That They Should Believe A Lie!

All scripture is taken from the ASV unless otherwise noted.

It is with the utmost respect to the great host of people in the world, that believe Biblical miracles are given today, that I share this article. I do have a sense of Christian consideration for those among us that claim to harbor some, or all of the supernatural gifts that we can read of in the word of God. However, I must be blunt and upfront. I remain very skeptical of such assertions for a number of reasons.

Joseph Smith, as most people know, claimed divine spiritual contact with God, Jesus and angels in dreams or visions. He claimed to have conversed with all of them. In fact, he claimed to be a most important, “prophet,” of God. In short, Smith claimed he was told by God, that there were no religions on earth that were true to His word. Smith said that he was told by God to plant a new church that would have the earmarks, and also the blessings of God.

Anyone familiar with the word of God, the Bible, should know this to be a false claim. Keep in mind that in Smith’s particular era, visions and the like were due in part to a great religious revivalism that was under way across the nation. Not to mention, the practices of what would be considered, “sleight of hand magic,” such as glass looking, rod divining, card reading, etc, etc.

And so, what does the Bible say? “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,” Galatians 1:13. It is indeed ironic that the Mormons claim that their book of Mormon is, “another gospel,” of Jesus Christ. A most glaring inconsistancy with the Bible. One should be able to see through this facade and steer clear. Herein lies the problem. People are easily led because they do not possess Biblical knowledge!

Joseph Smith was not the first to employ such means to deceive good people, and it is a sure bet that he will not be the last. The Bible is not quiet relating to this subject. There were false prophets spoken of in the Old Testament, as well as in the New Testament. These false prophets in most cases were named as being such, and it is not unlikely that in most cases, these imposter’s were dealt with swiftly. Deuteronomy 18:20, backs up this statement.

Yes, in the Bible we read of the prophets of God. However, if one is to actually delve into the subject and study the motives behind God’s employment of prophets, we find a commonality. First and foremost, was God’s desire for His creation to know Him, to hear and to heed Him. And this of course was for mans own good. However, we now can know Him, hear and believe Him through the word (Bible) that He has given us, once and for all time, “Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints,” Jude 1:3.

There is a consideration that we must here deal with. There were many false prophets all claiming to have a direct line to God. In order for God’s people, the Israelites, to know if one was speaking for God, He made the answer plain and clear. It is found once again in Deuteronomy, chapter 18, verse 21. We read: “And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

I will presume to say, that this process still stands to this very day. But I will go further and say that all folks that claim to speak for God independently of the Word that He has given to each and everyone of us, unfortunately is a false prophet. Some find this a harsh condemnation. I aver that when the apostle that Jesus loved, John, died, from that time until now, we have not had one proven prophet come from God.

The Bible tells me that all of the supernatural gifts that were bestowed by God, would soon come to an end. “Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known,” 1 Corinthians 13:8-12. What is this thing called, Perfect?

The Bible most always speaks of Gods words, and will, as being, “Perfect.” Most notably, in the Old Testament. Passages such as, 2 Samuel 22:31, 1Kings 8:61; 20:3, and many others. Naturally, we have to assume that the, “Perfect,” in 1Corinthians, as being the will, or, “word,” of God as well.

It would stand to reason that once mankind had received the word, the New Testament, in it’s entirety, as God would have it, there would be no more need for these gifts that we are told were temporal. They were temporal, however, they were necessary in the beginning, in order for the establishment of Christ’s church.

What do the prophets say about the Bible, the word of God? Hebrews 4:12 says, “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’s a mighty powerful statement about this book that we call the Bible.

Finally, we must beg the question, why would God need prophets now at this point in time if the Bible is all sufficient, and final, and the church is fully established? The Word of God is what saves. The hearing of the Word is what troubles a person’s soul to the point of needing to obey Jesus’ gospel to be saved. Also, how is one to prove that they have the gift of miracles? We are told to, “prove the spirits, whether they be from God.” ” Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world,” 1 John 4:1.

I hear of the, “tongue speakers,” today and I am truly alarmed. What would be the purpose for speaking in tongues? These folks do not even follow Paul’s advice to make sure an interpreter is present during these supposed inspired public events. I have heard people comment that attended one of these so called worship services, that they thought the people were indeed mad! Lo and behold. This is the very thing Paul says about this practice in 1Corinthians 14:23, “If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad?”

During the days of the apostles, many wonderful signs were given from God. People would behold these magnificent signs, and thousands were led to believe in Christ. However, the church has been firmly established, and there will be no more signs from God. People have the Word now, and all have the same opportunity to respond to the Holy Bible’s invitation that God has given. He is not a respecter of persons. He will not give one person a sign, and not another. This would be a contradiction on Gods part, and we know this is an impossibility.

In conclusion, I know that there are many fine folks in the world today that just have to have miracles of some sort in order to believe. I’m sorely afraid that the miracle that is searched for is right before us all. It is the Bible Itself!

Study for yourself about how the Bible has come down to us. That my friends, is a miracle of miracles in and of itself. And then, add to that the miracles recorded within its pages. If that is not enough miracles for anyone, I just don’t know what is.

True, “bend the laws of nature,” miracles do not exist today, except on a providential scale (through prayer). If people would truly study the Word of God, they would understand this fact.

“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe4100 a lie,” 2 Thessalonians 2:10,11.(KJV)

For more information concerning Biblical miracles and such, click here

Religious Debate-A Forgotten Medium

There’s an old adage that I’ve heard many times in my life that in effect says, “do not discuss politics nor religion with strangers or more importantly, those that you wish to remain friends with.” Personal experience seems to bear this statement to be quite true.

We have of course, over the years, acquired our own philosophies based upon the premises of our own reasoning, whether it be political or religious. Religious thinking over the scriptures has conjured up many various theories within the Christian community. From the onset of the church age, there have been countless hypothesis in an attempt to uncover the many Biblical truths that reside within that Book.

Years ago, religious debate was very active, encouraged and considered quite acceptable. Formal debate consumed many a mans personal time in terms of Biblical study and of course the actual forums. Church buildings and other venues would be at times filled to capacity by people, which could be likened to attending a sporting event today.

Debate was a wonderful route to religious knowledge, not only for those actively involved, but also for those that were in attendance. It caused many a mind to open and study the Word as had never been done in over a thousand years. Religious debate in my opinion is still beneficial, and, can still be a spring board for people to advance their Biblical knowledge.

There are problems, however, that need to be approached in a forthright manner. When we consider the many aspects of religious differences, there are of course a number of items that collectively make up our sometimes preconceived conceptions on any given topic. And these are what can and do hinder our ability to embrace the opposite side of the coin in debate, when one can see and understand that their position is flawed. In my opinion many a person has remained on a questionable side of debate for reasons that would not be considered honorable.

Our past history as children, our family, mom and dad’s belief system, has much to do with our mindset today of course. Influence at the church we were raised in will weigh in quite heavily as well. And although we have gone through many changes since our early days, we remain influenced by these past happenstances all the same. Another adage that would fit this idea is, “the fruit does not fall far from the tree.” And this rings true in most cases. I have witnessed folks a few times admit defeat in their reasoning, only to remain with their affiliation after all.

Also, with another thought, what seems totally logical to one person, would never be sufficient for another. The reasoning just would not jostle the stance one has already firmly grasped onto over time. This is the reason that there are so many differing religious denominations throughout the world even now.

I have to say that I have personally never witnessed a religious debate in which at the end of the argumentation, either party was totally convinced, admitted defeat, and crossed over to the opposing side. Why is this? I believe in more than a few cases, “pride,” enters into the picture. We humans have a hard time with our perceptions of, “losing.” It seems we view losing as shameful, and weak. This should not be. Jesus went to the cross in a seemingly losing position. It seemed He was defeated both in debate and physically. But we know that He actually was victorious. He finally won and in the process won souls. And with this in mind we must never debate for the sake of winning, except that we debate for the purpose of winning souls for Christ!

With another thought in mind, often, religious debates degenerate down to the lowly level of personal attacks upon those ingaged in religious battle. It is quite easy to see that this is wrong and should be avoided at all costs. However, passion runs deep somtimes, and we can very easily be caught up in the heat of the moment. We will not help the cause of God in this manner, this we must know.

We find this to bear out as true within Biblical examples also. Jesus, the Master debater, argued most often with those that opposed Him and His teachings. The Pharisees were most rigid in their beliefs. Jesus challenged them as no one had ever done.

The Pharisees could see and understand that Jesus was on the winning side of the debates that He had with them. Their reasons for remaining firmly entrenched in their beliefs were various. Prestige and power would most likely be the number one reason. Many times however, some may have felt that they were indeed right, and on the proper side. However, many times we see that the Pharisees were angered beyond all reasoning and logic and lashed out with personal attacks regularly.

In conclusion I will ask, “is religious debate wrong?” Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Do these verses sound as though debate is wrong? “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few,” Acts 17:11,12.

Debate was used by prophets, Jesus, the apostles and Christs disciples for centuries and, if performed correctly can be very beneficial and even may save some souls from the fiery darkness of hell itself. With this knowledge readers, check daily whether Biblical doctrine is true, or, if you have been deluded into believing a lie or lies.