The Baker

 

 

”The children gather wood, the fathers kindle fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods, to provoke me to anger.” (Jeremiah 7:18)

Churchianity is like cakes that provoke God to anger. It has many ingredients (denominations) that taken separately are not very tasty. A raw egg, a spoonful of dry flour, and a little salt does not taste very good.

When you get the Chief Baker/Head Chef (Jesus Christ) involved who knows the recipe and how to blend all ingredients together you have the real deal (Christianity) - not an earthly organization - a Body of Believers who follow the Recipe (Word of God) and seek first the Kingdom of Heaven... https://mlf1070.blogspot.com/2023/05/gospel.html

 

"Body of Christ" Believers who have the Holy Spirit are fully able to discern what the scriptures teach, as the Spirit shows them. It plainly tells us "the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things..." (1 John 2:27).

 

Christ is our Mediator, we don't need to go to a priest, or anyone else, to be able to understand the truth. When we seek God with our whole heart, the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth to us.

You Are Cordially Invited to share your Christian experience with Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group... https://mlf1070.blogspot.com/2021/01/renew.html

 

Freedom Documents

 

​

America: E Pluribus Unum -  Neither a “Melting Pot, nor a Salad Bowl”

 

From the earliest days of America’s history, our forebears offered frequent and fervent prayers of thanksgiving to God. In our giant compilation of America’s great historical documents, called THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS, we include the very first Thanksgiving Proclamation rendered in this new land. The date was June 20, 1676. On this day, the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, held a meeting to determine how best to express thanks for the blessings of Divine Providence that had seen their community securely established. By unanimous vote they instructed Edward Rawson, the clerk, to proclaim June 29 as a day of thanksgiving, America’s first. America’s first Thanksgiving Proclamation says in part (spelling in the original): 

The Council has thought meet to appoint and set apart the 29th day of this instant June, as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God for such his Goodness and Favour, many Particulars of which mercy might be Instanced, but we doubt not those who are sensible of God’s Afflictions, have been as diligent to espy him returning to us; and that the Lord may behold us as a People offering Praise and thereby glorifying Him; the Council doth commend it to the Respective Ministers, Elders and people of this Jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to keep the same Beseeching that being perswaded by the mercies of God we may all, even this whole people offer up our bodies and souls as a living and acceptable Service unto God by Jesus Christ.

I don’t think it was coincidental or circumstantial that one hundred years from this day (almost to the day) the Continental Congress received Richard Henry Lee’s resolution for a Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. (We have Richard Henry Lee’s Resolution for Independence in THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS as well.)

All told, we have 212 full-size (8½ x 11) pages containing 57 of the greatest documents of American history compiled under ONE title. We call this magnificent collection THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS. There isn’t another book like it in existence. This book is absolutely essential to the knowledge of American history.

THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS are being printed and distributed RIGHT NOW.

The first Thanksgiving Proclamation issued by the revolutionary Continental Congress was on November 1, 1777, and authored by Samuel Adams. It reads in part: 

FORASMUCH as it is the indispensible duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to Him for benefits received . . . 

It is therefore recommended . . . to set apart THURSDAY the eighteenth day of December next, for SOLEMN THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE: That at one time and with one voice, the good people may express the grateful feeling of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their DIVINE BENEFACTOR: and that, together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor; and their humble and earnest supplications that it may please God through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance . . . . That it may please him . . . to prosper the means of religion, for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth “IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY IN THE Holy Ghost.” {Quoting Romans 14:17}

Remember, Sam Adams penned this Thanksgiving Proclamation in the midst of the Revolutionary War, when the sufferings from war were at their worst—and when the outcome of the war was very much in doubt.

After our War for Independence had been successfully concluded and our Constitution and Bill of Rights had been adopted, a motion was made in Congress to initiate the proclamation of a National Day of Thanksgiving.

Mr. Elias Boudinot (who was the President of Congress during the American Revolution) said he could not think of letting the congressional session pass over without offering an opportunity to all the citizens of the United States of joining with one voice in returning to Almighty God their sincere thanks for the many blessings He had poured down upon them. Mr. Roger Sherman (a signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution) justified the practice of thanksgiving on any signal event not only as a laudable one in itself but as warranted by a number of precedents in Holy Writ. This example he thought worthy of a Christian imitation on the present occasion, and he would agree with the gentleman who moved the resolution.

The following is taken from the Congressional Record (U.S. Senate), September 26, 1789 (the House version passed on September 25): 

Resolved, That a joint committee of both Houses be appointed to wait on the President of the United States, to request that he would recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed, by acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a constitution of government for their safety and happiness.

Ordered, That Messrs. Boudinot, Sherman, and Sylvester be appointed of the said committee on the part of this House.

Resolved, That the Senate do concur in the above recited resolution, and that Messrs. Johnson and Izard be the committee on the part of the Senate.

This resolution was delivered to President George Washington, who readily agreed with its suggestion and put forth the following proclamation by his signature:

Thanksgiving Proclamation

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanks-giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th. day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks, for His kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of His providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge and in general for all the great and various favors which He hath been pleased to confer upon us.

Given under my hand at the city of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789. George Washington

America’s Pilgrim and Patriot forebears led our country in offering continual prayers of thanksgiving to God. They genuinely believed that America’s independence, peace and prosperity were due to a divine work of providence from the hand of a merciful, benevolent Creator and Redeemer.

Tragically, the spirit of humility and thanksgiving that birthed this great country has all but vanished. When expressions of thanksgiving are extended, they are not rendered to a gracious Divine Providence but to self-aggrandizing politicians. And for the most part, politicians are not humble servants of the people but proud, arrogant, self-serving charlatans. They respect neither the Natural Laws of God nor the constitutions of the people who elected them. Even worse is the fact that many (if not most) professing Christians seem to prefer their politicians that way.

But only people who are filled with the spirit of humility and gratitude can expect the favor and blessing of Heaven. As one reads America’s history, he or she must be impressed with the spirit of humility and gratitude that commonly resided within the hearts of the great men and women who birthed and built this once-free nation.

Read the great documents contained in THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS, and one will easily see this spirit of thanksgiving resident in the hearts of America’s patriots—past and present:

From the Mayflower Compact to Patrick Henry’s Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death speech to the personal letters between John and Abigail Adams to the Virginia Bill of Rights to Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis to Ben Franklin’s Call to Prayer to America’s Declaration of Independence to George Washington’s Farewell Address to William Barret Travis’ Letter to The People of Texas at the Alamo to Grover Cleveland’s First Inaugural Address and to Ron Paul’s Farewell Address to Congress, one will read and sense the ubiquitous spirit of respect and reverence for and thanksgiving to Almighty God and the principles of Natural Law.

Once again, THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS are available RIGHT NOW. Our supply will not last long. Now you can have the great documents of American history at your fingertips in one beautiful volume.

To learn more or to order THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS, go here:

THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

© Chuck Baldwin

 

The Doctrine of Inspiration

 

 

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. | Artwork from Bible.art

The Doctrine of Inspiration 

Guest Contributor: Dr. James Bruggemen

The New Testament itself must be counted among the historical documentation of Christ. For example, Luke, a respected and learned physician and historian, wrote the Gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles. He became intimately associated with Paul and many others of Christ’s disciples.

The British archaeologist and historian, Sir William Ramsey, attested to Luke’s accuracy in the minutest detail and validated Luke’s writing through his own archaeological endeavors.

In his gospel, notice how Luke opened his account of what happened regarding Jesus.

KJV Luke 1:1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, ….

Luke was therefore writing about an historical person named Herod, king of Judea. Notice similarly in Chapter 3, Luke writes about Herod and other notables:

Luke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, ….

Once again notice that Luke is being very specific. He is doing things in order. He is giving dates, he is naming people, he is giving places, all of which exist in secular records. This is not myth. Contrast that with how we see that many myths begin: “Once upon a time, in a faraway place, there was a beautiful princess.” No names, no dates, no places. Luke’s account can be verified. And it does check out.

Turning back to Dr. David Noebel’s work, he summarizes the point we are making in this passage. QUOTE:

Jesus Christ was a historical figure. Furthermore, the honest critic must believe that the New Testament accurately describes His words and actions. Even without modern archaeological support of the New Testament, the character of Christ as, presented by the gospel writers, is too powerful and unique to be merely an exaggerated account.

The words and actions of Christ must be real; they are too incredible to have been fabricated. Humanist author, historian Will Durant recognizes this. He says, “That a few simple men should in one generation have invented so powerful and appealing a personality, so lofty an epic and so inspiring a vision of human brotherhood, would be a miracle far more incredible than any recorded in the gospels. After two centuries of higher criticism, the outlines of the life, character, and teaching of Christ do remain reasonably clear and constitute the most fascinating feature in the history of Western man.” END QUOTE

It would seem that there is no escape for the non-Christian. Not only is Christ a historical figure, but the Bible is a trustworthy historical document, and its revealed character of Christ is indisputably genuine. As one observer points out, “The unbeliever seems trapped by cold hard facts.”

Now if you are not inclined in the direction of typical Christianity, as was the case with me when I entered the Ohio State University, the most irritating aspect of the line of argumentation is probably this:

It depends in no sense on theology. He (Noebel) is talking about the historicity of Christ and the Bible. It does not depend on theology. It rests solely and squarely upon historical methods, the kind of methods all of us, whether Christians, rationalists, agnostics, or Tibetan monks have to use in analyzing historical data. 

Therefore, with the New Testament now seen as an accurate historical record, we must face the facts of its evidence about Jesus the Christ. It says He rose from the dead, and it says that He was God in the flesh. Now remember, the circular reasoning charge from earlier in this chapter?

We are now tying it all together by the following logical progression to show how this confounds those who charge Bible believers with circular reasoning:

Step 1, the New Testament is an accurate historical record. We have given a few samples, not the full proof.

Step 2, the New Testament provides evidence that Christ is God.

Step 3, if Christ is God, then what He says is true, for He is an infallible authority.

Step 4, Christ, the infallible authority, in many instances (examples later) attested to the veracity of Scriptures. He stated that they were the Words of God.

Step 5, if the Bible is the Word of God, then it is all true, because God does not lie.

By the way, we once again see demonstrated in those five steps, the incredible importance of the doctrine of the Deity of Christ. If Christ is not God, it all falls apart.

As you read the Bible, you will come across many things, not only what Christ stated about the Scriptures, but also that which the Bible says about itself in many places. Here follows a few specifics about what the Bible says about itself:

It speaks of how the inspiration of the Bible is expressed in the Bible, because hundreds of times it has words like these: “Thus saith the LORD  [Yahweh].”*

We find examples in Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 13:1 Thus saith the LORD [Yahweh] unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water

Another phrase:

Jeremiah 1:9: Then the LORD [Yahweh] put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD [Yahweh] said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

Then, we often see the phrase, “The word of the LORD [Yahweh] came unto…”

Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD [Yahweh] came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Or we find this phrase: “As the Holy Ghost saith…”

Hebrews 3:7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

Alternatively, many times we will find, “It is written,…” as in:

Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

We also find it when Satan was tempting Christ. And, how did Christ reply to the adversary each and every time? By appealing to the Scriptures as the final and absolute authority.

Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him [Satan], It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the LORD [Yahweh] thy God.

That is how inspiration is expressed in the Scriptures. How is it accomplished? In other words, what is the mode of inspiration? It is through various men, in various ways, as it says in Hebrews:

Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,…

What were some of those diverse manners? Dreams – Daniel; visions – Ezekiel; voice – John in Revelation heard the voice; inner impulse – which prophet was depressed at many stages in his life (the Weeping Prophet) because the people would not listen? In Jeremiah 20, he said:

Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him [speaking of God because he was so depressed], nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

Of course, it goes on because Jeremiah could not stop preaching because he had an inner impulse. It was like fire in his bones, he had to preach.

2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

In whatever manner, these men were moved: dreams, visions, inner impulse, in various ways. What does the Bible say its results will be?

Jeremiah 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD [Yahweh]; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

There are many other ways that we could describe the results, what the Bible says that it will do and how it does it, but let’s list a few.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

That is one of the results. The Bible—the Word of God—will make you wise, and it will make you knowledgeable about salvation. Verse 16 will probably be one of the main verses throughout this book. In verse 17, it goes on to say, for the purpose “that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” One other verse in Hebrews:

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

That is what the Word of God does to us and in us. It is a discerner of our thoughts and of the intents of our hearts. Have you felt that? I have. It can indeed be piercing and uncomfortable many times.

If you have not felt the Bible piercing you, figuratively speaking, dividing asunder your soul and spirit, and where it is discerning, it points out, it is holding a mirror to you, and says “This is what you really are. This is how you think in your heart, and this is how your attitude really is.”

If you have not experienced that, either you are not a Christian, or you are not yet out of the stage of Christian infancy. How does one get out of that stage? Get deeper into God’s Word.

As this chapter closes, our attitude towards the Bible is very important. How are we going to approach this study of Which Bible, Which Version? I hope you will join with me in approaching it with an attitude like this:  

“Just show me, Lord, because I do not know… I am lost without You and Your guidance, which is the guidance of Your Holy Spirit.”

Our attitude towards the Bible equals our attitude towards Christ. He is the Word made flesh, is He not? If we believe Him, not just believe in Him, but if we believe Him, then we must of necessity believe all that He has said.

I believe that He has said everything in the Bible. Our problem now, the one that we are working through together in these chapters, is this: Of all the versions available, which claim to be all that He has said, which is the one that actually is all that He has said?

In closing this chapter, and as we go on in this study, we want to make sure we are searching our hearts and making sure that our heart attitude is correct. As we proceed next, we will be digging much deeper into some of the things that we have just skimmed across to this point, including Biblical inerrancy, and plenary and verbal inspiration versus conceptual inspiration.

________

* The KJV and many other versions have removed the Holy Name / Sacred Name from the Scriptures. The translators/publishers have indicated that omission and  replacement by inserting the word LORD (in all capital letters).

When quoting the Bible, we almost always add the Holy Name back in—at least by putting it in [brackets] adjacent to “the LORD.” Yes, we recognize there is disagreement on whether the name was/is Yahweh or Jehovah or several other variations. We have studied that issue in great detail and are persuaded it is Yahweh. But we do not advocate a “church split” over that issue.  

You Are Cordially Invited to share your Christian experience with Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group... https://mlf1070.blogspot.com/2021/01/renew.html

 

Renew Your Strength is not a "know-it-all" type ministry. The purpose of Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong.

 

Over the years, as Renew Your Strength has continued to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have recognized that some of the things we once held as true, in fact, are not; and therefore we will not “cast in stone” a statement of our beliefs. We reserve the right to be wrong and to repent of such error when we discover it.  

 

To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

 

Pure Religion

 

 

Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. ~ James 1:27

"To visit orphans and widows" means

to actively care for the most vulnerable members of society. This scripture, goes beyond a simple drop-in; it involves looking after orphans and widows with active, personal concern, which includes providing for their needs and offering protection and support. It is considered a fundamental expression of pure and undefiled faith, demonstrating love through compassionate action rather than just words.

 

Many Churches sponsor and/or operate orphans homes, hospitals, and homeless shelters, but rarely do Church members do more than put money in the collection plate. What if every member adopted one non-handicapped person in their city and helped them become self-sufficient.

  

I try to practice what I "preach." In 1973 my friend, Jerry, was building a deck for his neighbor. I was sitting on the tailgate of his truck when his electric saw hit a knot and jerked sideways cutting off all four fingers and thumb of his left hand. I rushed him to the ER. The doctor was able to save his fingers, but not his thumb. At the time of this accident, he had three small children and one on the way.

 

I went to every Church in town asking them to help this family with rent and groceries until Jerry was able to return to work. Not a one would left a finger. Excuse Number 1: They said they could not help because Jerry was not a member of their Church. Excuse Number 2: That's what the welfare is for they said.

 

So, the people in the trailer park where Jerry lived supported him. They did not care what Church Jerry attended, or didn't attend. Jerry's family would have starved to death waiting on the welfare check to kick in. I made sure they had plenty of groceries. From that experience, I learned that what the Bible calls "pure and undefiled religion" is often not found in Churches.

 

I decided if I see someone in need, I would help. I have given people cars (used, but in good condition) to help them over a rough spot. I have given my credit card to single Moms and told them to buy all the groceries they needed. The most any of them ever charged was $134. I have paid rent for people for months. I have bought furniture and appliances for people whose house burned down. There are millions of people who need a hand up that Christians could offer to help. 

 

The Bible says that

charity is a core principle of faith, encouraging believers to give generously and compassionately to those in need as a reflection of God's love. Key themes include giving cheerfully, helping the poor and weak, and showing love through action, with scripture emphasizing that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." People would rather see a sermon than to hear a sermon.

 

 

SeYah is a God-inspired, one-of-a-kind Humanitarian Funding Program that allows everybody to do a little, so nobody will have to do a lot... https://healthseekers.blogspot.com/2025/08/funding.html

 

  

You Are Cordially Invited to share your Christian experience with Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group... https://mlf1070.blogspot.com/2021/01/renew.html 

 

Seeking Truth

 

 

The Truth about the Truth. Christians who are loyal to their church don't want to hear The Truth. They want to hear what they already believe is truth even if it isn't. And every week they get to hear some preacher tell them what they like to hear. 

 

Organized religion is Satan's masterful trick that deceives the whole world. Religion sounds good, looks good, and feels good, all the while deflecting man's attention away from the Kingdom of God that Jesus announced. 

 

To organized religion it seems right to incorporate a Church name, have an earthly headquarters, put up a building, hire a preacher, and go into business, but what seems right may not be right. ~ Proverbs 14:12

 

Jesus never promised His followers a "mansion in heaven", He promised a Kingdom on earth. One reason people have a hard time believing the Gospel (Good News) is because it seems too good to be true. A man named Jesus/Yahshua claims to be the Son of God, comes down from heaven and is birthed of a virgin, grows up like any other human, takes all the sins of the world on Himself, dies on a cross, rises from the grave, promises to resurrect all people from the dead, and offers them eternal life in His Kingdom? Yeah, right... that's too good to be true.

So, organized religion created a "reasonable" Jesus. He loves you, but will send you to an ever-burning hell if you mess up. He will not resurrect you, He will "rapture" you. You must belong to the "right" church or you will burn in hell forever. You must go through certain rituals, wear your collar backwards, pray, light candles, give 10% of your income to a Church organization, celebrate His birthday, and hunt Easter eggs to honor Him. Now that makes sense to the carnal mind. We can handle that "truth."

 

Basically, Churchianity teaches the same lie that Satan told Eve: "You will not surely die, you will go to heaven and be like God." All the "bad" people will spend eternity in an ever burning hell. These two doctrines meet will overwhelming approval by many Churchgoers. Jesus said: Broad is the way that leads to destruction.  

 

Churchianity says if you are not a member of our "one and only true church," you have no hope of salvation. Jesus says in Mark 9:38-41..."if they are not against us, they are on our side." Was Cornelius a member of any church? Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation (or denomination) whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." ~ Acts 10:34-35

These "one and only churches" remind me of Elijah who said to God, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; and I alone am left who serves you. God answered (paraphrased), "Elijah, don't kid yourself, I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to organized religion (protestantism) and every mouth that has not kissed the big toe of St. Peter's statue or the Pope's feet" (paganism). KJV reads sightly different but the gist is the same. ~ 1 Kings 19:14-18

Today, under the New Covenant, God has reserved many millions of zealous people all over the world to be citizens of His Kingdom.

It's been said confession is good for the soul. So I confess... I once was a smug Christian. I belonged to the "one and only true church." I was "saved", and everybody that did not worship like me was going to an ever-burning hell to be tortured for all eternity. What a warped view I was taught by preachers about my Heavenly Father's love, mercy, and forgiveness. Praise the LORD, He rescued me from Churchianity.

 

God is not confined to Temples, Church buildings, or earthly organizations. He chose the human heart as His dwelling place. As it is written: "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" ~ 1 Corinthians 3:16 

 

Christians have nothing to be smug about. We are not righteous (or saved) people telling other people they need to "get saved" and join the right Church, rather we are one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. God is not impressed by Church names, eloquent speeches, or religious clothing. He responds to trust and obedience. Sometimes, the ones who assume they are entitled to blessing are the very ones who miss it.

As Paul wrote in Philippians 2:11-13... Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  

 

It's a 24/7 job minding our own business. As it is written, "Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand". ~ Romans 14:4. What others do with the gift of salvation is their business. No Church organization has a franchise on God, or a monopoly on the truth. The Church that Jesus built is not an earthly organization, it's a Body of Believers who are seeking first the Kingdom of God.

 

Trees frequently represent people in the Bible. Because both are created from the earth, grow, and bear fruit, scripture uses trees as a primary metaphor for human character, actions, and spiritual condition. If you are Believer in Jesus Christ you may branch out in another direction from the other branches but we are all rooted in Christ. As it is written: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." ~ John 15:5. Your Church is not the root. ~ Romans 11:16-18

 

Millions of Christians worldwide read the same Bible, worship the same God, and believe in the same Savior - yet will not fellowship with another church group. The difference between a Church member and a Disciple of Christ is: a Church member follows the doctrines of their denomination, a Disciple follows Jesus Christ. ~ 1 John 2:3-6 

 

What American Christians don't understand about Christians in various denominations and Believers in foreign countries could fill a football stadium. The gap in understanding within American Christianity, points to vast differences in practices, beliefs, and challenges faced by diverse denominations (like Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant) and fellow Believers globally, where Christianity often looks and functions very differently, from persecuted minorities in some Muslim-majority nations to vibrant, distinct expressions in places like Latin America or Africa, showcasing a spectrum from individualism to deep communal faith often unseen by many U.S. Christians who believe their denomination has a franchise on God and a monopoly on Truth.

 

The Levitical, Apostolic, and Christian ministries are not competing offices, but are ministries of revelation and maturation, each serving the unveiling of Christ’s completed work until His life is fully expressed in sons. As it is written: For it was fitting for Him (Jesus), for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

 

Read Ephesians 4, it explains God's plan to bring unity out of religious confusion. 

It seems Christians are the easiest people for Satan to fool. He was able to persuade a third of the angels to rebel against God, so we should not be to hard on babes in Christ who cling to traditions of man. It is very difficult for immature Christians to understand the difference between Churchianity and Christianity. Satan is not stupid, he counterfeits the word of God and always makes disobedience seem like harmless fun. God always gives us a choice. We can choose to believe the Truth of the Bible, or we can choose the lies of the Adversary.

 

Organized religion builds cathedrals and temples of stone. Jesus teaches that His Temple is made of living stones. ~ 1 Peter 2:4-6. The Church that Jesus built is not an earthly organization, it's a Body of Believers who are seeking first the Kingdom of Heaven. True Christian assembly is with Believers, not institutions. Believers are individuals, searching for God by revelation, perseverance, and personal conviction. They worship in spirit and in truth, not in Articles of Faith, dogmatic ritual, or by unction from a hireling clergy. 

 

 

Steve Harvey said it best, "church" is nothing but a building. THE CHURCH is the activity that goes on inside and outside of that building." 

 

Jesus said; "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” He did not say if you agree 100% on every doctrine. ~ John 13:35

 

Christians will never understand, or agree on, Bible doctrines 100% correctly until the return of Christ, but we can try our best to live a life of overcoming. God does not expect, or demand, perfection. He only wants His children to be grateful and obedient. We are judged by our works, (obedience) not our church membership. As it is written: And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.  ~ Revelation 20:12 

Spirit Filled Believers of Jesus Christ are The Church. The Name on the Meeting House Does Not Matter.

 

Christianity is not a religion, it's the government of God. The Body of Christ (the true church) is unified with judicial order and accountability to Yahweh, and each other. Organized religion has set itself up outside the judicial order of God creating man-made doctrines, creeds, and their own religious holidays.

The founding of the modern day Churches of Christ was an attempt to unify Christian sects under one banner. In 1809 Thomas Campbell (1763-1854), a Presbyterian minister, and his son, Alexander (1788–1866) wrote the foundational document calling for Christian unity with the famous slogan, "Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent.

The Campbell's reform efforts evolved into the formation of the Disciples of Christ and the Churches of Christ. In 1832, their movement merged with the Kentucky-based "Christians" led by Barton W. Stone (1772–1844), also a former Presbyterian minister. Stone became famous for leading the massive, highly emotional Cane Ridge Revival in 1801. He and his followers rejected creeds, choosing simply to call themselves "Christians."  

 

The Churches of Christ inherited their no musical instruments in worship from Scots-Irish Presbyterian music that blends sacred Bible psalms with the haunting, rhythmic sounds of Scottish and Irish folk melodies. Rooted in the Protestant Reformation, this music crossed the ocean with Ulster immigrants and deeply shaped the roots of American Churches of Christ. 

 

Fanny J. Crosby was a was a longtime member of the Sixth Avenue Bible Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. Many of the songs she wrote are in Church of Christ hymn books. But according to Church of Christ doctrine, Ms Crosby has no hope of salvation... she belonged to the "wrong" Church.

 

Different people have different callings. All Christians are called (invited) to enter the Kingdom of God as born again family members. As in any family, there are different personalities, different abilities, different likes and dislikes. We readily accept those differences in our human family, but we want to debate who is "right or "wrong" in our Church family. 

Christians will never agree 100% on doctrines until Christ returns and sets us all straight. You learn nothing from Jesus Christ if you think you are right all the time.

If you want to haggle over the names of churches, the exact phrase "the Church of Christ" (singular) isn't found in any version of Bible translations, but

the plural "churches of Christ" appears only once in Romans 16:16. Church of God appears eight times. There is no Catholic church, no Baptist church, no SDA, no LDS, no JW, etc. named in the Bible. As it is written: The general assembly of God and church of the first-born are registered in heaven (not a corporation registered on earth)  ~ Hebrews 12:23.

 

• Acts 20:28
  Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

  
  
• 1 Corinthians 1:2
  To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

  
  
• 1 Corinthians 10:32
  Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God.

  
  
• 1 Corinthians 11:16
  But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.

  
  
• 1 Corinthians 11:22
  What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

  
  
• For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

  
  
• 2 Corinthians 1:1
  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

  
  
• Galatians 1:13
  For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.
   

The Church in the wilderness predates all denominations. Acts 7:38 Stephen describes Moses as being with the "church in the wilderness" (or congregation/assembly).

Why So Many Denominations? 

 

 

You are cordially invited to join Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group

 

 

The purpose of this post is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong. To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.