Monday, February 27, 2012

Mormons and Catholics are NOT Christians...

I really wish that CNN, MSNBC & FoxNews would ask ME whether or not Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are Christians.

It would be my pleasure to tell them what both God and the Bible have to say, regarding their two sets of beliefs. And then, I'd be more than humbled to be able to proclaim for all the world to hear, that neither of them is actually a Christian.

Galatians 1:8 - But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

And to drive the point home:

Galatians 1:9 - As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Or how about something even more powerful:

2 Corinthians 11:4 - For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted --- you may well put up with it!

As the author of the soon to be released book titled "But is it Biblical?", I can clearly say that neither the Catholic church nor the Mormons teachings of Jesus MATCH what the Original Greek & Hebrew has to say on the matter. The only way that these "religions" can stick to their claims is for them to use their own mangled translations. And in the case of the Mormons, base it on a fictional tablet (that nobody except Joseph Smith has ever seen) that contains a language that nobody has ever heard of and nobody has ever seen anywhere else. EVER.

Angry? Why? Is your pride telling you that I must be wrong? Is your pride really more in control of your life than God is? If I told you that the Indianapolis Colts were the worst NFL team in 2011 (and you were a fan) would you get mad at me for saying it, even if it were true? (it is true by the way) In the same way, I can tell you without any hesitation that the Catholic church is based upon controlling it's members and the Mormon church is based upon a foundation of lies.

To say that the Mormons are Christians because they "believe in" Jesus, is like saying that "I'm a pilot, because I've been in the cockpit of a plane"! The Mormons come "preaching another Gospel" AND "another Jesus", just like it teaches in 2 Corinthians & Galatians. All you need to do, is know the Full Gospel for yourself and you too can see what I see.

To say that the Catholics are Christians, because (after all) they've got Crucifixes and statues all over their churches is like saying that "Because I have a Corvette, that I'm the CEO of General Motors"! The Catholic church comes "preaching another Gospel" too, and even though it's totally different than what the Mormon's teach, it too is totally different from what the Bible teaches! All you need to do, is pick up a "proper" Bible, learn the Full Gospel for yourself and you too can see what I see. NO OPINIONS REQUIRED.

I cover many of these things in my book and we actually touch on some of these issues in Episode 4 of the radio series.

Rick Santorum is a Catholic, not a Christian.
Mitt Romney is a Mormon, not a Christian.

As an American voter, if you feel in your Spirit that one of these candidates is potentially better for this country, then vote for them. But don't do it because you think that they're something that they're not.

So come on news stations and reporters, ask me along with my Ministry team...
Not to boast, but they'll be the most correct answers that anyone has seen in a long time...

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Do all born again believers receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit?

I received an awesome question today and I just wanted to share the answer with my readers. I felt that it might be a somewhat common question (for other reasons) and just wanted to make sure that there is a good solid and Biblical answer available for it.

The Question (part 1)Do all born again believers receive the power of the Holy Spirit in fullness?

The Answer:
YES! YES! YES!

The Question (part 2)I am doing a bible study right now that focuses on Matthew 28:16-20 and 
Acts 1:1-8 when Jesus is giving the disciples the great commission and promising them the Holy Spirit before they embark to carry out the commission. This will give them the courage,boldness and authority they will need to witness.

Acts 19:2 - He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."

It appears then, that one can be a believer without receiving the Holy Spirit?

Actually, the answer to that question is in the very next verse...

Acts 19:3 - And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism."

Let's remember, John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. That particular group of disciples in Ephesus hadn't yet heard about the gospel of their salvation! This of course is in Acts 19:4-5, the next 2 verses...

Acts 19:4-5 - Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

The Question (part 3):
Just wondering if this could be the reason for people's reluctance to share their faith....they are true believers but haven't received the Holy Spirit or the fullness of the Holy Spirit that gives them the boldness and desire??

Not at all.  It doesn't say anywhere in scripture that EVERYONE is supposed to be out and evangelizing.  True, the great commission DOES emphasize a command for us to do it, but God goes out of His way to say that some of us are more gifted than others at this or that.  To be honest with you, if you're not very good at it, I'd prefer you watched or just stayed home.  Sometimes having someone who isn't very good at what they're doing can destroy what would otherwise be grand... Isn't discipleship fun?

OOH! As a side note to Acts 19:1-5, Paul actually discusses this exact event in Ephesians 1:13-14! I get so excited when I find things like this. What Paul wrote is confirmation of what Luke wrote in Acts!

Excellent question... Be encouraged!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Being "Imitators of Christ"...

I'd like for everyone reading this thread to consider what I am about to share with you today...

Lately, I've been reading posts both here and in many other places regarding what I'll call "legalism" or "flesh purification" (it's hard to pinpoint what to call it). And today the Holy Spirit put it on my heart to share this with you. (it may look long, but it's a quick read)

There are too many Christians who falsely believe that we are to somehow and miraculously BE LIKE Christ in the flesh!

How often do we hear:

  • Don't listen to this kind of music
  • Don't watch television
  • Don't go to "R" rated movies
  • Don't drink alcoholic beverages
  • Don't...
  • Don't.....
  • Don't.......

Now as a Pastor, I would never advocate sin (or sinning), but I feel compelled to reach out to those of you who may be more mature in Christ and might be ready to understand (once and for all) the whole Biblical Truth regarding this issue...

First, we must start with the missing piece in the chain of these commonly quoted Scriptures, such as: 1 John 2:15-17, Ephesians 5:1-11, 2 Corinthians 6:17, among many others...

2 Corinthians 5:16 - Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.

Do you see what that says? It says "Even though we have known Christ in the flesh, we don't anymore!". How can Paul say, "they don't any longer"? He said that, because what was flesh is now Spirit! (Every single Bible commentator has missed this)

Now, Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:1 "to be imitators of him, inasmuch as he is an imitator of Christ", Ephesians 5:1 too, tells us to be "Imitators of God"... But how can we do this in the flesh I would ask you? We can't! Jesus is not flesh and we "no longer know him as flesh". It is our works "in the Spirit", not the outwardly, that teaches, "do not touch, do not handle, do not eat, etc" (Colossians 2:21) Is not "lusting after the flesh" the same as "lusting to change the flesh"? Spending all of your time concerning yourself about touching, tasting, handling becomes a form of "idol worship" if you believe what Paul teaches in Colossians 2.

Finally, the below words exemplify what I am attempting to share with you today...

Philippians 3:3 - For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh...

Paul teaches us again and again that "the flesh is dead" (Romans 6:11, Romans 7:4, Romans 8:10, etc). If the flesh is indeed dead, how is it that we still seek to "perfect the flesh"? If your flesh is indeed dead and Christ was nailed to the cross along with ALL OF your sins (both past, present and future ones too), then what more can you accomplish, that Christ's sacrifice did not?

Please, if you hold another understanding of Scripture, please do not dismiss what I have shared outright. I would encourage and exhort each and every one of you to not take my word for anything I have written here today, but please be like a Berean and search the Scriptures for yourself to find out if the things I have told you are true.