1 Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Are you a Christian ready for the Master to use? Do you allow yourself to be used of Him? So many are aching and in need of a tender touch or kind word in today’s world. This is a two-week devotional originally written 2008 in hopes that a Christian would come across it and find it helpful!
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. John 12:48 (KJV)
What does one do when the Scriptures say something different than what we have been taught? We have been taught all our lives that our church fathers and church traditions are as inspired as God’s words so we must obey what the church says in order to be “saved.”
The Bible, however, says differently. Jesus’ own words in John 12:48 say that God’s word, the Scriptures, will be what shall judge us in the last day. Jesus’ words, recorded in the Bible, will be what is used. Just as the laws of the land judge a criminal, so will the Scriptures judge each one of us.
So put aside religious affiliation for just a moment and read what God says in His word about this topic. We all know that God is not capable of lying, but man is.
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. Romans 3:4 (KJV)
Since God is incapable of lying, it stands to reason that His word contains the truth. We are to obey His word – above any words of man.
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29 (KJV)
If man says, “I have found ancient documentation which says we must follow church traditions” but yet church tradition contradicts God’s word. How is a person suppose to handle this? Will church tradition and church fathers be the ones to judge us come Judgment Day? John 14:28 says that we are going to be judged by God’s word, not man’s words or traditions. Therefore, if tradition contradicts Scripture, it stands to reason we would obey the truth found in Scripture.
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? Gal 3:1 (KJV)
Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? Gal 5:7 (KJV)
Paul had the same problem with the Galatians. Those wishing to follow traditions were leading others astray. Paul exhorted them to get back on track and obey the truth of God’s word! It’s important, friend! It will make all the difference in whether you heed what you have been taught all your life or heed God’s word. How important is God’s word?
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. Psalms 138:2 (KJV)
God magnifies His word above His own name! How important is that??? Is it any wonder God’s word is attacked today? It is the word of God that cleanses us – it leads us to salvation in Jesus Christ! (Psalm 119:9) The born-again Christian keeps himself clean by heeding God’s word! We set ourselves apart by heeding God’s word.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. John 17:17-19 (KJV)
Is it any wonder that the devil would distract mankind with religion? It is not religion that saves. It is Jesus Christ (John 14:6) that saves – it is His word that we must obey – it is according to His word that we will be judged. Wouldn’t you rather obey God rather than man so that you are certain rather than obey traditional religion and not know for certain? (1 John 5:13)
~Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Not one person can truly say he has experienced true peace, rest and freedom from life’s burdens until they have been born again and entered into a genuine Father/child relationship with the Heavenly Father. This comes only through salvation.
Do you have this kind of true peace and rest? If not, I challenge you to question the path you are on and read the Gospel of John through three times. Please contact me when you are finished :-)
No God, no peace. Know God, know peace.
The Anvil of God’s Word
Last eve I paused beside a blacksmith’s door,
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.
“How many anvils have you had,” said I,
“To wear and batter all these hammers so?”
“Just one,” said he, and then, with twinkling eye,
“The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”
And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word,
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed–the hammers gone.
–John Clifford
This is a picture of a Toyota Corolla very similar to mine. When we first got our Corolla, it didn’t have a scratch. Oh the smell of a new car! There’s nothing like it! What is it about a new car? I love to look at it – I love to drive it. But one thing is for sure, I do not like the repairs and costs associated with it!
My husband likes to tinker with our vehicles. He always makes sure that he purchases the manual for each of our vehicles so he can work on them. Whenever something goes wrong, out comes the manual and he looks up the “symptoms” and diagnoses the problem. Once he knows what the problem is, he can get to work to fix it. He pulls out his “How To” manual and follows the instructions on how to fix a 2006 Toyota Corolla.
We also own a Nissan Titan and, as you can guess, he owns the manual for that as well :-) However, he would not take the Nissan manual out to fix our Corolla, nor would he take the Corolla manual out to fix the Titan. The Toyota manufacturer has complete guidelines and instructions for their vehicles (as do all other manufacturers) and if anyone knows how to repair our Corolla, they would. They would not relinquish the responsibility of documenting their repair instructions to another manufacturer – that would be absurd! So the car buyer knows that he can trust Toyota’s documentation because it is written by those who manufactured the car. No one else knows a Toyota better than those who build it, right? With that thought in mind, you wouldn’t turn to a Ford manual to work on your Toyota would you? Of course not.
It is the same with “religion.” To those who are searching for God and wanting to know how to get to heaven, they must turn to the only source that has the truth. They may turn to a specific “church” or organization for the answers, but why not go to the Source who documented the truth? If anyone knows about heaven and how to get there, it is God and He recorded the way in the Bible. Some think they know the way because they go to a specific church or they were “christian” all their lives. However, the Bible says,
(Pro 14:12) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Is it possible that the way you think is the right way could be the wrong way? Don’t you want to know?
Do you let people deceive you in your finances? Do you fall for gimmicks on television? Are you a sucker for every good deal that crosses your path? If you’re like me, you like to research and investigate before you spend your hard-earned money. I don’t throw away my money frivolously. I make sure that I am getting my money’s worth. Nothing is too good for my family so I watch out for the best deals and make my dollar stretch. I can’t put a price on their health and well being. But what is the price of their soul? What is the price on where they will spend eternity? That, my friend, is priceless! It is my duty to show my children the way to heaven. God did not leave us without direction. The Bible offers the instructions on how to repair our souls, just as my husband’s Toyota manual offers him the instructions on repairing my car!
(Joh 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (Act 4:12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
No matter how many men tell my husband he can put a Dodge part into his Toyota, he knows that it just won’t work. Why? Because he has read the manual and he has learned from the master mechanics at Toyota how to repair his vehicle. He doesn’t travel from manufacturer to manufacturer trying to find another way or a work around solution. He knows that the truth about fixing my car is found in its manual. Salvation is no different! No matter how many muslims, mormons, catholics, hindus, etc. tell us that their way is the only way, we must compare what they say with what God says in His Word. Will you take the words of men or will you take the words of God? Who is the authority on the subject but the author? The Author, God, has penned His instructions – His directions – His map, if you will – and we find those words in our Bible.
(Heb 5:9) And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Heb 12:2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus is the Rock and foundation of our faith.
(Deu 32:4) He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (1 Cor 10:4) And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
When we follow a church’s teachings blindly, we will fall as they fall (Luk 6:39). Don’t be guilty of placing your eternal destination in the hands of another. It is your responsibility to seek out the truth and decide for yourself. God has left you His manual in the Bible!
The 1994 Catholic Catechism states that each time the mass is said, their redemption is carried out.
“In this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner.” Pg. 344, #1367
“When the Church celebrates the Eucharist, she commemorates Christ’s Passover, and it is made present. As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out.” Pg. 343, #1364
I did not say this – the catholic catechism says it. But what does the Bible say? (Heb 6:5) And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (Heb 6:6) If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. The Bible directly contradicts what the catechism teaches here, my friend! How can you believe otherwise?
Jesus is our sacrifice, correct? (Heb 9:26) For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. We agree in that point. However, Paul also states that (Heb 10:10) By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. and (Heb 9:12) Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (emphasis mine) Jesus’ sacrifice only needed to be once. He only had to enter once in the holy place on our behalf. The Bible specifically states that this sacrifice should not be done daily. Heb. 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’ s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. (emphasis mine)
Yet the Catechism is adamant that:
“Every time this mystery is celebrated, ‘the work of our redemption is carried on’ …” Pg. 354, #1405
Jesus did all the work necessary to purchase our salvation when He died on the cross. No more work has ever been needed. The catholic church, however, wants their people to believe that it is Christ andthe sacrifice of the eucharist and they are one single sacrifice!
“The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice.” Pg. 344 # 1367
The Bible states no where that Christ needs to be sacrificed anew every day – thousands of times throughout the world, in fact. To state otherwise is to say that salvation cannot be in Christ alone but in the offering daily of His death.
Once again, catholicism has added something to the very basic plan of salvation. It is their intention to keep the catholic in chains and bondage. The catholic religion is one of burden after burden being carried on the shoulders of the catholic. According to catholic doctrine, the catholic can never be freed of his burden of sin – he must even take it to purgatory to purge himself before entering heaven. No purging is necessary, my friend. Once you die, you either go to heaven or to hell. (Heb 9:27) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (emphasis mine) Don’t you think that Paul would have had a perfect opportunity to talk about purgatory here? But yet, he stated that after your death, you are going to be judged by the One and Only Judge (2 Ti 4:1). Do you really want to take a chance with eternity? A wise man once said,
“Eternity is too long and hell fire is too hot for me not to be saved!”
I pray that these posts on catholicism are speaking to a dear catholic’s heart today. My prayer is that this will all be worth it if one catholic is snatched from the grips and burdensome weights of the catholic church. In salvation, the weight of my sin was lifted from my shoulders. I literally felt lighter because Christ had removed that burden and placed it onto Himself. His mercy on my soul cost Him His life. It was my sins that nailed Him to the cross and only salvation through Him can remove that sin from me. (Mat 11:28 ) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Mat 11:30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Dear catholic, can you honestly say that you have total peace that you are going to heaven and that you do not carry a burden of sin on your shoulders? Can you honestly say that your sin is no longer on your own account but on Christ’s? Your knee will have to bow to Jesus Christ one day – not to Mary – not to anyone else, but to Him – and you will have to give an account for what you have chosen to believe in this life. (Rom 14:11) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Rom 14:12) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Knowing this, can you say in your heart of hearts that you are burden free as Matt 11:28-30 promises? I know that I did not have that complete peace. But once I was born-again and made new in Christ, I personally experienced that perfect peace of no longer falling under condemnation. (Phil 4:7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The catholic church had me under condemnation with no hope unless I kept a bunch of rules, sacraments, etc.
Jesus does not say that He must be sacrificed every day and anew for your sins. He did not say that after you die, you have to be purged further to be able to enter heaven. (Joh 5:24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Quite the opposite, huh? Jesus said that once you hear the Word and believe in Him, you have eternal life from that moment on and you do not come into condemnation. I don’t know about you but that says we accept His sacrifice one time to me and that after I have been saved, I don’t need any further purging because Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient. (Rom 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The catholic church is guilty of deceiving its followers. (Jud 1:4) For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. We do not deserve God’s grace. But praise the Lord that He died for us while we were yet sinners. Christ died once – for all sins. What will you do with this knowledge? Will you continue to believe what the catholic church has taught you? Or will you rely on God’s Holy Word and accept the gift that has been offered to you? It is a gift, my friend (John 3:16). It is not merited – it is free – you didn’t do anything to deserve the gift – it is yours for the taking. But you must do something with this gift. You must either take it into your heart or you must reject it.
(Luk 11:27) And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. (Luk 11:28 ) But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. (emphasis mine)
If Mary were to be revered in any manner, this would have been a good time for Christ to point that out, don’t you think? Here someone was lifting Mary up and honoring her. What was Christ’s response? Yes rather – not Yes also – and He goes on to say that the one who is blessed is not His mother but the who who hears the Word of God and keeps it! Not only was this a perfect time for Jesus to honor His mother but instead He chose to say that hearing and keeping the Word was more blessed! This is just yet another instance in Scripture where the Word states one thing yet church tradition and magisterium contradict or try to supersede what God has said. The born-again Christian considers Mary honored to have been chosen to be the vessel which God used to bring His Son into this world. However, that honor stops there. She is no different than any other. She was a sinner in need of a Saviour. (Luk 1:46) And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, (Luk 1:47) And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Do you know that the only time the phrase “my Saviour” is used in the New Testament was voiced by Mary? She was in need of a Saviour just as much as you and I were. She brought sacrifices to the temple just like Joseph and the rest of the Jews of the day. If she were sinless, would there be a need for her to call God her Saviour or for her to bring sacrifices to the temple?
I have also found how the Lord is no respecter of persons. Of all the people to say this, the Apostle Peter said it. (Act 10:34) Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: It’s ironic that God does not respect any man but the catholic church sets certain people apart as “better” than others. For instance, the catholic church states that the pope is infallible. They also designate people to “sainthood.” Also, the magisterium and church traditions are considered superior to the Bible – in that if the Bible says, “Thou shalt not” and church leaders and pope say the opposite, then it’s OK. If God is not a respecter of persons, why would He allow their words to be obeyed over His?
It’s not rocket science. God says He is not a respecter of persons. No one is above the other. The priest is not above the lay person. There is no hierarchy as held by the catholic church which must be followed. Christ is the Head of the church and that is it – final – period. We are all considered “priests,” if you will. (Rev 1:6) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. We do not need a priest as we have the High Priest, Jesus Christ. (Heb 7:24) But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. (Heb 7:25) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Heb 7:26) For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Our High Priest saves us to the uttermost. No church or earthly power or “god (i.e. Allah, Buddha) can save us.
The catholic church’s hierarchy is established on the ways of the Nicolaitans. The word “Nicholaitan” is derived from the Greek nikao – meaning to conquer – and laos (people), or to rule over the laity. Is there any better description of the catholic church than its leaders ruling over the lay people of the church? The offices held in the catholic church are priests, bishops, archbishops, metropolitans, patriarchs, cardinals, and popes. The only offices in the true born-again Christian church are: (1) the office of pastor/elder/bishop – all perform the same task and (2) deacons (servants). Plain and simple. But like everything else that the catholic church teaches, their structure is complicated and their teachings are complicated. Try reading their catechism and tell me that you can understand its writings the first time around. One must pick the sentences apart and read them over and over before understanding the teaching. No wonder that church says that only the leaders can interpret God’s Word. I’m thankful that the Word of God is simple and can be read by the simplest of minds – yes even a child can understand it. No wonder Christ didn’t want the disciples to prevent the little children from coming to Him. He even said that the Kingdom of God could only be entered “as a child” – meaning child-like faith. We do not need someone to interpret God’s Word for us. God would be a cruel God if He were to command us to obey His Word and yet not provide us with the means to read it and obey it. But the catholic church insists that its respected people are the only ones who can intepret God’s Word.
(Rev 2:6) But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Rev 2:15) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Not only were the Nicolaitans absorbed with hierarchy and ruling over the lay people but this particular sect were known for their liscentious practices. If God states twice that He hated the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, then why would you associate yourself with a church that practices some of their doctrine? Would not not stay away from anything that God hates?
Just on a side note, there are several verses that discuss the things that God hates:
(Deu 12:31) Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. and (Deu 16:22) Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth. – Idolatry
(Psa 11:5) The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. – Violence
(Mal 2:16) For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. – Divorce
(All emphases are mine)
So, my friend, since God does not respect persons – no one is above another in His eyes – why would He place Mary on a pedestal or give the pope (and the hierarchy of the catholic church) any authority over His church?
Three times the Word says that Christ is the head of the church! I love that it appears three times because the number three symbolizes the godhead – the Trinity – completeness!
(1 Co 11:3) But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.(Eph 4:15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:(Eph 5:23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (emphasis mine)
This is quoted from “The Answer Book” by Dr. Samuel C. Gipp, Ph.D.
Question #3
QUESTION: I have been told that King James was a homosexual. Is this true?
ANSWER: No.
EXPLANATION: King James I of England, who authorized the translation of the now famous King James Bible, was considered by many to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, monarchs that England has ever seen.
Through his wisdom and determination he united the warring tribes of Scotland into a unified nation, and then joined England and Scotland to form the foundation for what is now known as the British Empire.
At a time when only the churches of England possessed the Bible in English, King James’ desire was that the common people should have the Bible in their native tongue. Thus, in 1603, King James called 54 of history’s most learned men together to accomplish this great task. At a time when the leaders of the world wished to keep their subjects in spiritual ignorance, King James offered his subjects the greatest gift that he could give them. Their own copy of the Word of God in English.
James, who was fluent in Latin, Greek, and French, and schooled in Italian and Spanish even wrote a tract entitled “Counterblast to Tobacco”,which was written to help thwart the use of tobacco in England.
Such a man was sure to have enemies. One such man, Anthony Weldon, had to be excluded from the court. Weldon swore vengeance. It was not until 1650, twenty-five years after the death of James that Weldon saw his chance. He wrote a paper calling James a homosexual. Obviously, James, being dead, was in no condition to defend himself.
The report was largely ignored since there were still enough people alive who knew it wasn’t true. In fact, it lay dormant for years, until recently when it was picked up by Christians who hoped that vilifying King James, would tarnish the Bible that bears his name so that Christians would turn away from God’s book to a more “modern” translation.
It seems though, that Weldon’s false account is being once again largely ignored by the majority of Christianity with the exception of those with an ulterior motive, such as its author had.
It might also be mentioned here that the Roman Catholic Church was so desperate to keep the true Bible out of the hands of the English people that it attempted to kill King James and all of Parliament in 1605.
In 1605 a Roman Catholic by the name of Guy Fawkes, under the direction of a Jesuit priest by the name of Henry Garnet, was found in the basement of Parliament with thirty-six barrels of gunpowder which he was to use to blow up King James and the entire Parliament. After killing the king, they planned on imprisoning his children, re-establishing England as a state loyal to the Pope and kill all who resisted. Needless to say, the perfect English Bible would have been one of the plot’s victims. Fawkes and Garnet and eight other conspirators were caught and hanged.
It seems that those who work so hard to discredit the character of King James join an unholy lot.
This was excellent reading! It amazes me that those today who try to discredit God’s Preserved Word in English in the King James Bible go to such lengths to find heresies against him but do not study out history to learn the actual truth.
Catholics believe that only the original Scriptures are good and that today’s Bible has been corrupted by man. That means that the catholic does not believe that God is who He says He is. Is anything too hard for God?
(Gen 18:14) Is any thing too hard for the LORD? (Jer 32:17) Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: (Jer 32:27) Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
If there is nothing too hard for God, why can’t He preserve His Word through the years despite of man’s wickedness? God knew that man’s heart was desperately wicked (Jer 17:9) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?. This did not catch Him by surprise. Therefore, God kept the Oracles alive and Jesus spoke of these Scriptures in the synagogues. He quoted them time and time again. Why would God change? Why could He not keep the Word preserved in the years after Jesus left? After all, the Holy Spirit was now residing with the born-again believer.
God says that His Word will abide forever. He cannot lie and, therefore, His Word will abide forever!
(Psa 119:89) LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
(Psa 119:160) Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
(Psa 105:8 ) He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
(Psa 119:160) Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
(Isa 40:8 ) The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
(1Pe 1:23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
(1 Pe 1:25) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
If you believe that the Bible has been corrupted by man, then you cannot possibly be saved. You are a gonner for sure.
(Rom 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Heb 11:6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Diligently seek the Lord, my friend! Without Him you are lost and on your way to hell. The catholic has also argued with me that the Bible came from the catholic church. IF this is true, then why did the catholic church allow God’s precious Word to be corrupted then if it was left in their care? Does that make any sense? You are easily fooled my friend!
The 1994 Catholic Catechism says:
“The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him.” Pg. 30, #100
Can only the pope and the magisterium of the catholic church interpret the Bible? What does the Word say?
It is considered noble to search the Scriptures: (Act 17:11) 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. How many times have you searched the Bible for things about what you are taught by your church?
(Mk 12:24) And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
Why would Jesus admonish the Sadducees because they didn’t know the Scriptures if it was impossible for them to? And why did your “first pope” Peter say, (2 Peter 1:20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
Why does Paul instruct us to study the Bible if we can’t interpret it? (2 Tim 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Why does Jesus tell the Jews to search the Bible in (Joh 5:39) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. Why would He do that, if you couldn’t interpret them?
The catholic church does not want you searching the Scriptures because they don’t want you to know the truth about how to truly be saved. They want to hold you in bondage so that you keep turning to her for your answers.
Who really does the interpreting for us? The Holy Spirit – not a church or a preacher. Jesus said He would leave us the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) who would teach us all things because the Holy Spirit teaches TRUTH! (John 14:26) 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. and (John 16:13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
The Apostle Paul says that it was the Holy Spirit who taught him. (1 Cor. 2:13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. and (1 Cor. 2:12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Why would we encouraged to memorize the Scriptures if we couldn’t understand them? (Ps 119:11) Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. and (Prov 7:2-3) Keep my commandments, and live… write them upon the table of thine heart.
We do not need anyone to teach us because we have the Perfect Teacher, the Holy Spirit. 1 John 2:26-27 says These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, andye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie , and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (emphasis mine).
Why would a church discourage you from being in the Word? Why would you be taught in a catechism that only the pope and the church leaders can interpret when the Bible (even your own catholic bible) states otherwise? You are easily fooled because you have allowed the largest organization in the world to fool you. God’s Word does not deceive but leads a soul to the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In its pages are truth because God wrote these words and God cannot lie.
Psa 119:97-99 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. (emphasis mine)
This does not sound like a God that wants you to have someone else chew His Word and digest it. Our God wants YOU to do it. Don’t be lazy, man! Dig in the Word of God! Stop criticizing me and saying that I am interpreting the Word of God “in my own way” and dig into it for yourself and let God speak to you? Are you afraid that you might find out that your church has been wrong all these years? I challenge you to use that brain that God gave you and study the Word for yourself!