A New Year ~ Another Opportunity ~ 2013

May we all - as Gods creatures - use this New Year to study and learn more of God - the only God, the true and the living God - in His word, the Bible.  May we ultimately obey Gods word and live that word until such time as our life ends or the Good Lord returns.

...."Thy [Christ] word is truth".  John 17:17

CALVINISM IS NOT of GOD!

 

Many religious groups [churches] today follow the error of John Calvin.

It needs to be shown – according to Gods word -  the error it teaches.

Error, that if embraced and practiced, will prevent man from one day being with God in heaven. We hope you will look up the Bible verses given in this study and read them for yourself.

All are admonished in John 4:24 to “worship in spirit and in truth”. Spirit = right attitude toward God and His word; truth = right information ie: Gods word. “Thy word is truth”.  John 17:17.

 John Calvin (French; 1509 – 1564); was an influential [of the day] French theologian during the Protestant Reformation. 

Calvin's writing and preachings provided the seeds for the branch of theology that bears his name. He was a principal figure in the development of the [erroneous] system of Christian theology later called ‘Calvinism’.

‘Christian theology’ ie: Calvinism, is the enterprise to construct a coherent system of Christian belief and practice based primarily upon the texts of the Old Testament and the New Testament as well as the historic traditions of the faithful.

It’s unfortunate that Calvin didn’t accept Gods plan for saving mankind.   Gods way is found in the New Testament and was planned “before the foundations of the earth.”  Ephesians 1:3-4.

The main points of Calvins uninspired  ‘theology’ are easily shown as T-U-L-I-P.  Lets see what Gods word says about Calvinism.

1). T – total depravity.  Calvin believed and propagated another erroneous doctrine referred to as ‘original sin’.  ie: Because of Adam and Eves sin in the garden of Eden, sin passed directly to all men.  Calvin and others say that all mankind are born in sin because of Adam and Eve.  

A reading of Gods word shows this doctrine to be in error. 1 John 3:4 – “whosoever commith sin transgretth the law, for sin is the transgression of the law.” (Gods law).

Ezekiel 18:4 tells us that “all souls are mine [Gods]; the soul that sinneth, it shall die”.

Ezekiel 18:20: “…the son shall NOT bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son”. This also shows the error of infant baptism. A new born baby is not capable of knowing right from wrong nor of sinning. Baptism is for remission of sins and an act of faith and obediance by a pentitent believer.  Acts 2:38; Acts 8:37.

 Romans 2: 6 – “Who [God] will render to every man, according to his [mans] deeds”. 2 Corinthians 5:10 – “for we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Ephesians 2:3 tells us that man is “by nature children of wrath”.  An aquired nature, not one that man is born with - Gods word says man is NOT born in total depravity, but each man is in fact, responsible for deeds and words done in his own body. See 1 John 3:4; 1 Peter 1:7.

And, Revelation 20:12-13 – “And I [John] saw the dead, small and great standing before God, and books were opened [gospel]. And another book was opened, which is the book of Life.  And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”

2). U – unconditional election – predestination!  Calvin taught it made no difference what a person did or did not do, every person has already been ‘predestined’ to be saved or lost.  Can’t be changed!

 This is NOT what Gods word teaches.  Ephesians 1:5 – “predestined” – meaning ‘determined beforehand’.  God determined before the foundation of the world to save us IN Christ.  God determined HOW, NOT WHO!

Acts 10:34-35 - “of a truth I perceive that God is NO respector of persons; but in every nation he that feareth Him and worketh righteouness is accepted with Him.”

Titus 2:11 - “for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to ALL men.”  Also, Ephesians 1:3-4, any [living faithfully] IN Christ are ‘predestined’ to be saved.  But this opportunity is available to ALL, not just particular ones. Also, Romans 8:29-30 – speaking to purpose and character, not a personal identity. Also, 1 Peter 1:2; 2:9.

3). L – limited atonement. Calvinism says Christ died for only a chosen few.  Gods word – the bible - tells us Christ died for ALL!  Luke 19:10 -

“for the Son of man (Christ) is come to seek and save that which was lost,” (mankind). 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 - “he died for ALL.” Also, John 1:29; 1 John 2:1-2; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9.

4). I – irresitible grace. Calvinism teaches that those ‘predestined’ ones are overcome with Gods grace.  Can’t resist, have no choice. Gods grace somehow falls upon you and overwhelms you! These men have no freewill.

Titus 2:11 tells us – “for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to ALL men.”  2 Peter 3:9 – “the Lord is not slack concerning His promise…but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that ALL should come to repentance.”  Acts 17:30 - God now “commands ALL men everywhere to repent.”

5). P – perpetuation (perserverence) of the saints.  Calvin taught - once saved, always saved.  No way to fall from that ‘irresistible grace’.

The apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 5:1-4 that if one tried to be justified by old law (Old Testament) “ye are fallen from Grace”. 2 Peter 3:17 - “beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.”

Hebrews 3:12 – “Take heed, brethern, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, departing from the living God”.

Also, Hebrews 2:1; 4:1; 10:36.

The apostle Paul sums this up in 1Corinthians 9:27 – “But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be castaway.”

If the inspired apostle Paul knew it was possible to ‘fall away’ and be lost and took steps to prevent it, where does that leave the rest of us?  Once saved, always saved, is a false doctrine and false hope to those who do not know Gods word.

Calvins doctrine can be summed up this way:  1). Don’t seek – can’t find it.

2). If you find it – you can’t get it. 3). If you get it – you can’t lose it. 4). If you lose it – you never had it!

As we read Gods word, we see God says nothing about the ideas Calvin set forth. Quite the contrary!

 

“Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is NONE OTHER name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:11-12.

That name most certainly is NOT Calvin, but is in fact, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek”.  Romans 1:16.

Who are you following? God or man?

PREMILLENNIALSIM IS FALSE DOCTRINE!

We usually say: ‘Pre’ = before; ‘Millennial’ = 1,000; ‘Ism’ = isn’t so!

That sums it up. Premillennialism is a false doctrine started back in the 1920’s or ‘30’s by one RH Bole in Texas. It’s a ‘feel-good’ doctrine that seemingly will give a ‘second chance’ to those living when the Lord comes back. Says nothing about those who have died previous to Christs return and violates God being NO respecter of persons – Romans 2:11.

Yes, Christ will someday return to judge His people, but there is not a SINGLE bible scripture that says Jesus will ever set foot on earth again and rule from anywhere! If so, send it to us! There are, however, many verses that say quite the contrary. One being - 1Thessalonians 4:17.

It only takes one point from Gods word to make a ‘doctrine’ error but we will – from the bible – point out 15 things wrong with the man-made doctrine of Premillennalism. It is hoped you have interest enough to look up the scriptures given.

1. Return of Jews makes God false to His promises. Joshua 23:14; 21:43.

2. Places 1,000 years between resurrection of righteous and the unrighteous dead – Acts 24:15; John 5:28f; 1 Corinthians 15.

3. Takes us out of the great tribulation. Revelation 7:14; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 1:9 – “I John, who also am your brother [Christian] and companion IN tribulation, and IN the kingdom [church]…”.

4. Dethrones Christ now. 2 Samuel7:12f; Luke 1:30f; Acts 2:24; Revelation 17:14.

5. Makes kingdom not the church. Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:5; 5:10.


6. Makes church [kingdom=body] a substitute. Ephesians 3:7-11; Isaiah 2:1f; 3:15.

7. Would put Christs throne on earth in Judah – Coniah! Jeremiah 22:28-30; 24:1; 22:24; Matthew 1:12;

8. Would make Christ a priest on earth. Zechariah 6:12f; Hebrews 8:4. Hebrews 7:14 – “for it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah, of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood!” ie: ALL priests of the Old Testament had to be of tribe of Levi; a high priest had to be direct descendant of Aaron. Today under Christs Law (New Testament) all Christians are priests and Christ is our high priest in Heaven. 1 Peter 2:5; 1Timothy 2:5.

9. Invalidates teaching on the new birth (baptism). John 3:5.

10. Makes void observance of the Lord’s supper. Luke 22:29-30. Kingdom = church. Acts 20:7.

11. Confuses physical and spiritual Israel. Romans 11:26; 2:28; Galatians chapters 3 and 6.

12. Makes Lord’s kingdom (spiritual) of this world (carnal, physical). John 18:36.

13. Substitutes carnal weapons (physical) for spiritual in battle of Armageddon. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 – “for though we walk in the flesh, we do NOT war after the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal”….Ephesians 6:12..”for we wrestle NOT against flesh and blood but against”….on through verse 18.

14. Alters Revelation 20:1-6.

15. Makes devil not bound now [by gospel] and makes cross of Christ ineffective!


Premillennialism = FALSE DOCTRINE leading many astray from the truth of Gods word.

John 17:17 - …”thy word is truth”.

John 12:48 – “the word that I [Christ] have spoken, the same shall judge you in the last day”.
John 6:68 - …”Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life”.

Do you have Christs words - ie: BIBLE (New Testament) – His word, His plan for mans salvation. God's plan that promises - through your obedience to His word - that you can have eternal life someday with Christ in Heaven?

Or have you been misled by words/false doctrines of man….words which bring only eternal death. Read Gods word, it alone is truth, & our judge at the last day.

Church and Body Same!

The bible is clear that the church and the body are the same. The church IS the body of Christ and Christ IS the head of that body ie: the church.
Colossians 1:18; vs 24; Ephesians 1:22.

There IS ONE body (church). Ephesians 4:4.

The church (body) IS the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 1:22-23.

Christ shed His blood for the church (body). Purchased (bought) the church with His blood. Acts 20:28.

Christ has ALL authority and directs His church (body) – through the gospel. Matthew 28:18.

Christ IS the Saviour of the church, the body, HIS body, HIS church. Ephesians 5:23.

Is Christ the Saviour of anything else?

Seeing as Christ IS the Saviour of the church (HIS church, HIS body)….we should all want to know….where does one find THAT body (church) and how does one get into THAT church, THAT body.

Galatians 3 and Romans 6 are two examples of HOW one gets into Christ, the body, the church.

Those IN Christ are in the body (church). It is a spiritual relationship with our Lord, yet, likeminded Christians meeting with a local congregation.

“Not everyone that sayeth unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in Heaven”.
Matthew 7:21-22.

Come study! Learn Gods word, His will/plan for mankind. Time grows short.

The Godhead - three persons - ONE God!

There is much confusion on the subject of GOD; ie: the Godhead (Godhood). I hope you will look up the scriptures and study Gods’ word.

Only three known classifications of beings…..God; angels (created by God); man (also created by God).

GOD = ELOHIM = JEHOVAH.

Many don’t know (realize) that there are three (3) separate beings in ‘God’, the Godhead/Godhood. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Just like the Smith family has a father, mother, 2 children. 4 persons, but all the Smith family.

Three (3) separate persons in GOD, but all the God ‘family’….for a simple example.

NOTE: ELOHIM – (EL, mighty one + to swear; to make a covenant with);
Strength (Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God (ELOHIM)”; power, keeps promises, creates, governs.
Plural in form, always takes singular verb (unless it refers to heathen “gods” – 1 Samuel 4:8).

All three (3) share same and equal attributes of deity; same goal (mans salvation); same knowledge, same ability. But, from studying the bible, we learn all have a different function… as it were.
God (all three) has been 'from everlasting to everlasting', 'eternal', 'I AM'.
All three were manifest at the baptism of Jesus - Matthew 3, and at the mount of Transfiguration - Matthew 17.

"In the beginning was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God and the Word was God; all things were made by Him"....John 1: 1-3, 14. "I and my Father are ONE"...John 10:30.

The Father developed the plan for man’s salvation IN Christ – Ephesians 1:3; Christ perfected (matured) the plan, putting it into action (as it were) by coming to earth and dying for mans’ sins and establishing His church = kingdom – wherein man might be saved - Acts 2; the Holy Spirit revealed the fullness (perfection) of the plan, recalling ALL things to the apostles who wrote it down - ie: New Testament. John 14:16-18.

Sure to raise some questions but answer them from God’s word.

ONE GOD ~ a United ONE

The One God of the Bible is a united One. One God, One Godhood, One God 'family', but three persons/members of that divine, from everlasting to everlasting, family: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
God = Elohim = Jehovah: plural word, always takes singular verb.

Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Deuteronomy 6:4; John 10:30.

John 17:11, 22
“Even As” ------{ 1 Corinthians 1:10
Acts 4:32


The Father and Son are One In:

1). Work – John 4:34; 9:4
2). Creation – John 1:1-3; Ephesians 3:9
3). Word (doctrine) – John 17:17; 12:49; 17:8
4). Name (authority) – John 5:43
5). Love – John 14:23
6). Protection – John 10:27
7). Witness – John 8:18
8). Will – John 6:30,38
9). Judgment – John 5:22
10). Reconciliation – 2 Corinthians 5:18

DENOMINATIONS

Webster defines ‘denomination’ as a “religious organization uniting in a single legal and administrative body; a number of local congregations;” also, a group of churches (collective) under the same name.

The “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16) are each independent local churches. A church of Christ knows that its headquarters is in Heaven and Jesus is our head. Colossians 1:18.

We cannot find the denominational concept in the Bible. Each local church of Christ (that is organized and practicing scripturally) has only the Bible as its guide. Jesus said He had “all authority” – Matthew 28:18 - and what He (Christ) had bound and loosed in Heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles and other inspired men to bind and loose on earth those same things. Matthew 16:19; 18:18.

We dare not bind where God has not bound, we dare not loose where God has not loosed.
All we do in word (what we teach) and deed (what we practice), must be done in the name (by the authority of – Acts 4:7) the Lord. Colossians 3:17.

We have no pressure from any group, headquarters, synod, to do anything we cannot read about in the Bible. Each local church of Christ is charged to study the Bible for itself and to be guided ONLY by God’s word – the Bible. What is found authorized in the Bible, we do! 2 Timothy 3:16-f. What cannot be found authorized in Gods word, we oppose and do not do!

For example:
1. We cannot find Christs’ authority for mechanical music in worship. So, we have singing only in our worship service – Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19.

2. We do find authority for partaking of the Lord’s supper on the first day of the week (Sunday) – Acts 20:7. Every week has a first day, we find no other time or frequency.

3. We find authority for giving into the church treasury on the first day of the week, so that is when we give – 1 Corinthians 16:2.

Are you a member of the Lords church using only His word as your source of information? If not, you can be!