Worst excuse of a pastor...

While attending a funeral service for a relative I had the opportunity to listen to a different pastor.  Mind you this was in another state and he was from a church that I am not too familiar with.  But here you go...

the funeral was for a man who, as far as we know, only God knows for sure, was not saved.  He did not attend church and the fruit of salvation was not clearly seen.  I did not personally know the man.  The problem comes from the pastor doing the service.

He did not know the man either.  He even admitted that he did not know him well.  He said that over the past 20 years or so, he had seen him maybe about 15 times in the local stores and gas stations and such.  The pastor in question is a man in his mid to late 60's and been in the ministry for probably about 30 years.

Tell me what you think of this pastor.

He mentioned the name of Jesus only ONE TIME during the whole service and that was at the very end when he said a prayer "in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

He read two scriptures but spent the majority of his time talking about this man's fishing exploits.

He told the people in attendance, that no matter who they pray to, to their own gods, that he promised them that this man was in a better place.

No gospel presentation was made.  He did not want to offend anyone.  The gospel can be presented in a loving way but he chose not to do that.  He told them that they could pray to their gods, plural, gods and then to top it off he PROMISED them that he was in a better place.  The man was not saved, not a church attending man, no fruit present in him and yet the pastor PROMISED them that he was in a better place.

This might sound blunt, but HELL is NOT A BETTER PLACE!

And even stranger than all of this is to hear "christians" listening to the pastor and leaning over to tell others that the pastor did a wonderful job on the service.

WHERE IS THE DISCERNMENT PEOPLE?  DOESN'T ANYONE CARE WHAT PASTORS ARE SAYING ANYMORE?  DOESN'T ANYONE WANT TO STAND UP FOR JESUS ANYMORE OR ARE WE JUST TOO SIMPLE MINDED THAT WE DON'T CARE WHAT THEY SAY?

BY ALL ACCOUNTS, THIS PASTOR HAS TO QUALIFY AS ONE OF THE WORST PASTOR'S I HAVE EVER HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF LISTENING TO.  HE WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY GOD FOR HIS LACK OF TEACHING.

IF GODLY MEN DO NOTHING THEN SATAN WILL HAVE FULL REIGN, EVEN IN THE CHURCHES!

COME LORD JESUS, COME!

When is it time to change churches? The Teachings of Alexandria or Antioch, What's the difference?

THE TEACHINGS…

OF ALEXANDRIA OR ANTIOCH

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

     Or, another way of classifying this chapter would be to call it “The Teachings of the NIV (and other perverted versions) vs. KJV.  What’s the Difference?”

     Take a look at Scripture for your answer.

And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.  Acts 13:49

     Shortly after Jesus ascended up to heaven, while the apostles were out spreading the gospel message we come to this verse.  

 “…the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.”  

 What region is being spoken of here?  This is very important so please do not miss this point.  Let nothing distract you from reading God’s Word in context.  This will help to open your eyes, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to see the errors of following after Balaam, so to speak.

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away.  So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.  Acts 13:1-4

     Start with Acts 13:1.  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch…

     Take hold of this city.  Understand the city, the region and the home base attitude of the Apostles.  Antioch was located about 300 miles north of Jerusalem not too far from the Great Sea (The Mediterranean Sea).  

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away.

     As a home base for Christians, it was here that Barnabas and Saul (Paul) were sent out.  Now, look at where they went out to.

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.  

     The first place, Seleucia, was only a handful of miles southwest of Antioch, right on the edge of the Great Sea.  From there, they sailed to the Isle of Cyprus immediately west and a little south of Seleucia.  As they landed at Cyprus, they came upon Salamis and then Paphos.

And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to [their] minister.  And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name [was] Barjesus:  Acts 13:5-6

     Skip ahead a few verses…

Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. Acts 13:13-14

     After leaving the Isle of Cyprus, they headed north up to Perga of Pamphylia, from there they went even further north and stopped at Antioch of Pisidian (this is not the same city as Antioch of Syria). 

 

But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.  Acts 13:50-51

     From Antioch of Pisidian, they then went into Iconium which is located a little bit south east of Antioch.  It was in this area that the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.  The word of God was spread throughout all the region.  The region being shown is the area east and north east of Antioch of Syria.

Now, the above map shows the Apostle Paul’s first missionary trip.  Look at the following map of his second missionary trip.

As you have viewed his first two missionary trips, can you see how there is something in common?  Antioch is found in both maps.  Right?  Now look at this next map of his third missionary trip.

     Again, you can see that Antioch is an important part of his journeys.  This is the point of where the word of God was published throughout all the region.  This is the place where the KJV Bible gets its manuscripts from.  The other versions, the NIV, ESV, NKJV, NASB and all of the others do not come from this region.  Guess where they come from?  Alexandria.  Where is that and why is that significant?  Look at the map below.

     Notice all of the areas that Paul and Barnabas preached at.  None of those places were near Alexandria.  Out of the manuscripts that have been found, there are only two locations that we receive the majority of our text from.   The Majority text originates from Antioch, Syria while the Minority text originates from Alexandria, Egypt.  The Majority text includes roughly 99% of the more than 5000+ manuscripts that are around today.  These are the ones used by the King James Bible and they have a high degree of agreement with each other.  The Minority text includes the remaining 1% of manuscripts that are available to us today. There is a very high level of disagreement between each of these manuscripts and it is no surprise that these are the manuscripts that Westcott and Hort decided to use when authoring the NIV Bible.  In fact, these manuscripts disagree with each other at such a high degree that there are over 3000 disagreements within the four gospels alone.  The two Alexandrian manuscripts that the NIV draws from are the Sinaiticus and the Vaticanus, which differ so much that it is hard to put the two together.  Look at how many differences there are between the two.

Matthew         656+

Mark               567+

Luke                791+

John              1022+

Total             3036  differences between Sinaiticus and Vaticanus.  

 Not very reliable is it?   

Modern translators have divided the Majority and Minority text into four groups.

Alexandrian

Western

Caesarean

Byzantine

     The first three are from the Minority Text while the last one is from the Majority Text.  Even though, they have broken it all down into four categories, it doesn’t change the fact that there are still only two originals – the Majority and the Minority manuscripts.  The Byzantine is also known as the Textus Receptus (the “received text”, in Latin). 

     In the interpretation of scripture, there are four rules that must be used to properly divide the word of truth.

1.      Discover the author, the people addressed and the life and times of the people involved in a given case.

2.      Discover the facts and truths presented in a given passage and note the exact wording of the text.

3.      The golden rule of interpretation – when the plain sense of scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense.

4.      The law of first mention which states “The law of first mention may be said to be the principle that requires one to go to that portion of the Scriptures where a doctrine is mentioned for the first time and to study the first occurrence of the same in order to get the fundamental inherent meaning of that doctrine. When we thus see the first appearance, which is usually in the simplest form, we can then examine the doctrine in other portions of the Word that were given later. We shall see that the fundamental concept in the first occurrence remains dominant as a rule, and colors all later additions to that doctrine.”

     With this being stated, take a look at what Scripture tells us about Antioch and Alexandria.  First, take a look at the land of Egypt.

Egypt

And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine [was] grievous in the land.  And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou [art] a fair woman to look upon:  Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This [is] his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.  Genesis 12:10-12 (first mention – negative)

     This is the place where they will take the wife and then will kill the husband.

Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.  But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.  And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:  And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, [was] with rigour.  Exodus 1:11-14 (negative)

     This is the place where they will make you into slaves.

I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  Exodus 20:2  (negative)

     God Himself calls Egypt the “house of bondage.”

But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, [even] out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as [ye are] this day.  Deuteronomy 4:20  (negative)

     This is the place that Moses called “the iron furnace.”

But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.  Deuteronomy 17:16  (negative)

     God commands his people, that their king shall not buy horses from Egypt, in fact, they are not to return no more that way.  

And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.  Revelation 11:8  (negative)

     It is a place that God uses to denounce the city in which the two witnesses are murdered. 

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.  Matt 2:15  (negative)

God called his Son out of Egypt!

     Not looking good for Egypt is it?  People will defend their rights to stay with the NIV Bible and the other perverse translations just because they feel it is easier to understand.  No discernment whatsoever.  Now, this is showing God’s view of Egypt.  Take a look at what God says about Alexandria.

Alexandria

Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called [the synagogue] of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.  Acts 6:9     (first mention – negative)

This is a place where they disputed with and killed the first Christian martyr, Stephen. 

 

And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, [and] mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.  Acts 18:24  (negative)

     At first sight, this might look like a positive.  It is important to remember the “first mention” rule.  Upon deeper study, it is seen that even though Apollos was an eloquent man and mighty in scriptures, it wasn’t until he met up with Aquila and Priscilla, that he was taught properly in the Lord.  This man was instructed in the way of the Lord but only knew the baptism of John.  Aquila and Priscilla expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.  This is a place of bad bible instruction.

And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.                Acts 27:6  (negative)

     It was a ship from Alexandria that took the Apostle Paul to Rome to be executed.  

And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.  Acts 28:11  (negative)

     Again, it was a ship from Alexandria that took Paul.  He had survived a shipwreck and a snake bite only to be taken again by a ship from Alexandria.   

God emphasizes that Alexandria is of death and bondage.

     Alexandria was the second largest city of the Roman Empire, with Rome being first.  It was founded by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C. which is a type of Antichrist found in Daniel 8.

     Both Egypt and Alexandria are shown in a negative light in Scripture.  This is the area where the 1% of manuscripts had been found, the Minority Text, the manuscript that the NIV comes from.

     Now, examine how God views Antioch.

Antioch

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.  And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:    Acts 6:3-5  (first mention – positive)

     Notice how only one hometown is mentioned in this verse.   

This is a place where a man of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, was chosen.  

 Is it any coincidence that Acts 6 shows both Antioch (verse 5) and Alexandria (verse 9) as a contrast?  Not surprising in the least. 

Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.  Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.  For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.  Acts 11:22-24 (positive)

     The grace of God was seen here, as was gladness of heart to Barnabas, plus, he taught that the people would cleave unto the Lord.  And what happened? 

Much people was added unto the Lord!

     Notice what happens next in Acts 11.

Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:  And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.  Acts 11:25-26 (positive)

     Barnabas sought out Saul and when he found him, where did he take him?  Did he take him to Jerusalem?  No.  Did he take him to Alexandria?  No.   There was absolutely no consideration whatsoever to taking him to Alexandria.  No. Look at what he did.  He took him to Antioch.  They assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people.  It was in Antioch that the name Christians was first used of followers of Christ.  

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away.  Acts 13:1-3 (positive)

     Antioch is a place where God sends out missionaries.  

If this is where God sent out His missionaries, wouldn't it make sense that the manuscripts used would have been of God as well?  The place that God condemns has only 1% of the manuscripts and they do not even agree with each other and yet those are used by the NIV authors.  Have you begun to see the differences between the two cities yet?  Do you see how each city was used differently in the bible?  What will you do with this information?

The Teachings of the Apostolic Signs Teacher

THE TEACHINGS…

OF THE APOSTOLIC SIGNS TEACHER

     The man stands on a stage in front of thousands of followers; he brings up a person who is hobbled or dying of a serious sickness then he places his hand on him and pushes him down and proclaims the person is healed.  Time and again, this kind of false teaching is presented to the blind sheep that follow after him.  At times he speaks an utterance that is indiscernible to anyone listening, but that is okay, because he is speaking in his “tongues language.”  The people will flock to him because “HE HAS THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!”

     The problem is – this is not biblical in today’s time period that we live in.  In each chapter of “When Is It Time To Change Churches?” there will be people who will mock, deride and condemn this book because they want so much to hold fast to the false teachings that they have followed for so many years.  Even though Scripture is used to prove the contents of this book, they will still cling to that which is false.  Why?  It has to do with pride.  They have thought they were doing the Lord’s work for all these years and they do not want to admit they were led astray.  It is more important for them to continue the charade than to humble themselves and ask God to lead and direct them appropriately.   Take time now to ask God to speak to you.  Ask Him to open Scripture up to you so you can understand His Word better.  You do not need to have a seminary degree, in fact, a seminary degree is no guarantee that a person has been properly trained as many seminary professors are wolves in sheep’s clothing.  Many seminaries are guilty of teaching false doctrine.  Many professors within those schools are false teachers that have perverted the Word of God by inputting their own opinions into Scripture.   Westcott and Hort (NIV authors), did not believe that Jesus was God.  Westcott believed in Mary worship.  Hort believed in keeping Roman Catholic sacraments.  He also rejected the infallibility of Scripture.  Hort also took great interest in the works of Charles Darwin while both he and Westcott rejected the literal account of Creation.  Westcott did not believe in the Second Coming of Christ, the Millennium, or a literal Heaven.  They both rejected the doctrine of a literal Hell and they supported prayers for the dead in purgatory.  Hort did not believe in the Trinity or in Angels.  Westcott was known as a communist and was also known to be a beer drinker.  The two of them kept company with “seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.”  They started the Hermes Club in 1845, and the Ghostly Guild in 1851.  They also started the Eranus Club in 1872,  these were spiritualist groups which believed in such unscriptural practices as communicating with the dead.

     The NIV and all of the other perverted translations of the bible have gotten their birth as a result of Westcott and Hort.  They all teach a gospel different than that of the KJV Bible.  They all compare themselves with the KJV and they all fall terribly short.  Anytime Christ is taken out of the bible, it is time to go back to the KJV.  With that being stated, take a look at what Scripture has to say about apostolic signs for today.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; 
they shall speak with new tongues; 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.  So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, 
he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.  
 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], 
and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.  Mark 16:15-20

     Remember what 2 Timothy 2:15 says?

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth 
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

     Would everyone agree that Mark 16:17 says “these signs?”  It is right there in front of the readers whose eyes are open.  THESE SIGNS…

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

     The signs were for Israel.  Plain and simple.  Signs were given to Israel, they lived by signs and they demanded signs.   How many times have you heard someone say, “If only God would give me a sign, I would believe in Him.”?   (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)    2 Corinthians 5:7

     It is common for people to quote the above scripture, but at the same time, they do not actually believe that statement.   They require a sign just as Mark 16:17 says.  Those who do not believe require a sign in order for them to believe.   So then, there are many who profess to have the ability to “heal” people.  Ever wonder why those people do not walk into every hospital in the world and heal all the people?  Ever wonder why those who speak in “their” tongues, never do it outside of church?  Ever wonder why you don’t see anyone holding venomous snakes and allowing themselves to be bitten?  Ever wonder why you do not see people drinking poison in the name of the Lord?  It is all because they are not of the Lord.  The so called power that they have does not come from God but from a different source.  Watch the next time you are channel surfing and you see a group of people in church speaking in tongues.  Watch and see the people rolling around on the floor like they are crazy or crazed.  They are possessed, but it is not of the Holy Spirit that they are possessed. The bible tells us that everything in church is to be done properly.

     Let all things be done decently and in order.             1 Corinthians 14:40

     Church is not to be a time or place of confusion, as God is not the author of confusion.  It is not to be a time of reckless abandon.  To have several people trying to talk at the same time is to have no sense of order in church.  This is going against God’s Word and His design for what a church service is to be like.  If Satan were to lead a church service, he would make it out of sync from what a true church would be.  He would take God’s Word and twist it to mean what it does not mean.  The Greek word of “tongues” found in the bible is “Glossa” which means:   the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations.  No where in the bible is glossa meant to be an unknown tongue that is nothing more than babbling.  And especially, no where in the bible is there a sign of rolling on the floor uncontrollably laughing.  Satan has control of these churches and the eyes of the believers are blinded to the truth.
 

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:  So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.  Romans 12:4-5

     While watching some big name television evangelist (that term is being used very “loosely” here), it is amazing to see how they condone behavior that has people laughing, acting like animals, barking, and even acting drunk all in the name of Jesus.  Here is the scripture that they use to justify their satanic behavior.

And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 
 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.  Acts 2:12-13

     While watching a Word of Faith preacher on television, he mentioned this verse of scripture and all of a sudden everyone in the church started acting like they were drunk.  They were all laughing, rolling on the floor, and claiming to be drunk in the spirit.  Yes, they were drunk in the spirit; but not of the Spirit of God.  It was demon possession that caused this to happen.  It is important to show the verses that this so-called pastor neglected to mention to the congregation.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  Acts 2:1-4

     They have no problem with these verses…

     It’s the ones that follow that condemn them!

And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. VERSE 5

     Who was it that was dwelling at Jerusalem?  It was the Jews.  And what kind of people were they?  They were devout men.  They were people who would strive to please God.  They just didn’t know the one true God.  They are being taught about Jesus at this time.  Where did they all come from?  They came out of every nation under heaven.  It would be like people coming to Chicago, Illinois.  There would be people from Canada, Mexico, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Russia and Japan.  They all spoke different languages.  They all wanted to serve God and they all desired to honor God.  But there needed to be a way for them to learn about the one true God of the Bible; to learn about Jesus Christ.  

Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, 
because that every man heard them speak in his own language. VERSE 6

     The multitude of people came together.  A large crowd ensued.  While gathered together, they were confounded.  Imagine if you will; the apostles were all speaking in a language that each man could understand.  They were in a foreign land, they each spoke a foreign language and yet, they were hearing these men speak in a language that they could understand.  They were confounded.  How could this be?  How in the world could these men speak in our language? They must have thought to themselves that this was amazing.  They were not hearing men speaking babble. Now, these would have been Jews that would have expected to hear the Apostles speaking Aramaic or even Greek; but most definitely, they did not expect to hear these men speaking to them in the language of the lands they represented.  They were literally confounded.  The apostles were not rolling on the floor barking like a dog or laughing uncontrollably.  The apostles were proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ in a language that each of them could understand.

And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another,
 Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? VERSE 7

     They “did” think it was amazing and “why” did they think it was amazing?  Was it because these so called drunk men were babbling nonsense? No.  It was because they were speaking to them in their own language.  The apostles were not native to those other lands.  This was truly an act of God that allowed them to speak in the way that they could understand.

     Be prepared for what is about to follow in scripture.  If you or someone you know is involved in the following, may God open your eyes.

Rhēgnymi

     Remember the above word.  Learn what it means.  It is pronounced: rhā'g-nü-mē.  It is found in Strong’s G4486 out of the Greek language found in bible.  Here is what it means.

1.      to rend, burst or break asunder, break up, break through

a.      to tear in pieces

b.      to break forth

c.       to distort, convulse

1.      of a demon causing convulsions

2.      to dash down, hurl to the ground (a common occurrence in cases of demon possession and epilepsy)

     Now look at what God’s Word says.  This will be used in Mark 9:17-18.

And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;  And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.  

 Take note of the word “pineth” in the above verse.  It will be mentioned later.  In the days when Jesus and the disciples walked the earth, there were people who were possessed of devils.  Even today there are many who are possessed of devils (many are in so called churches).  First off, these churches have people speaking in babbling tongues (not foreign languages but only with unknown utterances), next these churches have people who roll on the floor behaving very erratically.  They bounce around on the floor rolling and bobbling up and down and then come to a point of stiffness.  The people in the church claim that they are filled with the Holy Spirit of God.  Look again at what Mark 9 says.  The devil teareth him.  In fact, the word used is  Rhēgnymi.  Which in this particular usage means:  to distort, convulse.  Taken even further it means:  to dash down, hurl to the ground (a common occurrence in cases of demon possession and epilepsy).  So when people are throwing themselves down on the ground (all in the name of the Holy Spirit), what is happening is they are possessed of a devil.  How can we tell it is of the devil?  Take a closer look at the word “pineth.” 

Xērainō

     This word is pronounced as:  ksā-rī'-nō.  It is used to mean “withered.”  It is a sense of drying up.  It becomes rigid.  The body that was convulsing has now become rigid.  This was the effect of one who was demon possessed.  And yet, in churches today, we have people behaving like this and they call it possessed of the Holy Spirit.  False teachings abound and it is causing too many people to never truly know God.  They are desiring the ability to “prove” how spiritual they are but in reality, they expose themselves as being of the devil. 

     Have you sat under this kind of teaching?  Do not dismiss what Scripture says.  For those who are able to discern the Word of God, it is frightening to see how God’s Word has been manipulated to mean what it does not mean.  It is no wonder considering these churches all read out of the perverted translations of the bible, which deny that Jesus is, in fact, God. 

     Still have doubts about this?  There are so many verses that have been changed or removed completely by the perverted versions that it should cast no doubts whatsoever.  Look at Acts 8:37.

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

     This whole verse is missing from the NIV, NLT, ESV.  Even in the NKJV it casts doubts over the authenticity of this verse.  But again, it must be understood that these false versions came out of Alexandria and not Antioch.  Which leads to the next chapter…

ALEXANDRIA OR ANTIOCH

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

When is it...Time to Change Churches? End of Part 1

END OF PART 1

THE PASTOR

Pastors come in many different sizes and shapes. The pastors have many different types of personalities. Some pastors have a desire to do home visitations; others have a strong desire to do a prison ministry. God can and does use many different types of men in the role of pastor. An effective pastor, who is truly preaching the whole counsel of God’s Word, is one who will be effective in reaching the lost person. That does not necessarily mean he will have the largest church and be on TV. What it does mean is that the people within his church will have a burning desire to be in God’s House every time the doors are open. The people will want to hear God’s Word spoken and taught properly. They will not go for the sake of being entertained, told jokes, and made to cry. They will go because they have a true love for God. They will go even though sin is preached and the call for repentance is demanded of all true followers of Christ. God’s love is preached but so is His Wrath. It is not a one-sided message. It is the whole counsel of God’s Word.

The message taught in this book will be consistent. DISCERNMENT!

Without discernment by the pastor, he will teach false doctrine. Without discernment by the congregation, they will fall for anything the pastor teachings.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

When studying the word of God, are you rightly dividing the word of truth? Or are you only taking the scriptures you agree with and disregarding the ones you do not like? Again, if you say that the bible is the inspired, inerrant and infallible word of God, then don’t eliminate any part of the bible. Take everything in context to the rest of the chapter as well as the bible as a whole.

For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 4:33

One final comment in regards to pastors.

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:2-4