know that there is only one God, this leads us to the conclusion that there are three persons in the one Godhead. Jehovah is Triune. Jehovah is the name for the Trinity.

4. RESPONDING TO ONENESS

1. Oneness apologists claim that Deut.6:4 denies the Trinity.
Deut.6:4
4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:"

Duet. 6:4 does not deny the Trinity, but rather affirms one of the tenets of the doctrine of the Trinity (see above). The doctrine of the Trinity affirms that there is "one God." Quite often, those who argue against the Trinity don't understand the doctrine of the Trinity well enough to explain it, much less refute it. They exaggerate and distort the doctrine of the Trinity into something that can be easily dispelled. That is known as the straw man fallacy. The name of the straw man fallacy comes from the idea that if you set up a straw man, he is easier to knock down than a real man. That is exactly the way the fallacy works, set up a distorted view and knock it down. In dealing with Deut.6:4, the oneness apologists set up a distorted straw man view of the Trinity and then knock it down. They claim that the Trinity is a belief in three Gods in order to make the doctrine contradict the Bible.

2. Oneness apologists claim that Isa.9:6 proves that Jesus is God the Father.
Isaiah 9:6
6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

The Darby Bible and Young's Literal Translation both render this passage as "Father of Eternity.’
Isa.9:6 (Darby Bible)
6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace."
Isa.9:6 (Young's Literal Translation)
6 "For a Child hath been born to us, A Son hath been given to us, And the princely power is on his shoulder, And He doth call his name Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace."
Dr. Robert Bowman points out that Abiethon - literally "father of strength" (2 Sam. 23:31) means "strong"; Abiaseph - literally "father of gathering" (Ex.6:24) means "gatherer"; and Abigail - literally "father of exultation" (1 Chron.2:16) is a woman's name meaning "exulting." Therefore, "Father of eternity" in Isaiah 9:6 means that Jesus is "eternal." According to Matthew Henry's Commentary this implies that Jesus is the creator of the ages (Heb.1:2; 11:3). It does not mean that He is "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2Cor.1:3).

3. Oneness apologists claim that John 5:43 shows that "Jesus" is the Father's name and thus that Jesus is the Father.
John 5:43
43 "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."

Notice that the second part of this verse insinuates that one who comes "in his own name" is not to be "received." If Jesus was actually the Father which would literally make His name Jesus, then He would have been coming "in His own name" and it would have been wrong to receive Him. This contrast between "My Father's name" and "his own name" proves that Jesus did not come "in his own name." Therefore, "Jesus" is not the Father's name, and Jesus is not the Father. This turns out to be a proof text against oneness theology.

4. Oneness apologists claim that John 10:30 proves the Father and the Son are one person.
John 10:30
30 "I and my Father are one."

Any first year Greek student will notice that a one-person interpretation of this verse is precluded by the first person plural in the Greek New Testament. A literal translation of this verse would be: "I and the Father we are one." If Jesus was the Father, He would have used the first person singular and said, "I am the Father." Furthermore, the Greek word for "one" is in the neuter gender which points to the idea of one in "unity or one essence" (Margin of NASV Bible). The masculine form would have been used to signify one in contrast to many.

5. Oneness pentecostals claim that John 14:6-11 proves that Jesus is God the Father
John 14:6-11.
6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
7 "If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."
8 "Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us."
9 "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?"
10 "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."
11 "Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake."

Notice in the passage that Jesus begins by stating, "No man cometh unto the Father but by Me"(v.6) and later states, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (v.9). Dr. Robert Bowman points out that "the natural sense of these words is that Jesus is, not the Father, but a mediator between us and the Father." It would be ridiculous for Jesus to claim that no man could come "to" the Father except "through" Him if Jesus and the Father were one and the same person. The words "to" and "through" only make sense if Jesus and the Father are distinct persons, with Jesus being the Mediator between man and the Father. In verse 7, Jesus states, "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also." Bowman points out that "this is true, not because Jesus is the Father, but because those who know Jesus are led by Him to know the Father as they see Him imaged perfectly in Jesus. Thus, says Jesus, 'from now on you know Him, and have seen Him' (v.7b). Existing with the Father as the one indivisible Divine Being, Jesus can say, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father' (v.9). Nevertheless, Jesus does not say, 'I am the Father,' but rather, 'I am in the Father and the Father is in Me' (v.10, repeated in v.11; and 10:38)." oneness believers frequently cite the second part of this last statement, "the Father is in Me," to mean that the deity ("Father") dwells in the humanity ("Son") of Jesus. This view, however, is clearly faulty in light of the first part of the sentence, "I am in the Father," which in oneness terms would mean that the human nature of Jesus dwells in His deity. No oneness pentecostal believes the humanity of Jesus dwelt in the divinity of Jesus. Moreover, it fails to account for the fact that in this same context, as well as elsewhere, Jesus uses this sort of expression to denote His unity with believers: "In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you" (v.20; and 17:21-23).

6. Oneness apologists interpret John 17:6,11-12 as proof that "Jesus" is the Father's name and therefore that Jesus is the Father.
John 17:6,11-12
6 "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word."
11 "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."
12 "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled."

Oneness writers point to the words "manifested" and "gave" in order to claim that Jesus was the Father's name, and that the Father "gave" His name to Jesus, as evidence that Jesus is the Father. They overlook the fact that a human father can give his name to his son, without the father and son being the same person! Furthermore, it should be noted from this passage that Jesus said twice that His disciples were "in Thy (the Father's) name." If oneness believers interpret this phrase in a consistent manner with the way they interpret it in John 5:43, they are left with the ridiculous conclusion that the disciples are the Father! The oneness interpretation simply does not work because it is not logically consistent.

7. Oneness writers claim that Col.2:9 proves that Jesus is God the Father and Holy Spirit.
Colossians 2:9
9 "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."

Since Colossians 2:9 says that the fulness of "the Godhead" dwells in Jesus, Oneness writers have argued that the Godhead is in Jesus, not Jesus in the Godhead. This either/or approach, however, causes the oneness interpretation of Colossians 2:9 to contradict their interpretation of John 10:38 where Jesus states, "the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father." Since "the Father" in oneness theology is "the Godhead," John 10:38 in their terms would mean that the Godhead is in Jesus, and Jesus is in the Godhead. When Oneness believers deny that "Jesus is in the Godhead," what they mean to deny is that Jesus is one person in a triune Godhead. Colossians 2:9, though, does not rule out that possibility. What it affirms is that Jesus is no less than the full and complete revelation of God's nature ('theotetos', "deity") in the flesh. While not all three persons of God are incarnate in Jesus, all of God's essence is incarnate in Jesus.

Trinitarians Believe In One God!

2008-01-02T00:08:00.000-06:00

I was driving not to long ago to fulfill the privilege and opportunity to minister at Pinckneyville Assembly of God. Being a bit of a drive, I turned on the radio, to hear a local minister as he began his sermon, shortly into his program I realized I was in for an earful!

He chose as his topic the discussion of pure religion, being sure to litter the message with several comments about his view of those who were "three God believers" and "them that follow three Gods" and the "three headed monster God"! Well, with a chuckle, and prayer I suppressed the desire to catch this brothers name, and call him to discuss the truth he had so eloquently butchered... In the spirit of things, I popped in a Third Day CD, and worshiped my way to church!

Perhaps you have heard this talk before, some well meaning, and others not so well meaning proclaim trinitarians believe in three Gods! In the case of this radio commentator, he hailed from the doctrinal position of Oneness Pentecostalism.

For those unfamiliar with Oneness theology, it is important to note that not only does the Oneness movement reject the Trinity, they feel it is a condemnable abomination, resulting in ones eternal position in hell. A few examples:

The most problematic aspect of my theology when
I was a Oneness Pentecostal was thebelief that
no one other than us Oneness Pentecostals was
going  to heaven. Trinitarian Christians simply
were not saved!

Gregory A. Boyd a former oneness pastor

Secondly they insist the doctrine itself to be “pagan” in its origin. Please see this excerpt from United Pentecostal Church Inc. leader Pastor David Bernard, found in his book

“The Oneness of God”

"The Scriptures do not teach the doctrine of the trinity, but trinitarianism has its roots in paganism"

(David Bernard/ Oneness of God)

In Oneness theology – it is assumed that the GODHEAD is easily understood, and little argument remains, some also must receive “the revelation” many times if you do not understand the GOD HEAD – you have not received what is termed as “the revelation”, and this failure in their mind, disqualifies one for salvation.

If you’ll explore my teachings on the Trinity in lessons 1 and 2, comparing the two views one can safely be assured the Trinitarians have apprehended the truth, and quite soundly! With grace and persuasive words the Godhead is scripturally defined by knowledgeable trinitarians. This being true the GODHEAD is difficult to apprehend fully.

Nonetheless this propaganda floating around that Trinitarians believe in Three Gods.

Is simply is NOT true!

To add the validity to the point I think someone else’s words other than my own are a suitable avenue to travel, I think starting with the Assemblies of God's, the largest Trinitarian Pentecostal organization in the world, statement of faith is a very solid first step!

The One True God

The one true God has revealed himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM,” the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22).

Key phrases to note here are:

· one true God

· revealed himself

· embodying the principles of relationship and association as

This statement is fundamental truth #2, in the document “Sixteen Fundamentals Truths” for the Assemblies of GOD

Now lets reference a very well know Trinitarian document called the Anthanasian Creed most likely formulated around 373 A.D and one of the most notable Trinitarian creeds around!

I wont include the entire creed, but you can easily find it online! Here are some highlighted segments of the Anthanasian Creed read in this manner:

· there are not three Lords, but one Lord.

· there are not three Gods, but one God.

· there are not three almighties, but one almighty.

· there are not three uncreated; nor three incomprehensible; but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.

· there are not three eternals; but one eternal.

By simply quoting two valid Christian documents one must assess this “three GOD” business is mere propaganda, and that Trinitarians adamantly state there is “ONE GOD” !

Again from the Assemblies of GOD

(a) Terms Defined

The terms trinity and persons, as related to the godhead, while not found in the Scriptures, are words in harmony with Scripture, whereby we may convey to others our immediate understanding of the doctrine of Christ respecting

the Being of God, as distinguished from “gods many and lords many.” We therefore may speak with propriety of the Lord our God, who is One Lord, as a Trinity or as one Being of three persons, and still be absolutely

scriptural (examples, Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:16,17).

(b) Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead

Christ taught a distinction of persons in the godhead which He expressed in specific terms of relationship, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but that this distinction and relationship, as to its mode is inscrutable and incomprehensible,

because unexplained (Luke 1:35; 1 Corinthians 1:24; Matthew 11:25-27; 28:19; 2 Corinthians13:14; 1 John 1:3,4).

The Trinitarian doctrine does some things differently than the oneness adherents and that mindset pervades their discussion and their basis of belief. We note the distinctions in the Godhead… JUST LIKE THE BIBLE DOES!

(b) Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead

because unexplained (Luke 1:35; 1 Corinthians 1:24; Matthew 11:25-27; 28:19; 2 Corinthians13:14; 1 John 1:3,4).

Notice the terms:

distinction of persons

terms of relationship

its mode is inscrutable and incomprehensible, because unexplained

First the trinity is a concept whose mode or distinction is inscrutable and incomprehensible – because the details of it are never fully explained – Because of this the statement avoids being a complete absolute – but it is instead a concept of the Godhead.

Here are a few Biblical texts to consider regarding this distinction

1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

1Co 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

1Co 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

1Co 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Here the Son will subject Himself to the Father – these are distinctive roles on more than a incarnational(human) role! If we fail to recognize certain distinction present here just to preserve a doctrinal view, we do ourselves a disservice –

(Luk 3:21) Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

(Luk 3:22) And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

Here we see GOD acting in three persons – revealing HIMSELF to humanity. I know what some of you are saying, “Only John saw this” So what? Is God a puppeteer? If so which role, was really God?

(Luk 23:34) Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

Here we again see JESUS – who is GOD – pray to His Father – “forgive them” Listen to me from the moment of HIS birth to this day JESUS was always GOD! Even on the cross it was JESUS! The distinction of persons existed - even though we don’t completely understand it. This is not trinitarianism, Catholicism, or anything other than the Word of God! It simply notes the distinctions found in the one true GOD!

The article here is just a tidbit of what can be found in Lessons 1 and 2… I encourage you to peruse those, study them, tear them up, and be loosed to their truth!

There are some great men and women in the Oneness Pentecostal faith, who love God, and their faith. I consider them to by my Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ, and I love them dearly! I hope someday pentecostals can unite around the cross, and the Christ who overcame it, and leave some of these arguments behind!

God Bless you!

Pastor Craig Hostetler

Bah Humbug!

2007-12-17T07:00:00.000-06:00

(Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Bah Humbug! There I got it out! And I am not afraid to say it again!

Bah Humbug!

I’ve already been told by my incredibly beautiful wife that I WAS GOING TO ENJOY Christmas this year, my dear friend Steve Evans even sent me a list of “How To’s” for enjoying Christmas. Pastor Jeff Baker preached on Scrooge, calling on us “Scrooges” to confess, and I did, I’m no hypocrite! ! He then preached on a message on enjoying Christmas, and to that I say “Pastor it was a wonderful message!” but BAH HUMBUG!

That’s right folks… I am a Scrooge, and it feels good to say it! Uh huh, you got it baby, Tis the season to get bumped by angry, yet determined shoppers, cheated out of the bow with your complimentary gift wrapping, booted to the back of the line because you cut (or so the manager sternly accused) Tis the season to pay double for less, and get less for double!

Wait I’m not finished!

Tis the season for even more hectic schedules, angry relatives, burned out Christmas lights, wrong size shirts, and “Hey lady, watch your hands!”

Tis the season for:

“No, we don’t carry that.”

“It was on sale yesterday”

“You got me this last year”

and “I thought you said you wanted a power dental flosser”

Now don’t get me wrong it’s not the lights, or the tree or the gifts that bother me, I mean who doesn’t like going to the mall and getting free Wassail! (Wassail is a hot, spiced punch often associated with winter celebrations, and it is “Um good!”) I don’t even mind saying “Uh Mam I think you’re drinking out of my cup… ”

I enjoy watching others open the gifts, and of course I enjoy opening gifts as well… It’s the pressure that I just loathe…

"What time are you coming?"

"When should we be there?"

"How come you’re not doing “this” or “that” this year?"

"Who said we were coming?"

"The sale only lasts from 6AM to …."

"They don’t like red"

"They don’t like green"

"They don’t like ponies"

"This doesn’t come with batteries"

"Some assembly required"

"Craig, you always loved mushrooms before"

I don’t like” smelly Santa’s, One Time Only Sales, “Gee, one of these lights must be burned out!” and “If you apply for a (insert store name here) card, you get 2.25 % off of your purchase today!”

One Christmas as I was investigating a strand of non working lights, I actually grabbed the inside wires of a light bulb that once was protected by the now missing glass, the strand lite up and so did I! Electricity traveled through my body, as I danced with the power of GE coursing through my veins… With stammering lips and a jolted tongue, I danced under its power! I finally shook free of the pulsating energy, sweat rolling down my brow, and hair sticking straight up upon my head, I was nearly certain I had heard the angels singing “Welcome Home Dear Child Welcome Home -"Gloria in Excelsis Deo (whatever that means!)"”

I am intensely irritated with:

Holiday Trees

Good Tidings Cards

And other politically correct ways of saying “Merry Christmas!”

ARGH!!! And again I say BAH HUMBUG!

However I must admit subtly and secretively I think God has been working on my Christmas spirit tank. I cried at a commercial the other day… It was so, gee I don’t know Christmassy! Then again at a local Christmas play, which oddly enough was about the Christmas Spirit… It was so sweet, simple and wonderful!

Now then, I know well and good about the meaning of Christmas and focusing on the birth of Jesus Christ, you know

“He is the reason for the season”

“Keep Christ in Christmas”

I haven’t been under a rock, I know the cliché ways of saying the most simple rule of Christmas which is… Remember Jesus.

But isn’t that the real struggle after all. Not just at Christmas, but all year long. We allow so many things to grab our attention away from our most passionate desire. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!

How many times is that not the root of the problem anyway?

Think about our failed relationships!

Marriages fail not so much because people grow apart, nor because affairs happen or whatever, but because we lose focus, we fail to spend time nurturing our relationships, focusing in on our blessings… and disaster occurs!

Backsliding in a variety of matters does not occur because we give into fleshly desires, or because we follow the world, but because we fail to maintain our relationship with God!

Growing apart happens not because we grow apart, but because we don’t grow together. What was once the love of your life, many times becomes so mundane, every day and average, and we allow less important things to become more important, we bicker, and argue over silly things, and we just drift…

Christmas is about Jesus, and that is first and foremost. I have been pondering this alot the last few days. Thinking of His birth, what it all means, what it may have been like to be a shepherd on that hill! To see the baby in the manger to comprehend the goodness of His coming, the power of His entrance – the WORD MADE FLESH!

And I realize I have drifted…

I have allowed the current, or flow of this world to shape my Christmas Spirit, into its little dirty mold. Thankfully Christmas chose to fight back, and it has regained this P.O.W.

Each night I have read a little of the Christmas story, I have counted my blessings one by one, I have listened to Josh Groban sing “What Child is this” and have allowed my self to be carried away with emotion! I have been thrilled at the lights, hugged a Santa, and on occasion I can be heard humming a variety of Christmas carol melodies…

All that though is insignificant really. Merely symptoms of a deeper issue. That being this: “Thank you Jesus, for coming to the earth, for me, I celebrate YOU!”

This central principle must shape my view of all the events to come in the next few days, because others will cut in line, others will take my parking space, it will on occasion happen that the lady wearing the “Christmas is for Caring” sweatshirt will tell me in no uncertain terms that I am slow, in the way, and offensive on some level!

There may be upset acquaintances, dead batteries, and shirts that are the wrong size, color, and shape. Yet, the old Pentecostal folks have a saying “What the world can’t give, the world can’t take away.”

So this Christmas season, I am not looking for gifts under the tree, or items on sale, my eyes are seeking the presence of Angels proclaiming the salvation of the Lord! I am looking for the Word, who became flesh, and the light that leads the way…

Why? because my heart seeks a child who was given! His name is wonderful, counselor, the prince of peace, and the Mighty God!

This year, of all the gifts you give and accept, give and accept the gift that matters most – The Son of God… Give Him to all you meet, and accept Him in all you do…

Merry Christmas

The Reality of the Cross - Part 1

2007-10-25T07:06:00.000-05:00

I was talking with a good friend today about the Christian belief of an eternal abyss or torment, real hellfire and brimstone kind of stuff! During our discussion he stated he had come to the conclusion the hereafter was little more than a “dirt nap”. Through the years he has “lost the faith”, and I assume that by and large not to be an intellectual decision, but more of an emotional response to past abuses suffered by the carcinogens of Christianity these often creep in, distort, deform, and left untreated cause death…

Those killers of course are those that turn faith to fear, relationship to rules, and gain to guilt.

The basis of my eternal view nonetheless is located in the book of Revelation… For those that believe the Bible to be inspired by the Holy Spirit, and given to men, who in turn penned those Words for our betterment, and that these Words contain present and eternal unchanging truths, the following text validates our view, otherwise known and called; the truth.

(Revelation 20:12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

(Revelation 20:13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

(Revelation 20:14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

(Revelation 20:15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The original origin of our discussion was based on the fact that my friend… lets call him “Rob” (after all that is his name!) stated he had not realized some evangelicals took issue with Joel Osteen on some of his practices namely omitting the gospel message of Christ, and the validation that one must be saved to avoid eternal despair. As the conversation progressed we began to discuss the variety of issues such omission would cause, why they are important and to what degree these topics seem to have become so taboo in the church today.

Now then I need all to realize that my message is laced with love, grace, mercy and the forgiveness of sins, provided for and given by Jesus Christ through the cross… In this manner I in no way boast of my faith as some pompous “Christians” do… Instead I consider myself the fortunate recipient of someone else’s sacrifice, and the benefactor of absolute mercy(The sacrifice of Jesus) I think that view is best, because it is most biblically accurate and keeps the Christian from elevating self to some sort of “self righteous”(which is actually an oxy moron by the way) attitude surveying others as stupid immoral sinners… The truth is we Christians are humans whom the blood of Christ has washed, and in which His Spirit dwells … making us what we could not be on our own… Saved, sanctified, redeemed etc…

The unfortunate reality for so many Rob, being one, and myself being another, among so many others is, we grew up in the Bible belt, which sought to gain disciples and to retain them by:

Guilt

Fear

Belittlement

And a variety of other manipulative means…

Readying the mind to understand the horrendous consequences of sin, but often times spending much less time detailing the depth of grace, mercy and love… Found in Jesus!

The result of that is manifested in one of two ways…

1) My case – I have trouble being free in Christ and enjoying His love and mercy because I always feel guilt for no apparent reason! A direct result of fear based teaching the second manifestation is

2) My Friends case - A denial and rejection either completely or partially of Christianity, based on the fact that one becomes tired of feeling guilt, particularly while watching others of less moral character seem to advance by the tool of ministry

So in the end both parties are quite similar… Some chose door one, while unfortunately others chose door two… To those of you who have selected “Door Two” I’d like to address this first installment!

The reality if eternal punishment is quite real biblically, and based on scientific evidence validating other concepts biblically based, the intelligent decision would be to accept the fact that God certainly does exist, making the next question “Now what do I do about that?”

For certain a proper argument would then include such scientific proofs validating the reality of God’s existence… by and large however you Door #2 people don’t need that validation, for you have known Him, and His reality is evident within you even still, and by and large it is inescapable.

It is not proof of existence you need, but understanding of the concept of a “Loving God” which can penetrate the skewed image of Him painted by hardliners whom failed to understand this concept themselves or more ghastly used the image of holy anger to sway and manipulate congregants into ; serving, giving etc…

The Reality of Hell, to a Loving and Giving God:

So infuriated is God with the concept of eternal punishment that He gave the ultimate sacrifice, His Son Jesus Christ. Consider for a moment the concept that exists here; imagine the pain and suffering associated with your dearest loves suffering. When consoling individuals who have lost loved ones to some terminal illness, the most grievous part is not so much the loss, although that is painful, but it is the suffering that precedes the death. This the Father was willing to endure that you and I might escape the reality of Hell.

That is to say God the Father so believed in this concept of eternal punishment that He was willed to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer, to be ridiculed, to be flogged, beaten, spat upon and then crucifixion, which is excruciatingly painful, unimaginably tormenting, and intensely torturous! The reason for this action is simple! God loves us.

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

(Romans 5:8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

While I cannot deny that an eternal punishment exists for sinners of whom all human kind is, as powerful a concept is redemption, justification, and acceptance, these the benefits of salvation! If we understand the concept of grace we realize that not by what I have done, or will do, but by what Jesus has done and what He will do, that this punishment is exchanged for reward, not just eternally but in the present time as well!

In other words, it is by the cross of Christ that we are saved, and by the gift of the Holy Spirit that we are regenerated. These acts occur by faith not by works and are provided not by condemnation, but by love!

Therefore for you door #2 people, let us well establish in our minds the gospel is less about eternal hell fire and brimstone, and more about redemption, and victory! You and I, us guilt carriers, must absolutely release guilt, understanding that the atoning blood of Jesus cleansed us from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS!

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Furthermore we must also understand that there is NO CONDEMNATION in Christ Jesus. We have been freed from sin, death, hell, guilt, and shame. In fact as audacious as it may seem, and I trouble with wrapping my mind around this one

WE ARE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD – IN CHRIST JESUS!

Literally when God looks at us, He sees righteousness, holiness and purity. Imagine describing yourself that way? Do you dare? Imagine accepting that God loves you, and I mean really loves you, and is for you, and seeks your heart, because He loves you…

The most critical aspect of all this God stuff, is to understand the power of redemption and the meaning of the cross… which I will detail more in my next post, but as a preview of that the cross means:

God loves us

He was willing to give it all that we might live

He is for us

He is searching for our heart

We can be free from shame

We can be free from guilt

We can be free from fear

We can be free from condemnation

We can be free from sin

All this and so much more…

Are you a door #2 person? Maybe you are a door #1 person… Whoever you are, are you riddled with shame, guilt, fear, condemnation or other life controlling issues? There is still power in the cross, there is still life in the blood… Behold – Jesus makes all things new!

Until next time…

Saturday or Sunday Worship - Why is that the Question?

2007-10-09T06:18:00.000-05:00

It was recently suggested to me that there may be some confusion as to the day Christians are to worship, and further more that this confusion may be causing turmoil, and unrest…

To which of course I wondered “Why?”

Never being immersed in the group the Seventh Day Adventists I am sure I cannot fully appreciate the ingrained dogma regarding Saturday worship… Although a time or two I have tuned into the local Seventh Day radio station and heard tidbits of information regarding the “satanically inspired Saturday morning cartoons”, which were of course a demonic ploy to keep children out of “Sabbath School” Stating “Do you think it is a coincidence they show those cartoons on Saturdays?” It caused a slight chuckle, a grin and a turn of the dial back to the local Christian Contemporary station…

However I too have had the cold scaly hands of legalism around my throat, therefore I feel sympathetic towards any who may be struggling with such thoughts and am inspired to put forth a suitable amount of effort to clear things up a bit, and I hope it helps.

Many Seventh Day Adventists associate Sunday worship with receiving 'the Mark of the Beast'. In fact many believe that Christians who attend church on a Sunday have actually been deceived by a variety of demonic influences ranging from the Catholics, to Constantine, to Satan himself, and therefore, by attending Sunday worship, are in essence sinning against God!

Legalism in all cases seeks to justify it case by selective texts, and selective historical documentation, somehow failing to balance their view or conveniently leaving certain historical truths covered. In fact I am amazed at the length to which these groups will search to validate their view, obtain obscure historical records, of which are highly questionable, and then degrade those most generally and scholarly accepted documents! In fact it sickens me and I am appalled!

It is suitable to note that most Seventh Day Adventists also hold to the dietary laws of the Old Testament as well… So if one chooses to subscribe the “Sunday is Satanic” or Pagan or whatever hot button word being used, I’d lay aside the bacon, as well, and of course Shrimp Fest at the local Red Lobster should be considered a memory as well!

This is only noted to state that in the New Testament some changes where made, and we observe those changes and we follow them as the fulfillment of initial first coming of our Messiah – Jesus Christ…

So let us dive into the meat of the issue!

The commandment in Exodus 20:8-11 states that the seventh day of the week, which is Saturday, is the day which the Lord instructed as the day of rest and worship. However in the New Testament we see the church worshiped on Sunday. So what gives?

Though there are a variety of places to begin let me first start with the New Testament view of the Sabbath.

Romans 14:5-6: "One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God."

Paul illustrates for us in Romans that one man regards one day, and another man, another day… He then states “He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord”

If Saturday worship were so critical, then why would Paul give such variance to man, such flexibility? Why would he not drill the issue, as some feel it should be, why not make it an object of division, as some have? I won’t answer this, actually I cannot answer this question because no answer exists, other than to note Paul felt we should take a day to observe the Lord, but this day was to the discretion of men… As a man observes that day of choice, he observes to the Lord. It is a clear command.

Colossians 2:16-17: "Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ."

This is a critical text. Take note of the Holy Days noted here:

a festival

a new moon

a Sabbath day

Preceding the mentioning of these things we are given a command from the Word of God “Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to” Pretty weighty stuff so far.

No one can judge in regards to the Sabbath day, or what day we worship the Lord, and the reason is… this is where it gets interesting –

The Sabbath was a “mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ”

The Message Bible

Col 2:16 So don't put up with anyone pressuring you in details of diet, worship services, or holy days. All those things are mere shadows cast before what was to come; the substance is Christ.

Amplified Bible^(R)

(Colossians 2:16) Therefore let no one sit in judgment on you in matters of food and drink, or with regard to a feast day or a New Moon or a Sabbath.

(Colossians 2:17) Such [things] are only the shadow of things that are to come, and they have only a symbolic value. But the reality (the substance, the solid fact of what is foreshadowed, the body of it) belongs to Christ.

Jesus is essentially our Sabbath! The Sabbath was a shadow of what is to come. He is our rest, He is our worship, and the entire law is summed up in Loving God, not in keeping a variety of Holy Days!

The insistence of the Seventh Day Adventists adherence to Saturday worship, and their condemnation of Sunday worship, is unfounded and ignorance or ignoring based of New Testament SCRIPTURE, PRACTICE, AND TRADITION!

That in mind let’s take a look at some historical truths

Acts 20:7: "And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to depart the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight."

Message Bible

Act 20:7 We met on Sunday to worship and celebrate the Master's Supper. Paul addressed the congregation. Our plan was to leave first thing in the morning, but Paul talked on, way past midnight.

The first day of the week is now as it was then and that day is Sunday. It also appears to be the day that the church gathered for worship. The day that people gathered, worshipped and learned of God, in the New Testament church… WAS/IS SUNDAY.

Now if this was a single occurrence that would be fine, but as you’ll see it was not!

1Corinthans 16:1

Regarding the relief offering for poor Christians that is being collected, you get the same instructions I gave the churches in Galatia. Every Sunday each of you make an offering and put it in safekeeping. Be as generous as you can. When I get there you'll have it ready, and I won't have to make a special appeal. Then after I arrive, I'll write letters authorizing whomever you delegate, and send them off to Jerusalem to deliver your gift. If you think it best that I go along, I'll be glad to travel with them.

Notice here that Paul is directing the churches to meet on the first day of each week and put money aside. It would seem that this is tithing. So, the instructed time for the church to meet is Sunday. Is this an official worship day set up by the church? You decide.

So we notice that Paul instructs the saints to make an offering on Sunday, which sounds like well an offering in a church service!

Revelation 1:10-11: "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, 11saying, "Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."

On the Lord’s day is Sunday

Same text Message Bible

(Revelation 1:10) It was Sunday and I was in the Spirit, praying. I heard a loud voice behind me, trumpet-clear and piercing:

Ask the REAL EXPERTS

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

The Lord’s day - The first day of the week, observed as the Christian Sabbath, because on it Jesus Christ rose from the dead; therefore it was called the Lord’s day, and has taken place of the Jewish Sabbath throughout the Christian world.

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Rev 1:10 - I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day,.... Not on the Jewish sabbath, which was now abolished, nor was that ever called the Lord's day, and had John meant that, he would have said on the sabbath day; much less the Jewish passover, but the first day of the week is designed

Now let me give you a bit of wordy information, but it so validates this truth

The Lords Day

the Ethiopic version renders it "on the first day"; and is so called just as the ordinance of the supper is called the Lord's supper, being instituted by the Lord, and the Lord's table, 1Co_10:21, and that because it was the day in which our Lord rose from the dead, Mar_16:9; and in which he appeared at different times to his disciples, Joh_20:19, and which the primitive churches set apart for his worship and service, and on which they met together to hear the word, and attend on ordinances, Act_20:7; and Justin Martyr (z) tells us, who lived within about fifty years after this time, that on the day called, "Sunday", (by the Greeks,) the Christians met together in one place, and read the Scriptures, and prayed together, and administered the ordinance of the supper; and this, he adds, was the first day in which God created the World, and our Saviour Jesus Christ rose from the dead;

Barnabas (a), the companion of the Apostle Paul, calls this day the eighth day, in distinction from the seventh day sabbath of the Jews, and which he says is the beginning of another world; and therefore we keep the eighth day, adds he, joyfully, in which Jesus rose from the dead, and being manifested, ascended unto heaven: and this day was known by the ancients by the name of "the Lord's day"; as by:

Ignatius

Irenaeus

Tertullian

Origen

End quote

Some of you may not know the names listed: Ignatius, Irenaeus, Tertullian, etc… These men are known as the “Church Fathers” We value their opinion because they where disciples of the disciples… Yes, most of them knew the actual disciples/Apostles of Jesus Christ, and as they began to pass away, these men began to lead the church…

Fringe groups such as the Seventh Day Adventists will often discredit the Church Fathers… They do so because their thoughts, and words disagree so vehemently with what I call their “existence doctrines”

Existence doctrines are those doctrines so extreme that orthodox Christianity rejects them as heresy there fore a group is formed around the existence of this polarizing doctrinal view… it then becomes the soul reason for their shallow existence! The sum of all their sermons etc …

Nonetheless the writings of the Church Fathers and their historical value are so esteemed by so many scholars all over the world it is silly to refute them in totality!

Constantine Controversy

Poor Constantine, he was the fourth century Roman Emperor, and is usually the man in black for our Seventh Day Advents which is all to humorous to me, because he also is the devil in the Oneness doctrine as well… This guy gets blamed for more stuff!!! I am sure he was not sweetheart but come on… The rumor is Constantine created or imposed Sunday worship (along with the trinity as well) and then persecuted all the Sabbath-keepers and modalists of his age… Excuse me while I chuckle

Justin Martyr 110-165 a.d. [160 years before Constantine]

"Sunday is the day upon which we all hold our communion and assembly" (Justin Martyr, First Christian Apology)

Didache Estimated Range of Dating: 50-120

Chapter 14. Christian Assembly on the Lord's Day. But every Lord's day (Sunday) gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one who is at odds with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord: "In every place and time offer to me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King, says the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the nations."

Obviosuly Sunday worship was happening LONG before Constantine, so that theory, accusation is false, and perhaps we may even say it is a lie…

The non-canonical Epistle of Barnabbas show that Christians were also assembling on Sundays.

The Epistle of Ignatius about A.D. 107 gives the reason why The Lord's Day was now seen as having more importance than the original sabbath:
'Be not deceived with strange doctrines, nor with old fables, which are unprofitable. 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 has sprung up again by Him and By His death.'

'Apostolic Constitutions: Church life in the 2nd Century' says this:
'On the day of the resurrection of the Lord--that is, the Lord's Day--assemble yourself together without fail, giving thanks to God and praising Him for those mercies God has bestowed upon you through Christ.'

What about Jesus

Jesus bluntly corrected the legalistic view of the Pharisees when he stated, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27).

The point Jesus made is that the Sabbath was not instituted to enslave people, but to benefit them.

The purpose of Sabbath is to give man the opportunity to honor God, and to rest from work to worship God… Not simply a law to obey!

A few final thoughts

Adventists claim: The Catholics take responsibility for changing Saturday to Sunday worship.

My answer – Maybe they do, I have not checked into this… but they also claim Peter as their first Pope! So who care what they claim as their, and what they take credit for? Is it scriptural, is it historical… That Adventist claim is MUTE, WORTHLESS, WITHOUT MERIT

Do not fail to remember worship on a Sunday is present within the New Testament itself (Acts 20:7 1 Cor 16:1-2 and Revelation 1:10, for instance).

The Sabbath command is never repeated in the New Testament, not even once.

Christ entered his own rest from His earthly labors on a Sunday - not a Sabbath.

The resurrected Jesus appeared to His disciples first on a Sunday (John 20: 19-22).

If you wanted to have church with the disciples during that time period… You better wait till Sunday (Acts 20:7 1 Cor 16:1-2 and Revelation 1:10). If you want to go the Jewish Synagogue and follow all the laws, dietary, and all other 600 or so… go ahead and do the Saturday thing

While Paul chose to preach on a Sunday - see Acts 20:7.

MY FINAL THOUGHT…

Legalism is a killer. It seeks to steal, kill and destroy. “Destroy what?” you may ask. Life, faith and grace… oh yes, and the cross of Jesus Christ. The command given to us regarding our worship to God is simple… Do it with all your heart!

(Matthew 22:36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

(Matthew 22:37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

(Matthew 22:38) This is the first and great commandment.

Other than not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, we will find no other commands in the New Testament about our public worship, not the correct day it must happen, the correct time it must happen… This foul “existence doctrine” of Saturday worship is sheer legalism, and it is void of scriptural, historical and logical truth. So then, I’ll see you Sunday.

Mr. Opinionated

2007-10-05T17:46:00.000-05:00

Okay well sooner or later this blog was bound to get me in trouble, sooner or later it was certain that my opinionated discourses on a variety of subjects was bound to break through the eewie gooey goodness of past posts, no longer satisfied with silence here comes “Mr. Opinionated”!

With fair warning I first feel it fair to confess, a soon apparent reality, I write this offering with a hint of irritation! It could be a warning perhaps to go no further although I implore you to do so.

What has rained on my parade, you may ask? What has caused such irritation? Well not a single incident per say, though it certainly could be labeled as the catalyst. The past week brought news of an impending divorce to take place among a Christian TV personality (televangelist) and her husband who pastors a very large church in Florida.(somewhere in the neighborhood of 23,000 members). The cause for such an action was simply labeled as “We are going in different directions” with the promise to continue in ministry without missing a beat. He’ll continue to Pastor, and she will continue to pursue or serve in the ministry on television…

I must confess that this floored, shocked, disappointed, and saddened me. Without coming across as calloused and uncaring I am quick to note that I pray for this couple and sympathize with the plight and pain of divorce. Truly it is devastating and painful for all who find themselves at this crossroads, or who are themselves storming such weather…

However, with dues sympathies noted, under no condition, or circumstances at all should divorce be considered, simply because a couple finds themselves going in different directions, under such a discovery, that they may well be, and most certainly are actually traveling in opposing directions which therefore are the wrong directions, an immediate change of travel MUST take place, so they find themselves once again on the right path… together… because after all that “two shall become one flesh stuff… I think God meant that! (ref; Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:8, Ephesians 5:31)

This failure to do so cannot be remedied by further separation! Certainly a time of refocus of the roads being traveled and finding the correct avenue, one ample for proper travel would be the wise pursuit to endeavor!

What I find so saddening. is certainly the decline of moral fiber here in America, what I find utterly repulsive and sickening is the decline of moral fiber in the church. In past years marriage was considered to be ones first ministry, and it was considered the most precious commodity. Is that sentiment, no let me reword that, is that truth somehow losing its fire in the hearts of modern American Christianity?

In our modern Christian view, are we know shaping the commands of Christ based merely on cultural preferences? Gee, I hope not.

The basis of the marriage vow… “for better or worse, richer, or poorer…. Until death do we part” is said for a reason!!! The reason or the summation of such is a word seemingly hated by society today… So scary I cringe as I say it … get ready here it comes!

COMMITMENT

Ouch! That’s right God calls us to be committed… to Him, to each other and to our marriage, our spouse our children, our church etc…

In fact if we as Christians are to be any thing, or to have retained any quality since “Jesus came into my heart” as the song says… IT SHOULD BE COMMITMENT – and the first sin of wavering commitment(oxymoron) should be a warning that one may be weakening in their spiritual life…

I do realize that extenuating circumstances exist. Certainly in cases of abuse I don’t expect a spouse to abide under the same roof where physical danger lurks…

Nonetheless a principle quality of the church ought to be the sanctity of marriage, in which we certainly confess with our lips, but our statistics are far from it! Divorce is as prevalent in the church as it is in society at large… In fact our statistics rival theirs!

It seems to have lived in the pew long enough that it is becoming more socially accepted… Now that acceptance is crawling from the pew making its way to our pulpits… and I personally don’t like it! In fact as you were fairly warned I have something to say about it! IT – STINKS!

So my one lone voice resonates on the pages of this Blog perhaps making a point or two to those who frequent… But one voice is not the totality of the body of Christ… For we being many are essentially one body… there fore I make the simple suggestion to you… Be ye holy… as you have been so called, and defend the faith, which was given to you at the costly price – the blood of Christ.

We must make a stand against the erosion of moral integrity in Christianity today… Because we, like it or not are the only church God has in America, we are the modern day: apostles, prophets, teachers etc… Lets not take that to lightly! In fact I would encourage some contagious zeal! Let’s stand firm in the faith, and let the WORD of God be a lamp, and a light to our path! We live in age were uncertainties exist, and social pressure seeks to override the precepts of God… This truth therefore begs the question: What are you going to do about it?

The Dream Of God

2007-10-05T17:18:00.000-05:00

The Dream Of God

I want to talk to you about the dream of God

I am very honored to have you here, because you are a creation of God.

You know many people have spent all the time they want to spend in; depression, being burned out, feeling lost and uncertain. There are other's who have dreams and visions and they see day by day go by and those dreams do not come to pass... I feel called to encourage you today...

maybe secretly you have wondered

Secretly you have considred the the thought:

Maybe God doesn’t love me

Maybe God just doesn’t care

Maybe God doesn’t want me to be happy

Come on now its passed through you somewhere along the way

Maybe God just isn't interested or concerned with my life

He's unaware of my dreams

He’s unaware of my heartache

He’s unconcerned with my situations

But the bible says

That your father know your needs

Lu:12:32: The Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

I am excited about that, I am excited and encouraged to tell you that God has a dream! God has a dream for your life, He is concerned about you, He is dreaming about you!

God has not created you destination-less

God has not created you without purpose

God has a dream for you

1) You Where Created With a Purpose

Jer:1:4: Then the word of the LORD came …., saying,

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

I want you to pay particular attention to the word BEFORE in this text

It contains two key ingredieants to our understanding The Dream of God

A) BEFORE you where concieved

B) BEFORE you where born

God had a plan for your Life

HE purposed you – HE designed you

before you took your first breathe of air

before you kicked inside the belly of your mother

before a name had been chosen for you

before your mother even knew she was with child

God did something for you

He Sanctified you – God ordained you

We ministers love to talk about being ordained – Carry our papers and our cards! The truth is God already ordained each one of us for a purpose

Ordained means –set apart for a sacred purpose

– Ordained you for a sacred purpose –

– You’re ordained you for divine destiny

Before you were a failure, before you had heard all the negative things people have said to you, before any body knew you and what you were...

GOD had already spoken some things over your life

GOD already had a dream that HE established within your being

You’re not just some chump down here with no place to go and nothing to do! Your not just taking up space – You where created with a destiny! You where created with a purpose! You where created with gifts and attributes to propel you towards the dream GOD has for you

People wonder why I spend so much time and why I preach so many messages on divine destiny on personal purpose

The reason is, I believe the devil has spent the last how many years of your life telling you, and trying to convince you that you’re worthless, you've have no purpose, that God can’t, and doesn’t want to do anything special in your life!

The devil has used people, he used failures, he used your bad circumstances, he used your bad mistakes, he's used every conceivable means available to make you believe your purposeless, worthless, and without a destination.

WHAT A LIE! The truth is you’re ordained! You've been set apart for a sacred purpose - you've been sanctified for a divine destiny - before the mistakes, before the failures… GOD spoke who you really were/are!

I'm not talking about what you did, with whom, and where…

I’m not talking about mistakes made in terrible ways, and unseemly circumstances…

I’m talking about something that happened in the HEAVENS

The moment the LORD spoke you into existence;

· HE shouted your destiny –

· He spoke it before HIS throne

· He spoke it in the presence of angels

and now all of heaven watches for you to fulfill the will of GOD

to be all that HE has sacredly purposed you to be, we’ll to be who you really are… not this façade you have become.

The angels know what you can be

GOD knows what you can be

The devil knows what you can

The only one that may be unsure, or unsettled in that is you

Its not who you fooled around with

It’s not the drugs you took

the failures you have had

It’s none of that

It’s what God has said about you

David’s father and brothers thought David was just a Shepard boy but GOD knew he was a king, a giant slater

They called Moses an Egyptian, but God knew he was a deliverer…

They called Joseph a dreamer- a slave – Potipher’s wife called him a rapist – they said his place was in the dungeon

But God knew his place and it wasn’t a prison it was in the palace

See I’m thinking GOD has said some things about you and I

I’m thinking that in the womb HE spoke some purpose

HE spoke some destiny

Proverb:23:7: as he thinketh in his heart, so is he

Some of us thought we where drug addicts

Some of us thought we where bums and losers

Some of us thought that we were what other people said about us

Addicted, strung out, helpless… Whatever!

But what did God say:

(Philippians 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

(Matthew 19:26) …………….with God all things are possible.

Before anybody had a chance to say anything

GOD spoke

HE ANNOUNCED IT TO THE HEAVENS

(Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Crafted By God

Joh:1:3: All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

See we have been crafted by the Master’s hands

We where made by HIM – Because there is not anything made that was not made by JESUS

I’m thinking if HE made me – HE must have purposed me

IF HE made me – HE must have ordained me

IF HE made me - HE must have sanctified me

IF HE made me – there must be a reason

Be all that God has created you to be, and believe that you the creation is much greater than you first imagined... That with God... Nothing is impossible!