Beware of Church Corruption!

October 15, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux
Published in The (Opelousas, Louisiana) Daily World

In recent years and months, decades-old cases involving pedophile priests have been manifested. Many church members wonder, “Is this really the same church of the New Testament? Are such people really servants of the Lord?” After all, those dear children were violated. If your kids are not safe at church, then where are they safe?

Cover-ups and pay-offs make the matter further appalling. Apologies have come years later only because the guilty were caught. Broken-hearted people are justifiably angry, but they should not be angry with God. Religion is man’s idea and man’s institution, not God’s. As someone once said, “Religion is a heavenly way to hell,” and I give a hearty, “Amen!” Be angry at religion, not God.

Study Matthew chapter 23. The Lord Jesus Christ spoke more about corrupt religious leaders than about anyone else. He condemned organized religion and formalism (vain rituals and ceremonies). Why? According to God, Satan is clever because he works in the place where you would least expect—religion. The Bible says in Matthew 7:21-23 and 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 that God is not the source of all good deeds. Satan does pretty well by doing his own “good deeds,” too. Something may appear righteous, but it is not necessarily of God.

If you would permit me the liberty, I would urge you to consider the truth of the Bible. Exercise extreme caution with regards to church leaders, and gauge their teaching by 1 Corinthians 14:37 and a King James Bible rightly divided. Beware of those that “have the form of godliness, but deny the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:5). Religion will send more people to hell than anything else. The devil works hard in bars and on the streets, but his main target is those poor unsuspecting people in churches.

There are many dear people, good and sincere religious people, but they are people nonetheless. People by nature are sinners, God says in His Holy Word. No church, denomination, or religion will ever provide everlasting life and eternal forgiveness of sins. This is why God sent His Son to shed His blood, die for our sins, and be raised from the dead for our justification! Trust in Christ today alone for salvation and beware of church corruption!

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The Path to Apostate Christendom (by Nolan Guilbeau)

October 10, 2010

Nolan Guilbeau – Published in The (Opelousas, Louisiana) Daily World
℅ Shawn Brasseaux

Part I
[10 October 2010]

The great Apostle Paul wrote in one of his epistles there would be perilous times in the last days prior to the Second Advent of Jesus Christ (II Timothy chapters 3 & 4). Having observed world conditions through the many past years, one has to readily concede that unimaginable evil events have and are presently occurring on a grand scale to the bewilderment and consternation of many. What a legacy for the history of mankind! It’s the legacy of an out of control secular world system which according to the Holy Scriptures is ruled by the god of this world, Satan himself. (II Corinthians 4:4) “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel OF CHRIST, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

In this same epistle of second Timothy almost 2000 years ago, Paul addresses his disciple Timothy and the world today as well, on the subject of the CHURCH, the BODY of CHRIST, which is applicable to today’s genuine Christians. He issues grave warnings of evil men and seducers becoming worse and worse in time, deceiving and being deceived. The time would come to pass when even professing Christians would not endure sound Biblical doctrine or instruction. In effect, after their own lusts and with itching ears they would seek for themselves teachers that would preach and teach the things they want to hear and turn away from the truth of the Holy Scriptures. In light of this and other comparative Scripture, and considering the present world demeanor, it’s indicative that this present generation is likely experiencing the turmoil, the spiritual aberrations and decay that which Paul was reflecting upon, as the final fulfilling of his revealed prophecies become reality before the world.

It’s rather amazing how people get attracted and drawn into newly organized religious movements unaware or indifferent of the pathway which is being chartered for them as they participate in the various inter-denominational activities. Careful observation of the participants and their activities usually reveal a departure from Scriptural doctrines/principles and in the direction of world ECUMENISM! It is unacceptable to the Lord for a genuine Christian to be participating in any organized fashion of fellowshipping and worship with those who promote another gospel. Scripture itself teaches that those who teach another or counterfeit gospel are not of the same body, faith, and spirit of the genuine Christian faith!

God’s grace is the basis for man’s salvation and eternal life with the Lord, and faith and faith alone in Christ is the means of that salvation. Any other gospel, other than the gospel of Christ of the Scriptures, is according to the apostle Paul, accursed (Galatians 1:8-9). “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” “For many corrupt THE WORD OF GOD” (II Corinthians 2:17). Therefore, genuine Christians subscribing and trusting the core doctrines of Christianity of the Scriptures for their salvation are commanded to “COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM and BE YE SEPARATE, and touch not the unclean, and I will receive you,” says the God of the Scriptures (II Corinthians 6:17). “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are LOST,” says Paul (II Corinthians 4:3).

Part II

The Scripture speaks of seven “unities” which are to be kept by genuine Christian believers (Ephesians 4:4-6). They are the unity of One Body, One Spirit, One Hope, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, and One God and Father. These seven provide the basis for any kind of spiritual unity with other religious entities. For the true Christian there can be no spiritual unity in fellowship or worship among individuals or religious entities that do not have core Biblical truths as a foundation for their doctrines. Without core Biblical foundation for their doctrines and especially those doctrines involving man’s salvation, one has to seriously conclude that their theology is to be regarded as flawed and dangerously in error in light of Scripture. Furthermore, it has to be regarded as a perverted or spurious gospel, since it is not the genuine gospel of Jesus Christ of the Scriptures.

Bearing this in mind then, there can be no legitimate claim from any religious body that does not have a Biblical foundation for their doctrines, a claim of UNITY of the Spirit with the true body of Christ? Of course not, there can be no spiritual unity—it’s absolutely impossible! The great apostle Paul writes, “Now I beseech you brethren, (true Christians) by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye all speak the same things, and that there be no division among you, but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (I Corinthians 1:10).

Worldly religious entities which endorse and promote ecumenism may be sincere in their efforts to unite all religious denominations for the good, but this does not stand the test and correctness of the light of Scripture. For Scripture speaks explicitly of the end times of all religious denominations joined together as a ONE WORLD APOSTATE CHURCH (Revelation chapters 17 & 18) called the “Mother of Harlots.” Participation in this system of ecumenism becomes problematic for the genuine Christian for it subjects his Biblical doctrines to compromise diluting the values of the true body of Christ and the Christian faith. Christians should have no part in this Ecumenical movement; it provides an avenue of entrance for the seeds of the one world apostate church. According to Scripture, it’s the beginning of the end and is one of the final steps in apostasy in Christendom.

Unfortunately, there are pastors in pulpits across this land and the world who have openly declared support, financial and otherwise, to an ecumenical oriented movement an appendage of the older ecumenical movement of the 1960s. God has charged His pastors primarily to the duties of perfecting the believers in the local church assembly. That is help guide, equip, and build up believers to mature in God’s Word, the Bible (Ephesians 4:12-13) to come to unity in the Faith. Genuine Christians have a responsibility to expose and pray for those who would pervert the gospel and who refuse the witness of the Scripture alone, for salvation. A responsibility to expose and pray for those who continually accept and value the traditions of humanistic ideologies as anything spiritual, so they might come to the knowledge of the truths of the saving faith of Scripture. Christians are not to be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14), but to discern deception by those who willfully or in sincere ignorance lead many astray of sound Biblical doctrine that leads to salvation and eternal life with Christ.

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Advice to the Young People

October 10, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux

I have the privilege of ministering to young people, a matter that I do not take lightly. It is my hope and prayer that any young people reading this will consider what is said and taught, and act accordingly.

I was born in the late ’80s. When I look at my generation today, I see young adults; I also see the end result of a childhood having little to no Bible study at home and/or church. Not to say that everyone in their early 20s is a murderer, a thief, or a fornicator, but my generation is in such a dilemma with regards to life issues and values. I can only wonder what will become of those born in the 2000s and following.

Our young people today are so confused when it comes to making wise decisions. One pastor commented on the way kids dress these days: “our young people have no idea how to properly dress themselves.” How true. They have no idea what “modest” is, let alone what is not “modest.” Many young men cannot seem to raise their pants high enough, and many young ladies cannot seem to wear skirts and shorts that are long enough to be considered “modest, proper, and godly.” Our young people, unfortunately, are growing up destitute of the truth, but this goes far beyond simple daily attire.

I see so many young people smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, engaging in fornication, and being picked up by the police for drugs or violence. Unwanted pregnancies, suicides, and incarcerations. Brilliant minds, young people with such potential and energy, but were swept away by this evil world system. Their lives damaged, some permanently (as in physical death). Those who straighten up later in life are bothered by regret; others physically disabled and suffering from poor health because of their mistakes.

Once, while speaking to a youth minister at a nursing home, I learned that he could not convince many kids to accompany him to visit the elderly. He and I both agreed that those young people were too busy with worldly affairs. They had no interest in furthering God’s Word. On the college campus, I have seen it for over four years. Most people want nothing to do with the Lord Jesus Christ. I have found that many young people who do have an interest in God are enticed by religion, and have become a part of a manmade system rather than the Church the Body of Christ that the Lord has established.

There are many young people who have no respect for authority. Kids these days are so disrespectful in schools. Some parents let their children do whatever they want, and when these children grow up, they reason that they can break the law and get off scot-free. As the Bible says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1 KJV). Yet how many parents even know about this Bible verse, let alone children? If our parents do not enforce their children’s obedience, why should we be shocked when the children rebel against the governmental authorities and go to jail or prison?

Our young people, especially the young women, have been beguiled into following in the footsteps of Hollywood. They have no sense as to what real beauty entails. How many dear young lives were lost after they felt they were “too fat,” “too nerdy-looking,” or “too skinny.” The Bible says this “outward man,” this fleshly tabernacle, is “temporal,” one day to die and be buried in the ground (2 Corinthians 4:16,18). Why place so much emphasis on something that will decompose anyway? After all, “…man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 KJV).

Today, unfortunately, about 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce. With that being said, we know that our young people are not growing up in one household where there is father and mother, man and woman. This greatly affects the children, and their experience with divorce will play a heavy role in their own marriages one day. Divorce confuses children because divorce makes marriage meaningless, and those children affected will have no idea how to treat their spouses when they are married adults.

I look at those my age, and I see those precious people groping in spiritual darkness. They have no understanding as to how they should act and what should they believe. For example, when I went on a school field trip, nearly all of my classmates went into the bars. I was invited to go into those bars, but I declined. When they returned from the bars, most of them could barely walk and speak. I sat in a classroom where none of the people knew the definition of “agape” (God’s love for man). They thought “agape” was the name of a religion! How does God feel when He looks at this?

If you are a young person today, I strongly encourage you to keep the following in mind for the rest of your life. Remember that you have your whole life ahead of you (hopefully). Right now, you have choices to make. The Lord can only instruct you as how to make those decisions, but they are YOUR decisions, and neither He nor I will make them for you.

The most important decision you can make is get saved. Remember that God loved you so much that He died for your sins. If you are not saved today, and you do not have eternal life as a present possession, will you make the decision right now to place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour?

The Bible says sinners are worthy of eternal death, separation from God forever in a place called the lake of fire, but “God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 KJV). Christ shed His sinless blood to pay for everything that is wrong with you. No matter what you have done, are currently doing, or will do, the blood of Christ has already forgiven all sin for everyone! Furthermore, Christ Jesus rose again from the dead the third day, to justify everyone who places his or her faith in Him and His finished work on the cross (Romans 4:25).

Make wise decisions now based on God’s Word, so you do not regret it later. Through personal Bible study (using the King James Bible “rightly divided”), you will gain wisdom far greater than anything you will learn from another book or by sitting in a classroom. You will learn God’s will for your life, and God’s will for your life is for you to be saved and understand His Word to you so you can see how you fit into His sovereign plan of the ages.

After you are saved, you let your life bring God the glory. When you place your faith in God’s Word to you, God’s Word will transform you into something magnificent. It will be Christ living His life in and through you, and THAT, my young readers, THAT will bring success and THAT will honor and please God.

Remember what 1 John 2:15-17 says about this world passing away one day, it and all its “glory” is fading away to eventually become nonexistent:

“15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

Do not base your decisions on the world’s view because the world’s wisdom is “foolishness” to God (1 Corinthians 1:20). Do not get caught up in the pleasures and cares of this world so that you lose sight of the Lord Jesus Christ and His will for your life. Remain sexually pure until marriage. Stay out of trouble. Be an example to the lost world. If you have younger brothers or sisters, you need to set a godly example for them. Trust me, they are watching you! Let Christ live His life in you, and you will be different. The world will see you as “odd,” but so what because everything that God does and says is “odd” to the world.

If I can ever be of assistance to you, contact me at arcministries@gmail.com and I would be honored to help you in any way I can.

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12 KJV).

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Circumcision and Baptism I & II

September 26, 2010

Circumcision and Baptism: Part I
by Shawn Brasseaux
[26 September 2010]

When you hear the word “circumcision,” what comes to mind? Do you think of the physical operation a doctor or priest performs on a newborn male? What about the term “baptism?” Most church members only know about water baptism; do you know of any other “baptisms” found in the Bible? In this two-part series, we want to examine these two terms—baptism and circumcision—and see how the Bible uses them. You will be surprised! We want to look first at the issue of circumcision.

The first time “circumcise” appears in the Bible is Genesis 17:10, in which the LORD is giving the Abrahamic Covenant to, of course, Abraham. The LORD promises to give Abraham a son, Isaac, and the nation Israel will spring from Isaac’s son Jacob (and his twelve sons). The Jews were God’s chosen people on earth, and that physical circumcision was the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant. Genesis 17:11: “And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.”

According to Genesis 17:14, any male Jew that was not physically circumcised was to be “cut off,” as God wanted nothing to do with him. If a Gentile (non-Jew) wanted a relationship the LORD, he too had to be circumcised (Genesis 17:12,13). Notice what Ephesians chapter 2 says:

“11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”

In what the Bible calls “time past,” the LORD dealt with mankind on the basis of physical circumcision and physical uncircumcision. The LORD had nothing to do with the men who were physically uncircumcised (Gentiles) because the Abrahamic Covenant was in effect: only men who were circumcised could partake of God’s fellowship and blessing. From Genesis chapter 17, through the Old Testament, Four Gospels, and early Acts period, circumcision was a requirement to be in a right standing with God.

For instance, Abraham and Isaac were circumcised (Genesis 17:24; Genesis 21:4; Acts 7:8). Only circumcised men were allowed to partake of the Passover (Exodus 12:48). After the wilderness wanderings, Joshua had to circumcise every male Jew born during the past 40 years; otherwise; Israel could not enter the Promised Land (Joshua 5:2-8).

The Mosaic Law demanded the circumcision of the male child on the eighth day (Leviticus 12:3). John the Baptist was circumcised the eighth day (Luke 1:59). Jesus Christ was circumcised the eighth day (Luke 2:21). Saul, who later became the Apostle Paul, was circumcised on the eighth day (Philippians 3:5). The Lord Jesus ministered to Jews only—“the circumcision”—in His earthly ministry (Matthew 15:24; John 4:22; Romans 15:8). That was in time past, a previous dispensation, the Dispensation of Law.

In what the Bible calls “but now,” the “Dispensation of the Grace of God,” God is not dealing with mankind on the basis of physical circumcision and physical uncircumcision (Ephesians 2:13; Ephesians 3:2). Paul rightly preached and rightly taught that God did not demand physical circumcision “in Christ Jesus” (that is, in the Church the Body of Christ). But, this did not sit well with certain Jewish leaders of the Messianic Church (the Jewish believers from Christ’s earthly ministry; Luke 12:32).

Circumcision had been such an integral part of God’s dealing with mankind (in the Old Testament), so when “Judaizers” heard Paul preaching that physical circumcision was unnecessary for salvation, there was quite a controversy. Paul was correct in saying physical circumcision does not matter today, as these were the instructions God gave him for us to follow as members of the Church, the Body of Christ. Those Jews did not understand that God was phasing out Israel’s prophetic program and creating a new creature separate and distinct from Israel. They (wrongly) saw the Apostle Paul as a false teacher.

The nation Israel committed the unpardonable sin of rejecting and blaspheming the Holy Spirit in the early Acts period (Matthew 12:31,32)—especially in Acts chapter 7 with the stoning of the prophet Stephen. From that point in history onward, salvation went to the Gentiles (non-Jews) without Israel (Romans 11:11-13). God sends the Apostle Paul to the Gentiles with a set of instructions and doctrines that are separate and distinct from the Mosaic Law. God does not demand Gentiles be physically circumcised today (in our dispensation). Hence, Paul writes:

“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6 KJV).

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature” (Galatians 6:15 KJV).

The book of Galatians deals with the issue of physical circumcision, as well as with other aspects of the Mosaic Law. Whenever Paul preached that a man could be saved by faith in his Gospel—how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)—these “Judaizers” came and polluted that Gospel of Grace (Galatians 1:6-9).

Paul’s Gospel says that a man is justified by faith without works (Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5), yet the Judaizers preached the exact opposite. Those religionists preached works-religion, the Mosaic Law, and confused the poor Galatians by saying, “You cannot be saved by faith alone! You need to be circumcised and you need to keep the law of Moses if you want to be saved!” See Galatians 3:1-6.

In your own time, read Acts chapter 15 and Galatians chapter 2. Basically, Paul and Barnabas meet with the Jewish leaders of the Messianic Church. Finally, the Jewish church leaders (James, Peter, John, etc) saw that Paul had a more advanced revelation about God’s will than they did—“they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to [Paul]” (Galatians 2:6). The issue was resolved. Paul and Barnabas shook hands with James, Peter, and John. Paul and Barnabas would continue with the Gospel of Grace, separate from the Mosaic Law, and James, Peter, and John would remain with the little flock of believing Israel (Galatians 2:9). The Jews would no longer confuse the Gentiles with circumcision and law keeping.

The Galatians were saved by faith alone in Paul’s Gospel, but Jewish religious leaders were telling the Galatians they needed to be circumcised and keep the Mosaic Law in order to be saved. Notice what Paul writes in Galatians 5:1-5. Rather than these Galatians following the doctrine God gave to them through Paul, the Galatians were following doctrine God gave to Israel through Moses! They were not “rightly dividing the word of truth” like 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV says—they were confusing God’s program for Israel with His program for them (which is what people are still doing today)!!

Yes, the LORD demanded physical circumcision in time past, but now things have changed. God no longer demands physical circumcision. Physical circumcision is rarely mentioned these days in Christendom, but other issues have taken its place. Denominationalists come along with their rituals and statements of faith, forcing you to do all sorts of activities (water baptism, walking the aisle, repent of your sins, give a tithe, confess your sins, keep the sacraments, join a church, et cetera). These “church ordinances” is just as contrary to grace as being physically circumcised!

When a person trusts in Jesus Christ alone as his or her personal Saviour, they are instantly saved—forever. There is one “circumcision” that is needed for salvation today, but it is not the physical circumcision of Judaism. We will talk about that next week, when we discuss baptism and the one “baptism” that is needed for salvation today.

Next week, we will conclude this series by discussing the issue of baptism.

Circumcision and Baptism: Part II
by Shawn Brasseaux
[3 October 2010]

In this two-part series, we are looking at the issues of circumcision and baptism. Last week, we looked at the issue of circumcision. Physical circumcision was a “hot topic” back in the first century A.D., but not so much so today; rather, the point of contention today among the various denominations of Christendom is water baptism. However, did you know that there are over one-dozen “baptisms” in the Bible, and most of them are not water baptism? We want to look at baptism as God speaks of it in His Word. I think you will be shocked!

The word “baptism” does not appear in the Old Testament, but there are a couple of baptisms in the Old Testament that are spoken of in the New Testament. For example, Joel 2:28-32 speaks of two baptisms: the baptism with the Holy Spirit (Pentecost, Acts 2) and the baptism with fire (seven-year Tribulation and Second Coming of Christ). Furthermore, Matthew 3:11 speaks of three “baptisms” but only one of these “baptisms” is water baptism. In 1 Corinthians 10:1,2, we see two “baptisms” that apply to Israel led by Moses, and they also have nothing to do with water.

As we will now focus on water baptism, here are some questions we need to consider. Why is water baptism even in the Bible? Why did John the Baptist water baptize? Why was Jesus water baptized? Should we be water baptized today? Should we water baptize others today?

Water baptism is not “a New Testament ordinance,” as is commonly taught in religion. In fact, water baptism is an Old Testament doctrine. Turn to Exodus chapter 29:

“1 And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest’s office:….
4 And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.”

Before a man became a priest in Old Testament Israel, he had to first be washed with water. This is water baptism as it first appears in the Bible, and notice this is in the Old Testament. Water baptism separates (hallows, sanctifies) these Jews for God’s purpose in the Levitical priesthood. When we come to John the Baptist, John is doing exactly what was required for priests. If Israel is to become a “kingdom of priests” as Exodus 19:5,6 states (cf. Isaiah 61:6), each and every Jew must be water baptized as the priests were according to the Mosaic Law. By the way, one of the reasons Christ was water baptized was to become Israel’s High Priest (Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 4:15).

Water baptism is the sign of the Davidic Covenant, another great covenant God made with Israel, just like physical circumcision was the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant (which we discussed in part I). David was a king of Israel, who ruled circa 1000 B.C. In 2 Samuel 7:12,13, we see the LORD’s promise to King David: “And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers [die], I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.”

Notice, the promise of an everlasting kingdom is given: Israel’s King and Messiah will be a descendant of David, who we better know as Jesus Christ. When Jesus Christ is ready to begin His ministry at age 30 (Luke 3:23), God the Father sends John the Baptist to herald His Son’s arrival (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; Matthew 3:1-4; Mark 1:1-4; Luke 3:3-6; Acts 13:23-25). John is to prepare Israel to become a kingdom of priests because her King is now in their midst. Unfortunately, most Jews demand the crucifixion of their Messiah. Once Christ is slain on Calvary, He resurrects in power and victory over death. In the early Acts period, most of Israel still rejects God’s Word and His apostles and prophets. The epitome of their unbelief is manifested when they kill their prophet Stephen in Acts chapter 7.

God sends one Jew, Saul of Tarsus, makes him Paul the Apostle, and sends this one man to the whole world, with a new message, a Gospel that does not involve Israel’s kingdom. Consequently, water baptism is not part of Paul’s Gospel. The Gospel that Paul preached had nothing to do with water baptism. As a matter of fact Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:17: “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel…” (cf. Matthew 28:19,20).

Water baptism has nothing to do with us today as members of the Church the Body of Christ. We have no covenant with God. We cannot claim the Abrahamic Covenant and its physical circumcision; by the same token, neither can we claim the Davidic Covenant and its water baptism. They do not belong to us—they belong in Israel’s program, of which we are not a part!

Now, we want to conclude this series by looking at Colossians 2:11,12 KJV, which should make it abundantly clear to you:

“11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”

Physical circumcision is not the issue today. For salvation, we need the spiritual circumcision, the one that God performs (“made without hands”) the moment we are saved by faith alone in Paul’s Gospel of Grace. That spiritual circumcision involves God cutting you off from Adam, the lost hell-bound sinner that you are by birth, and makes you a saint in His Son Jesus Christ. As a member of the Church the Body of Christ, your “old man [sin nature, identity in Adam] is crucified with [Christ], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin” (Romans 6:6,7).

Water baptism is not the issue today either. For salvation, we need the spiritual baptism, the one that God performs (“operation of God”) when He identifies us with His Son dead in the tomb (us being dead to sin, alive unto God through Jesus Christ; Romans 6:11), buried, and raised again.

Paul writes today that the moment we trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation, we were “baptized into Jesus Christ [and] … baptized into his death… Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:…” (Romans 6:3b,4a). This is not, not, not water baptism like religion teaches. Romans chapter 6 is speaking of the “baptism” of 1 Corinthians 12:13: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” Ephesians 4:5 says there is “one baptism” today, and it is not water baptism.

The one baptism that we need for salvation today is the baptism whereby the Holy Spirit takes us out of Adam (the kingdom of darkness, Satan’s kingdom), and God the Father “[translates] us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). God’s Holy Spirit takes the believing sinner and places him or her into His Son, the Church the Body of Christ. This is a supernatural baptism, invisible and totally unrelated to water because this baptism gives us a new identity in Christ!

CONCLUSION

We have no need for physical circumcision for salvation. We have no need for water baptism for salvation. The only circumcision that God recognizes today is the spiritual circumcision whereby God cuts us off from our old identity in Adam. The only baptism that God recognizes today is the baptism whereby the Holy Spirit places us into the Church the Body of Christ the moment we trust in Jesus Christ alone as our Saviour.

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Spiritual Gifts in the Dispensation of Grace

September 19, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux

Do you ever wonder what your spiritual gift is? How do you discover it? Do we even have spiritual gifts? In this Bible study, we want to discover what God’s Word says about the issue. After all, God’s Word (the King James Bible) is the final authority.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:1 KJV: “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” As Christians, God does not want us to be ignorant (unlearned, uninformed) concerning spiritual gifts. Yet how many professing Christians today know little to nothing about spiritual gifts? Just about all of them, and I speak from experience because I used to be one of those uninformed Christians. Years ago, I thought we did have spiritual gifts. Since coming to understand the Bible rightly divided, I understand that spiritual gifts ceased 2000 years ago. Now that we have the completed Word of God, spiritual gifts are totally unnecessary for us.

There was a plethora of problems in the Corinthian church, and one of the problems the Apostle Paul had to address was the abuse of spiritual gifts. The Corinthians were spiritually immature: they were saved, but they never placed their faith in the sound doctrine that Paul had taught them. Rather than seeking the edification (building up the faith) of their Christian brethren, these carnal (fleshly, worldly) believers in Corinth sought special emotional experiences to lift up themselves and stir up their flesh (especially the gift of tongues).

Unfortunately, most churchgoers today attend church services in hopes of having emotional experiences rather than seeking sound Bible doctrine and Bible study. Let us be honest a moment, shall we? “Church” today is mostly entertainment! Modern “worship” is nothing but jumping, shouting, clapping, running, and stomping. Whether it is the silent formalistic churches with their solemn ceremonies and rituals or the churches filled with the deafening sounds of “contemporary worship,” it all benefits the flesh and actually harms the inner man (the soul)!

We want to first understand spiritual gifts as the Bible speaks of them, so let us return to 1 Corinthians chapter 12:

“8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:”

Turn in your Bible to Romans 12:6-8 KJV:

“6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

At this point, it is important to note that in the early Gentile churches of the first century A.D., there was no completed Word of God. Paul’s 13 epistles of Romans through Philemon were written between A.D. 50 and A.D. 68. During that time, the saints would simply circulate and exchange copies of the epistles of Paul (Colossians 4:16, for instance)—no one person or local congregation had the complete Old and New Testaments like we have today (the completed Bible was not assembled until the latter 60s A.D. Christian men under the control of the Holy Spirit would speak God’s Word verbally before it was written down.

Spiritual gifts were only needed until God’s Word was completed and entirely written down, as 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 KJV teaches:

“8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

According to the Bible, the gifts of prophecy, tongues, and knowledge would vanish away once “that which is perfect is come.” Spiritual gifts involved limited knowledge (partial knowledge/knowledge “in part”). But, when the completed Word of God came, and the revelations from God ceased, the spiritual gifts ceased too.

Also, think of what is taking place during the Apostle Paul’s ministry. The book of Acts documents the transition period between God dealing with Israel and God dealing with Gentiles. God’s program for Israel is being temporarily set aside, and during this transition period, God warns Israel that He is going to Gentiles without Israel’s cooperation (God finally sets Israel aside by A.D. 60). The spiritual gifts would validate Paul’s ministry. Until that time when God fully suspends Israel’s prophetic program, to be resumed after this Dispensation of Grace and the rapture, God provokes Israel to jealousy by giving the Gentiles believers Israel’s spiritual gifts and sign gifts (Romans 11:11,12; 1 Corinthians 14:21,22)!

Remember, 1 Corinthians 1:22 KJV: “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:” God would speak to unbelieving Israel through Gentiles speaking in tongues (intelligent human languages). According to 1 Corinthians 14:22,23, Israel (“this people”) was in unbelief and they needed to be converted, so the gift of tongues was “a sign to them that believe not.” Today, 2000 years since the completion of the canon of the Bible, we have no need for these spiritual gifts.

In first couple of decades of the Church the Body of Christ, God had in place five major offices. Ephesians 4:11 KJV says: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Barnabas were apostles and prophets, but these two offices were no longer needed by the end of the first century A.D. Today, we still need evangelists, pastors, and teachers to preach and teach the completed Word of God. Apostles and prophets, on the other hand, were only needed to ESTABLISH the Word of God until the permanent written Word was completed.

Today, God is not interested in the spiritual gifts such as healing, tongues, wisdom, or prophecy. Paul’s latter epistles make no references to spiritual gifts as found in Romans chapter 12 or 1 Corinthians chapter 12. I want you to notice what 2 Timothy 2:2 KJV says: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” This is the last epistle Paul wrote, so this is where things stand today in the plans of God. The doctrine for the Church the Body of Christ is now permanent, eternally written in the Pauline epistles. We have the completed revelation of God, and as Paul says, we “know even as also [we are] known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

According to 2 Timothy 2:2, God wants His written, completed, and preserved Word (the King James Bible) being taught and preached. Now that the canon of Scripture is complete, we do not receive extra-Biblical revelations from God in the form of prophets, visions, angels, and so on. God wants sound Pauline doctrine taught in local churches because this is what holds the Body of Christ together and sustains their spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:11-16). Sadly, most pastors and teachers are not teaching and preaching God’s Word rightly divided today—in fact, they first need to be taught God’s Word rightly divided before they can teach others!

We need teachers, pastors, and evangelists who teach the Bible, shepherd the saints, and preach the Gospel. We can utilize our talents, abilities, and resources to serve the Church the Body of Christ in the local church. As Christians, we should be “striving together for the faith of the Gospel” (Philippians 1:27). No matter how “small” your role in the Body of Christ may seem, you are serving the same God and Lord as every other member of the Body of Christ. All Holy Spirit-indwelt believers are functioning as one body (1 Corinthians 12:13-27): “[we] are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

We can utilize our talents, abilities, and resources to serve the Church the Body of Christ in the local church. As Christians, we should be “striving together for the faith of the Gospel” (Philippians 1:27). No matter how “small” your role in the Body of Christ may seem, you are serving the same God and Lord as every other member of the Body of Christ. All Holy Spirit-indwelt believers are functioning as one body (1 Corinthians 12:13-27): “[we] are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

We need to be edifying the brethren, building up their faith. We should be praying for their spiritual growth and encouraging them to study the Holy Scriptures on their own. Pastors and teachers should be teaching God’s Word from the Pauline perspective, and should not be promoting religious tradition and denominationalism. We need to bring praise, glory, and honor to the Lord by functioning as one Body, the Body of Christ. As a result, Christians will share the Gospel of Grace of 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 with the unbelievers, and Christians will be spiritually matured and edified.

The prayer warriors who are “behind closed doors” are no less important than the soul winners who are preaching the Gospel of Grace to millions. A Holy Spirit-indwelt preacher is just as much a servant of the Lord as a Christian laboring in the workplace, or the Holy Spirit-indwelt Sunday school student is just as much a servant of the Lord as the Holy Spirit-indwelt Sunday school teacher. With the imparting of the Holy Spirit’s power, the Body of Christ is a very powerful entity. The exciting thing about it is that God is working right alongside us (1 Corinthians 3:9), doing the will of God by allowing Him to do His will in and through us!

CONCLUSION

According to 1 Corinthians 13:8-13, the spiritual gifts spoken of in Romans chapter 12 and 1 Corinthians chapter 12 have ceased. God is not seeking to provoke Israel to jealousy today because Israel is spiritually blinded. We now have the completed and preserved revelation of God, the Word of God (for us as English-speaking people, that is the King James Bible!).

This is why Paul writes 2 Timothy 3:16,17 KJV: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” God’s completed, preserved Word is the issue today, not spiritual gifts!

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

“Not My Will, But Thine, Be Done”

August 15, 2010

“Not My Will, But Thine, Be Done” Part I
Shawn Brasseaux
[15 August 2010]

            What is God’s will? How are you to determine God’s will for you? Oftentimes, Christians pray for God to show them His will for their lives. Have you ever asked God whom He wants you to marry? Where He wants you to work? What He wants you to do on any given day? How does God expect you to accomplish His will, seeing as to you are a mortal, weak human? In this three-part series, we will examine God’s will as laid out in the rightly divided Bible. In part I, we will look at the overall will of God, for lost people and for saved people.

* * *

Where should one find God’s will? Need we seek angelic appearances, theophanies, or voices in our heads to reveal God’s will to us? Absolutely not! God wrote a book, a book that He inspired and preserved just so you could read it. For you and I as English-speaking people, the King James Bible is God’s inerrant, infallible, and preserved Word. Everything that God Almighty has to say to you today is found in the King James Bible. God has not sent any further revelations than what the completed canon of Scripture already contains.

If you want to be submissive to God’s will, you must first read His Word so that you can understand His will. God the Father’s ultimate will is to glorify His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, in both the heaven and the earth. The Bible says in Ephesians 1:9,10 KJV: “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” No matter what happens in the meantime, one day, God will appoint Jesus Christ as the Head of the governments of the heaven and the earth.

Did you notice what the Bible said? As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, God has already “made known unto us the mystery of his will.” We do not have to pray for God to show us His will because He has already shown us His will in His written Word. We need to now read God’s Word in order to understand God’s will!

God’s will is to make His Son, Jesus Christ, the Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth. God will accomplish that by two means: using the nation Israel as His chosen people on the earth, and utilizing the Church the Body of Christ as His chosen people in the heavens. In the “Old Testament,” the Four Gospels, and the first few chapters of the book of Acts (chapters 1-8), God dealt primarily with His covenant people, the nation Israel.

The Apostle Paul writes that God has temporarily set aside Israel today (Romans 11:11,12,15,25). Currently, God is not dealing with national Israel, so God’s will does not involve the nation Israel today. Right now, the Lord is calling out a people for His name from the peoples of the world, and this spiritual entity/creature of believers is called “the Church the Body of Christ.” If you have trusted in Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary, you are a member of this new creature. In this Dispensation of Grace, God’s will is “to have all men saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).

Remember, God does not want anyone to go to the everlasting lake of fire (2 Peter 3:9), but not everyone will get saved (reasons being pride, contentment with works-religion, etc). God’s will today is that everyone would receive salvation by faith alone in Paul’s Gospel of Grace: how that Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He was raised again for our justification (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). God the Father wants everyone to trust in His Son, Jesus Christ, alone for salvation. God wants lost people to be saved. As Christians, our desire should be to see the lost people of the world saved.

So, are you saved today? Do have eternal life as a present possession? Have you trusted exclusively in Christ’s bloodshed on Calvary and His subsequent resurrection? God is not asking you to walk an aisle, say a prayer, go to confession, join a church, or participate in Mass. God wants you saved today, but you cannot be saved by your good works. Because you were unable to provide your own salvation from your sins, the Lord Jesus Christ died for you in your place and He was raised again for your justification (Romans 4:25)! If you have any questions, contact me for more information.

Okay, getting back to 1 Timothy 2:4, I want you to notice the last portion of the verse:“[God’s will is] to have all men saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” The Lord not only wants lost people saved, but He also wants us “to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Now, what does that mean?

After a person receives salvation as a free gift, he or she needs to reach a spiritual maturity. The only way to gain the profit God stored in His Word is study God’s Word, God’s way. Paul wrote to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV): “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” All of the Bible is true; after all, it is the “word of truth.” However, all of the Bible is not true for us—that is, there are promises in the Bible that God made to other people, and not to us, and these promises are not in effect today. Promises given to other people do not belong to us!

A failure to rightly divide the Scriptures will only bring confusion and discouragement. We need to acknowledge the context of the verse/passage: the author, the audience, the circumstances, and so on. Verses that belong in Israel’s program and dispensation need to stay with Israel—we are not Israel and we are not under law. Paul is our apostle (Romans 11:13; Romans 15:16; 2 Timothy 1:11), and God’s directions to us are found in Paul’s 13 epistles, Romans through Philemon. When a Christian studies God’s Word rightly divided, he or she “comes to the knowledge of the truth.” Turn with me to 2 Timothy 2:24-26 KJV:

“24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

In the Bible, repentance is defined as understanding the truth of God’s Word. It is a “change in mind, a different way of thinking about or viewing something.” There are nearly two billion professing Christians in the world, but how many of them truly understand the Bible? How many of these “Christians” are even going to heaven in the first place? If you are saved today, God wants you to understand His Word, and enjoy His Word, but you can only enjoy and understand God’s Word when you know how to use God’s Word—that is, study His Word rightly divided.

The Bible says that we live in a time period called “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2). The Bible also says that works-religion is the antithesis (opponent/enemy) of grace (Romans 11:6; Galatians 2:20). There are genuine Christians today unknowingly bound in religious tradition and under satanic influence (“taken captive by [the devil] at his will”). They have been pressured into following doctrines and verses given to the nation Israel in “time past,” failing to understand that God has changed the program and is doing something different with us today!

Myriads of church members are placing so much emphasis on good works that they actually ignore Christ’s finished crosswork on Calvary! What a tragedy, one that has eternal consequences. As one dear brother said, “Lost people need to be saved from hell, and saved people need to be saved from religion.” We give a hearty amen to that!!!

Next week, we will continue the series, as we will discuss how God’s will is manifested to the Christian believer. We will further examine this issue of right division, and how we use that Bible study principle to discover God’s specific will for us as members of the Church the Body of Christ!

 

“Not My Will, But Thine, Be Done” Part II
Shawn Brasseaux
[23 August 2010]

            In part I, we looked at the overall will of God, for lost people and for saved people; in this second installment of the series, we will look at how God has manifested His will to us Christians and we will examine God’s specific will for us as His children. You will be surprised to learn that God’s will is not as “specific” as religion makes it out to be!

* * *

In part I, we read 1 Timothy 2:4 KJV: “[God our Saviour] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” God’s will is that everyone be saved from eternal damnation in the lake of fire. Alas, rebellious mankind mostly ignores God and rejects His grace. God’s will is that every believer comes to spiritual enlightenment and maturity. Unfortunately, denominationalism and religious tradition prevents this from coming to pass.

Using the Bible, but failing to “rightly divide” the Bible, has left multitudes of non-Christians and Christians confused. Most believers have no idea of the principle of dispensational Bible study as presented in 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Because dispensational Bible study is scarce, most Christian follow directions God gave other people (that is, placing themselves under Israel’s law system). Legalism has led to discouragement and confusion within the lives of countless believers. Oh, what a pity!

If you are one of those dear Christians who are struggling to make sense of the Christian life, then I hope and pray that this Bible study will be a help and blessing for you. If you have trusted in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation, then you are eternally secure in Christ. Now that you are saved, you need to be “edified”/strengthened and “perfected”/matured according to the Pauline design (Ephesians 4:11-14). God wants us to study all of His Word, but to place more emphasis on the Pauline epistles of Romans through Philemon. When you study the Bible “rightly divided” (as it relates to Paul’s ministry), you begin the process of spiritual maturity.

It is in Paul’s epistles alone that we discover our identity and position in God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The doctrine you need to learn and follow today is that which the Apostle Paul received from the ascended Lord Jesus Christ. Keeping this principle of right division in mind prevents us from confusing ourselves with Israel living in time past. God does not want us to confuse His will for Israel with His will for us. God has not put us under Israel’s law, her performance-based acceptance system. Let me briefly recap Israel’s legalistic economy of long ago.

In time past, God revealed His will to the nation Israel by means of the Mosaic Law (Romans 2:17-20). The entire Mosaic Law consisted of not only the Ten Commandments, but also the 613 laws of Judaism. JEHOVAH promised Israel that He would bless them when they obeyed His laws, and He would curse them when they disobeyed Him (Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15). Is legalism (Mosaic law-keeping) the answer to us accomplishing God’s will today? NO!!! We are under grace, not law (Romans 6:14)! Our performance is not the issue today because we are sinners who fail to keep God’s law (1 Timothy 1:9,10).

The principle of right division prevents us from following the system of the Mosaic Law, that “ministration of death” that God crucified with Christ (Colossians 2:14; cf. 2 Corinthians 3:6-7). God abolished the Law of Moses, and something far better has taken its place—the system of GRACE. God’s will for you is that you live the victorious life He has for you in Jesus Christ. Failing to approach the Bible dispensationally will cause you to follow Israel’s law, just like most of Christendom attempts to do today.

Legalism (law-keeping) will work defeat and misery in your Christian life. Law “frustrates” (hinders, prevents) God’s grace from controlling your life (Galatians 2:21; cf. Romans 7:1-25; Galatians 5:16-26). Again, the Apostle Paul writes that we are under grace, not law, beloved (Romans 6:14). We are living in the Dispensation of Grace, not law (Ephesians 3:2)! Do not let legalism ruin your Christian life. In the Dispensation of Grace, God the Father accepts you today on the basis of Jesus Christ and HIS performance, not on the basis of us keeping the Law of Moses and us performing religious rites and ceremonies (Galatians 2:20,21).

We as Christians have been given spiritual riches in Christ (Ephesians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 4:19), but oftentimes, many believers are distracted into gaining the “pocket change” that works-religion offers. Works-religion not only keeps lost people lost, it keeps saved people from hearing and knowing God’s will for them. Works-religion (like Judaism of Israel’s day, or today’s “denominationalism”) is what you can do for God through your own strength. This contradicts grace, for grace is what God can do for you through Jesus Christ and His finished crosswork on Calvary!

The Lord Jesus Christ went to the cross of Calvary, purchased our salvation with His blood, and provided our justification through His resurrection. We are now reconciled with God (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)! Now, God the Father wants every Christian believer “to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29 KJV). What does that mean? God wants to change your life from the inside out, without using the Law of Moses! Positionally speaking, God has already sanctified us (set us apart) in His Son. Now God wants to sanctify us in His Son practically (in our day-to-day living). See 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, for example.

Contrary to the prosperity theology being widely taught and proclaimed today, God’s will does not involve you becoming a millionaire, living a problem-free life, and enjoying perfect health at all times. God’s will for us is that we are filled with His “fulness,” on the inside, in the inner man. Let us examine Ephesians 3:16-19 KJV, and notice what Paul prays for us believers:

“16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

God’s will is that your inner man (the “real” you, the invisible you, your soul and spirit) be “strengthened with might by his Spirit.” God wants you to reach a spiritual maturity so that “Christ may dwell in your heart by faith.” Verse 17 is not a salvation verse; it is a service verse explaining how Christ will live His life in you when your faith rests in Him—this is “Christ in [us], the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

God desires for you to be “rooted and grounded in love,” understanding His love for us. God wants His Son living His life in and through us: this, brethren, is the “fulness of God.” With this sound doctrine in mind, you can begin to appreciate God’s Word and you begin to understand that God is doing something magnificent. Surprisingly, God wants our participation in what He is doing!

If you remember in part I, we studied the will of the devil in 2 Timothy 2:24-26. The Bible is quite clear that Satan wants to keep lost people lost, and Christians unlearned. We look around us today, and see just that taking place! Go to the ordinary church, of any denomination, and more than likely, you will never see or hear this information. Denominations emphasize your performance and your will rather than God’s performance and God’s will!

Next week, in part III, we will conclude this series by learning how God will use us to accomplish His will. Remember, God’s will is the issue, and no mortal weak human can accomplish the will of an Almighty God! We will learn that it takes God to accomplish His will in us!

_______________
SUPPLEMENTAL:

Whom does God want you to marry? According to religion, God has already pre-selected your spouse, you simply need to “pin the tail on the donkey” and hope you pick the man or woman God had already planned for you to marry. Nonsense—there is no Scriptural basis for such line of thinking! Rather, God’s Word tells us that IF we choose to marry, God’s will is for us to marry a person who is a member of the Body of Christ and a member of the opposite sex (1 Corinthians 7:2-4, 39). If you choose to remain single for life, God is pleased with that too (1 Corinthians 7:1, 8). Based on this advice from God’s Word, you make the decision whom (if any) to marry!

Where does God want you to work and live? The Bible never explicitly addresses that question. However, we know that God’s will for you is that you get saved and that you proclaim His salvation to others. As long as your job is decent and honest (not vulgar or illegal), and will provide you with a reasonable income to survive, then God is all for you. Wherever you feel you could best reflect God’s grace, move there and live there. Again, there is nothing in the Bible commanding you to work at a certain workplace or live in a certain region of the world. Just work and provide a living for yourself, and God’s Word will do the rest!

 

“Not My Will, But Thine, Be Done” Part III
Shawn Brasseaux – arcministries@gmail.com
[29 August 2010]

         What is God’s will? Whom does God want you to marry? Where does God want you to live and work? In part I, we looked at the overall will of God, for lost people and for saved people. In part II, we looked at how God’s will is manifested to the Christian believer, and what is God’s specific will for the believer. In part III, we will conclude the series by gaining an understanding as to how God has equipped His saints to accomplish the work He wants done.

* * *

We now understand God’s will for our lives as Christians. God wants His Son Jesus Christ formed in us (Galatians 4:19). God’s will for you is to be separate from works-religion and legalism (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). God wants you to intake sound doctrine according to the Pauline design (Romans 16:25,26). Just as a small child needs physical food to grow stronger and healthier, so our inner man (soul) needs spiritual food to grow to maturity (1 Corinthians 3:1,2; cf. Ephesians 4:11-14; Hebrews 4:11-14). The sound doctrine for us today is the doctrine committed to the Apostle Paul, the information contained in the books of Romans through Philemon. You attempting to make yourself acceptable to God is not the issue. God wants to make you acceptable to Himself, and sound doctrine will make that happen! We now look at the mechanics of how God will use us to accomplish His will.

If you recall in part I, we asked the question: How does God expect you to accomplish His will, seeing as to you are a mortal, weak human? Truth is, God does not expect you to accomplish His will. What God wants from you is your willingness to let Him accomplish His will in and through you! As believers in Christ, we have been given a new identity in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are saints, now we need to walk in that new identity. How? By letting God’s grace teach us how to live!

God’s Word will go to work in our lives after we take Titus 2:11,12 and believe it: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all mean, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” This is the grace life too few believers understand and enjoy—a life not under strict demands of the law, but a live motivated by God’s grace!

Okay, now that we understand God will accomplish His will in us, rather than us accomplishing God’s will for Him, we want to learn how God will accomplish His will in us. In 2 Timothy 3:16,17 KJV, we read: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” God’s Word is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”—it contains the power and information we need to live the grace life. God’s Word equips us, it “throughly furnishes [us] unto all good works.”

The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV: “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” Colossians 3:15,16 instructs: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” God’s will is that His Word dwells in you “richly in all wisdom” because God will use His Word to work in you and through you!

In the passage of Ephesians 5:15–6:9, we read of God filling the believer with His Holy Spirit. I remind you this is not a Pentecostal/Charismatic experience. Rather, it is the Holy Spirit controlling us and empowering us to live the grace life. Christians making wise decisions, understanding God’s will, wives submitting to their own husbands, husbands loving their own wives, children obeying their parents, fathers instructing their children in love, employees obeying their bosses, employers treating their workers with respect. WOW! This is grace living, and it comes not by our keeping rules and regulations in a church setting. It only comes through the working of the Holy Spirit in our inner man!

Being a Christian “ambassador” means that your life is a reflection of God’s righteousness; it is Christ’s righteousness living in and through you! “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 KJV). Note modern Bibles corrupt this verse! It is Christ that lives in us, and we walk by Christ’s faith, not our faith!

In part II, we looked at Ephesians 3:16-19, but let us look at verse 20: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,…” Whose power? Our power and our strength? (No, that was the system of law in Israel.) The Bible says, in 2 Corinthians 4:7 and Philippians 2:12-13, it is God’s power working in us and accomplishing His will in us and through us as members of the Church the Body of Christ!

God’s will is that you enjoy the liberty and the peace that comes from you being “in Christ,” (Romans 5:1; Galatians 5:1) because “ye are complete in Him [Christ]” (Colossians 2:10). You lack nothing in Christ. Everything God wants to provide for you He already gave it to you the exact moment you trusted exclusively in His Son Jesus Christ for salvation. There was no water baptism, no tongues, and no tithe necessary to receive anything else from God. To receive something from God on the basis of your efforts is to deny the sufficiency of Jesus Christ’s performance! God has already equipped you to accomplish His will: “ye are complete in Christ!”

Philippians 4:13 says that no matter what your circumstances are—whether rich or poor, sick or healthy—“[you] can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [you].” See, your strength comes from the Lord Jesus Christ, not from yourself (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 4:7). God has equipped you to handle all that life will “throw at you.” Be not weary or discouraged; just as you endure the struggles in life, the Lord endures it with you (2 Corinthians 12:9,10; cf. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18)!

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:8 KJV: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” God’s will for us as believers is that we give Him thanks “in every thing.” Even in the midst of dire financial straits, a divorce, or terminal illness, believers should have the attitude of gratitude. As Christians, we are secure in Christ. Depressing circumstances may shake—or seemingly destroy—our world, but God continually supplies us with the strength to “endure hardness” (2 Timothy 2:3; cf. 2 Corinthians 1:3-11). We can handle all our circumstances through Christ, and be a reflection of His grace whatever we face in life! Always thank the Lord for that!

God’s will for your life is found in Philippians 1:9-12. God wants “your love to abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment,” for you to approve things that are “excellent,” (godly, exemplary behavior), for you to be “filled with the fruits of righteousness,” and so on. God neither wants you living carelessly and ungodly nor living in the strict legalistic system of Israel. God wants the grace life for you, and we want that for you too!!

Look at Romans 12:1,2 KJV: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” As a member of the Church the Body of Christ, God wants your life to be separate from that of the world. God wants you to present yourself as a “living sacrifice”—He wants you to submit to His will, and by submitting to God’s will, God will accomplish His will in you and through you. Grace is God’s will working within you that will set you apart from the world, not you working to make yourself separate (this would be religion).

Notice in Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 4:30, and 1 Thessalonians 4:8, we read about the “holy Spirit” (notice the lowercase “holy” in the King James Bible). This implies the role of the Spirit of God—making things “holy” or “sanctified, set apart for God’s purpose.” (Compare that to “Holy Ghost,” capital “Holy,” in the King James, which relates to His title “Holy Ghost”; for example, Romans 5:5, 1 Corinthians 2:13, 2 Timothy 1:14). It is the Holy Spirit that empowers us, not our own efforts, so do not hinder/“quench” the Holy Spirit from working in your life (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

So, now that you understand God’s will, and now that you see how God accomplishes His will, what should you do? Read the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, who said it best: “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38). “…I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30). “…I come…to do thy will, O God…I come to do thy will, O God” (Hebrews 10:7,9).

What we need to do is place our faith in God’s will for us. That He wants His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to live His life in and through us. He wants to renew our thinking with His Word, to wash us and cleanse us, for us to be reflections of His grace (Romans 12:1,2; Ephesians 4:17-25; 1 Thessalonians 1:3-10). God’s will is that we believe that sound doctrine committed to Paul, and when we place our faith in God’s Word to us, God’s Word will begin to “effectually work” in us (1 Thessalonians 2:13). That will enable us to “come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).

The night before He died, our Lord Jesus Christ prayed to His Father in such agony and distress: “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup [of Your wrath, Revelation 14:10] from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). In Mark 14:36, Jesus Christ prays this prayer and addresses God as “Abba, Father.” The Father’s will was for Christ to come die for us, to suffer in our place, and Christ submitted to His Father’s will. As children of God in Christ, we too can call God “Abba, Father,” submitting to His will, and letting His Holy Spirit—not the Mosaic Law—guide us and empower us to bring glory and honor to Him (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:1-7).

* * *

In concluding the series, remember that God’s will for all people is that they come to the knowledge of salvation, and that every Christian comes to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). As believers, God’s will for us is not that we live the Christian life (like works-religion teaches), but rather God’s will is that we place our faith in His Word to us, Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon, and that faith will allow God to His life in and through us (Galatians 2:20). We will “serve in newness of spirit [the Holy Spirit], and not in the oldness of the letter [the law]” (Romans 7:6). Not religion. Not legalism. Not bondage. But, the grace life, the life of Christ living in us, being totally submissive to the working of God inside of us. That God the Father wants us to have the same attitude that His Son Jesus Christ had: “Abba, Father, not my will, but thine, be done!” This, my friends and brethren, is the will of God for you.

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

Hidden Enemies Look to Destroy Us Americans (by Nolan Guilbeau)

August 15, 2010

by Nolan Guilbeau – Published in The (Opelousas, Louisiana) Daily World
℅ Shawn Brasseaux

America stands as a shining beacon globally. It’s the last bastion of hope for preserving mankind’s freedoms. Invisible forces of the spirit of antichrist have successfully attacked and are slowly destroying the foundations of the Judeo-Christian heritage we so proudly proclaim. Our civic duty is to be “vigilant watchman” over our nation, rightfully exposing evil and evil agendas threatening its citizens.

In these latter times of history having many signs warning of impending dangers, we the people have become complacent, sometimes being silenced by persistent ridicule, intimidation, fear, despair, indifference etc., allowing sinister plots in our midst to prevail in their dastardly deeds. Let the following quotes be an encouragement to strengthen our resolve against tyranny, secular or religious.

“This country with its institutions belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of existing government, they can exercise their Constitutional right of amending it or their REVOLUTIONARY right to dismember or ‘OVERTHROW’ it. Those who would give up essential liberties to acquire a little temporary safety deserves neither liberty nor safety.” Presently there are two identifiable MONSTERS threatening global freedoms with prophetic implications, the establishing of a One World Religion and One World Government.

Ecumenism is escalating worldwide with success in its goals to unite all church bodies under the control and leadership of Rome’s religious hierarchy. It’s now calling for a “World Political Authority with teeth,” regulated by ‘international law’ enforcing compliance. In July 2009, the Roman church potentate issued an encyclical letter titled Caritas in Veritate. Portions of the letter disclose his appeal for this ‘authority’ to be implemented for the purpose of managing a ‘global government’ supervised by a ‘reformed’ United Nations. Its exclusive purpose is to exercise control over ALL earthly governments, economics, environmental, disarmament and ‘REDISTRIBUTION’ of the wealth.

Evidently this Roman potentate has become a prime promoter of Socialist/communist ideology. The Vatican is posturing for control of nations using the guise of social issues and as a distraction from its own moral decadence. These are similar policies and aims of our present national government, plotting to further circumvent our Constitution and our freedoms!!

Where are our defenders of liberties? Speak out America, mark the hate-mongers who work to destroy our foundational values and disrespect our sovereignty!!

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

The Spirit-Filled Student

August 8, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux

What is a “Spirit-filled student?” He or she is a member of the Body of Christ, a student (elementary, junior high, high school, college, etc) who allows himself or herself to be a reflection of God’s grace within the school environment. As summer vacation draws to a close, students are preparing to return to school, so here is some advice Christian students should consider….

If you attend (or will be attending) a private Christian school, then praise the Lord! You were spared being indoctrinated with the philosophies of man. However, if you are like most in that you attend (or will be attending) a secular public school, be prepared to hear and see things that are not going to be profitable for you.

You will hear all sorts of theories. Some are interesting, and do not conflict with the Bible. They may or may not be true, but we really cannot say one way or the other because God’s Word does not comment on those subjects. On the other hand, you will also hear many ideas that outright contradict God’s Word. Approach such ideas using extreme caution, bearing in mind that ideas of that nature are merely foolish, human reasoning and imagination. If you feel led to speak up in class to defend God’s Word, then do it, but do it in love and respect.

I remind you of the words Paul wrote to young Timothy in 1 Timothy 6 KJV:

“20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.”

True science never contradicts the Bible. In fact, true science aligns perfectly with God’s Word. However, Paul warns us of false sciences. These sciences (forms of “knowledge”) are speculative and hypothetical. The theory of biological evolution is just that… a theory, not a scientific law! Evolutionists will flat out tell you they cannot prove evolution beyond speculation and circular reasoning—it is just an idea conceived as an alternative to a literal interpretation of the creation account in the book of Genesis. These ideas contradict God’s Word. That type of knowledge is evil and spiritually dangerous. Why? Because some believers in Paul’s day fell prey to lies, and they “erred concerning the faith.” Their spiritual life was damaged. Like the Corinthian believers, they considered “the wisdom of this world” more important than the “wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:17–2:5; 1 Corinthians 3:18-20).

When man’s word and God’s Word contradict, man’s reasoning leads him to conclude that he is right and God is wrong. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12 KJV). “They worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:25).

Man does not want God as his final authority, so he seeks alternatives to believing God’s Word. Man invents “profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science FALSELY so called.” In other words, man’s little puny “noodle” (brain) seems to think it has all the answers and that it is its own boss. Mankind uses his mind to invent silly little notions that pat him on the back and make his head swell—“you are evolving into a higher being” or “you are inherently moral and good!” No wonder God calls it “profane and vain babblings.” Man’s reasoning is foolish, empty chatter (babbling). “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22).

Hopefully, your parents (or some adult) taught you since you were a small child that you need to rely on God’s Word. God’s Word is the ultimate authority. Let not your faith be shaken by the erroneous ideas you will hear in school. Have a firm understanding in God’s Word, because you will not only need it in those critical years of high school and college, but also for the rest of your life. Many young minds have been polluted in college because they were spiritually weak, able to be moved from faith in Jesus Christ and His Word. I pray that you are spiritually ready for the challenges you will face in high school and college.

Above all, whether it is in a high school, a college, or even a technical school, be a servant of Christ. Although speaking about the employer–employee relationship, Ephesians 6:6-8 KJV is a set of instructions to Christians in any walk of life.

“6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”

Notice that we should never be doing good works for the sake of being seen by fellow mankind. The heart attitude is what matters. Are you doing well in school so you can brag to your peers and friends, or are you doing well in school because it reflects the new identity you have in Christ? Are you studying and making good grades to give yourself praise, or are you studying and making good grades because it brings glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ?

God is not demanding that you make straight A’s. You do not have to necessarily join the honor’s program or constantly be on the honor roll or president’s list. The important thing is that God wants your willingness to serve Him. Remember, you are here to please God, not please man. The Lord Jesus Christ wants you to allow Him to live His life in and through you as you live and work to acquire your education.

What God would want you to do is study and attend class as often as you can. You need an education so you can get a good job. You need the job because you and your family have to eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:8). Do not take your school years casually—junior high, high school, and college dropouts usually regret it. There is nothing wrong with having a party responsibly, but of course, be reasonable and respectful. Remember, when the world sees your life, they are supposed to be seeing Christ’s life!

I wish you the best this upcoming school year, wherever you have prayerfully chosen to attend school. It is okay to be nervous, but remember grace and peace. God wants you to be ready, but He wants you to be calm. If you have trusted in Jesus Christ today as your personal Savior, God’s Holy Spirit is there with you right at this moment. God will be there with you, strengthening you and compelling you! Go attend class… “to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV)….

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12 KJV).

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

Dueling Verses: The Bible “Contradictions”

August 8, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux

There are all types of arguments in Christendom. Some say that water baptism is necessary for salvation; others say it is merely for a testimony, and still other Christians do not water baptize at all. Most Christians claim they “tithe” but a few Christians contend that tithing is not for us today. I know of one particular local church that adheres to the Jews’ kosher food diet, while I know of other churches that do not observe dietary laws of Judaism. Some groups believe in tongue talking and miracle working for today while other groups believe that these activities have ceased (are inactive) today.

What if I told you that there are Bible verses that teach all of these ideas? If that were the case—and it is—then what are we to believe and what are we to practice? We are going to look at 12 different issues in the Bible, all of which are points of contention today amongst the 38,000 “Christian” denominations. As you will see, the Bible presents two points of view regarding each issue. We will conclude the Bible study by providing the solution to all the confusion.

* * *

SABBATH DAY? The Bible is absolutely clear in Exodus 20:8, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” In Colossians 2:16, Paul says: “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:” Are we to keep to Sabbath (Exodus chapter 20) or not keep the Sabbath (Colossians chapter 2)?

TITHING? In Malachi 3:10, we read: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse,….” In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul says: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” Malachi teaches a mandatory tithe, required giving. The second epistle to the Corinthians says not to give “grudgingly” (that is, no compulsory giving). Which verse should we follow: the one in Malachi or the one in 2 Corinthians?

ETERNAL SALVATION? Can the Holy Spirit leave the believer? Psalm 51:11 says yes. David wrote, “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” Paul says no in Ephesians 4:30: “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Which is it: does the Holy Spirit leave the believer or not?

FAITH ALONE, OR FAITH PLUS WORKS? James 2:24 says “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” On the other hand, in Romans 3:28, Paul writes, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Which one is true, and which one should we believe? These two verses oppose one another. Roman Catholics use James 2:24 and Protestants use Romans 3:28—who is right?

WATER BAPTISM? Should we water baptize today? Clearly, the Lord Jesus said in Matthew 28:19: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” But, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:17: “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel….” The Bible says do not water baptize at all and the Bible says do water baptize for salvation (cf. Mark 16:16)—how can this be? What should we do?

MIRACLES/SIGNS/WONDERS/HEALING? Mark 16:18 says, “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Paul was unable to heal Timothy of his stomach ailment (1 Timothy 5:23) and 2 Timothy 4:20 says Paul was unable to heal Trophimus. Did God lie? How can Mark 16:18, 1 Timothy 5:23, and 2 Timothy 4:20 be reconciled?

MATERIAL WEALTH? Luke 12:31 is often quoted: “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Paul served God for 30 to 35 years, yet Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 11:27, 2 Corinthians 12:10, and Philippians 4:12 that he was oftentimes destitute of food, clothes, and shelter (“necessities”). Is the Bible mistaken—why did Luke 12:31 not work for Paul?

PHYSICAL CIRCUMCISION? Genesis 17:10 says, “…Every man child among you shall be circumcised.” Paul writes in Galatians 6:15, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision availeth anything, but a new creature.” Well, which is it: is physical circumcision a requirement for salvation, or not?

FORGIVENESS? “Short sin account” Christians quote 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Paul wrote Ephesians 4:32, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Now, this seems contradictory: 1 John 1:9 says we need to confess our sins to get forgiveness, but Ephesians says we are already forgiven with no confession of sins. Which is it?

ANSWERED/UNANSWERED PRAYER? In John 14:13, the Lord Jesus says “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” But, Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 that he prayed three times for God to heal/deliver him, yet God answered Paul’s prayer in the negative three times. Why did John 14:13 not work for Paul?

KOSHER DIET? According to Leviticus chapter 11, certain animals/foods are “unclean” and therefore unfit for human consumption. Nevertheless, Paul writes, “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:4,5). Which is it: eat whatever you want and give God thanks, or abstain from the unclean foods?

LEGALISM? Matthew 22:37-40: “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Yet, Paul writes in Romans 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Are we under law, like Jesus said, or are we under grace, like Paul said!

* * *

The lost world looks at the Bible in disdain. They hate it. Wicked rebellious man wants nothing to do with a holy righteous God. If ever you defend God’s Word, this is the opposition you will hear: “the Bible is full of contradictions.” Now, we have already seen a dozen examples in which the Bible says two completely opposite things, so how do we solve this dilemma? Is God’s Word full of mistakes, as the scoffer claims?

Some Christians will try to forcefully combine all these directions. Others try to gloss over the passages by spiritualizing (“the verse does not mean what it says”). Paul calls this, “handling the word of God deceitfully” (2 Corinthians 4:2). People “pick and choose” verses, leading to the 38,000 denominations in Christendom.

THE KEY TO BIBLE STUDY AND BIBLE UNDERSTANDING IS 2 TIMOTHY 2:15 KJV: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” In the Bible, God has two programs: the prophetic program (Acts 3:21) and the mystery program (Romans 16:25-26): we must keep these programs “rightly divided.” Prophecy is Israel’s program, and the mystery program belongs to us as members of the Church the Body of Christ. Directions given to Israel under law do not apply to us under grace. Also refer to Ephesians 2:11-13—“time past” is a reference to Israel’s program, while “but now” refers to the present-day Dispensation of Grace.

The key to understanding and enjoying the Bible is realizing that Paul is your apostle. Paul is “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13 KJV; Romans 15:16; 2 Timothy 1:11). God’s directions for you today are found in Paul’s epistles. Follow the directions laid out in Paul’s 13 epistles of Romans through Philemon. “Be ye followers of me, even as I am of Christ,” Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:1. Read what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:37 KJV: “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” The rest of the Bible is doctrine for Israel’s program, although we can still study the remaining 53 books of the Bible because all 66 books are God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

Always keep 2 Timothy 2:15 in mind when you study the Bible, or God’s Word will never make sense to you!  Be sure to note that if the Apostle Paul did not write the verse, it does not apply to you and God does not expect you to follow it.

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

Ambassador III – arC Ministries’ Third Anniversary

July 31, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux

“…Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV).

As arC Ministries celebrates its third anniversary, I want to say “a few” words on the subject. These past three years, precious lost souls have been saved from hellfire, and precious saved souls have been saved from religious tradition and denominationalism. Hallelujah!

arC Ministries, originally a small Bible study group on Facebook, has since grown into something we never dreamed. Special thanks to all those who have kept us in prayer these past few years (some of you have been with us since day 1!). This is not our work; this is God’s work, and we are just willing participants. This is Christ living in and through us as we walk in an intelligent understanding of God’s Word to us. We credit the Lord Jesus Christ alone!

When the Lord of glory struck down the religious fanatic Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, there was a change in the modus operandi of God’s program. Jesus Christ would send this one little Jew to the whole then-known world with the wonderful message of grace.

Nearly twenty centuries later, arC Ministries is privileged to propagate the Gospel of Grace first revealed to the Apostle Paul. “How that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV).

It is also our privilege to serve the Church the Body of Christ, using the Pauline design for edification. arC Ministries boldly upholds the key to understanding the Bible: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). When we approach God’s Word, let us remember to do so in the manner He instructs: following our Apostle Paul and the grace doctrines committed to him, and acknowledging that the nation Israel has her own program that we should not follow. It is my hope and prayer that we have been a blessing to your Christian life thus far. I trust that you are sharing this with others!

Life is troublesome for all of us as we live in this evil world system. We have all been through difficult times, even suffering for righteousness’ sake, for the sake of serving the Lord in this very ministry. I can honestly say I would do it again if I had to do so. The devil has been on our heels right from the onset of this ministry, but it is the Lord’s power that has brought us thus far. Accordingly, only by God’s power will we continue in this ministry “to make all men see….” We are but ordinary men and women, but we have such an extraordinary God as our co-laborer (1 Corinthians 3:9).

As our beloved King James Bible celebrates its 400th anniversary next year, may we continue to uphold it as God’s inerrant, infallible, preserved Word to us.

May we continue in not compromising with the religionists and traditionalists who seek to corrupt and destroy God’s pure message of grace and His Word “rightly divided.” May we continue to hold fast to the sound doctrine committed first to Paul and now entrusted to us, the Body of Christ, and not give in to the pressures of our critics (yes, we have ‘em!)

May we continue to edify the Christian ambassadors according to the Pauline design for edification, that they may be “perfected” and grounded in God’s Word “rightly divided.”

May we continue to proclaim that wonderful Gospel of the Grace of God, to see more lost people saved.

I look forward to serving the Body of Christ as arC Ministries now moves into its fourth year. If I can ever be of any assistance to you, you know how to reach me. Please continue to keep us in prayer, and all those souls to whom we are ministering. Thanks everyone!

In Christ,
Shawn Brasseaux
arcministries@gmail.com

arC Ministries celebrates its third anniversary, serving the risen Christ by studying the King James Bible using dispensational Bible study so that the lost can be shown how to be saved from hellfire, and so that the saved can be shown how to be saved from religion and denominationalism. Phew! (haha)

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