God, Jesus Christ, His Truth, Bible-true church foundation

Hey, God—Something’s Wrong With This Freedom Stuff!

God, Don’t Confuse Me With The Facts, My Mind Is Made Up!

The Patience Of God

The “Truth” About The “Truth”

        Hebrews 13:20-21:
        20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
        21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
        1 Peter 2:24-25:
        24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
        25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
        1 Peter 5:4:
        4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

        How much simpler to just walk away from these unbiblical and false pastors and get with God and search the scriptures for yourself!
        There are very few disciples of Jesus Christ in the institutional church system—only clones who continue to follow their human “pastor-king.” There are also very few who truly understand the heart of Father God.
        For any of you who would question that, look around you and what do you see? Much talk is expended on “fruit,” but little is done to cultivate it, much less for others to enjoy a harvest of “fruit.”
        Probably the most prolific fruit we have today is “bitter fruit,” which is the fact that people are turning away from Christianity by the billions. The world has observed the lifestyle of those who claim to be Christians and don’t want anything to do with what they think is Christianity. Instead, they turn to Islam, Caballah stuff, Judaism ... anything but contemporary Christianity. What a rotten shame they can’t see Jesus Christ in the lifestyles of so many who call themselves Christians.
        What they are seeing is the reflected lifestyle of those many others who nominal Christians are really following.
        I’m also curious as to why all you guys are living in the Old Testament? That’s where you find the types and shadows. The New Testament is where you find the anti-types (fulfilled types) and substance. Did you know that the Law and the Prophets were until John the Baptist? Did you know that the Law and the Prophets and the Psalms pointed ahead to Jesus Christ? Did you know that Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law? Did you know that Christians today, those who are disciples of Jesus Christ, are no longer under the Law? Did you know we are under grace instead of the Law? Did you know that if you will read the words of Jesus and understand what He is saying, that you have no excuse for the unscriptural practices and teachings that pervade the institutional church system today? Maybe I should ask, instead, if you care?
        But no, the self-appointed alleged leaders want you to stay in the Old Testament because it’s Law oriented, and they have a bunch of “laws” they want you to follow—for their benefit.

Am I Talking To You?

You Feel All Smug About Your “Truth,” Don’t You?

“Apostles and prophets are the foundation of the church.”

        The four following misconceptions are excerpted from the article “5 Popular Misconceptions about Apostolic Ministry,” by Eddie L. Hyatt, D.Min., M.Div., M.A.
Misconception #1—Apostles, along with Prophets, Are the Foundation of the Church.
        This is probably the most serious misconception and is based on a faulty reading of Eph. 2:20 where Paul tells the Ephesian believers that they are being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets . . .. In the Greek, “apostles and prophets” is in the genitive case, the case which shows possession. It is like saying “the car of John Doe.” Although the car and John Doe are related, it does not follow that the car is John Doe or that John Doe is the car.
        In the same way, it does not follow that the foundation is identical with the apostles and prophets or that the apostles and prophets are identical with the foundation. Paul is actually referring to the foundation which is laid by the apostles and prophets as is borne out in his 1st letter to the Corinthian Church; a church he, as an apostle, had founded.
        In 1 Cor. 3:10-11, Paul refers to his founding of the church at Corinth and says, I have laid the foundation and another builds on it. What foundation did Paul lay for the church in Corinth? He says in vs. 11, For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid which is Jesus Christ. The foundation of the apostle Paul in Corinth was Jesus Christ.
        This coincides with Jesus’ response to Peter’s revelation of Him as the Christ, the Son of the Living God in Matt. 16:13-18. The Greek word for Peter is petros and, with a play on words, Jesus says to him, You are petros (a small rock or pebble), and on this petra (a large massive stone) I will build my Church. The foundation on which Jesus said he would build His Church was not a little rock like Peter, but the massive foundation stone which is the revelation of who He is, i.e., Himself.
        There is an old hymn entitled “The Church’s One Foundation.” The first stanza begins, “The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord . . ..” Those who would claim a foundation for the Church other than Jesus Christ are in serious error.

        Excerpted from my article “The Purpose Of The Five-Fold Gifts from God through Jesus:”
        ... from Vine’s Expository Dictionary:
        “Foundation (to lay), Founded 1. themelios, or themelion is properly an adjective denoting “belonging to a foundation” (connected with tithemi, “to place”). It is used” ... “ metaphorically, (a) of “the ministry of the gospel and the doctrines of the faith,” (Rom. 15:20; 1 Cor. 3:10,11,12; Eph. 2:20), where the “of” is not subjective (i. e., consisting of the apostles and prophets), but objective, (i. e., laid by the apostles, etc.); so in (2 Tim. 2:19), where “the foundation of God” is “the foundation laid by God,”—not the Church (which is not a “foundation”), but Christ Himself, upon whom the saints are built; (Heb. 6:1).”
        Paul’s thought is consistent: where someone has laid the foundation of Christ, be it apostle or prophet or another servant of God, then that is all sufficient. No other foundation can be or should be laid.
        The sense of the meaning of Ephesians 2:20 then is: You were once aliens from the commonwealth of Israel (in the time of her Old Testament prophets), but now you are members of the household of faith of the true Israel having been built up upon the foundation, which is Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, laid by the New Testament apostles and Old Testament prophets.
        It should be easily understood by this short study on Ephesians 2:20 that the New Testament apostles and the Old Testament prophets were responsible for laying the foundation of Jesus Christ Himself as the chief corner stone in the household of faith of the true Israel. Jesus is the foundation, not the apostles and prophets, who were simply the instruments by which the foundation was laid. No servant of God can or should attempt to build another foundation. We are to build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ which has already been laid in place.
        See the full article “The Purpose Of The Five-Fold Gifts from God through Jesus”

“God is restoring apostles and prophets back to the church.”

Misconception #2—God Is Restoring the Ministry of the Apostle to the Church.
        This misconception wrongly assumes that apostolic ministry has been absent from the Church. I call this belief “charismatic cessationism.” Like traditional cessationists, these charismatic cessationists wrongly assume that the gifts of the Holy Spirit and apostolic ministry ceased at some point in the Church’s history. But unlike the traditional cessationists, these cessationists claim that these gifts are now being restored.
        The truth is that Spiritual gifts and apostolic ministry have been in the Church since the time of Christ. Their prominence and influence have ebbed and flowed, but they have never been absent. This is borne out by the fact that, throughout history, various revival groups have sought to identify and recognize the apostles in their midst. This was true of the 16th century Anabaptists, the 19th century Catholic Apostolic Church (founded by Edward Irving), early Pentecostals (who called their movement “The Apostolic Faith”) and the Latter Rain movement of the 1940s-50s.
        Most of the true apostles of church history did not claim the title. I recall my first reading of Martin Luther’s treatise, “The Babylonian Captivity of the Church,” and being amazed at the boldness and succinctness of his message. I remember thinking, “Luther is speaking with apostolic clarity and authority.” The same is true of others in church history; the John Wesleys, The Charles Finneys, the Maria Woodworth-Etters and countless others. The claim that apostolic ministry is only now being restored to the Church smacks of pride and arrogance and does not line up with either Scripture or church history.

        Excerpted from my article “The Purpose Of The Five-Fold Gifts from God through Jesus:”
        There are no five-fold gifts of God’s government that have been lost and need to be restored. This is simply a clever device by which unscrupulous persons are attempting to gain control over you, because of the widespread biblical illiteracy. God has always gifted His saints in order to achieve His eternal purpose. Lack of understanding of what the true ekklesia of God is has allowed a corrupt system, called the institutional church, to become a means whereby men and women can establish grand sounding titles for themselves and use the scriptures as a weapon against personal and corporate love, life and liberty. That we have come as far as actually giving credence to these foolish fads that continue to pop up in the affairs of men is testimony of the corruption of the human heart and the need for those very scriptures that are wrongly used. Instead of rightly dividing the word of truth, these people add to the word, subtract from the word and now, with declarations of stunning new “prophetic revelations” even multiply words to add to the word, the Bible.
        As regards this group who consider themselves to be the “elite” of a “new movement” by God the question has to be asked:
        How many more failed prophecies do you have to hear before you conclude that these people are either propagators of false prophecy or out and out false prophets? All of these highly visible people in the Pentecostal/Charismatic circles are responsible to God for their failed prophecies. If you don’t know about their false prophecies then start checking out the internet by those who call themselves “discernment ministries” or equivalent. There are many such watchman organizations who keep track of what these apostate leaders are saying and doing.
        How many more times will they and you continue to bind the devil? The book of Revelation says he will bound by an unnamed angel, who will also later loose him. Everybody keeps binding the devil, but he’s still as active, or more so, as he’s ever been.
        How many more empty hands will be laid on empty heads to “impart” that which scripture fails to say can be imparted? This is simply a variation of the “little gods” theme. Nothing’s been imparted except a bunch a hot air from your mouth. And sometimes something a lot more foul.
        How many more times will you claim healing for yourself and/or others and they and you continue to walk in sickness all the while claiming you are healed?
        How much more money will you continue to give away to these unscrupulous people in hopes of a “100 fold” return? God’s not in the lottery business folks. You’ll just go deeper and deeper into debt.
        How many more times are you or one of these hotshot leaders going to tell God how to run the universe and watch absolutely nothing happen? Then claim that something happened in the spiritual realm or on the other side of the world that you don’t know about, or some such other lame excuse for nothing happening?

“‘Apostle’ and ‘prophet’ are biblical titles, because they are offices.”

Misconception #3—“Apostle” Is a Title to Be Worn in Front of the Name like Mr., Mrs., or Dr.
        At no place in the New Testament is “apostle” placed in front of someone’s name as a title. Although Paul normally identified himself as an apostle in the introductory part of his letters, in normal conversation he was never known as “Apostle Paul.” Paul refers to himself numerous times in his letters and always by his name, “Paul.” When he refers to other apostles, such as Peter, James or John, he does so by merely mentioning their name, and never with any title in front.
        In Acts, Luke mentions Paul by name more than 120 times and not once does he say “apostle Paul,” but merely “Paul.” In 2 Peter 3:14, Peter refers to our beloved brother Paul. In Rev. 1:9, John the apostle, in his letter to the churches, refers to himself as your brother and companion in tribulation.
        This obvious avoidance of titles is understandable in light of the words of Jesus in Matt. 23:6-12 where He warned his disciples about adopting titles that would set themselves apart from other believers. For some, feeling important is obviously more important than following the New Testament pattern.

        The following is excerpted from my book on this web site “Spiritual gifts-God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit-to His church—Growth In Gifts:”
        The word “office” in scripture always means individual performance of servanthood. It is not institutionalized position of sovereignty. It is action, not attitude, and function, not form. Pharaoh’s chief butler (cupbearer) was ... “restored unto mine office ...” the office of serving Pharaoh as cupbearer, (Genesis 41:13). The office of a midwife (Exodus 1:16) and the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest (Numbers 4:16) speak of servanthood. The office of the musicians for the house of the Lord (1 Chronicles 6:32) and the Levite’s office of waiting on the sons of Aaron (1 Chronicles 23:28) also refer to servanthood. “...their offices in their service” (1 Chronicles 24:3), “And the priests waited on their offices (posts) ...” (2 Chronicles 7:6), “...the offices of the house of the Lord ...” (2 Chronicles 23:18) continue to speak of service. The office spoken of in Nehemiah 13:14 means a guard, the man, the post or the prison. In Psalms 109:8, reference is to servanthood. Peter, in Acts 1:20 refers to this “office” as “bishoprick” episkope, literally “an overseer.” In 2 Chronicles 24:11 “...the king’s office ...” refers to a place (where the king visits).
        Many other uses of the word “office” in the Old Testament are not in the original. The King James translators inserted them. The priest’s office (Luke 1:8,9; Hebrews 7:5), refers to priestly service. In 1 Timothy 3:1 the word “office” is not in the original, and literally reads “if anyone seeks overseership.” There is no such thing as the “office” of a bishop. The word shows the character of the work undertaken. 1 Timothy 3:10 and 13, refers to the “office of a deacon.” It would be better translated “let them serve as deacons” and “have served as deacons.” “Deacon” is diakoneo, meaning “to serve.” Deacons are to be “likewise” as the overseers (bishops) in qualifications (verse 8). They are subordinates, or helpers of the overseers (Philippians 1:1).
        The seven “deacons” of Acts, chapter 6, were not called specifically by that name. However, they displayed the characteristics of their functions. These encompass a variety of ministries, as discussed later. In Romans 11:13 “office” is diakonia, “a ministry.” In Romans 12:4 “office” is praxis, meaning practice, an act, and denotes a function.
        Wherever “office” and “bishop” appear, we must interpret them in the light of their true biblical meaning. We must discard the traditions of men.
        Propriety of servanthood is established in scripture. We become great by our servanthood, not by exalting ourselves in some alleged “office.” “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11; see also Matthew 18:1-4; Luke 9:46-48).

“Apostles are supposed to govern the church.”

Misconception #4—Apostles Are to Govern the Church.
        Two points that are pertinent here are: (1) Jesus clearly rooted apostolic ministry in the idea of service rather than governing; and (2) apostolic ministry in the New Testament is obviously functional rather than official.
        According to Matt. 20:25-26, apostles are not governors or rulers of God’s people, but servants of God’s people. Jesus presented this new and radical model of leadership to the 12 apostles when they were vying for, what they thought would be, positions of authority in the kingdom. Jesus clearly explained that in His kingdom, leadership would be characterized, not by governing, but by serving. John G. Lake, a modern apostle to South Africa, said, “The modern conception of an apostle is usually that he is a big church boss, but that was not the conception Jesus left. An apostle was not to be a big boss; he was to be like his Lord—a servant of all.”
        The word “office” with its inherent connotations of permanence and authority, is never used in the New Testament. Although 1 Tim. 3:1 uses the word, it is not in the Greek and has been added by the translators. Hans Kung, an expert in New Testament Greek, says, “The entire New Testament carefully avoids using secular terms of office to describe functions in the community (arche, time, telos), because all of them express a relationship of rulers [governors] and ruled [governed]. Instead, and by direct contrast, the New Testament speaks of service (diakonos).”
        The apostle’s authority was (is) directly related to his/her commission. For example, in his letters to the churches he founded, Paul speaks with authority, albeit an authority that appeals rather than commands. But when he writes to churches he has not visited, such as his letter to the church at Rome, there are no such expressions of authority. Paul even admitted, in 1 Cor. 9:2, that there were those to whom he was not an apostle. If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you.
        The idea that an apostle has some sort of inherent, boundless authority does not come from the New Testament. The New Testament is about serving, not governing. Those who are preoccupied with governing, rather than serving, are not apostles of Christ.

“Jesus birthed the New Testament Church which is God’s new Israel.”

        See the article: “God by the Spirit of Jesus Christ will build an assembly”

“Christians are all little gods.”

        See the article: “Are You A Little god?-divine glory as gods like unto Jesus?”

“The five-fold ministry is the government of God.”

        See the article: “Will The Real Apostles Please Stand Up?”-Paul, servant of God
        This is also discussed in the article “The Purpose Of The Five-Fold Gifts from God through Jesus”
        See also the article: “Evil abuse by good people in authority in prison and church”
        See the book: “Prophets And Prophecy”-written to assess prophetical history-God gifts a prophet to speak His word

“Third Day Christians are on the cutting edge, but many others are still in the Second Day.”

        See the article: “Third Day church-a new thing, religious teachings not of God”

“If you don’t tithe, God will curse you” ... “Without a spiritual covering, you’ll lose [you name it]” ... “If you’re not in church every time they’re open, you’re in disobedience to God” ... “You must obey them that have the rule over you, or you’re in rebellion against God’s established authority.”

         See these articles:
        “Tithe, Covering, Assembling, Obey Them That Have The Rule”
        “The Spirit Of Antichrist-instead of Christ, God, Holy Spirit”
        “Old Testament Tithe And New Testament Giving-the will of God”

“We Christians have Jewish Roots.”

         See these articles:
        “Israel and the Church: God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: And How About A Little Common Sense?”
        “The Ekklesia Of God-one Lord, one body and one Spirit in Jesus Christ”
        “Let’s Talk the Talk if you Wanna Walk the Jewish Walk-classical Hebrew language for Gentiles!”

“You can’t be a Lone Ranger in the body of Christ.”

        See the article: “The Lone Ranger-model of foundation ministry gifts of God to His body”

“Ezekiel saw a UFO (flying saucer).”

        See the article: “A Comment on Ezekiel’s Vision Of God-the chariot of the Lord”

“God is doing a new thing!”

        See the article: “A New Thing-just a former thing in the written word of God!”

“Yes, impartation of spiritual gifts by others is scriptural.”

        See the article: “Ministering Spiritual Gifts (with personal prophecy and impartation)”

“Joel’s Army is God’s end-time personal army of an elite corp of super apostles and prophets who are elevated to a status of godhood as a part of a “manchild company” who will overthrow satanic principalities and powers and rulers of the darkness of this world and take their places, and make the earth ready for Jesus to come personally and visibly and claim “His” kingdom. These “super” apostles and prophets will purge [read: kill] those who do not accept this “new thing” born of a “paradigm shift” [originally a New Age term]. These “Manifested sons of God” will be raptured [read: transformed] into spiritual beings right here on earth, instead of being raptured to heaven and awaiting the personal, visible return of Jesus Christ Himself to defeat His enemies. Many will be saved by “special music” as these super-special, super-anointed super-apostles and super-prophets are so powerfully super-anointed as to make Peter and Paul and the early apostles and the book of Acts and its miracles pale by comparison of the super-miraculous super-exploits to be done by them.”

        See the article: “Joel’s Army ... Predator Or Protein ... Come Let Us Reason Together”;

“Don’t touch God’s anointed, and do His prophets no harm.”

        “Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm” (Psalm 105:15; 1 Chronicles 16:22). This is thrown at the believer who attempts to bring truth and light to a sin-darkened institutional church and/or their alleged leaders. It’s just another feeble attempt at manipulating and intimidating in order to control the spiritually illiterate by the biblically stupid, who think that Jesus was a benevolent dictator (or something which He is not!). Don’t fall for this one, saint! There are also many other pitfalls ahead for you when you don’t read and understand the Bible for yourself and do necessary research to comprehend what you read.
        Excerpted from “Joel’s Army ... Predator Or Protein ... Come Let Us Reason Together”
        “They have taught you that they are God’s anointed and then quoted Psalm 105:15 (see also 1 Chronicles 16:22) “Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” However, if you read these verses in context you will see that God is speaking of the nation of Israel in its formative years. And when David said he would not “stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed” he was speaking of not killing a king, Saul, to be exact. There is no similar situation in today’s church.”
        Jesus made it lucidly clear that Father, Son And Holy Spirit live (abide) in every true disciple of Jesus Christ, i.e., those who learn of Jesus, follow Him, support Him and imitate Him.
        Since you have the Anointed One abiding within you, then you qualify as one of those referred to as “... mine anointed ...” don’t you?

        John 14:16,20,23,24,26:
        16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
        20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
        23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
        24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
        26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
        2 Corinthians 1:20-22:
        20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
        21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
        22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

        With this understanding, why would any believer seek a lesser anointing, such as a “Joshua anointing,” or whatever is currently faddish with the false prophets of today?

“They’re not Spirit-filled.”

        John 14:15-18:
        15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
        16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
        17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
        18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

        In case you didn’t know the “Comforter” referred to here is the Holy Spirit of God.

        In John 3:33-34 the Bible says:
        33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
        34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

        The words “unto him” were added by the translators and disguise the meaning of what is said. Vine’s Expository Dictionary has this to say about the verse:
        “Measure (Noun and Verb) 1. metron ... denotes (I) “that which is used for measuring, a measure,” (a) of “a vessel,” figuratively, (Matt. 23:32; Luke 6:38) (twice); in (John 3:34), with the preposition ek, “(He giveth not the Spirit) by measure,” RV (which is a necessary correction; the italicized words “unto him,” KJV, detract from the meaning). Not only had Christ the Holy Spirit without “measure,” but God so gives the Spirit through Him to others. It is the ascended Christ who gives the Spirit to those who receive His testimony and set their seal to this, that God is true. The Holy Spirit is imparted neither by degrees, nor in portions, as if He were merely an influence, He is bestowed personally upon each believer, at the time of the New Birth ...”
        Just because a believer doesn’t speak in tongues, or appear to you to operate in other gifts of the Holy Spirit, which is to you evidence of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, doesn’t mean that your “measure” is correct. Only God’s measure is correct.

“They don’t speak in tongues, so they’re not saved.”

        Speaking of “measure:”

        Matthew 7:1-5:
        1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
        2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
        3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
        4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
        5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

“If you’re not [name any denomination, church or other cherished idol] then you’re not part of God’s true church.”

        Galatians 3:26-29:
        26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
        27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
        28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
        29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

“Christian married couples can’t divorce their mates except for adultery.”

        See the article: “Divorce-husband and wife marriage covenant broken by adultery”

“If you’re not baptized in Jesus name only, you’re not saved.”

        Aw, come on folks, there’s just too much Bible to even consider this as having any merit whatsoever.

        Another suggested article: “Scriptural Guidelines For Today’s Apostasy-pure truth of God”

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Related articles: •“Americans religious faith in self and church, not Christ.” Americans religious faith is in self and church, not Christ, the Bible or God as biblically illiterate people obey flesh strongholds not the Holy Spirit.

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