STAND UP FOR TRUTH
11-10-09
Misunderstandings, unsanctified conversations and selfish ambitions often work against the Truth and the unity of purpose, which empowers the brethren to deliver the message of the Kingdom and to see the fruits of Christ’s labor that He purchased at Calvary manifest in the church.
I would like to clarify our position on scripture here at Living Faith Chapel. I will keep this as short as possible.
Jam 2:8 KJV - If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
1. The rule for Christians to walk by is settled in the scriptures: If according to the scriptures, etc. It is not great men, nor worldly wealth, nor corrupt practices among professors themselves, that must guide us, but the scriptures of truth. 2. The scripture gives us this as a law, to love our neighbour as ourselves; it is what still remains in full force, and is rather carried higher and further by Christ than made less important to us. 3. This law is a royal law, it comes from the King of kings. Its own worth and dignity deserve it should be thus honored; and the state in which all Christians now are, as it is a state of liberty, and not of bondage or oppression, makes this law, by which they are to regulate all their actions to one another, a royal law. Mathew Henry
James goes on in verses 2:10-12 to show us the source of the Royal Law and gives an illustration to make his point.
Jam 2:10 KJV - For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all.
Jam 2:11 KJV - For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
Jam 2:12 KJV - So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
2Pe 2:21 KJV - For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known [it], to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2Pe 3:2 KJV - That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
2Pe 3:11 KJV - [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness,
1Th 5:12 KJV - And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
1Th 5:13 KJV - And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. [And] be at peace among yourselves.
1Th 5:14 KJV - Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all [men].
1Th 5:15 KJV - See that none render evil for evil unto any [man]; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all [men].
1Th 5:17 KJV - Pray without ceasing.
1Th 5:19 KJV - Quench not the Spirit.
1Th 5:20 KJV - Despise not prophesyings.
1Th 5:21 KJV - Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1Th 5:22 KJV - Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1Th 5:27 KJV - I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
The purpose of the church is to worship God and minister to sinners.
There must be room in the life of all effective ministers for dialogue, even if opinions on the scriptures differ. I'm open to discuss the scriptures because I want to know what my brother believes and what his position is on the scriptures. I appreciate my brothers and sisters and I like to know what they believe, why and what they teach.
Will we always agree? Probably not on all issues. Will I refuse my brothers and sisters the right to sit down and discuss scriptural issues with me? NEVER! They are my heavenly family, if they sincerely abide in the hope, the love of Christ and desire to know and teach scriptural Truth!
Did the 1st century church forsake all the teaching of Moses? Here are some examples that the apostles gave their approval of those things taught of Moses which reveal to man his sinful condition. Acts 13:14, 42, 44 15:21, 16:13, 17:2, 18:4
The New Testament, didn't exist for quite some time after the Church age began in Jerusalem as recorded in the book of Acts.
What did the Bereans use to check up on the preacher when he came preaching the Kingdom of God? They were looking for evidence in the scriptures the Word of God that they had already received. (Old Testament)
The Old Testament was the only PROOF TEXT! There was no New Testament letters yet! If you can't find the proof in the old Testament today that the 7th Day or the entire Law was abrogated, do you think they could find it then? NO! BECAUSE IT JUST ISN'T IN THERE, NEVER WAS, NEVER WILL BE!
Act 17:10 KJV -
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea:
who coming [thither] went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Act 17:11 KJV - These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that
they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the
scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
If they were trying to determine if Paul was a false Prophet or not, all
they had to do was see him violate or preach against one, or all of the Ten
Commandments. If Paul would have violated the 4th commandment they would
have killed him for it! These people had the witness of Moses, that the Lord
commanded that those that profane the sabbath be put to death! Num 15:35
Paul's ministry would have been finished before it got started if he preached anti-noumos (anti-law) antinomian doctrines. Paul preached victory through Jesus Christ, not the annulment of righteousness!
Neither man nor beast were permitted to even touch mount Sinai This is where Moses received the unshakeable Testimony of God, the Ten Commandments on Sapphire Stones written by God's own finger. Hebrew 12:25-29
Col 2:16 KJV - Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]:
The word Let and Judge are the very same greek word G2919 krinō meaning - 1) to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose. (many have made this verse say what they want it to say rather then how the Apostles, including Paul, a Hebrew of the tribe of Benjamin (sent to the Gentiles) demonstrated in their ministries.
The writer here says these are shadows of things to come , NOT THINGS THAT ARE ALREADY DONE AWAY WITH! Isa. 66:23, 24
Col 2:17 KJV - Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of
Christ.
If God freed us from sin simply by manipulating the Righteousness of His Commandments, changing His perception on transgression, or by taking away the Righteous Laws, (Nailing the Ten Commandments to the cross), then Christ's work at Calvary was done in vain! Wasn't it?
If God would now apologize and reverse the judgment of death for the sin of the man bundling sticks in Num 15:33 Why didn't He do that for Adam and Eve and the rest of us?
Because God is the SAME yesterday today and forever and His Judgments are eternal!
That is why Christ had to come to take our place, we could not and cannot escape judgment for our sins, they could not be painted over or covered up as if they never happened. Sin must be removed, that which is covered over is still there (Old Testament Promise of a redemption plan).
Jesus Christ paid the penalty for sins so that the demands of sin were met, paid for with his own life. The sins that those who are converted unto Christ are removed not hidden or covered over! (New Testament redemption plan is established)
Someone had to take our place in suffering and death for our sins. The payment made by Christ for sins has been promised for us if we abide in His will and purpose and the payment will be credited to our account for sin when the groom takes His bride! (the called out ones)
God Forbid! God does not give us a license to sin, just because Christ has now paid the price for sins!
God does not whitewash sin and now call it righteousness!
God does not convert His Law so that it does not reveal sin or condemn sin any longer! All sin is against God!
Psa 51:4 KJV -
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this] evil in thy sight:
that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, [and] be clear when thou
judgest.
God's Word converts the sinner, His Commandments reveal to men what sin is! Jer 31:33
Great peace have they who love thy Law!
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: Rom 2:7
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Rom 2:8
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; Rom 2:9
But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: Rom 2:10
There is no respect of persons with God whether Jew or Gentile! Rom2:11
For, not the hearers of the Law are (present tense) just before God but the doers of the Law shall be (future tense) justified! Rom 2:13
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Rom 2:14
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) Rom 2:15
Therefore if the uncircumcision (Gentiles) keep the righteousness of the law, (Ten Commandments) shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? Rom 2:26
These Gentiles are born again Christians who have become obedient to the Gospel preached in Acts 2:38 they are now converted and they are abiding in God's Word and following the example of Christ the Lawgiver that came to save us the Law breakers.
And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature (Gentiles), if it fulfil the law, judge thee, (Jews) who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? Rom 2:27 (Though they were a chosen people of God, some were not abiding in the truth of God.)
The truth is, The works of the law (the rituals or Ceremonial law requiring a Priest) and also Death, the curse for our transgressions were truly nailed to the cross, but not the righteousness of the Law! (Ten Commandments)
The Law of God will be our judge when we stand before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ if we are not reconciled to God.
Rev 20:12 KJV - 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.
Transgression, disobedience is sin in the book of Genesis and it is still sin in the future (The New heaven and the New Earth). Isa. 66:22, 24
Christ did not hide our sins or excuse our sin, Christ is righteous and cannot lie, nor ignore transgressions, but rather He paid the price, made the payment with His life for our sins Himself.
The indwelling Spirit, the Holy Ghost empowers us to live with our face turned toward Christ being indwelt and empowered by Christ to fulfill righteousness to do no harm to our fellow man nor offend God our creator and savior.
Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart [is] my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings Isa 51:7
But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jer 31:33
Is the righteousness revealed to man by God, by the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament, really in conflict or disagreement with God in the New Testament?
That which is called sin because of transgression of one or all the Ten Commandments according to God in the Old Testament, is it now a sin not to transgress against one or all of the Ten Commandments?
What principle does Jesus teach about matters that are hard to be judged of men whether they be evil or good works?
Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house [divided] against a house falleth. Luke 11:17
If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub Luke 11:18
Is Righteous living demanded in the Old Testament in conflict with Righteous living in the New Testament? Really?
Is the Word of God which is declared righteous in the Old Testament, now to be considered an evil work of Satan in the New Testament age? (Ten Commandment Laws) God is not the author of confusion. Where there is strife against the Word of God there is every evil work!
Rom 7:12 KJV - Wherefore the
law [is] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Will the New Testament believers go to hell for keeping 7th day Sabbath, when transgressors in the Old Testament transgressing the Sabbath were destroyed and accursed for profaning the 7th day Sabbath? Really?
Old Testament saints were blessed by honoring God on the 7th day which commemorates the only true rest which God established after the 6th day of creation when all of creation was complete and God said it was good. One entire day 1 / 7 of all that God had done at the creation of the world was done to establish the day of the true rest. (Sabbath was made for man) Man at his creation lived in a state of innocence and also without sin in the garden. Man was in a period of his existence when all of creation had great rest and fellowship with God. Being made immortal, innocent and good, all of creation glorified and magnified God in the highest.
Even when mankind lost that true rest and fellowship with God thru the fall, yet God charged sinful man under penalty of death to REMEMBER FROM WHENCE HE HAD FALLEN and to present himself to God on the 7th day as Cain and Able also presented themselves in the book of Genesis in the end of days, in the process of time.(7th day)
Would God not continue in those things which he has established in the 7th day of His creation when the redemption of man is now made sure for those of faith through Jesus Christ and His resurrection?
1.The 7th day Sabbath is established in the age of creation before the fall. (A time of great rest and fellowship with God) Gen 2:2, 3
2. The 7th day Sabbath continued throughout the Old Testament period of the fall. Ex 20
3. The 7th day Sabbath is accursed to believers in the New Testament age or church age? Really? (The re is absolutely no Scriptural support for this statement!) All supporting proof text for this statement has it's foundation on documentations written after the ministry of all the Apostles. These are not considered to be inspired writing of God such as the 66 books of the KJV Bible are. Christian scholars agree the Bible is the inspired words of God.
4. God's Word declares that the 7th day Sabbath will continue thru the time of the new heaven and the new earth. Is 66:23
Where is our Victory to overcome the spirit of this age?
And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: Joel 2:28
It seems rather shady that the 1st century church (Christ and the Apostles who's witness is in the 12 Foundations of Jerusalem Rev 21:14) is the only period that taught, One God, Baptism in Jesus Name, and keeping of all God's Ten Commandments.
The Church age from the apostles up until now, is the only period throughout all time recorded in the Bible from time past and future that the antichrist (the False christ and his Religious system) will attempt to wear out the saints (The Elect) to overcome them who profess to know God and cause them to transgress the teachings of Christ and the Apostles, (Jesus Christ is the cornerstone and those who lay the foundations of Truth are the Apostles) and they that are overcome by the lawless one, will choose to blaspheme the Word of God, the judgments of God and the Ten Commandments of God rather then to submit to and obey God!
We are warned to hold fast!
2Th 2:3 KJV - Let no man
deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a
falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4 KJV - Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called
God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God,
shewing himself that he is God.
The religious system that
rules the world on matters of the Christian faith, has taken the authority
and power unto itself to rewrite and change God's laws and His word to
thusly fly transgressions in the very face of God!
2Th 2:15 KJV - Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions
which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
Rom 6:16 KJV - Know ye not,
that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to
whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto
righteousness?
Have we entered the period of the great falling away, and the deception of the dragon and the beast in the Church age?
Rev 13:6 KJV - And he opened his mouth in blasphemy
against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell
in heaven.
Tts 1:16 KJV - They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.(giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth)
The Word of God is Truth!
God's Commandments are Truth, not the commandments of men
Fables whether Jewish, Greek or Roman are just fables, The light of God's Word is our guide!
Rev 2:5 KJV - Remember therefore from whence thou art
fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee
quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou
repent.
Rev 2:6 KJV - But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the
Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
The Nicolaitans were sinful and lawless, infected by that antinomian (against law, anti-Christ) spirit.
Rev 12:17 KJV - And
the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the
remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and
have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Friends, we truly live in perilous times, a time when the the secular world and the religious world is being deceived to believe the great lies of antichrist. The peoples of the world are being carried into oblivion by the enemy of God, a time when men have forsaken the Holiness of God and they profane and have distain for the very existence of God.
Men have become much like Nebuchadneezer (Daniel 4:33) they have not reverenced God, nor His Word and men have now taken to themselves a beastly (lawless) nature toward the living God and His Kingdom. We are in a time when Truth is being pushed down and is being evil spoken of, in an attempt to destroy and pave over the Truth of God with lies that corrupt men's hearts, and lead men away from the Truth that is shown us by Jesus Christ
Isa 5:20 KJV - Woe unto
them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and
light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Men's hearts are truly failing them, but not the way many think about this remark in the scriptures these days. Men's hearts are betraying them because the desires of their hearts are out of balance with the Word of God, the Will of God and the Purpose of God.
DO NOT FOLLOW YOUR HEART, BUT RATHER, LEAD YOUR HEART IN TRUTH BY THE WORD OF GOD
Jesus Said,
Mat 24:19 KJV - And woe
unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mat 24:20 KJV - But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither
on the sabbath day:
Mat 24:21 KJV - For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since
the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Some believe these scriptures were fulfilled in 70ADwhen Jerusalem and the
temple was destroyed by the Roman army.
Many believe this is yet to come to pass in the end-time, but both conclusions suggest that sabbath is still being kept as in the days of Christ's earthly ministry during the time of the great tribulation.
Pray much, and trust in the Lord. Lean not upon your own understanding but in everything, seek the Lord and desire to grow in your understanding of the Word, hold steadfast to God's will, purpose and plan for your life.
Pro 14:19 KJV - The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
I hope you’re blessed and encouraged by this letter from the pastor at Living Faith Chapel.
This is our position on scripture. We extend the hands of fellowship to all. Together we can all work the greater works of God, for the benefit of those who need to know Jesus Christ. Amen
Jerry Mills
Pastor