tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19974629523701649552024-03-05T14:40:24.673+08:00Fundamental Baptist ChristianFaith alone. Grace alone. Scripture alone. In Christ alone. Glory to God alone. All articles free to share and God bless!FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comBlogger1979125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-86823652819461876942021-05-11T22:57:00.006+08:002021-05-11T23:02:12.725+08:00Pointing You All to the Wordpress Blog, Reformed Baptist Christian Blogger<p>Well, it looks like this blog will still be up but no longer be updated. That means some posts in here may get updated. However, I may update some posts here and there to the new blog. The URL can be found here: <a href="https://reformedbaptistchristianblogger.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span>Reformed Baptist Christian</span></a></p><p>I may have decided to move from David W. Cloud's style of fundamentalism (that is, non-Calvinist respecting Calvinist brethren) to becoming more or less a Calvinist. I've decided to move away from moderate fundamentalism (which was my starting point, I soon started to attend a fundamental Baptist church where it's KJV Only after some time I stagnated in my Christian faith (and I was the only saved person), and they say, "Well, why don't you just attend mass. It's just the same!" Well, I finally managed to go to church slowly but it wasn't easy. I longed to be in fellowship but as said, I really was constrained and too afraid to talk about it. All that lack of fellowship in my college years (plus studying in a Catholic university) stunted my growth while I went to Christian bookstores and talked with fellow believers. However, my performance was anything but satisfactory due to self-reliance. </p><p>Right now, I feel going to a Reformed church might be the best. Sure, there are still good fundamentalists out there. Some of my friends have moved from fundamentalists to reformed without otherwise estranging from the good fundamentalist brethren. Cloud did a good expose against the late Jack Hyles (which at first, I felt he was but misinformed by some "elaborate Jesuit scheme") and some Baptist churches that have fallen apart due to easy-believism. If fundamentalists like Cloud can embrace Calvinist brethren then I've got no problem with that. Some KJV Onlyists are still embracing non-KJV Onlyists. I'm fine with KJV Onlyism as long as they don't practice Ruckmanism or become extreme about it. Cloud so far still believes that the Gospel isn't shrouded by what he considers as "inferior translations". </p><p>Pretty much, family is family. Soli Deo Gloria! </p>FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-7102061734861368472021-01-15T20:32:00.008+08:002021-04-12T12:26:52.243+08:00All Future Posts May Be Located At Reformed Blogging Until Further Notice<p>It's been ten years since this blog started. Yes, this blog is still up for references. Old articles may get edited for errors when need be. However, I decided that it may be time to finally decided that maybe, just maybe, most of my future posts will be found here at <a href="https://reformedblogging.blogspot.com/2021/01/im-trying-to-understand-more-about-free.html" target="_blank">Reformed Blogging</a>. <br /></p><p>Reasons? I was thinking about that while I started out being a Fundamental Baptist - I feel more like shifting towards Reformed Theology. Sure, there are Fundamental Baptists out there (such as David W. Cloud) who embrace Calvinists while rejecting Calvinism - I feel Calvinism's history actually runs deeper with many of the materials I'm using. The Authorized Version of 1611 (AV1611) commonly known as the King James Version (KJV) was translated by Calvinist scholars. The Reformation provided materials that would be used by the Puritan scholars that would be used to give God's preserved word in English. The Geneva Study Bible by John Calvin would also prove helpful in the formation of the AV1611 or KJV Bible. Without Calvinist scholars, I don't think I'd get what I love to call the best Bible version ever. I still love the KJV and think it's the best Calvinist translation. <br /></p><p>The focus of Reformed Blogging will be on reformed, Calvinistic thoughts. However, I may decide to resume updating this blog again because I don't think Calvinism is a real issue. Cloud has mentioned he has met many Calvinists who show signs of being truly born again while he still rejects Calvinism. John F. MacArthur has also quoted non-Calvinists such as Harry A. Ironside and Aiden W. Tozer in his book "The Gospel According to Jesus". <br /><br />However, do feel free to share posts here when you feel like it. It would still be a blessing to have this blog around. Just that, I think I might focus on Reformed Theology in the meantime. This post may be gone should I decide to update this blog again. Then again, it's highly unlikely that this blog will be updated even when it will still be up for future references. </p><p>Soli Deo Gloria!</p>FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-68590315166437416482020-12-12T22:53:00.001+08:002020-12-13T00:32:49.364+08:00Charity is Not Only During Christmas, It's Meant for the Whole Year Round<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One reason that Christmas can be the most hypocritical time of the year is because of wicked people. Although Jesus-is-Savior by the conspiracy nut David J. Stewart should be avoided - he does have a valid point in talking about hypocritical Christmas charity. Some wicked rich men use Christmas as a time to make it look like they're so good. I've noticed some wicked rich men who have many mistresses and involved in illegal activities use Christmas as their favorite time of the year. Christmas charity is so hypocritical considering that it's really the most materialistic time of the year. Some wicked people act like Santa Claus whenever they do Christmas charities. Doesn't Santa Claus (as a fictional character) only come once-a-year as told in storybooks and those "innocent little white lies"? Well, that's what makes Christmas charity really hypocritical.</div><p>There is a couple of stuff that Stewart and the late Jack T. Chick get a lot about Christmas. They do have some arguments that make a whole lot of sense even if both ministries are running with inconsistencies and half-truths. These are that Christmas may be a time for festivity but it can also be a time of despair and suicide for the homeless. There's a lot of starving, homeless people on Christmas, and all people can think during the season is themselves. Worse, donations are only heavily made during Christmas because people want to look good at Christmas. The two ministries may be best to avoid but they did speak a good amount of truth about Christmas. Christmas is truly the most hypocritical time of the year. Only if somebody can change "wonderful" to "hypocritical" in that annoying song "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year".<br /></p><p>Do you know what the Bible says about charity? Charity is not a once-a-year thing. I don't like giving to most Christmas charities because of the hypocrisy. Instead, I'd be giving to a charity that operates 365 days a year. Too bad some charity projects tend to be like Santa Claus where they operate only once a year. Charity is taught to be done all-year-round! Psalm 41:1 says that the man who considers the poor is blessed. When should you consider the poor? Only during Christmas or should it be all-year-round? There are many poor, helpless people out there yet most of them can only wait for Christmas. What about considering helping them every other time? Has Christmas become the only time to do to good and not the whole year round? It really shows why Christmas is really one of the most hypocritical times of the year. No wonder the Puritans had a good reason to actually hate its celebration. Christmas-only charity fails to really meet real charity that's talked about in 1 Corinthians 13. </p><p>I'm not saying Christmas charities are wrong per se. Some charity institutions operate all year round and not just during Christmas. For some people, Christmas charity means giving more than the usual charity given on regular days. It's because some people may get their year-end Christmas bonuses and 13th-month payments. Some businesses may have much higher income on Christmas so they decide to give more than they do from January to November. Some people would say that they'll allocate some of the money to charity because they've got extra money. It might mean that charities would get to do double goodness during Christmas because they get extra donations than the rest of the year. They do good all year and do even more good during Christmas or any time they get extra donations. That's very different from the wicked who live for themselves for the rest of the year then "make up for it" during Christmas. It's that kind of mentality that can lead any Bible-believing Christian to despise Christmas. I'm not saying Christians should hate Christmas instead of the hypocrisy during Christmas. Christmas charity is only wrong if it's only done for show and when it fails to charity for the rest of the year. </p><p>How can Christians do their Christmas charity? By continuing to reach out to the poor and the homeless. Why would a double charity be the best thing? It's because Christmas is a time for despair and suicide for the homeless. Along with this charity means sharing the Gospel of Jesus with the poor and the homeless. Many do suicide and end up in Hell because they died without Jesus. Not everyone can really be there to approach the poor or homeless. Some Christians are limited to simply giving money. Giving a reasonable small portion of 13th-month pay and Christmas bonus can be a good start such as a tenth of one's income (although New Testament is now silent on tithing), love offering, and faith promises in doubling the charity work at the end of the year based on the Lord's provision. This way Christmas charity is simply part of the 365 days charity drive and not the hypocritical once-a-year Christmas charity.</p><p>Soli Deo Gloria!</p><p>See also:</p><div><ul><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2011/12/worldly-view-of-christmas-is-fatal.html">A Worldly View of Christmas is FATAL POISON</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2018/12/charles-h-spurgeon-saw-christmas-as.html">Charles H. Spurgeon Saw Christmas as a Massive Opportunity for Evangelism</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/12/christmas-eve-meditation-there-was-no.html">Christmas Eve Meditation: There Was No Room in the Inn, No Crib For a Bed</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/12/christmas-is-another-opportunity-to-ram.html">Christmas is Another Opportunity to Ram the Sword of Truth Down Satan's Throat!</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/12/christmas-message-flowers-of-this-world.html">Christmas Message: The Flowers of This World is No Match for the Lord Jesus Christ!</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2014/12/for-he-jesus-shall-save-them-from-their.html">For He (Jesus) Shall Save Them From Their Sins!</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/12/how-christmas-narrative-of-jesus-birth.html">How the Christmas Narrative of Jesus' Birth Contradicts the Worldly View of Christmas</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/12/is-it-okay-for-christians-to-celebrate.html">Is It Okay for Christians to Celebrate Christmas?</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/12/jesus-christ-as-son-of-david-son-of.html">Jesus Christ as the Son of David, Son of Mary, Lord of All</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2018/12/lost-people-love-christmas-until-they.html">Lost People Love Christmas Until They Realize the Bad News Behind Why Jesus Was Born in Human Flesh</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/12/peoples-behavior-during-christmas.html">People's Behavior During the Christmas Season Proves Humanity Is Not Basically Good</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/12/remember-christ-became-man-so-man-can.html">Remember Christ Became Man So Man Can Be Born Again!</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/12/some-christians-are-hostile-towards.html">Some Christians are Hostile Towards Christmas</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/04/surviving-and-winning-against-covid-19.html">Surviving and Winning Against COVID-19 by Obeying Romans 13</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-claims-of-jesus-to-throne-of-david.html">The Claims of Jesus to the Throne of David Both Legal and Bloodline</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-ongoing-coronavirus-outbreak-gods.html">The Ongoing Coronavirus Outbreak, God's Sovereignty, and Christian Responsibility</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-perfect-messiahs-imperfect-lineage.html">The Perfect Messiah's Imperfect Lineage</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/12/this-christmas-season-remember-christ.html">This Christmas Season, Remember Christ Was Born to Die For Your Sins!</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/12/this-christmas-season-remember-that.html">This Christmas Season, Remember That Things May Go Worse than Before!</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-incredible-irony-that-many-lost.html">The Incredible Irony That Many Lost People Love Christmas But Not Christ!</a></li></ul></div>FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-67879863292908699362020-12-06T12:59:00.006+08:002020-12-12T22:52:13.886+08:00Continuing Christmas Evangelism During This Ongoing COVID-19 Crisis<p>It's the Christmas season where it seems Christians are still arguing <i>non-stop </i>about whether or not they should celebrate it if they're allowed to celebrate it, or if is Christmas pagan. Unfortunately, some of the Puritans (such as Arthur W. Pink) have gone too far with the whole Christmas debate. Charles H. Spurgeon himself had a love and hate relationship with Christmas. What I'd say is that while Christians may be spending too much time debating about Christmas - they fail to see <i>evangelism </i>opportunities like there is during Halloween. I do agree Christians are not to decorate their homes like the heathen on Halloween - I don't think anything is wrong with Christmas decorations. How many times do we need to tell you that Jeremiah 10:3-5 is <i>not </i>about Christmas trees? As Christmas approaches this COVID-19 season then it's time to really say that Christmas evangelism still <i>needs </i>to continue.</p><p>The idea of a wonderful, magical Christmas is absurd. Andy Williams' song "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is a magnificent, bloated lie. Try going to the mall or driving during Christmas and discover how sinful people can really get. You can see people fighting over items during the Christmas season. You can see children demanding this and that during the Christmas season. You have parents punishing their children for lying while lying to their children about Santa Claus. For children, a trip to the mall to see "Santa Claus" together with all the gifts and toys make it the most wonderful, magical time of the year. What's ignored is that disasters (and even death) happen on Christmas. Christmas is just like every other <i>regular </i>day. That means good things and bad things can happen during Christmas. One gets a Christmas bonus and other happy news. The other ends up spending their Christmas bonus because somebody got sick or even <i>died </i>on Christmas Day. Yes, Christmas season deaths or even Christmas Day deaths are <i>very </i>real. Some people have a good excuse not to celebrate Christmas if it brings back sad memories. </p><p>The real wonderful message in the midst of Christmas stress is that the Lord Jesus Christ came to save sinners from their sins. True, there's really no proof that Jesus was born on December 25 nor is there any real record of when He was born. I don't really care if Jesus was born on December 25 or not. It turns out that December still has people in Israel who still pasture their sheep. It doesn't matter when Jesus was born - what matters is that He was born so He could live a perfect life and die for the sins of mankind. Mankind is still rotten to the core yet John 3:16 is the message all year round. God the Father so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son for the salvation of sinners. Christmas stress has been compounded by COVID-19 infections so the more the opportunity to evangelize is there.</p><p>How can Christmas evangelism be done in the midst of the pandemic? Christian churches participating in the relief operations are still there. Christian workers who are doing what they can to help others during this time of year can show they make a difference. It's not just giving that once-a-year Christmas charity but the whole year-round charity. Mass gatherings may be prohibited to prevent the virus from spreading but it doesn't mean Christmas evangelism shouldn't happen. Christmas is regarded as a secular holiday by many. People are losing hope as the COVID-19 epidemic isn't going and Christmas is going. Them losing hope because they put their trust in <i>worldly </i>things can be an opportunity to present Jesus to them as true hope. Not everyone is going to believe because many don't see themselves as lost sinners. Charles H. Spurgeon during the London cholera outbreak evangelized also to the sick and dying. Many people are going to have it worse this Christmas. Christmas is a time for suicide and despair for the homeless. It's even worsened by the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic. </p><p>Evangelism can make a difference because somebody's life may be changed to turn away from the worldliness of the Christmas season towards the holiness in Christ for all seasons. COVID-19 is ruining all the worldly expectations this Christmas so why not continue evangelism by any reasonable means? However, it should be a warning <i>not </i>to keep talking about Christmas being worldly or pagan. True, pagan feasts also happened on December 25 yet the Reformation also happened on <i>October 31</i> which is a date for the celebration of another satanic holiday. I heard October 31 was also the celebration of Samhain by the Druids. Yet, Christians can celebrate the Reformation on October 31 while witches celebrate Halloween. I don't see any reason why Christians can't celebrate the birth of Christ without the pagan nonsense. The message of Christ becomes more urgent daily with or without a pandemic and even when it's not Christmas.</p><p>See also:</p><div><ul><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2011/12/worldly-view-of-christmas-is-fatal.html">A Worldly View of Christmas is FATAL POISON</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2018/12/charles-h-spurgeon-saw-christmas-as.html">Charles H. Spurgeon Saw Christmas as a Massive Opportunity for Evangelism</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/12/christmas-eve-meditation-there-was-no.html">Christmas Eve Meditation: There Was No Room in the Inn, No Crib For a Bed</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/12/christmas-is-another-opportunity-to-ram.html">Christmas is Another Opportunity to Ram the Sword of Truth Down Satan's Throat!</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/12/christmas-message-flowers-of-this-world.html">Christmas Message: The Flowers of This World is No Match for the Lord Jesus Christ!</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/05/focus-on-soulwinning-not-on-conspiracy.html">Focus on Soulwinning, Not on Conspiracy Theories This COVID-19</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2014/12/for-he-jesus-shall-save-them-from-their.html">For He (Jesus) Shall Save Them From Their Sins!</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/12/how-christmas-narrative-of-jesus-birth.html">How the Christmas Narrative of Jesus' Birth Contradicts the Worldly View of Christmas</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/12/is-it-okay-for-christians-to-celebrate.html">Is It Okay for Christians to Celebrate Christmas?</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/12/jesus-christ-as-son-of-david-son-of.html">Jesus Christ as the Son of David, Son of Mary, Lord of All</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2018/12/lost-people-love-christmas-until-they.html">Lost People Love Christmas Until They Realize the Bad News Behind Why Jesus Was Born in Human Flesh</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/12/peoples-behavior-during-christmas.html">People's Behavior During the Christmas Season Proves Humanity Is Not Basically Good</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/04/please-pray-to-god-to-give-wisdom-to.html">Please Pray to God to Give Wisdom to Your Authorities in the Midst of Any Crisis</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/12/reflections-from-canticle-of-mary.html">Reflections from the Canticle of Mary</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/12/remember-christ-became-man-so-man-can.html">Remember Christ Became Man So Man Can Be Born Again!</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/12/some-christians-are-hostile-towards.html">Some Christians are Hostile Towards Christmas</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/04/surviving-and-winning-against-covid-19.html">Surviving and Winning Against COVID-19 by Obeying Romans 13</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-claims-of-jesus-to-throne-of-david.html">The Claims of Jesus to the Throne of David Both Legal and Bloodline</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-ongoing-coronavirus-outbreak-gods.html">The Ongoing Coronavirus Outbreak, God's Sovereignty, and Christian Responsibility</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-perfect-messiahs-imperfect-lineage.html">The Perfect Messiah's Imperfect Lineage</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/12/this-christmas-season-remember-christ.html">This Christmas Season, Remember Christ Was Born to Die For Your Sins!</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/12/this-christmas-season-remember-that.html">This Christmas Season, Remember That Things May Go Worse than Before!</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-incredible-irony-that-many-lost.html">The Incredible Irony That Many Lost People Love Christmas But Not Christ!</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2011/12/why-virgin-birth.html">Why a Virgin Birth?</a></li></ul></div>FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-89858046101874696102020-11-01T13:50:00.003+08:002020-11-11T23:18:04.791+08:00The Focus of the Ongoing Reformation is the Word of God, Not the Reformers nor Denominations<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15K5W_RFPJ7uXQx9VZG-9gVF-aEM_PbxDmQ4JNLeGLAjK_Lwxjj3JMWz6L8E7687ruOwmWhPRvZ7qL-091oXB_Fac5_ivSyC4fiQRprsdLF9KBjrCUUWuJ7JofLkl2VxBP1GhVDn6sWzG/s960/88347137_2939569226063908_1838875894001696768_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="960" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15K5W_RFPJ7uXQx9VZG-9gVF-aEM_PbxDmQ4JNLeGLAjK_Lwxjj3JMWz6L8E7687ruOwmWhPRvZ7qL-091oXB_Fac5_ivSyC4fiQRprsdLF9KBjrCUUWuJ7JofLkl2VxBP1GhVDn6sWzG/w400-h396/88347137_2939569226063908_1838875894001696768_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yesterday was Reformation Day. Today is November 1 or <i>All Saint's Day </i>for Roman Catholics. There are many issues with the Reformation. I was told before that I didn't know how to pray because my "god" is Martin Luther. The name <i>Protestant </i>was simply dubbed on those who protested against the Roman Catholic institution. Some Protestants have the right to say that they're<i> not </i>Protestant but just Christian. There are Baptists who don't consider themselves Protestants even if they do embrace non-Baptist Christians or reject the Baptist Bride doctrine. What was the real big issue of the Reformation? Was it about Luther or John Calvin? Was it about John Knox, Uldrich Zwingli, or any other person dubbed as a Protestant reformer? No, the big issue of the Reformation is all about <i>focusing </i>on the Word of God - that's what <i>Sola Scriptura </i>actually means. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />What therefore is Sola Scriptura? Sola Scriptura is defined as follows by Ligonier Ministries' article "<a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/qas/what-does-sola-scriptura-mean/" target="_blank">What is Sola Scriptura</a>":</div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Reformation principle of sola Scriptura has to do with the sufficiency of Scripture as our supreme authority in all spiritual matters. <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Sola Scriptura simply means that all truth necessary for our salvation and spiritual life is taught either explicitly or implicitly in Scripture. It is not a claim that all truth of every kind is found in Scripture</span>. The most ardent defender of sola Scriptura will concede, for example, that Scripture has little or nothing to say about DNA structures, microbiology, the rules of Chinese grammar, or rocket science. This or that “scientific truth,” for example, may or may not be actually true, whether or not it can be supported by Scripture—but Scripture is a “more sure Word,” standing above all other truth in its authority and certainty. It is “more sure,” according to the apostle Peter, than the data we gather firsthand through our senses (2 Peter 1:19). Therefore, Scripture is the highest and supreme authority on any matter on which it speaks.</div></blockquote><p>What the Reformation was about was focusing on the Word of God not as the <i>sole authority </i>but as the <i>final authority</i>. That is the Bible is the guidebook containing God's Word to follow in the matters of church authority and tradition. Tradition is not <i>wrong </i>per se as long as it doesn't go against God's Word. Church authority is governed and established with guidelines from God's Word. The Scriptures contain God's Word so why are they saying that Sola Scriptura isn't scriptural? The apostles exerted their authority but only by God's Word. Jesus blasted the Pharisees with the Scripture. The focus of the Reformation has been about Luther or the Reformers. Just remember that Luther <i>never </i>built a church either. Calvin's focus was on expounding the Word of God while he was in Geneva. Centuries later, the Reformation eventually led to the King James Version (KJV) also called the Authorized Version of 1611 (AV1611). The KJV was given its copyright to make sure nobody would tamper with it. Before that, the KJV had other predecessors in the English language and later, the KJV was revised and re-edited because the translators wanted to get rid of any translation error that they may commit against the preserved Word of God.</p><p>The big problem with the Reformation was similar to what happened <i>before </i>the Reformation. Pre-Reformation Christian groups (which I heard also included some Baptists before that) were persecuted for bringing out copies of the Bible to laymen. It's because the Roman Catholic institution banned the reading of the Bible for centuries - something that it denies until this very day! Jan Hus was executed for doing so. Girolamo Savonarola was executed for protesting against Alexander VI Borgia whom he called a <i>servant of Satan. </i>Pre-Protestant Christian martyrs were there yet one can say that they were still reformers. Maybe, we should call the Pre-Protestant martyrs as Pre-Protestant Reformers because they were already protesting <i>before </i>Luther was even born. Hus was said to have predicted the rise of a swan who Rome couldn't catch and that would be Luther. Luther eventually translated his Catholic Latin Bible (which I believe is a Latin Vulgate) <i>into </i>German for the people. William Tyndale was persecuted and burned at the stake for translating the Bible <i>into</i> English. So a reformation already happened even <i>before </i>the rise of the Protestant Reformation. </p><p>Why is October 31 still regarded as an important day? It's because Luther's protest is yet another milestone aside from Hus and Savonarola. Yet, it was also Luther who finally made good use of the printing press invented by <i>Roman Catholic </i>Johannes Gutenburg. I guess Gutenberg never became a blessed or a saint because of that. Luther's use of the printing press not only made his writings more available (while he used a pen name <i>Junker Jörg </i>in hiding) but also made German translations of the Bible. It allowed the work of the pre-Protestant Christian groups to be easier. Before, Christians who came before the Protestant Reformation didn't have much of an easier time sharing copies of the Scriptures. Luther's efforts allowed Bible believers in Germany to get a copy of the Bible in German and use it to spark another revolution. Tyndale did the same for the English-speaking world. Luther placed his neck at risk when he posted an open challenge for debate with the nailing of the 95 Thesis. <br /><br />Pastor Paul David Washer of Heartcry Missionary said that the reformers didn't want to be called reformers - they just wanted to be <i>biblical</i>. Washer's statement rings true to this very day. Luther's famous statement about his conscience and the Word of God should be the focus of continuing the Reformation. I don't really care too much about whether or not Baptists are Protestant or not. For me, Baptists aren't Protestants but rather were called as such as an <i>insult </i>because they openly practiced baptism by immersion. John the Baptist was called "Baptist" because he baptized people - not because he was a member of <i>any </i>denomination. One big reason why the Protestant Reformation happened was that Roman Catholicism has been adding their <i>own </i>teachings to the Word of God rather than having their tradition based on it. The Word of God was also used to renounce the Pharisaical hypocrisy of Papal Rome with all the immoralities Luther saw. Luther didn't just go to say it was salvation by faith alone - he also insisted that such faith if it has no works must be invalidated. Luther may have had once a problem with James but later saw it valid since he believed that faith without works is dead. The other Reformers kept sticking to what the Bible says in all matters of church tradition - something Rome didn't do as they continue to reject and even misrepresent what Sola Scriptura means. </p><p>Washer also had a very important thing to say that Calvinism shouldn't be an issue. David W. Cloud of Way of Life Literature mentions he has known many good Calvinist Christians. Cloud also mentions that he loves them but rejects their Calvinism. Other known sound teachers who didn't like Calvinism (but still honored Calvin's works in a way) are like J. Vernon McGee and Harry A. Ironside. McGee's commentary mentioned parts of Calvin and Luther even if he outright renounced Calvinism and didn't really understand what lordship salvation was about. Some people today uphold historic lordship salvation yet think they're against it. It's best to really avoid as many controversies as possible while pursing the only one cause that the Protestant Reformation to take place - it's to <i>uphold </i>what the Bible says!</p><p>See also:<br /></p><ul><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/10/a-continuously-reformed-mindset-moves.html">A Continuously Reformed Mindset Moves Forward, Not Backward</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/10/continue-reformation-expect-only.html">Continue the Reformation, Expect Only Persecution!</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/10/continuing-reformation-also-means.html">Continuing the Reformation Also Means Preaching Against Quack Evangelical Pastors</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/10/continuing-reformation-during-this-time.html">Continuing the Reformation During This Time of COVID-19 Pandemic</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/10/continuing-reformation-means-continuing.html" target="">Continuing the Reformation Means Continuing the Biblical Tradition of Church Discipline</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/10/continuing-reformation-daily-also-means_3.html">Continuing the Reformation Daily Also Means to Keep Preaching Against Those Sin-Loving False Converts!</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/10/continuing-reformation-in-meekness-and.html">Continuing the Reformation in Meekness and Humility</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/10/continuing-reformation-means-continuing.html" target="">Continuing the Reformation Means Continuing the Biblical Tradition of Church Discipline</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/10/continuing-reformation-means-taking.html">Continuing the Reformation Means Taking the Risk to Get the Gospel Out!</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2018/03/correcting-severely-misunderstood-view.html">Correcting the Severely Misunderstood View of Sola Scriptura</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2011/01/defending-doctrine-and-tradition-of.html">Defending the Doctrine and Tradition of Sola Scriptura</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/05/focus-on-soulwinning-not-on-conspiracy.html">Focus on Soulwinning, Not on Conspiracy Theories This COVID-19</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/10/for-christian-every-day-is-reformation.html">For the Christian, Every Day is Reformation Day</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/07/rejecting-sola-scriptura-that-creates.html">It's Rejecting Sola Scriptura That Creates Several Pseudo-Christian Groups</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/06/lessoms-from-psalm-62-during.html">Lessons from Psalm 62 During the Coronavirus Pandemic</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/04/please-pray-to-god-to-give-wisdom-to.html">Please Pray to God to Give Wisdom to Your Authorities in the Midst of Any Crisis</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/08/pseudo-christian-denominations-reject.html">Pseudo-Christian Denominations Reject God's Word to Keep Their Own Traditions!</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/02/refuting-ridiculous-claim-that-sola.html">Refuting the Ridiculous Claim That Sola Scriptura Condones to Certain Evils in Society</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/07/sola-parochus-or-sola-scriptura.html">Sola Parochus or Sola Scriptura?</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/04/surviving-and-winning-against-covid-19.html">Surviving and Winning Against COVID-19 by Obeying Romans 13</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-christian-church-is-still-one-in.html">The Christian Church is Still One in the Midst of Any Crisis Like the Recent Coronavirus Pandemic</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-ongoing-coronavirus-outbreak-gods.html">The Ongoing Coronavirus Outbreak, God's Sovereignty, and Christian Responsibility</a></li></ul><p></p>FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-79879675963275253902020-10-27T17:57:00.006+08:002020-10-30T12:38:45.917+08:00The Need for Reformation Against LGBT "Christian" Churches<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cqe5s0HthcE" width="320" youtube-src-id="cqe5s0HthcE"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's very easy to criticize Roman Catholicism for the charges of sodomy done by priests raping boys. However, it's probably very easy to forget that LGBT churches are now on the rise and have infiltrated evangelical churches. I heard of Alabama Baptist Church having the issue of a female pastor performing a lesbian wedding. It would be stupid to keep raising up the issue of homosexual priests and nuns but not to target homosexual pastors and female church authorities. Make no mistake - LGBT churches are on the rise and the acronym means Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender. All these are an <i>abomination </i>before God.<br /><br />Martin Luther's trip to Rome revealed all the sins in it. I remembered reading the now out-of-print book "Babylon Mystery Religion" by Ralph Woodrow (which he should revise without references to the faulty "The Two Babylons" by Alexander Hislop) talking about Luther's trip to Rome. Luther witnessed the worst sexual immoralities such as priests telling indecent jokes and dinner that were accompanied by live nudity. Back then, it really shook even more what I thought about Rome while I was still guilt-induced into compromise. The teachings of Rome of priests saving souls has become even more dangerous. How can you expect to have God absolve your sins through a man who has many <i>unconfessed </i>sins while claiming God forgives sins through him? How can they say God saves souls through them when the only one who can save souls is God Himself? Jesus Christ being the eternal Son of God is also God, can, therefore, forgive sin. But nobody has the right to even claim that God supposedly forgives sins through them in any form whatsoever. The dirty doctrines of Rome have also been one of the reasons why many sex scandals from adulteries to fornications to homosexuality are well-hidden for a very long time. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">However, with the Laodicean age - you can expect LGBT "Christian" churches to appear. It's really disappointing to see Joshua Harris reveal his status as a false convert. It was disheartening to hear how a lesbian marriage happened in a Baptist church. It's disappointing to hear that Matthew Vines is a Presbyterian yet he supports homosexuality. This is where I'd say the Laodicean church kicks in. These churches have become lukewarm or <i>indifferent </i>towards sin that there's bound to be false converts. If somebody claims they're saved but love the LGBT churches - it's safe to assume that person must be an apostate. Nobody can ever love God and still love to sin at the same time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Any true LGBT who has converted to Christ will <i>not </i>remain in the LGBT. It's just like the repentant murderer or rapist. Will a repentant murderer or rapist still remain in such a sinful lifestyle? In 1st Corinthians 6:11, we read that Paul addressed the Corinthians that such were some of them and that they were redeemed from sinful lifestyles. Only fake converts think they've got a license to sin. Truly converted people, though imperfect, though they will still backslide, they may sometimes think of departing or doubt God, <i>but </i>they will still endure to the end. 1st John 2:19 clearly writes that those who eventually left the true assemblies weren't truly saved to start with.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />See also:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/02/franklin-grahams-hypocritically-speaks.html">Franklin Graham Hypocritically Speaks Against LGBT While He Supports the Vatican </a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/08/pastors-giving-in-to-lgbt-pressure-and.html">Pastors Giving in to LGBT Pressure (and Even Joining Them) Are Not True Men of God</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/10/pope-francis-support-for-same-sex-civil.html">Pope Francis' Support for Same-Sex Civil Union is a Good Reason to Continue the Reformation</a></li></ul></div><p></p>FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-37067171747418246682020-10-27T17:36:00.005+08:002020-10-27T17:36:59.508+08:00Why The Ongoing Reformation Should Also Go Against Anti-Catholic Cults<p>It's easy to be too focused on Roman Catholicism without considering that every cult has its own set of rivals. Consider the history of religion when cults appear - rival cults also appear. Islam has been rivals with contemporary Judaism and Roman Catholicism. Roman Catholicism also has rivals in the form of anti-Catholic cults. Just because someone speaks against Rome doesn't mean they're automatically saved. Some of the most known critics of Rome like the Members of the Church of God International (MCGI), Seventh Day Adventists (SDA), Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), Mormons, Christian Science, Charismatics, and the Jehovah's Witnesses but they all teach <i>false </i>plans of salvation. Some of these anti-Catholic cults even outright deny the Deity of Christ such as the INC and the Jehovah's Witnesses. The Mormons also have bizarre teachings that are hardly known by the public today such as Jesus being Satan's half-brother or that God the Father had sex with Mary, Jesus' earthly mother, to provide Jesus with a body. All these teachings are just as bizarre and false as Mary as a co-mediator and Peter as the first Pope.</p><p>I remembered there was this offer before from the Charismatics and SDA if they could team up with the Baptists. Although Baptists didn't emerge from John the Baptist they certainly came before the Reformation. Some Baptists tend to identify themselves as Protestants only because they protest against Rome while others don't identify themselves as such. In my case, I don't consider myself a Protestant while I embrace any Protestants as family members if they show signs of being truly born again. David W. Cloud of Way of Life Literature has embraced Calvinist Christians even when he flat-out rejects their Calvinism. </p><p>What's the big issue with anti-Catholic cults and why must the reformation go against them? Consider the stance of how many of them are run or have their so-called "last messengers". Mormonism declared Joseph Smith as the last messenger. INC declared Felix Manalo as the last messenger. SDA declare Ellen Gould White as the last messenger. The Jehovah's Witnesses or the Watchtower declare Charles Taze Russell as the last messenger. The MCGI or the Ang Dating Daan declares Eliseo Soriano as an anointed prophet. They all start having one new bizarre doctrine after the other. I even remembered having a discussion with an INC who pointed me out verses to justify their existence. As usual, the verses were taken straight out of context. Did Sola Scriptura cause this division? Not at all. Although Protestants may be divided by <i>denominations </i>and certain differences (such as some groups practice infant baptism alongside believer's baptism) they are still united spiritually in soteriology. Unfortunately, the same can't be said about the anti-Catholic cults. That's why I could say that there's such a thing as a Protestant Christian but <i>not </i>a Christian springing out from the anti-Catholic cults.<br /></p><p>True, Roman Catholicism is no Christian church but then again so are the rival anti-Catholic cults. What do they have in common? They tend to make their own councils that tend to have a loose interpretation of the Scripture, focuses more on central councils than the Bible, adding faith to works, adding or subtracting when presenting doctrines regarding Christ, and they are built on several Bible plus manmade doctrine. I remembered discussing with a Mormon some time ago about Sola Scriptura and he admitted he rejects it. The same went for the INC. Roman Catholicism and its rivals may go against each other <i>but </i>they do have a lot of common heresies. I could still embrace Protestants who practice infant baptism because they <i>don't </i>teach it as a substitute to believer's baptism or cause it to have a person truly born again. However, vital doctrines such as soteriology and the Deity of Christ is where I draw the line between me and anti-Catholic cults as well as with Roman Catholicism.</p><p>See also:<a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-wrong-with-anti-catholic-pseudo.html"><br /></a></p><ul><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-wrong-with-anti-catholic-pseudo.html"></a><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-problem-of-lumping-anti-catholic.html">The Problem of Lumping Anti-Catholic "Christian" Cults With Protestant Christians</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-wrong-with-anti-catholic-pseudo.html"></a><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-wrong-with-anti-catholic-pseudo.html">What's Wrong with the Anti-Catholic Pseudo-Christian Cults?</a></li></ul>FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-43196780926635271202020-10-23T19:34:00.003+08:002020-10-23T19:56:35.504+08:00Pope Francis' Support for Same-Sex Civil Union is a Good Reason to Continue the Reformation<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bqy0uHw4dEI" width="320" youtube-src-id="Bqy0uHw4dEI"></iframe></div><p>Should it be surprising that Pope Francis is now <i>supporting </i>same-sex <i>civil </i>unions? Pope Francis' statement, "If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?" is true because Christians are called to love homosexuals to tell them the truth and Jesus' free gift of forgiveness. However, Christians are <i>not </i>told to condone homosexual unions of any kind whether the ceremony was performed in a Baptist church, a Protestant church, a Roman Catholic parish, or <i>even </i>the civil courts. Homosexuality will always be wrong even if Christians are told to advocate for the basic rights of homosexuals to basic needs. However, Christians still have the right not to employ homosexuals like a factory has the right (or duty) not to employ anyone who doesn't meet certain qualifications or is too short or too sickly for the task.<br /><br />The very character of the Popes can make anyone wonder if they're indeed the successors of Peter. Reading through Peter, we can read this from 2nd Peter 2:5-7 which will be quoted from the <i>Good News Translation</i>:</p><blockquote><p>5 God did not spare the ancient world, but brought the flood on the world of godless people; the only ones he saved were Noah, who preached righteousness, and seven other people. 6 <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, destroying them with fire, and made them an example of what will happen to the godless</span>. 7 He rescued Lot, a good man, who was distressed by the immoral conduct of lawless people.</p></blockquote><p>This is very ironic also considering that the <i>National Catholic Register </i>even has an article called "<a href="https://www.ncregister.com/news/why-same-sex-marriage-is-impossible-for-catholics-uogjek8p?gclid=CjwKCAjw_sn8BRBrEiwAnUGJDjy0_mt7JfTtEyb0c5Hh_GfObbw8BmJIUmGOiYJO4bsY0jrZKCXaARoCNfEQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Why Same-Sex Marriage Is Impossible for Catholics</a>". This already brings a new huge dilemma since some religious Roman Catholics I've met are <i>homosexuals</i>. This really makes me wonder how a supposedly "all-unified church" has its followers saying they have no disagreements. Now, Pope Francis is already disagreeing with the National Catholic Register when he called for support of civil same-sex unions. This also calls for a dilemma what if two homosexual Roman Catholics (of the same sex) want to marry but the official catechism of Rome doesn't? Would Pope Francis then decide to give the two same-sex couples from Rome his blessing if ever they got married under civil union? </p><p>Those who want to say Sodom and Gomorrah were not destroyed also for homosexuality better read everything in context. The two cities were sexually immoral so homosexuality itself is <i>not </i>the sole cause. However, we can read that Ezekiel 16:50 reveals that they committed an abomination. In interpreting the Old Testament - we need to understand the Old Testament. Leviticus 18:22 calls homosexuality an act of abomination. The dietary and ceremonial laws may be gone but Romans 1:24-28 and 1st Corinthians 6:9-10 says that homosexuality is still a sin. Besides, homosexuality is lying to the world that you're the other sex. Many homosexuals identify themselves as the opposite sex. Now, isn't that bearing false witness?<br /></p><p>Calling for civil unions to allow it? Well, it's no surprise really when you consider the <i>well-documented </i>abuses done by the Roman Catholic institution. Many of them were left hidden for ages such as the incest, pedophilia, adultery, fornication, and <i>homosexuality </i>that have been committed by the "holy priests" who "save souls". Pope Francis' error here really shows that the doctrine of papal infallibility is really <i>questionable </i>especially now he's in extreme doctrinal error.</p><p>See also:<br /></p><ul><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/02/both-roman-catholic-priestly-pedophila.html">Both Roman Catholic Priestly Pedophila and Abortion Are Moral Scandals Against the Right to Life!</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/02/franklin-grahams-hypocritically-speaks.html">Franklin Graham Hypocritically Speaks Against LGBT While He Supports the Vatican </a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/07/its-disgusting-how-some-roman-catholics.html">It's Disgusting How Some Roman Catholics Insist Priests Save Souls Even After One "Holy" Scandal After the Other</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/08/loving-homosexuals-enough-to-tell-them.html">Loving Homosexuals Enough to Tell Them the Truth of their Sin and the Savior</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/08/pastors-giving-in-to-lgbt-pressure-and.html">Pastors Giving in to LGBT Pressure (and Even Joining Them) Are Not True Men of God</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/06/sorry-government-cannot-make-moral-what.html">Sorry, the Government Cannot Make Moral What God Has Declared Immoral</a></li></ul><p><br /></p>FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-78177229743418037422020-10-03T18:02:00.004+08:002020-10-11T19:47:56.760+08:00Continuing the Reformation During This Time of COVID-19 Pandemic<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3H_eV2MEd73CmlrBcgVYrLeb_SAsUfspWPFwEI_NVjVQ3R2Uq0rf9xjKDEc82BXaUBTcBdBRlEEoQrzeYpcqxoyGAz83MOli3y1hsWFcbr6o7bZGYB0r3Y86mghrB-HnMW34oUB8oWrI/s2508/7b76fd76711da8d47df42228fd7a4b1b13e1eadf08a76ba5096d84951bc19773.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="2508" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3H_eV2MEd73CmlrBcgVYrLeb_SAsUfspWPFwEI_NVjVQ3R2Uq0rf9xjKDEc82BXaUBTcBdBRlEEoQrzeYpcqxoyGAz83MOli3y1hsWFcbr6o7bZGYB0r3Y86mghrB-HnMW34oUB8oWrI/w400-h200/7b76fd76711da8d47df42228fd7a4b1b13e1eadf08a76ba5096d84951bc19773.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Patriot Post<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Although Baptists may or may not consider themselves as Protestants - they still need to consider the Reformation as part of church history. Without the Reformation - we wouldn't get the King James Version (KJV) which followed centuries later. The KJV was based on several other English Bibles such as the Matthew Bible, the Tyndale Bible, and the Geneva Bible. The Reformation reached its 500th year last 2017 and it's reached its 503rd year this 2020. 2020 is also a bad year because of the COVID-19 crisis. Yes, there were already Christians against Rome before the Protestant Reformation happened. There were the Waldenses, Mennonites, and Baptists among groups who were martyred before the rise of Martin Luther. Though one quote by Paul Washer of Heartcry Missionary says, "The reformers didn't want to be reformers - they just wanted to be biblical!" I woudl agree with that though the event has been known as Reformation Day - celebrating another milestone of the holy catholic (not Roman Catholic) Church as it moves forward to proclaim the Gospel. </p><p>I was thinking about how I wanted to offer brotherly criticism to John F. MacArthur about reopning Grace Community Church. Some churches have already started to re-open though they aren't at full capacity. Good thing MacArthur hasn't placed some legalistic command and has thankfully placed some safety precautions. Just then, I decided to check Pyromaniacs and found this statement from the post "<a href="http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2020/08/questions-we-get-about-gcc-elders.html" target="_blank">Questions We Get About the GCC Elders' statement</a>":</p><blockquote><p>We understand that we are in unprecedented times, and that the information from governing authorities and health officials changes each day. <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">If you are not comfortable returning to worship, please feel free to take advantage of the live stream and other alternatives. We love you, we miss you, and we are eager to welcome you back when you are able to join us (1 Pet 1:22), but we recognize there are some of our members for whom this is the right decision—especially if you are sick or experiencing symptoms of the virus, are at high risk of complications due to age or other health conditions, or have regular contact at home with someone who is at high risk</span>. </p></blockquote><blockquote><p>While you're away, please continue to reach out to your fellowship group pastors, Bible study shepherds, and other fellow members. We are eager to learn of and meet your needs.</p></blockquote><p>What was also interseting that in the time of Luther - we can also read that the Black Plague, something far more <i>fatal</i> than the current COVID-19 made things worse. Luther had no access to social media to have a virtual service. Luther was in a far worse pickle than the great Reformed Baptist preacher, Charles H. Spurgeon. Luther then gave these sound words of advice which churches should follow:</p><blockquote><p>I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence</span>. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash no foolhardy and does not tempt God</span>.</p></blockquote><p>Luther wouldn't fit well with the hyper-faith movement either. As Luther said that it would be dumb to tempt God by going near to people during that time of the Black Plague. Just because the COVID-19 is less fatal than the Black Plague doesn't mean that hyper-faith movement follows. I still remember that sketch in my Bible subject textbook where a man foolishly walked on thin ice because he had "lots of faith". Just because I have faith in God doesn't mean I can jump off from the building and ask God to let His angels fetch me. Remember Satan tried to make Jesus jump off. Jesus could've jumped off and make the angels fetch him. Instead, Jesus replied not to tempt the LORD your God quoting from Deuteronomy 6:16. Though take note that the Bible wasn't originally written in verses and chapters yet until much later for <i>easier </i>reference. Not to mention, Luther didn't do away with scientific advice such as fumigation, air purification, medical administration, and the like. Just remember Luke himself the writer of the Gospel According to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles was a physician.</p><p>Later, Charles H. Spurgeon also had to face the Broad Street Cholera Outbreak of 1854. Spurgeon's community was fortunately spared, unlike Luther. Yes, Spurgeon's community was spared by the sovereignty of God and they continued missions during such a crucial time. Though no records of Spurgeon's sermons were done at that time. It's possible that Spurgeon eventually had to close church for a time. Though Geoff Chang of the Spurgeon archive also wrote this practical advice:</p><blockquote><p><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Pastors need to exercise wisdom when it comes to gathering as a church, especially when the health and lives of people are at stake</span>. Certainly, adjustments will need to be made and priority will have to be given to only the most important aspects of our gatherings. But when such gatherings are possible, pastors should realize that they can be tremendous opportunities for preaching the gospel to those who are desperately looking for hope. </p></blockquote><p>Churches themselves can still continue the Reformation, even indirectly, when they choose to do outreach for the sick and by having volunteers as part of evangelism. Fortunately, we've got online deposits these days which are <i>not yet </i>the Mark of the Beast. Christians shouldn't get alarmed at barcodes, credit cards, and the like because as Vernon McGee would say - they aren't the mark yet. However, they can show that the prophecy can come to pass. I can enjoy all the cashless transactions today. Besides, does it even matter when Christians will be gone? Unfortunately, for the lost people, they will eventually receive the mark of the Beast and <i>never </i>repent even when God gives them that chance. That's why people who receive the mark are going to be in the Lake of Fire - it's not just for receiving a mark but also because they repented not even after 14 plagues from the seven trumpets and the seven bowls of God's wrath. The digital age can now allow some Christians to give their tithes and offerings via online deposits to finance their church's work in helping out victims. Not to mention, Christian health workers are now used <i>mightily </i>to do his work. I'm glad that Paul Washer of Heartcry Missionary has been giving encouragement to the Christians in China in this midst of the COVID-19 crisis. I believe that God may even use Chinese evangelists to help fulfill Matthew 24:14. That's why it's not easy to give in to the End Times Hype when you see evangelism is happening in a very fast pace in this day and age!</p><p>There's really this need to still continue the work of God even in this pandemic. Not everyone can be there on the frontline. God had purposely made some stay home while others do their work. Some businesses are reopening now. Some people are earning from work at home. Christians should be encoruaged to help in every little way possible and as the LORD God provides. The Reformation will still happen this 2020 and until the Lord Jesus decides to take His Bride, the Church, home.</p><p>Soli Deo Gloria!</p><p>See also:<br /></p><ul><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/10/a-continuously-reformed-mindset-moves.html">A Continuously Reformed Mindset Moves Forward, Not Backward</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/10/continue-reformation-expect-only.html">Continue the Reformation, Expect Only Persecution!</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/10/continuing-reformation-also-means.html">Continuing the Reformation Also Means Preaching Against Quack Evangelical Pastors</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/10/continuing-reformation-means-continuing.html" target="">Continuing the Reformation Means Continuing the Biblical Tradition of Church Discipline</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/10/continuing-reformation-daily-also-means_3.html">Continuing the Reformation Daily Also Means to Keep Preaching Against Those Sin-Loving False Converts!</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/10/continuing-reformation-in-meekness-and.html">Continuing the Reformation in Meekness and Humility</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/10/continuing-reformation-means-continuing.html" target="">Continuing the Reformation Means Continuing the Biblical Tradition of Church Discipline</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/10/continuing-reformation-means-taking.html">Continuing the Reformation Means Taking the Risk to Get the Gospel Out!</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/05/focus-on-soulwinning-not-on-conspiracy.html">Focus on Soulwinning, Not on Conspiracy Theories This COVID-19</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/06/lessoms-from-psalm-62-during.html">Lessons from Psalm 62 During the Coronavirus Pandemic</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/04/please-pray-to-god-to-give-wisdom-to.html">Please Pray to God to Give Wisdom to Your Authorities in the Midst of Any Crisis</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/04/surviving-and-winning-against-covid-19.html">Surviving and Winning Against COVID-19 by Obeying Romans 13</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-christian-church-is-still-one-in.html">The Christian Church is Still One in the Midst of Any Crisis Like the Recent Coronavirus Pandemic</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-ongoing-coronavirus-outbreak-gods.html">The Ongoing Coronavirus Outbreak, God's Sovereignty, and Christian Responsibility</a></li></ul>FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-16612796716410621662020-10-02T00:14:00.006+08:002020-12-03T01:04:09.682+08:00Why Spurious Anti-Catholic Resources are Detrimental to Continuing the Reformation<p>October is always associated with the Reformation month aside from the Rosary month. It's very easy to associate it with Martin Luther's well-known protest on October 31, 1517, that eventually led to the Diet of Worms in 1521. Luther's legacy was known to have been an Augustinian monk who found the truth. The protest itself got some Christians involved to be labeled as <i>Protestants</i>. Before the Protestants - there were already other Christian groups that opposed Rome. Jan Hus and Girolamo Savonarola were martyrs <i>before </i>the Reformation. There were some pre-Reformation Christians who were martyred during the Dark Ages as they openly practiced believes' baptism. I heard that they were called <i>Baptists </i>because they openly practiced baptism by immersion. Remember John the Baptist was called a baptist not because he founded a denomination but because he <i>baptized </i>people. </p><p>Yes, there's the call to say that the Reformation is <i>far from over</i>. The Counter-Reformation is <i>also</i> far from over. The huge battle of the Reformation can be said to be a huge battle for the truth. The Reformation was a struggle to find the truth and to proclaim it. The result was the same - the Inquisition ended up executing the Protestants along with other non-Protestant Christians for speaking the truth. However, in this age of deception, many Baptists and Protestants today have the tendency to be misled by <i>spurious </i>anti-Catholic sources. The battle to find the truth has become a fertile ground to let in any kind of misleading information. The information age is <i>not </i>without a battle against misinformation whether it'd be the local Christian bookstore or now, the Internet. The whole world is connected via the Internet and misinformation is very rampant.</p><p>There's the danger of <i>spurious </i>anti-Catholic resources whether they be publications or websites. Many years ago, I was once a huge supporter of two of the biggest nutjob ministries. One is Chick Publications and the other is Jesus-is-Savior. I remembered dropping off Jesus-is-Savior early 2011 but not Chick Publications. I still wanted to promote the story of Alberto R. Rivera as a former Jesuit priest. I thought that any information that was done against Rivera was just a person deceived either by the Jesuits or is a Jesuit in disguise. I also thought the same was true about the late Jack Hyles whose sexual immoralities and abuses are <i>well-documented</i>. Also, David J. Stewart of Jesus-is-Savior did get divorced by his former wife for a sexual offense in Guam. Stewart is currently out after he pleaded guilty although he's still no saner than the late Jack T. Chick.</p><p>There's the book "The Alberto Rivera Story" by the late Roy Livesey. Livesey died before the book could be published. What I find very interesting about the book was that Rivera's claims were slowly debunked. In the book "Smokescreens" by Chick - it's interesting to see how the late Bartholomew Brewer was later assaulted. Isn't it strange that Chick Publications sells the video "Catholicism: Crisis of Faith" by Lumen Productions yet Chick hypocritically assaults Brewer in "Smokescreens"? The book itself even had Victor Affonso, a <i>real </i>former Jesuit priest, testify that Rivera was <i>never </i>a comrade of his. Affonso was in Spain, the same country where Rivera came from, during the reign of Francisco Franco. Also, what was interesting to read on pages 111-112 of the same book are as follows:</p><blockquote><p>Historically it has always been difficult to evangelise Roman Catholic people because of fear, suspicion, religious pride, ignorance of God’s word and a misguided loyalty. <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Since the Chick comic books, it has been made more difficult. Catholic people have become more defensive and more reactionary</span>. </p></blockquote><blockquote><p>In one sense it is easier today because of the crisis of confusion in the Roman Catholic church. <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">However, on the other hand the comic series has made Roman Catholics apprehensive about those Christians who reach out to Roman Catholic people with the sufficiency of His Word</span>. In speaking around the country, we have had a number of Alberto followers, always in groups, and during question and answer time they commonly become rude and antagonistic when we express our concern about the comic books. In every situation they were young enthusiastic people, impressed by the comics, and let down to find that things were not so. For example there is the overwhelming evidence that he was not a priest, and the burden of proof is upon him. </p></blockquote><blockquote><p>“The same questions have come up in Britain, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and in the Philippines. In the United States ninety per cent of the people tell me, whether in public or in private, that they ‘thought something was wrong.’ The fact that the question is asked is indicative of doubt.” </p></blockquote><blockquote><p>Wilson Ewin’s book, You Can Lead Roman Catholics to Christ, has run through many editions since it was first published in 1961. The 1991 edition lends weight to what Mr Brewer and other ministries to Roman Catholics are saying about wrong evangelism tools. Referring to the bad evangelistic literature that has already reached Roman Catholic hands, Wilson Ewin writes: “This has already created a suspicious or even hostile attitude in the mind of the Catholic as he is approached with your literature..<span style="background-color: #fcff01;">. One source in particular must be held responsible for damaging the ministry among Roman Catholics on a global scale. Chick Publications of Chino, California began printing full-size comics on the topic of Catholicism in the 1970s</span>. These have been distributed around the world and advertised as useful for ‘winning Roman Catholics to Christ.’ However the contents of The Crusaders produce the very opposite effect when used indiscriminately, that is, without careful selection by the evangelist. No word of caution or warning has ever come from Chick Publications.</p></blockquote><div>Although I don't want to deny that <i>some </i>people do get saved through Chick Tracts - I'm starting to wonder if all <a href="https://www.chick.com/products/item?stk=0112" target="_blank">the testimonials concerning the "effectivity" of the Alberto comics</a> are even real. It's very possible to hire someone to make a <i>fake </i>testimony for you. What's even noteworthy is that the late John Todd was <i>not </i>a former satanist and that Rebecca Brown who wrote the book, "He Sets the Captives Free" was not a former witch either. I thought the scenario of somebody named Elaine "marrying" Satan was just a figure of speech. Nope, they even claimed it to be <i>literal</i> which is even funnier. A rereading of the "Alberto" comics I have, do have certain preposterous stuff such as in "The Force". The more I consulted pastors and exorcism - the more I realize that the whole idea of vomiting green slime is as fictitious as the godless horror movie, "The Exorcist". In fact, the "Crusaders" comics by Chick Publications are Christian fiction. Why Chick would have his two fictitious characters Tim and Jim meet the real character Rivera in the comic book series is really very <i>unacademic</i>. It even continues to give the feeling of unscholarly presentation. Worse, the book "The Alberto Rivera Story" had Livesey being speculated to have been paid for by the Vatican. </div><div><br /></div><div>I remembered the time I was told to <i>stop </i>reading the "Alberto" comics and that they're just exaggerated. I was no longer a Roman Catholic when I read them then I found myself fascinated by them. Yet, I clung to it like it was the truth and my common sense was clouded. I kept reading one report after the other questioning Rivera yet I <i>ignored it </i>and believed such people were misinformed by the Jesuits. However, reading the Rivera comics only encouraged me to become an amateur, compulsively lying, conspiracy theorist of sorts. What was worse is that I ended up getting into fights and making people I wanted to get saved <i>too angry </i>to listen. What was even made a point of advice by Gerry Soliman (whose blog is now deleted) is to avoid Chick Publications and Now the End Begins. What's even worse is that "The Godfathers" tends to focus more on Roman Catholic <i>crimes </i>over evangelism. The sources tend to make Roman Catholics look like they are criminals (and I know many of them who are honest-to-goodness but lost people) instead of victims of false teachings who need to be given soul-saving information. </div><div><br /></div><div>Not to mention, certain sites are just cheesy and offensive. I remembered how Phil Johnson would even say this about Jesus-is-Savior:</div><div><blockquote><div>The first thing you'll notice about this site is how cluttered, disorderly, and tawdry it looks. The content is no different. It's as if the page was constructed with a deliberate effort to eliminate anything that might edify or encourage. <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">This is a seriously ugly muddle of fundamentalist pet issues, 911 Truther propaganda, and various amateur analyses—all thrown in your face with high-decibel, high-velocity force. The webmaster here seems drawn to every repugnant trope that has ever been commandeered in the name of religion—unsightly images, distasteful themes, loathsome tales, sinister gossip, and sensationalized headlines ("Satanism In The Vatican!") He blends these themes with favorite points of fundamentalist controversy and presents them in a way that seems carefully calculated to maximize the shock value</span>. This is not ministry; it is exploitation. It's a lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing profitable. </div></blockquote><blockquote><div>Some people insist that the only way to reach our generation with the gospel is by laboring to seem as cool or as non-confrontational as possible. This guy seems to think the goal is the opposite: to be as cheesy and offensive as possible. Both strategies are equally misguided.</div></blockquote><p>Also, other similar sites are not doing a great job either. Sure, they could go on and talk about Roman Catholic scandals and crimes <i>yet </i>they tend to ignore exposing Evangelical pastors who need to be exposed as con men of Satan. Who can remember the late Tony Alamo and his sexual immorality? What's even worth noting in "The Alberto Rivera Story" was that Rivera was exposed to be a womanizer. Hyles himself was also a womanizer with a longsuffering wife. When sites focus <i>too much </i>on what the Vatican is doing - they tend to lose sight of the goal of reaching out to Roman Catholics. When they focus too much on "Did you know this and that about the Vatican?" and preposterous claims - they lose sight of the aim to tell Roman Catholics the Gospel truth Besides, the whole idea that Rome created Islam is really faulty. More studies on how Islam evolved as a false religion would reveal that it sprung from the Ebionite cult - not Roman Catholicism. Sure, the Vatican and Mecca are now getting along today but the claim by Rivera should be dismissed. Some even have obvious misinformation like the Jesuits supposedly masterminded the Inquisition when it was founded way earlier by the Dominicans. Also, the site Reformation Online is fond of half-truths and preposterous claims. I wonder if its webmaster Patrick Scrivener actually drinks raw milk which he claims is supposedly "better"? David W. Cloud of Way of Life Literature actually did show how vaccinations <i>help </i>but Scrivener tries to make it look like vaccines don't. I'm amazed at how Scrivener's site badly needs to be reformed as it's so <i>full </i>of misinformation!<br /></p><p>Yes, preaching against Roman Catholicism is important <i>but </i>the focus is the Gospel. Just remember that there are also anti-Catholic cults too like the Seventh Day Adventists, Ang Dating Daan, or the members of the Iglesia Ni Manalo. There are also Baptist churches that have gone and strayed far away from the historical truth and perspective. A good book that's still worth sharing is "Truth Encounter" by the late Anthony Pezzotta. Maybe, one can also share tracts from Living Waters ran by Ray Comfort. Comfort uses attractive Gospel tracts without going Chick Publications-style. John F. MacArthur, the late Robert C. Sproul Sr., and Paul David Washer are among I could also recommend. What we need is to reach Roman Catholics (and other unbelievers) with the Word of God - not some cheap resources that end up making them too angry to listen.</p><p>God bless and Happy Reformation Month!</p><p>See also:<br /></p><div><ul><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/03/being-careful-of-pitfall-of-believing.html">Being Careful of the Pitfall of Believing Conspiracy Theory Messages on Text and Social Networks</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/11/christians-and-conspiracy-theories.html">Christians and Conspiracy Theories: Discernment or Distraction?</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/11/conspiracy-theories-usually-end-up.html">Conspiracy Theories Usually End Up Nowhere But Endless Speculations</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/01/conspiracy-theorists-are-usually-just.html">Conspiracy Theorists Are Usually Just Close Minded People with Wide Open Mouths</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/04/discerning-against-some-books-and.html">Discerning Against Some Books and Websites Supposedly Meant to Help Christians </a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/05/overanalyzing-and-overdoing-stuff-then.html">Overanalyzing and Overdoing Stuff Then Mixing Them Up With Conspiracy Theories</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/01/pulpit-pen-is-reformed-theology-version.html">Pulpit & Pen is the Reformed Theology Version of Jesus-is-Savior</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/08/some-disinformation-agents-are-just.html">Some Disinformation Agents Are Just Bitter Individuals</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/09/stop-reading-david-j-stewarts-jesus-is.html">Stop Reading David J. Stewart's Jesus-is-Savior Website, Okay? </a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/10/why-reformation-online-website-isnt.html">Why The Reformation Online Website Isn't Good Theology</a></li></ul></div></div>FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-81305136324244953412020-09-08T00:12:00.009+08:002021-01-15T12:45:55.155+08:00Calvinism vs. Non-Calvinism Shouldn't Be Made into a Huge Quarrel<p>Calvinism has indeed started out as a pet issue but it has turned into a huge quarrel. Whether Baptists like to admit it or not - here are some <i>important </i>facts that they may have missed:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The King James Version (KJV) in its history was translated by <i>mostly </i>Calvinist scholars namely the Puritans. </li><li>Before the KJV - other Protestant translations also included the Geneva Bible which was also used in the process of compiling the KJV. </li><li>Many of the songwriters of the hymns such as "Amazing Grace" were Calvinists.</li><li>Many of the great commentators of the Scriptures were also Calvinists such as Matthew Henry, John Gill, and the writers of the "Commentary Critical and Explanatory of the Whole Bible" namely Robert Jamieson, Andrew Robert Fausset, and David Brown.</li><li>The great Baptist preacher of England, Charles H. Spurgeon, was also a Calvinist.</li><li>Not to mention, the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith adhered to Calvinism.</li></ul><div>David W. Cloud of Way of Life Literature also said the following about Calvinism:</div><blockquote><div>I am under no divine obligation to make a choice between Calvinism and Arminianism. I only have to believe the Bible. While I can’t answer every question about the wonderful doctrine of election, one thing I know for sure, because of the clear teaching of Scripture, is that election is not “sovereign” after any Calvinist definition. <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">I have met many Calvinists that I believe are saved and know Christ and I, therefore, love them in Christ, because I love the saints, but I emphatically reject their Calvinism</span>. </div></blockquote><p>Cloud himself is considered to be a fundamentalist in many ways. Cloud is also a KJV Only guy. However, he has shown himself to be <i>moderate </i>in his KJV Only<i> </i>in many ways. The fact that Cloud states he has stated that he has many Calvinists who he has seen have shown signs of true conversion. Cloud loves them and actually considers the brethren while he rejects their Calvinism. Other KJV Onlyists have known non-KJV Onlyists, love them while still rejecting modern Bible versions to be less accurate than their beloved KJV. Cloud still thinks Calvinism is an error but not so much that it should be squashed as easy prayerism and works salvation - both doctrines that lead to Hell. There are also other divisive issues such as historicism and futurism view of Revelation yet it's still possible to embrace such people as brothers and sisters. </p><p>What would be interesting to know is that some non-Calvinists do read Calvinist literature. Sure, they would admit that they still <i>reject </i>Calvinism. However, they still agree with stuff in books like "The Gospel According to Jesus" by John F. MacArthur against wish-washy evangelism or enjoy Robert C. Sproul Sr.'s apologetics even if they disagree with Calvinism. They probably still have the book "Hard to Believe" by MacArthur and agree with nearly 100% except for Calvinism. Perhaps one guy who stubbornly rejects Calvinism loves MacArthur's teaching series. The book "Worship: The Ultimate Priority" may still be found in non-Calvinist churches that outright reject Calvinism. Some may even have the four-volume part "Institutes of the Christian Religion" by John Calvin while they still outright reject Calvinism.</p><p>MacArthur himself also quotes from non-Calvinist preachers. In the book "The Gospel According to Jesus" - we see him quote from two staunch anti-Calvinists namely Aiden W. Tozer and Harry A. Ironside. Ironside is famous for his book "Except Ye Repent". Tozer himself has plenty of sound teachings that Calvinists can enjoy even if the writer rejects Calvinism. MacArthur also endorsed J. Vernon McGee who also was pretty much non-Calvinist. McGee also quoted Calvin many times in his commentary even if the former rejected Calvinism. </p><p>What we need to consider is that Calvinism and non-Calvinism do have these differences and I don't deny it:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Calvinists believe that man has free will except the free will to believe. Non-Calvinists believe that man has the free will to believe.</li><li>Calvinists believe that man is made willing by unconditional election and irresistible grace. Some non-Calvinists do make the mistake of thinking that both doctrines are forcing unsaved people to get saved. Other non-Calvinists don't make the same error.</li><li>Calvinists believe Christ died only for those who believe. Non-Calvinists believe Christ died for all.</li></ul><div>On the other hand, both Calvinist and non-Calvinist true converts have some of these things in common:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Both Calvinists and non-Calvinists want to distinguish false converts from true converts. You may find them both agreeing with Ray Comfort's two videos "True and False Conversion" and "Hell's Best Kept Secret" as valid reading materials. This is called the perseverance of the saints which says that true converts will certainly persevere even if they do fall away.</li><li>Both Calvinists and non-Calvinists may read materials from each other even if they disagree.</li><li>Both Calvinists and non-Calvinists do have some people who need to be humbled from both sides.</li><li>Both Calvinists and non-Calvinists believe in salvation by faith alone. </li></ul><div>Pretty much, it's really a useless quarrel to keep debating on Calvinism and non-Calvinism. Paul Washer says Calvinism shouldn't even be an issue. Washer is a Calvinist. Cloud is a fundamentalist. Yet, Cloud and Washer have embraced Calvinists and non-Calvinists who show signs of true conversion as <i>family</i> <i>members</i>. Washer loves the writing of Aiden W. Tozer who was a non-Calvinist. Cloud has still acknowledged Calvinists' contributions even when he thinks it's an error. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>God bless!</div><div><br /></div><div>See also:</div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-clearer-understanding-of-calvinism.html">A Clearer Understanding of Calvinism</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/03/its-all-about-apostolic-doctrine-and.html">It's All About Apostolic Doctrine and Not John Calvin</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2014/03/why-i-still-embrace-non-calvinist.html">Why Calvinist Christians Should Still Embrace Non-Calvinist Christians</a></li></ul>FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-59894600964161889932020-08-05T22:54:00.008+08:002020-08-13T23:51:18.826+08:00Christians Should Join Together Rejecting the COVID-19 End-Times Hype<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DBh0MbRSwzM" width="320" youtube-src-id="DBh0MbRSwzM"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's August 2020 and the COVID-19 crisis is still <i>ongoing </i>now, isn't it? Well, it's very easy to start off with another "end times" hype, right? The big problem for some time and a big sign of the last days is the <i>end-times </i>hype. Yes, it's a sign of the last days. The Bible uses the term "last days" <i>a lot </i>and Paul warned Timothy of the <i>last days</i>. Did it seem to be a prophecy for centuries <i>after </i>Timothy would have died? It would be doubtful since Paul was giving Timothy advice on how to live in the last days. Yes, the last days already started ever since Jesus ascended into Heaven. We don't know when's the last of the last days. Unfortunately, <i>some </i>people like the late Harold Camping just <i>love </i>to make up speculations. Even some fake Rapture dates were made. Who can ever forget the fake assumption that the Rapture would hit last December 21, 2012? Guess what? It's already past December 21, 2012, and it's been <i>seven years </i>since that date. We're <i>not </i>yet in the Millennium Kingdom! Also, if the Rapture did hit last December 21, 2012, then Jesus' statement that <i>only </i>the Father knows would be wrong. <br /><br />Now, it's very easy to link COVID-19 as a sign of a nearing New World Order. It's no joke that the New World Order is <i>around </i>the corner. However, you may ask that it's been past the year 2000 A.D. and why hasn't it been formed yet? It's because while the New World Order is corrupting people through media - it's because the Chruch is still present. As long as the Church is around then the New World Order won't be able to form. 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 that the day will not come until the Rapture. The Church itself is a big stumblingblock to the ways of Satan. Why do you think Nero decided to get rid of what could be considered or what looks like an insignificant minority? It's because that "insignificant" minority was a big stumblingblock to Nero's plans. The same thing is applied today with the persecution of Christians. There's a quote by J. Vernon McGee that one with God is a majority. Christians in God are a majority which makes them <i>not </i>an insignificant minority. However, can we link COVID-19 to the New World Order? In truth, it's best <i>not </i>to speculate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />David W. Cloud of Way of Life Literature really has some sound advice. In his article "<a href="https://www.wayoflife.org/reports/conspiracies_conspiracies_conspiracies.php" target="_blank">Conspiracies, Conspiracies, Conspiracies</a>" - we can read this very sound advice that we can use in these times of crisis:</div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some people are drawn to this type of thing like flies to honey, and nothing can convince them to stay away from it. They love to stay in a tizzy about this or that conspiracy. They live to re-broadcast conspiracies from their own little social media publishing forum. </div></blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is always some truth to a conspiracy theory. In fact, sometimes there is a lot of truth. But for what it’s worth, I’ll give you four of many reasons why I don’t pay attention to the constant stream of conspiratorial pandering and why I have zero attraction to web sites and social media pages that specialize in them. </div></blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First, they aren’t ultimately provable. </div></blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Second, I couldn’t do anything about them even if they were true. </div></blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Third, it is mentally distracting and discouraging for no good reason. </div></blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fourth, I want my focus to be on God and His control of things. I intend to keep my mind focused on the fact the times overall (Da. 2:21) and my times in particular (Ps. 31:15) are in God’s hands, not in the hands of the the government or the United Nations or a deep state cabal or Bill Gates or the Bilderbergs or whatever. I want to be constantly in mind of the fact that as a born again believer in Jesus Christ, I am foreknown, predestinated, called, justified, and glorified (Romans 8:29-30) (all in aorist tense and therefore accomplished facts in God’s eyes). As the called according to God’s purpose and as a lover of God by redemption, I know that all things work together for my good, and that is what I intend to focus on, and I will not allow anything to interfere with that confidence.</div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div>David J. Stewart is a <i>big </i>hypocrite to post conspiracy theories (a lot like the late Jack T. Chick does) then <a href="https://stewart1611.blogspot.com/2020/08/beware-of-all-fake-end-times-hype.html" target="_blank">he ends up warning about the fake end-times hype</a>. Yes, Stewart is a hypocrite who speaks from both sides of his mouth! Back to Cloud, he really made four real powerful points especially when he mentions that God is ultimately in control and not man. Nobody should care about stuff like what if the COVID-19 is a genetically engineered virus by the Jesuits or by the Illuminati. The whole idea is ultimately unprovable. The only thing provable about the COVID-19 is that diseases are but a consequence of Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden. The proof of sin in man is evidenced by diseases and death, If you don't die young then you will grow old. Do you realize that growing old is slowly weakening the body from within? The white hair and wrinkled skin are evidence of slowly having an appointment with the grave if the person doesn't die young. Getting sick and growing old are both agents of decay. Eventually, the body rots because the payment for sin is death. That's why Jesus had to die on the cross in order to pay for the penalty of sin!</div><div><br />While conspiracy theories do contain <i>some truth </i>but you can't trust a broken clock. A broken clock may tell the truth <i>sometimes </i>but you can't trust it because of it being broken. Can you trust a quack doctor to give you the right diagnosis because there was a time that he or she was right? The same goes for websites and books rooted in conspiracy theories rather than focusing on the Word of God. That's why it's an excellent choice to <i>retire </i>from conspiracy theories to primarily focus on God's Word!</div><div><br /></div><div>Jun Divierte in his article "<a href="http://www.jundivierte.net/covid-19-vaccine-microchip-and-the-antichrist/" target="_blank">Covid-19 Vaccine, Microchip, and the Antichrist</a>" has written this very sound advice about COVID-19 conspiracy theories:</div><blockquote><div>This wrong biblical interpretation was written by some extreme believers who are twisting the pretribulationist view. It is true that for the educated pretribulationist eschatologist they believe that there will be a rapture, a revealing of a literal antichrist in person introducing the mark of the beast but this will not happen before the construction of the literal Jerusalem temple takes place. And after the seven years of great tribulation, the battle of armageddon and the millennial reign of Christ will follow. Although, some mid-tribulationist and post-tribulationist will disagree with the dispensation and occurence. <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">However, educated pretribulationist will strongly differ at the interpretation of these deluded believers who don’t want to observe social distancing and precautionary measures to arrest the spreading of this virus</span>. They have concocted another conspiracy theory along with the many existing lists that connects the different biblical truths with myths. This is similar to Dan Brown’s conspiracy theory books titled The Da Vinci Code and Inferno that <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">pulls every fact then web them together with theories to come up with fabricated tales</span>. Again, there are no reputable and educated pretribulationist who will agree with their distorted biblical view of eschatology. </div></blockquote><blockquote><div>These believers who made a wrong biblical interpretation of eschatology accused many of their theologically-educated critics of being deceived by the spiritual enemy. Now, the Lord Jesus Christ did not present us with something that cannot be investigated with biblical historical facts. Everything about the Lord Jesus’ physical second coming ties neatly together in the pages of the Scripture. <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Unlike the Bible, this conspiracy theory keeps on resurrecting in many forms that tend to sway the credulous and gullible believers</span>. As Peter writes, “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Pet. 1:16). Let us all be careful not to embrace cleverly devised myths. </div></blockquote><div><div>The Logos Academic Blog's article "<a href="https://academic.logos.com/covid-19-and-the-mark-of-the-beast/" target="_blank">COVID-19 and The Mark of the Beast</a>" also talks this about the mark of the Beast:</div><blockquote><div><div><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">I know of no reputable biblical scholar or theologian who would endorse that the COVID-19 quarantine or a vaccine is related to the “mark of the beast”</span>. For starters, in Revelation, <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">the “mark of the beast” is by no means a medical procedure</span>. Most likely, it’s not even a physical or visible mark at all. Contrary to some of the more fear-inducing theories that have in the past gained steam in some evangelical circles, the “mark” is not at all something that could be accidentally taken either.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why? Because the mark of the beast (Rev. 13:16-18) is <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">a mark that is closely tied to the worship of the beast</span> (13:12, 15; cf. 19:20; 20:4). Thus, the mark of the beast is a mark of loyalty and devotion to the beast.</div><div><br /></div><div>Moreover, when you compare those passages where the mark of the beast is discussed with passages like Rev. 7 and 14, it is plausible to think that the mark of the beast is most likely a sign that identifies you as something you already are—namely wicked and evil, a person of the dragon. I say this because when you read Rev. 7:1-8 and 14:1 (where the mark of the Lamb is discussed), you’ll notice it is a mark given to God’s people, God’s servants, in order to identify them as such and, of course, to protect them. They get the mark of the Lamb because they are already united with the Lamb.</div><div><br /></div><div>It seems pretty evident that all of this is the case because these two marks—the mark of the beast and the mark of the Lamb—are meant to be seen as two polar realities, two opposite signs, marking out as it were two different types of people, namely, the wicked on the one hand and the righteous on the other.</div><div><br /></div><div>What all this means is that the “mark of the beast” is most likely a spiritual, non-visible mark; <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">it’s a mark of loyalty and worship and is not, therefore, something you could accidentally accept</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>So you don’t need to fear getting the beast’s mark by taking a vaccine—unless, of course, you plan to treat the vaccine as a sort of symbolic expression or “unholy sacrament” (sorry for the oxymoron!) of your wilful and public rejection of the Christian faith that you despise. If that’s you and if that’s your plan, then it’s not the vaccine that’s the problem.</div></div></blockquote><div>This is also really <i>no different </i>than all the end-times hype you might be receiving for some time now. I remembered a lot of end-times hype that hit because of the rise of membership shopping that no one could shop there without a membership. However, the <i>big question </i>about membership shopping is that do they know the reason behind why membership is required? It's a wholesale store and there are also home deliveries these days. Would you want your deliveries to be given to the <i>wrong </i>person? Membership would ensure that if you order something from them then you get it. It's like being part of a shopping network online. While these will make the mark of the Beast appear but as said - the New World Order is <i>inevitable</i>. What also needs to be remembered is that membership shopping <i>does not </i>require its members to pledge their allegiance to the Devil. I remembered the already-dismissed rumor about Proctor and Gamble or the one linking membership shopping to the Church of Satan. You can have all the membership shopping or technology you want but the mark of the Beast is all about loyalty and worship. That's something that our current technologies don't have yet. Besides, stop trying to prevent the New World Order from forming because God will <i>allow </i>it. What Christians should do right now is just to continue fulfilling Matthew 24:14 instead of engaging in the end-times hype.</div><div><br /></div><div>God bless!</div><div><br /></div>See also:<br /><div><ul><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/03/being-careful-of-pitfall-of-believing.html">Being Careful of the Pitfall of Believing Conspiracy Theory Messages on Text and Social Networks</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/06/christianity-and-research-for-covid-19.html">Christianity and the Research for a COVID-19 Vaccine</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/11/christians-and-conspiracy-theories.html">Christians and Conspiracy Theories: Discernment or Distraction?</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/11/conspiracy-theories-usually-end-up.html">Conspiracy Theories Usually End Up Nowhere But Endless Speculations</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/01/conspiracy-theorists-are-usually-just.html">Conspiracy Theorists Are Usually Just Close Minded People with Wide Open Mouths</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/04/discerning-against-some-books-and.html">Discerning Against Some Books and Websites Supposedly Meant to Help Christians </a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/05/overanalyzing-and-overdoing-stuff-then.html">Overanalyzing and Overdoing Stuff Then Mixing Them Up With Conspiracy Theories</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/06/please-practice-social-distancing-from.html">Please Practice Social Distancing from Medical Conspiracy Theories</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/01/pulpit-pen-is-reformed-theology-version.html">Pulpit & Pen is the Reformed Theology Version of Jesus-is-Savior</a></li><li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/08/some-disinformation-agents-are-just.html">Some Disinformation Agents Are Just Bitter Individuals</a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/09/stop-reading-david-j-stewarts-jesus-is.html">Stop Reading David J. Stewart's Jesus-is-Savior Website, Okay? </a></li><li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/10/why-reformation-online-website-isnt.html">Why The Reformation Online Website Isn't Good Theology</a></li></ul></div></div></div>FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-54599575656772056832020-07-13T19:24:00.001+08:002020-07-13T19:26:28.631+08:00Noah Was NOT a Conspiracy Theorist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JCHY8e7Npcsa0cVOyL0zTLNzWif3lHM8mz8hjzoBSroCzW6dA8RqLS-Bnh0xMrbHVkhCmUSUa8SlqgCC3Fm9M5_51xXiIGYvTWuQOcySf-ehY46zOLihFjT6AC3gtu6WdSXsOEkgguSX/s1600/108197057_283916626170155_7441132652629989707_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="827" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JCHY8e7Npcsa0cVOyL0zTLNzWif3lHM8mz8hjzoBSroCzW6dA8RqLS-Bnh0xMrbHVkhCmUSUa8SlqgCC3Fm9M5_51xXiIGYvTWuQOcySf-ehY46zOLihFjT6AC3gtu6WdSXsOEkgguSX/s400/108197057_283916626170155_7441132652629989707_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is really <i>crazy </i>meme which suggests that Noah was supposedly a conspiracy theorist. First, we need to define what a conspiracy theory is. <a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/conspiracy-theory" target="_blank">Dictionary.com</a> defines conspiracy theories as follows:<br />
<ul>
<li>A theory that rejects the standard explanation for an event and instead credits a covert group or organization with carrying out a secret plot.</li>
<li>A belief that a particular unexplained event was caused by such a covert group.</li>
<li>The idea that many important political events or economic and social trends are the products of deceptive plots that are largely unknown to the general public.</li>
</ul>
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We need to consider that Noah had a <i>divine </i>revelation from God. Noah was forewarned by God that a great flood was about to come in due time. That doesn't make Noah a conspiracy theorist because he didn't formulate any theory. He was given a <i>prophecy </i>and not some complex theory. That makes him different from the likes of Alex Jones, Texxe Marrs, and David J. Stewart. Did Jones, Marrs, and Stewart get any divine revelation from God? I doubt it. It was just like how Pentecostal preacher Irvin Baxter tried to discuss Revelation by claiming he had a dream is already <i>nonsense </i>in many ways.</div>
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David W. Cloud of Way of Life Literature really had good advice to <i>avoid </i>conspiracy theories altogether. His article "<a href="https://www.wayoflife.org/reports/conspiracies_conspiracies_conspiracies.php" target="_blank">Conspiracies, Conspiracies, Conspiracies</a>" presents the case that should actually help Christians live a more healthy life. I would agree that they are mentally distracting for no good reason. </div>
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What we need right now is just to <i>trust </i>God and play with caution. True, the COVID-19 infection is really there. However, can the theorists like Jones even prove that it's supposedly leading to a New World Order? Unfortunately, studying Revelation these days can become more prone to sensationalism rather than facts. How many times have we thought that this and that leads to this and that? I even stopped reading Cutting Edge Ministries and Jesus-is-Savior for reasons that the sites are more conspiracy-theory filled.<br />
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I know it's been tempting to return to conspiracy theories but haven't I become an agent of false witness by indulging in one? How often did entering conspiracy theories make me believe whatever lies have come into my mind? I can't use Noah as an excuse to go back to conspiracy theories. I have <i>no </i>divine revelation from God when the world will end or stuff like that. That's why I've decided to retire from conspiracy theories to focus first on God's Word. I can discuss current events but <i>not </i>in the light of conspiracy theories but of God's Word!</div>
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See also:<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/03/being-careful-of-pitfall-of-believing.html">Being Careful of the Pitfall of Believing Conspiracy Theory Messages on Text and Social Networks</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/11/christians-and-conspiracy-theories.html">Christians and Conspiracy Theories: Discernment or Distraction?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/11/conspiracy-theories-usually-end-up.html">Conspiracy Theories Usually End Up Nowhere But Endless Speculations</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/01/conspiracy-theorists-are-usually-just.html">Conspiracy Theorists Are Usually Just Close Minded People with Wide Open Mouths</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/04/discerning-against-some-books-and.html">Discerning Against Some Books and Websites Supposedly Meant to Help Christians </a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/05/overanalyzing-and-overdoing-stuff-then.html">Overanalyzing and Overdoing Stuff Then Mixing Them Up With Conspiracy Theories</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/01/pulpit-pen-is-reformed-theology-version.html">Pulpit & Pen is the Reformed Theology Version of Jesus-is-Savior</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/08/some-disinformation-agents-are-just.html">Some Disinformation Agents Are Just Bitter Individuals</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/09/stop-reading-david-j-stewarts-jesus-is.html">Stop Reading David J. Stewart's Jesus-is-Savior Website, Okay? </a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/10/why-reformation-online-website-isnt.html">Why The Reformation Online Website Isn't Good Theology</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-22054040537598136012020-07-12T17:58:00.000+08:002020-07-16T00:20:01.162+08:00A Biblical Perspective of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines' Selective Outrage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjsG0hMiEaJmFiggqHbEKiPEBXBkRHt6raLOr022aMppMjNxK0QyK_-DNd-fBDkIzBWOexkeE352p_nPdDzLamAMdvyBAhtfw3VeAueKsRTXgdOrUDeBSZ1HNW_UuUQ8hs5nniqUJWhh3/s1600/107569743_3331614863558035_8759815712345826779_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="960" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjsG0hMiEaJmFiggqHbEKiPEBXBkRHt6raLOr022aMppMjNxK0QyK_-DNd-fBDkIzBWOexkeE352p_nPdDzLamAMdvyBAhtfw3VeAueKsRTXgdOrUDeBSZ1HNW_UuUQ8hs5nniqUJWhh3/s400/107569743_3331614863558035_8759815712345826779_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The Roman Catholic institution is really <i>not </i>so full of surprises if you know its history. Recently, the former president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/11/20/move-to-kill-abs-cbns-franchise-bid-damages-trust-in-govt-archbishop-soc-villegas" target="_blank">Archbishop Socrates Villegas, has decided to reveal his outrage over the denial of the ABS-CBN government franchise</a>. Also, <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/04/20/archbishop-villegas-ph-taking-the-wrong-path-in-anti-terror-law" target="_blank">Villegas even dares to mention against the Anti-Terrorism Law</a>. Valid concerns should be raised against the Anti-Terrorism Law that it might be misused and abused and any defects concerning it must be addressed. However, it's another thing to want to get rid of a law that would be used to enforce peace and order altogether without trying to fix it first. Villegas also reveals his uttermost hypocrisy by talking about peace and non-violence <i>never mind </i>the history of the Vatican. Is the Vatican that desperate to cover up its history when all the scandals are very <i>well-documented </i>already?<br />
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What's the issue with Villegas and the CBCP? It's not that he has no right to freedom of speech. It's not that religious leaders have no right to point out the mistakes of those in power. It's one thing to point out the mistakes of those in power. It's another thing to lead a rebellion like Korah. Villegas is also having his selective outrage. While it's good to point out against abortion but his Walk of Life or his outrage towards violence is rather selective. Violence is sometimes necessary to uphold the law. If you're going to save an innocent person then sometimes a gunshot is necessary. If a thug enters your house and the police haven't arrived yet - you might consider firing a gun to kill out of self-defense. Does Villegas even know what it means to turn the other cheek?<br />
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I would dare care about this selective outrage. How could Villegas talk about free expression and murder when the Roman Catholic institution's <i>long, well-documented </i>history is full of it? What about the Inquisition which tortured and murdered people for not submitting to their religion? What about the Crusades that launched a lot of massacres on whoever kept them from "reclaiming" the Holy Land of Jerusalem? What about the condemnation of the printing press which was invented by a Roman Catholic named Johannes Gutenburg? Isn't it really weird that Gutenburg <i>never </i>got beatified and canonized by the Vatican <i>until </i>now? What about the long-hidden secret that even a copy of the Roman Catholic Latin Bible wasn't allowed in the hands of the common man? During that time, even holding a copy of the Good News Translation (GNT) could still land you into the "Holy" Office. Not to mention, William Tyndale was <i>burned alive</i> for translating the Roman Catholic Latin Bible into English and Martin Luther was persecuted for translating it into German. How is that respect of free expression and life?<br />
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This also makes you wonder about the Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020. There's nothing wrong with raising objections towards it if they find out mistakes written in it. The Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020 should also provide rules against false witnesses and authority figures guilty of terrorism. Why is the CBCP against it? It's possible that every outrage that they have towards it is because it could go against their most generous donors. What if their "concern" for its possibility of being abused is not out of valid concern but for selfish interests? I think CBCP gets a <i>lot </i>of money from big-time criminals (such as druglords) which may include them that are profiteering from terrorist acts. They would do anything to keep their coffers full. Who can't forget the famous line of Johannes Tetzel that when a coin in the coffer clings that a soul from Purgatory springs? Today, the very crimes of Tetzel are made silent as much as possible to keep the precious Roman Catholics under their control. I think their antagonism towards the bill might unmask whatever dirty connections that they might have.<br />
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I even wonder has Villegas even read Romans 13? I'm going to quote from the GNT which is an <i>approved </i>Roman Catholic translation.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Romans 13:1-5 </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Everyone must obey state authorities, <span style="background-color: yellow;">because no authority exists without God's permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God</span>. 2 Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgment on himself. 3 <span style="background-color: yellow;">For rulers are not to be feared by those who do good, but by those who do evil. Would you like to be unafraid of those in authority? Then do what is good, and they will praise you, 4 because they are God's servants working for your own good. But if you do evil, then be afraid of them, because their power to punish is real.</span> They are God's servants and carry out God's punishment on those who do evil. 5 For this reason you must obey the authorities—not just because of God's punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. </blockquote>
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6 That is also why you pay taxes, because the authorities are working for God when they fulfill their duties. 7 Pay, then, what you owe them; pay them your personal and property taxes, and show respect and honor for them all.</blockquote>
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While it's indeed <i>true </i>that sometimes ungodly authority kicks on but let's take a look at how Bible heroes and how Jesus the Son of God handled it. Did Daniel's three friends disrespect King Nebuchadnezzar or even throw a revolt or did they decide to disobey him in a <i>civil </i>manner? Did Daniel revolt against King Nebuchadnezzar or did he disobey as civil as possible? Did Mordecai plot to assassinate Haman or did he actually decide to expose the plot as legally as possible? Did John the Baptist lead a revolt against Herod Antipas when he rebuked the latter for sexual immorality? Did Jesus order the Jews to overthrow the Romans? Jesus even said to render to God what is to God and to Caesar what is to Caesar. Did Paul write a letter to Rome during the reign of the godless Nero (and before that, Caligula also was the emperor) to get rid of their king? We see that Paul wrote the letter during Nero's time. What Christians are told is to do <i>civil disobedience </i>whenever the government does something ungodly.<br />
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<a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/civil-disobedience.html" target="_blank">Got Questions</a> also has these guidelines on when to exercise <i>civil disobedience</i>:<br />
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What conclusions can be drawn from the above biblical examples? The guidelines for a Christian’s civil disobedience can be summed as follows: </blockquote>
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• Christians should resist a government that commands or compels evil and<span style="background-color: yellow;"> should work nonviolently within the laws of the land to change a government that permits evil</span>. </blockquote>
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• Civil disobedience is permitted when <span style="background-color: yellow;">the government’s laws or commands are in direct violation of God’s laws and commands</span>. </blockquote>
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• If a Christian disobeys an evil government, <span style="background-color: yellow;">unless he can flee from the government, he should accept that government’s punishment for his actions</span>. </blockquote>
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• <span style="background-color: yellow;">Christians are certainly permitted to work to install new government leaders within the laws that have been established</span>. </blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;">Lastly, Christians are commanded to pray for their leaders and for God to intervene in His time to change any ungodly path that they are pursuing</span>: “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:1–2).</blockquote>
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Unfortunately, CBCP's current outrage towards the ABS-CBN franchise renewal and the Anti-Terrorism Bill might be encouraging people to break the law. Again, it's normal to be afraid that any law can be misused and abused. I'm not saying that the Anti-Terrorism Law can't be misused or that innocents can't be charged falsely. That's why it's important to set up strict laws against perjury and to punish corrupt authorities. It would be permissible for Christians to work <i>non-violently </i>to change any provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Law to make sure that it fulfills the duties in Romans 13:1-5 to be a sword to punish evildoers. CBCP doesn't seem to understand the ethical concerns as to why ABS-CBN was <i>not </i>given its franchise. If they violated certain rules then they don't deserve that franchise. Also, if the Anti-Terrorism Law has some faulty sections then why not have a <i>civil disobedience </i>to revise or amend any parts of it to make sure that the law itself is <i>not </i>going to be misused?<br />
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If the CBCP claims to speak for God then shouldn't it be their priority to pray for both President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo? Instead, it seems CBCP loves to play partisan politics whenever it conveniences them. Recently, they seem to favor anyone who is not for Duterte but for the opposition side of the spectrum. Shouldn't Christian leaders be impartial? However, such doesn't seem to be the case of the CBCP. Their criticism of the wrongdoings done by people in-office should be done in a non-partisan manner. Correcting our authorities is needed so they can stir people in the right direction. Shouldn't they be praying to God to give wisdom to both Duterte and Robredo to fulfill their God-given responsibilities? Shouldn't it be the responsibility of Christians to pray for the salvation of their unsaved leaders?<br />
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This is where things get really ugly. Reading through Matthew 23 about the Pharisees actually tells you that they appear to be righteous but are full of dead men's bones. That is, they are full of dirty secrets both literally and figuratively. CBCP is no different from its mother organization the Vatican. The Pharisees from Rome are just like broken clocks. Just because they <i>seldom</i> raise valid points doesn't mean that they can be trusted. The CBCP should just be dismissed. Roman Catholics need to start studying the Bible for themselves rather than trust their priest like the latter is never wrong.<br />
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See also:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/06/a-biblical-perspective-concerning-anti.html" target="">A Biblical Perspective Concerning the Anti-Terrorism Bill and the Communist Party's Desire for Legitimization</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/08/beware-of-being-politically-correct.html">Beware of Being "Politically Correct" Over Being Scripturally Correct</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/08/communists-are-seeking-to-infiltrate.html">Communists Are Seeking to Infiltrate and Destroy Christian Education</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/09/dont-forget-that-roman-catholic.html">Don't Forget That the Roman Catholic Institution Has a Very Long History of Inciting Sedition</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/12/dont-let-politically-correct-anti.html" target="">Don't Let Politically Correct Anti-Christian Governments Take Your Bibles and Self-Defense Weapons From You!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/08/its-sad-how-many-roman-catholics-today.html">It's Sad How Many Roman Catholics Today Don't Even Know Their Violent History</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/05/just-say-no-to-political-correctness.html">Just Say No to Political Correctness!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/04/please-pray-to-god-to-give-wisdom-to.html">Please Pray to God to Give Wisdom to Your Authorities in the Midst of Any Crisis</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/01/political-correctness-wont-make-sin.html">Political Correctness Won't Make Sin Smell Any Sweeter to a Holy, Righteous God!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/07/politically-correct-people-are-whiny.html">Politically Correct People Are Whiny Crybabies Who Hate the Inconvenient Truth</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2018/06/praying-for-salvation-of-ones-unsaved.html">Praying for the Salvation of One's Unsaved Leaders</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/07/feminist-medias-selective-outrage.html">Roman Catholic Mass Media's Selective Outrage</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-sin-of-asking-god-to-bless.html">The Sin of Asking God to Bless Politically Correct People</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2011/02/vaticans-pro-life-hypocrisy.html">Vatican's "Pro-Life" Hypocrisy</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/06/what-happens-when-christian-education.html">What Happens When Christian Education Uses Carnal Means to Get Students?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/08/will-politically-correct-people-please.html">Will Politically Correct People Please Make Up Their Minds? </a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/03/whose-rights-are-politically-correct.html">Whose Rights Are Politically Correct Organizations Defending Anyway?</a></li>
</ul>
FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-3375336071822596192020-06-15T00:18:00.002+08:002020-12-06T21:56:55.550+08:00Christianity and the Research for a COVID-19 Vaccine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's something that Christians have been seriously misled by anti-vaccine protesters. Some of the worst sites for Christians to visit are Jesus-is-Savior and Reformation Online. Both their webmasters (David J. Stewart and Patrick Scrivener) are fond of conspiracy theories and half-truths. Stewart has made a claim that vaccines supposedly kill and Scrivener has even called Edward Jenner a "Jesuit". Not surprisingly Stewart is writing half-truths about the Coronavirus. I started having doubts about vaccination because of Stewart and Scrivener. The recent one has the scare that <a href="https://academic.logos.com/covid-19-and-the-mark-of-the-beast/" target="_blank">the COVID-19 vaccine will become the "Mark of the Beast"</a> which might cause unnecessary panic yet again. I remembered how membership shopping was considered to be the Mark of the Beast. Then credit cards and I don't know what's next. I do believe that a lot of stuff today are gateways to the Mark of the Beast <i>but </i>they are not the same thing. Did membership-only groceries owned by <i>private businessmen</i> require you to pledge allegiance to the world government that's not even complete until the Rapture? What evidences do conspiracy theorists have that Proctor & Gamble and other related companies were part of the Illuminati? The same question can be asked about vaccination and the Mark of the Beast.<br />
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For starters, do you know how the process of vaccination works? Creation Ministries International has a useful article called "<a href="https://creation.com/cmi-vaccination#introduction" target="_blank">CMI, vaccines, and vaccination</a>" which would probably drive both Stewart and Scrivener screaming if they ever read it. Here is how the article defines vaccination though I suggest reading the whole article too:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Thus, the main principle of vaccination is to <span style="background-color: yellow;">train the adaptive immune system with dead or highly weakened germs, to give it ‘target practice’</span>. As a result, if it encounters the live pathogen, it is ready for it. Because the germ has little chance to multiply to dangerous levels, <span style="background-color: yellow;">a vaccinated person usually doesn’t develop an illness at all or gets it much less severely</span>. </blockquote>
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So, vaccination has saved millions of lives, and prevented severe injuries in millions more. One of our own senior staff was a practising medical doctor for many years and has seen firsthand the baneful effects and damage caused by people contracting such preventable diseases, including brain damage, in unvaccinated children. The same principle applies to vaccines based on toxoids, i.e. deactivated toxins, such as in the tetanus and diphtheria vaccines, which train the immune system to attack the toxins quickly. </blockquote>
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A newer type, recombinant vaccines, uses genetic engineering to make a protein on the outside of the germ that the immune system targets. This combines the gene for this protein into another virus, lets that multiply, say in insect cells, then the protein is harvested, and used to make the vaccine that contains no virus genetic material, live or dead. One type of influenza vaccine is recombinant, and can be used for people allergic to eggs, and the Hepatitis B and HVP vaccines are also recombinant, as is the newer and much more effective shingles vaccine Shingrix. Conjugate vaccines are made in a similar way, but use recombinant technology to combine two or more pieces from the coat of a disease-causing bacterium, such as Pneumococcus, which train the immune system without needing whole bacterial cells.</blockquote>
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One Fundamental Baptist preacher still worth respecting namely David W. Cloud of Way of Life Literature has also documented about vaccinations. Cloud's three articles worth reading are "<a href="https://www.wayoflife.org/reports/rabies_before_and_after_vaccine.php" target="_blank">Rabies, Before and After the Vaccine</a>", "<a href="https://www.wayoflife.org/reports/tetanus_before_and_after_vaccine.php" target="_blank">Tetanus Before and After Vaccine</a>", and "<a href="https://www.wayoflife.org/reports/typhoid_before_and_after_vaccine.php" target="_blank">Typhoid Before and After Vaccine</a>" all document the collapse of infection for rabies, tetanus, and typhoid thanks to the vaccine. I had fun reading the articles because they totally refute the fundamentalist craziness of Stewart.<br />
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While <i>unsafe </i>vaccines do exist but there are safe vaccines that have saved lives. Any Christian with basic scientific knowledge has to wonder where Stewart and Scrivener got their anti-vaccine ideas. Vaccines can only kill if they're unsafe. Otherwise, any vaccine that has been proven safe and effective should be administered according to medical instructions. For example, some vaccines were meant only for those who recovered from the disease while others can be administered to healthy people. Any vaccine that is proven safe and effective won't directly cause autism. Also, the objections regarding vaccines containing certain deadly poisons is that it goes against the rule of toxicology. A vaccine can only be unsafe if there are unsafe doses of ethylmercury, formaldehyde, and aluminum. Yes, a vaccine can <i>kill </i>if the amounts of those materials just mentioned exceeding the safe amounts which are meant to be disposed of by the body after vaccination.<br />
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That's why it's recommended to <i>stay clear </i>of medical conspiracy theories altogether. What is needed are facts. Christianity is a religion based on biblical truth. Why do we study science, math, and history? It's because those subjects are truths that can help prove the authenticity of the faith. When the late D. James Kennedy wrote his book "Why I Believe" - he wrote in a <i>lot </i>of scientific facts to defend creation. Kenneth Alfred Ham of Answers in Genesis has a degree in Applied Science. Christianity isn't anti-science as atheists may want to claim. Instead, Christianity with its teaching of design and purpose is necessary for science to be used to help others. Vaccinations too are a result of scientific study unlike what the anti-vaccination crowd wants you to believe.<br />
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See also:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/06/please-practice-social-distancing-from.html">Please Practice Social Distancing from Medical Conspiracy Theories</a></li>
</ul>
FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-18108646878812478602020-06-14T23:39:00.000+08:002020-06-14T23:39:16.588+08:00A Biblical Perspective on Rape and Why Women Need to Dress ModestlyThere's no denying that rape is indeed a <i>serious </i>offense. I'm not going to deny the gravity of rape as a crime and why it should be punishable. The Old Testament law even has laws to put the rapist to death in Deuteronomy 22:23-27. Also, it's a mistake to think that Deuteronomy 22:28-29 says that a woman must marry her rapist if she isn't betrothed to any man. The father is ultimately in authority over her and can refuse the rapist. Worse, the rapist if he has done any damage to life then he could be charged according to the eye for eye and tooth for tooth law. Today, rape can carry up to the death penalty regarding the severity of the offense.<br />
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However, there is the rising campaign of women called "My Body, My Rights". Women becoming victims of sexual violence by men is not a joke. Just because a husband has rule over his wife doesn't mean marital rape is okay. Just because a man has authority over a woman that the former can ask the latter for illicit sexual favors. Clothing may <i>not </i>necessarily result in rape (ex. some women got raped even if they dress modestly) but we can't discount the need to teach women to dress decently. Feminists today are saying that clothing doesn't matter. The indecency displayed by the "My Body My Rights" movement is something.<br />
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Proverbs 7:10 warns one of the biggest moves of a seductress is to dress like a harlot. You can see women dress up rather skimpily to gain the attention of possible customers. They can be attractive or unattractive but all that matters is their ability and willingness to satisfy the sinful desires of men. I've met some attractive ones and unattractive ones but they're all the same internally. They are all strange women that must be avoided regardless of appearance. It always makes sense that an attractive woman who's dressed decently won't attract as much attention as an unattractive woman dressed so immodestly. The way you dress can communicate something. A woman dressed modestly regardless of appearance can give the impression that she's off-limits. A woman dressed immodestly regardless of appearance is always inviting perverts. While perverts do indeed have to get punished <i>but </i>we need to emphasize women not to dress in a way that attracts perverts. While it's not 100% rape-proof and they still need to follow safety rules - it would still be wise to dress modestly.<br />
<br />Place where women are dressed more modestly may significantly have fewer sexual crimes. I didn't say that it's zero percent since rape is also a very common crime in Muslim countries. I'm not saying women should be wearing hijabs and burkas but it would do well to have enough cover for one's body. Places, where women dress like harlots, are places where sexual immorality is abundant. Consider Las Vegas or a lot of Western countries today. The United States of America is one place where immorality is really rampant evidenced by the lack of decency. Saying that your clothes don't necessarily tell your personality is just stupid. I remembered studying in college and people with very indecent clothing revealed their indecent personalities. Although it was a Roman Catholic university yet they did the right thing in implementing proper decency. If a heathen university would demand such standards then I have the right to question Christians who don't.<br /><br />We want to minimize temptation as much as possible. We want to make sure that if rape happens that the victim is <i>truly </i>not at fault. Men who rape women regardless of clothing should be punished. However, women who got raped while wearing flimsy clothing should be lectured about their attire since they're inviting too much attention. Not all rape victims had what's coming to them. An old woman gets raped and she wasn't dressed up like a slut. Some of them were just minding their own businesses. It would be easy to sympathize with them because they weren't asking for it. However, <i>some </i>rape victims had it coming for them with their careless, flimsy lifestyle which makes it <i>hard </i>to sympathize with them. There should be the need to training women (in both homes and schools) to minimize their chances of getting raped where it's their fault. Maybe, it's also time to pass laws to <i>fine</i> women who dress indecently. Start with the schools to ban indecent dressing as not to distract the learning environment.<br />
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This would also mean teaching men the right conduct and good manners towards women as the weaker vessels. Just because a man is physically stronger doesn't mean that they have the right to harm women. Rather, they are to respect women as their co-equals since Eve was taken out of Adam's side. Men were meant to protect women and not to oppress them. Adam was given Eve to love and care for and not to abuse. It's the duty of the strong to protect and not to oppress the weak. Sadly, some men are also the reason why dirty feminists keep rising up like weeds. Some feminists have been real victims of abuse even if that doesn't justify their unethical behavior. It's an ugly sin cycle that happens because of men who don't treat women right. Though the law needs to be applied justly and fairly on any assault regardless of gender. A man raping a woman and a woman raping a man should be treated as equally heinous crimes against humanity.FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-58972224634674841972020-06-09T14:33:00.001+08:002020-06-09T14:33:19.890+08:00Please Practice Social Distancing from Medical Conspiracy Theories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As the Coronavirus is still <i>raging on</i> - there's really a lot of reasons for conspiracy theorists to step forward, right? One of the biggest medical hoaxes was a video called "Plandemic". It turns out that the whole video was a manufactured hoax. Medical conspiracy theories have been promoted by quackery sites such as The Reformation Online, Jesus-is-Savior, Infowars, and Now the End Begins just to name a few. Reading through them showed that they're indeed against vaccines. Jesus-is-Savior's David J. Stewart (who's probably out and in parole) is <a href="https://stewart1611.blogspot.com/search?q=coronavirus" target="_blank">now writing about the Coronavirus</a>. The problem of Stewart is that he loves to hang around conspiracy theory nutjobs. His blog is not surprisingly revealing that he hangs out with another extreme nutjob named Steven Anderson of Faithful Word Baptist Church. Does the guy now even condone to killing homosexuals than evangelizing them as part of the mission field?<br />
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One of Stewart's statements might make you want to question his credibility:<br />
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The American people are still waiting for honest answers from the government, regarding what really happened on 911 in New York? Vietnam Veteran Rudy Dent is a 31-year retired NYC firefighter and fire investigator, who openly called 911 an INSIDE JOB! Dr. Craig Roberts wrote a compelling article last year titled: 'The Truth Has Finally Come Out About 911!' With all these facts in mind, seeing that 911 was an obvious False Flag Terror Attack, anyone familiar with 911 knew from the very start that this whole Coronavirus scare is another False Flag Operation (just like the 2007 London Train Bombings).<span style="background-color: yellow;"> I cannot say conclusively with evidence that the Coronavirus is manmade, but I am 100% convinced of it! One thing is very clear and obvious—our world has gone from a Pandemic to a Police State overnight, which to me is 100% proof of this being another INSIDE JOB!!!</span> </blockquote>
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I don't know where Stewart is getting is ideas. This isn't to dismiss any <i>truth </i>that he's said. He's still right about how feminism destroys or how Communism has infiltrated the world. He sure has the guts to criticize the late Jack T. Chick when both of them are involved in sensationalism. Besides, Phil Johnson <i>rightfully </i>describes Stewart's site as:<br />
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The first thing you'll notice about this site is how cluttered, disorderly, and tawdry it looks. The content is no different. It's as if the page was constructed with a deliberate effort to eliminate anything that might edify or encourage. <span style="background-color: yellow;">This is a seriously ugly muddle of fundamentalist pet issues, 911 Truther propaganda, and various amateur analyses—all thrown in your face with high-decibel, high-velocity force</span>. The webmaster here seems drawn to every repugnant trope that has ever been commandeered in the name of religion—unsightly images, distasteful themes, loathsome tales, sinister gossip, and sensationalized headlines ("Satanism In The Vatican!") <span style="background-color: yellow;">He blends these themes with favorite points of fundamentalist controversy and presents them in a way that seems carefully calculated to maximize the shock value.</span> This is not ministry; it is exploitation. It's a lot of sound and fury, <span style="background-color: yellow;">signifying nothing profitable.</span> </blockquote>
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Some people insist that the only way to reach our generation with the gospel is by laboring to seem as cool or as non-confrontational as possible. <span style="background-color: yellow;">This guy seems to think the goal is the opposite: to be as cheesy and offensive as possible.</span> Both strategies are equally misguided.</blockquote>
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In fact, he's even a bloodier version of Chick Publications. Chick Tracts are usually in black and white so any bloody depiction can be lessened. However, the Crusaders Comics have bene using some unsightly images drawn which is also rather <i>inappropriate</i>. The Crusaders comic book series' drawings are however nowhere near as bloody as what Stewart does. Stewart even puts <i>real</i> bloody pictures such as aborted fetuses and fanatic Muslims slashing themselves in <i>full color</i>. While I do believe sometimes such images need to be placed but putting them in grayscale would be discretion. Also, if the photo is too offensive then why bother sharing it openly? There's also that rule of thumb about medical and forensic discretion about bloody evidence. The Bible talks about bloody scenes but doesn't describe them in detail. However, it seems that Stewart himself is also obsessed with bloody images.<br /><br />Should we mention that Stewart ends to have conspiracy theories that he believes links towards the New World Order? I don't deny that the New World Order is indeed coming but not now. God has His timetable and as long as the Church Age is here then the New World Order can't materialize as planned. Christians are still a heavy boulder for the New World Order. It's only when Christians are finally taken out of the way can it succeed. I would agree with Johnson that the analyses of Stewart are indeed <i>amateur analyses</i>. Stewart's love for conspiracy theories and saying that Infowars isn't into it should tell you something. Can you really trust Jesus-is-Savior to give you important information on surviving any future pandemic? I would suggest checking out that site for updates would probably just drive somebody crazy.<br />
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Listen to Alex Jones? Seriously? The more I listen to him - the more this guy defies common sense. Whether or not he's a Jesuit stooge or a Vatican exposer should now be irrelevant. What's more important is the guy really giving you the right information or is he mixing the truths with lies for his own convenience? Just because I don't listen to Communist propaganda garbage doesn't mean conspiracy theorists should be listened to. I think people like Stewart and Jones aren't really truth-tellers as they want us to believe. I believe that they have different motives and maybe they make money out of what they do. Conspiracy theories attract the curious and could be a very good source of money.<br />
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<b>David W. Cloud's sound advice for Christians </b><br />
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David W. Cloud has an article called "<a href="https://www.wayoflife.org/reports/conspiracies_conspiracies_conspiracies.php" target="_blank">Conspiracies, Conspiracies, Conspiracies</a>" which he writes the following which is <i>very good advice </i>for Christians:<br />
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There is always some truth to a conspiracy theory. In fact, sometimes there is a lot of truth. But for what it’s worth, I’ll give you four of many reasons why I don’t pay attention to the constant stream of conspiratorial pandering and why I have zero attraction to web sites and social media pages that specialize in them.<br />
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There is always some truth to a conspiracy theory. In fact, sometimes there is a lot of truth. But for what it’s worth, I’ll give you four of many reasons why I don’t pay attention to the constant stream of conspiratorial pandering and <span style="background-color: yellow;">why I have zero attraction to web sites and social media pages that specialize in them</span>.</blockquote>
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First, <span style="background-color: yellow;">they aren’t ultimately provable</span>. </blockquote>
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Second, <span style="background-color: yellow;">I couldn’t do anything about them even if they were true</span>. </blockquote>
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Third, <span style="background-color: yellow;">it is mentally distracting and discouraging for no good reason</span>. </blockquote>
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Fourth, I want my focus to be on God and His control of things. <span style="background-color: yellow;">I intend to keep my mind focused on the fact the times overall (Da. 2:21) and my times in particular (Ps. 31:15) are in God’s hands, not in the hands of the the government or the United Nations or a deep state cabal or Bill Gates or the Bilderbergs or whatever.</span> I want to be constantly in mind of the fact that as a born again believer in Jesus Christ, I am foreknown, predestinated, called, justified, and glorified (Romans 8:29-30) (all in aorist tense and therefore accomplished facts in God’s eyes). As the called according to God’s purpose and as a lover of God by redemption, I know that all things work together for my good, and that is what I intend to focus on, and I will not allow anything to interfere with that confidence.</blockquote>
<br />
Besides, Cloud has also documented the effectiveness of vaccines - something that Stewart and the likes of him have been protesting. It's true some vaccines are indeed <i>deadly</i> but vaccination in itself is a safe practice when done right. He has two articles namely "<a href="https://www.wayoflife.org/reports/typhoid_before_and_after_vaccine.php" target="_blank">Typhoid Before and After Vaccine</a>" and "<a href="https://www.wayoflife.org/reports/tetanus_before_and_after_vaccine.php" target="_blank">Tetanus Before and After Vaccine</a>" which make way more sense than Stewart. I guess Stewart's bashing of Cloud is more than just a theological issue (not especially when Cloud was actually right about the abuses existing in Jack Hyles' pulpit) but also a pride issue. I still admire Cloud's <i>moderate </i>King James Onlyism and the fact that he embraces Calvinist Christians as brethren if they show signs of true spiritual rebirth.<br />
<br />
Calvinist or not, any born again Christian might want to take his advice about conspiracy theories in general. They should distance themselves from them!<br />
<br />
See also:<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/03/being-careful-of-pitfall-of-believing.html">Being Careful of the Pitfall of Believing Conspiracy Theory Messages on Text and Social Networks</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/11/christians-and-conspiracy-theories.html">Christians and Conspiracy Theories: Discernment or Distraction?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/11/conspiracy-theories-usually-end-up.html">Conspiracy Theories Usually End Up Nowhere But Endless Speculations</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/01/conspiracy-theorists-are-usually-just.html">Conspiracy Theorists Are Usually Just Close Minded People with Wide Open Mouths</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/04/discerning-against-some-books-and.html">Discerning Against Some Books and Websites Supposedly Meant to Help Christians </a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/05/overanalyzing-and-overdoing-stuff-then.html">Overanalyzing and Overdoing Stuff Then Mixing Them Up With Conspiracy Theories</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/01/pulpit-pen-is-reformed-theology-version.html">Pulpit & Pen is the Reformed Theology Version of Jesus-is-Savior</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/08/some-disinformation-agents-are-just.html">Some Disinformation Agents Are Just Bitter Individuals</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/09/stop-reading-david-j-stewarts-jesus-is.html">Stop Reading David J. Stewart's Jesus-is-Savior Website, Okay? </a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/10/why-reformation-online-website-isnt.html">Why The Reformation Online Website Isn't Good Theology</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-33529427146893551922020-06-09T13:14:00.002+08:002021-05-14T22:21:57.833+08:00A Biblical Perspective Concerning the Anti-Terrorism Bill and the Communist Party's Desire for Legitimization<div>
Political correctness makes you stupid, doesn't it? Recently, Filipino Communist groups have been going together with rejecting the anti-terrorism bill entirely. Then you've got fools who are now advocating to get rid of the anti-terrorism bill and suggesting that the Communist Party of the Philippines should be legitimated as a legal political party and have a voice. There's the need to voice out against such foolishness because what they want is detrimental to the welfare of the Philippines or any country.</div>
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<b>A biblical perspective on the anti-terrorism bill</b></div>
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The Anti-Terrorism Bill would be good if it's only meant to execute wrath against them who do evil. Some people have expressed their concern on arrest based on suspicion which should be addressed since it's a misuse of one's authority. Some people went all the way from the desire to junk the said bill into correcting whatever flaws are in it prior to submission. Soldiers and policemen are ordained by God to help punish evildoers. That's why they must be held accountable if ever they abuse their posts because they were entrusted with the duty for public safety.<br />
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Now, it's time to tackle the anti-terrorism on how Paul the Apostle would have responded to it.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Romans 13:1-5 </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 <span style="background-color: yellow;">For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.</span> 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.</blockquote>
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What is the work of the government? The government was ordained of God to be a terror unto evil and not unto good works. The authorities are ordained to be the minister of God to do good and not evil. The only people who should be afraid of government by default are those who do evil. The government's main function is to punish evil. It's a valid concern that evils in the government do exist. The Bible's exhortation is to pray for those in authority that they do their jobs. Also, the Bible has examples of wicked kings that eventually get pulled down because they fail to do God's mandate. The ungodly Saul became king yet David refused to strike him. David knew that God anointed Saul. God placed Saul in power and it's God who will remove him. Later, we read in Daniel 4 that Daniel's three friends refused to do King Nebuchadnezzar's command. Did they disrespect the king? Instead, they politely disobeyed him <i>and </i>accepted whatever punishment to be a testimony. The Apostle Paul wrote Romans during the reign of the godless Emperor Nero. Nero wasn't anything savory yet Paul wrote that letter. Eventually, Nero suffered the consequences of his actions that led to a revolt that caused him to commit suicide. Nero is still in Hell right now waiting for judgment day to answer for <i>everything </i>wicked he did. Hell is more than hot enough for wicked rulers. Meanwhile, Paul <i>never </i>encouraged the Christians in Rome to commit sedition against Nero. Then they refused to call Nero as a god - it was because it was against their principle. However, they never were told to raise arms against Nero and the sedition charges against them were false.<br />
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You've got today's Socialist-misled youth who are fearful of their mere presence and it looks like they would rather entrust their safety to criminals. They fear soldiers and policemen out of a wicked heart. Unfortunately, mankind is also filled with disobedient people. The Bible already prophesied about it so why be surprised?<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
2 Timothy 3:1-5</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2<span style="background-color: yellow;"> For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away</span>.</blockquote>
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When we consider the people in the last days then consider how people are described. Why do you think that we've got the youth today who are hating the mere presence of policemen and soldiers? Why are there screams from people who want to defend the police and the military? It's because of their wickedness. If they can't be obedient to their parents then how do you expect them to be obedient to authority? They are people with a huge sense of self-worth. The same can be said with the rise of terrorism as a sign of the last days. Terrorism usually happens because of narcissism, greed where its members want to have plenty of money for themselves, they want to brag about how great they are, they have a severe lack of humility (evidenced by their hatred for authority figures), they are abusive (and yes, you can ask their detainees how they were abused), how often they take revenge, how often they slander people by any means possible, many of them tend to do vices without control, they have a long history of brutality, and they hate to follow laws. For them, the laws are repressing their freedom hence the anarchy movement. You also have the Anarcho-Communism movement which tries to put everyone an equal footing where the state is abolished. How godless can you get?<br />
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Meanwhile, there is a valid fear that the bill can be misused and abused. Not all fear is invalid such as the fear of the LORD makes you respectful of Him. Fearing danger is needed like you wouldn't definitely face it unprepared or purposely put yourself in danger. Fear itself in moderation is a defense mechanism that keeps you from hurting yourself unnecessarily. Laws can be misused and abused which makes the need for safety nets a necessity. Some people are against the anti-terrorism bill because of certain faulty provisions that <i>need </i>to be corrected. That's a healthy kind of fear in contrast to people who fear law and order because they want to indulge in wickedness. A good example is that Section 26 of the said law where people can be arrested on mere suspicion. It can be triggered by false witnesses. In the Bible, people have the right to due process and false witnesses were to be <i>executed</i>. </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Deuteronomy 18:15-19 </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. 16 <span style="background-color: yellow;">If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; 17 Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; 18 And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; 19 Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.</span></blockquote>
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The anti-terrorism bill needs to have that principle of dealing with false witnesses too. Anybody caught falsely accusing someone to be a terrorist should be treated as a terrorist. I would suggest that such people would go to jail or even get executed depending on the crime accused. Perjury is <i>no </i>small crime yet you've got people who cry out for innocent people wrongly executed while excusing it. The statement, "You shall do to him as he had thought to do unto the other." should be applied in the anti-terrorist bill. Just think how perjury is a much deadlier offense than petty libel. I could understand if there's the call to decriminalize <i>petty </i>libel but any malicious false accusation that endangers another's life must remain a criminal offense.<br />
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Not surprisingly, some of the people who want to get rid of the Anti-Terrorism Bill are members of the Roman Catholic clergy with their faithful duped into going against it. It's not surprising that the Roman Catholic institution has had a very long history of violence and inciting sedition. Are the Roman Catholic organizations (such as the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines or CBCP) in the Philippines that desperate to hide the long-hidden and <i>well-documented </i>violent and scandalous history of the Vatican? Do they want us to forget about the long history of sins of the Crusades and the Inquisition? Today, the Inquisition tends to be dispelled as "just another myth" and the average Roman Catholic believes that lie. While valid concerns are indeed raised (such as a violation of the right to privacy) but didn't the Inquisition also violate the rights to privacy? It's a really bad case of a double standard. They will most likely only support any flaws of the bill <i>if </i>it conveniences them. Otherwise, they're probably just against it because it won't work in their favor. They would probably still go against the bill even if all necessary adjustments are made because it won't be convenient for them.<br />
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<b>A biblical perspective on legalizing the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)</b><br />
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The rationale that the CPP must be legitimized as a legal political party to defeat them is just foolish. The stupidity is equivalent to the desire of wicked men to legalize narcotics and prostitution. The rationale is that when you legalize narcotics and prostitution and <i>tax it </i>then the government can control it. The legalization of abortion didn't stop abortion - instead, it encouraged it. When the government legalizes what is wrong then it <i>encourages </i>it. China's legalization of persecution of Christians encouraged it. Nazi Germany's legalization of persecuting the European Jews encouraged it. When sin is legalized then it is encouraged. If you legalize the CPP then you are encouraging Communists from having their legal ground.<br />
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From a biblical perspective, a government's job is to <i>punish evildoers and </i>not to legalize their cause. The CPP itself should not even be considered a legal front given its long history of subversion. Otherwise, it would mean that they would have access to government assets to do their wicked deeds. It's not that every government should deal with terrorists violently all the time like what George W. Bush did. Peace talks to get terrorists to surrender might be a better solution whenever possible to avoid civilian casualties. Force must always be used defensively since it's the sacred duty of soldiers to protect civilians. Protection of civilians is the utmost priority which means that soldiers should be careful in firing shots, vacate civilians properly in times of war, and put the rights of civilians first over defeating the invading force. It would mean that any action done to apprehend invasion must be done out of the desire to protect civilians from terrorists.<br />
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The principle of <i>not </i>giving Communists a legal front anywhere around the world is based on righteousness and wickedness. God ordained the government to punish evildoers and not to be evil. Any government that fails to do so should be held accountable. Remember how God would raise up judges to get rid of the oppressors? Remember how empires of the ancient world eventually crumbled because of their cruelty? Remember how God judged Jeroboam sometime later after the latter was made king over the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the divided kingdom era? Amos 3:3 says that the two can't walk together <i>except </i>if they agree. Ephesians 5:11 says that no one should have <i>anything </i>to do with the works of darkness but to <i>rebuke </i>them. If the government legalizes them then they are failing to do their duty. The government's function is to set society in order and to teach right from wrong. We have rules and regulations from households to schools to the government to keep things in order. How can things be kept in order if we don't teach right from wrong? A good example is the necessary existence of traffic rules. How do you know it's wrong to cross the street or to drive your car forward? It's because there's the pedestrian light and the traffic light. Many times, many of us have actually violated those rules at least a few times if you're a law-abiding citizen. Sometimes, we only end up knowing we did something wrong <i>after </i>we get punished. It's like how often we learn what we did is wrong <i>the hard way</i> when the teacher crumples your test paper or when your parent spanks you. Communist organizations are anything but law-abiding. Many times, they have violated many rules just to get where they are now.<br />
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The perspective of Communism also relies on Vladimir Lenin's quote, "The best revolutionary is the youth void of morals." Consider the Communist youth revolutionary movement in many countries one way or another. Everywhere you go, the youth are being brainwashed by Communist revolutionaries with empty promises. Why should Communists who are recruiting the youth worldwide for their illicit activities be given legal ground? Proverbs 22:6 that a child must be trained up the way that he should go. Communism knows that principle and recruits minors as much as possible. If Hitler had his <i>mandatory</i> Hitler Youth movement then Communists too are no different from the corruption of the youth. Empty promises by Communists towards the youth are already dangerous enough. Give them a legal voice then more youths will soon walk away from their parents in hopes Communism will give them a better future. This also puts parents in question if they did also fulfill their role as parents. If their children are so easily dissuaded by Communism then how did they do their parenting? Were they abusive or were they too lenient with very little to no discipline? Both extremes are also fertile grounds for Communist recruitment.<br />
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Besides, Communism is built on delusions. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 says the following:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.</blockquote>
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How often has Communism has made empty promises of progress to its followers? The promise for a safe and secure society where people can be lazy all day is just one. The promise for basic universal income is another. They also seek to "equalize" society by saying that nobody will be rich and nobody will be poor. They have also gotten rid of any measures that will give people a better life (such as allowing foreign investors to do business in their home countries) which will grant competition and more customers for their local businesses. Communism is very much against capitalism yet why do we see Communist officers hypocritically have their expensive iPhones and luxury cars? It's once again the double standard. Communism has always been consistent with Adolf Hitler's book "Mein Kampf" which means "My Struggle" even if the Nazis and Communists were rival forces. It has always been all about their desire for power. People subscribe to the delusions and God allows it to happen for a good reason. It's because such people reject the truth and love to do evil. Communism is nothing more than a huge scam where people who promote its lies enrich themselves at the expense of others. It's proof of the selfishness of the human heart and that man isn't basically good as they want us to believe. So why should <i>any </i>Communist party get legitimated as a legal political party if most of their promises are just empty? If you wouldn't want abusive soldiers and policemen then you should also reject the legitimization of any known Communists in the government. They will be no better than the corrupt authority figures that Communists protest against. Just think policemen and soldiers in a Communist government are granted permission to use abusive measures to enforce the law for their masters. Aren't these violations also against the principle of honesty to begin with?<br />
<br />
See also:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/08/beware-of-being-politically-correct.html">Beware of Being "Politically Correct" Over Being Scripturally Correct</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/08/communists-are-seeking-to-infiltrate.html">Communists Are Seeking to Infiltrate and Destroy Christian Education</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/09/dont-forget-that-roman-catholic.html">Don't Forget That the Roman Catholic Institution Has a Very Long History of Inciting Sedition</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/12/dont-let-politically-correct-anti.html" target="">Don't Let Politically Correct Anti-Christian Governments Take Your Bibles and Self-Defense Weapons From You!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/08/its-sad-how-many-roman-catholics-today.html">It's Sad How Many Roman Catholics Today Don't Even Know Their Violent History</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/05/just-say-no-to-political-correctness.html">Just Say No to Political Correctness!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/04/please-pray-to-god-to-give-wisdom-to.html">Please Pray to God to Give Wisdom to Your Authorities in the Midst of Any Crisis</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/01/political-correctness-wont-make-sin.html">Political Correctness Won't Make Sin Smell Any Sweeter to a Holy, Righteous God!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/07/politically-correct-people-are-whiny.html">Politically Correct People Are Whiny Crybabies Who Hate the Inconvenient Truth</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2018/06/praying-for-salvation-of-ones-unsaved.html">Praying for the Salvation of One's Unsaved Leaders</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/07/feminist-medias-selective-outrage.html">Roman Catholic Mass Media's Selective Outrage</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/06/sorry-government-cannot-make-moral-what.html">Sorry, the Government Cannot Make Moral What God Has Declared Immoral</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-dangers-of-worldly-education-systems.html">The Dangers of Worldly Education Systems</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-challenge-of-christian-education-in.html" target="_blank">The Challenge of Christian Education in the Laodicean Church Age</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-hypocrisy-of-complete-tolerance.html">The Hypocrisy of the Complete Tolerance Movement</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2018/10/the-role-of-teachers-in-the.html">The Role of Teachers in the Christian Education System </a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-sin-of-asking-god-to-bless.html">The Sin of Asking God to Bless Politically Correct People</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2011/02/vaticans-pro-life-hypocrisy.html">Vatican's "Pro-Life" Hypocrisy</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/06/what-happens-when-christian-education.html">What Happens When Christian Education Uses Carnal Means to Get Students?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/08/will-politically-correct-people-please.html">Will Politically Correct People Please Make Up Their Minds? </a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/03/whose-rights-are-politically-correct.html">Whose Rights Are Politically Correct Organizations Defending Anyway?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/04/why-christian-education-is-unpopular.html">Why Christian Education is Unpopular</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/11/why-christian-schools-shouldnt-be.html" target="">Why Christian Schools Shouldn't Be Afraid of Being Compared to the Military</a></li>
</ul>
FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-18269479871999070932020-06-01T20:47:00.004+08:002020-06-02T13:30:15.891+08:00Lessons from Psalm 62 During the Coronavirus PandemicThe reading for the Tecarta Bible Application happens to be from Psalm 62. It's a Psalm of David to Jeduthun whose name appears in the 1st Chronicles 25:1. Right now, I think lessons from Psalm 62 are very applicable in this time of the Coronavirus pandemic. It would be a good time to reflect on the Psalm especially with what's going on.<br />
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<b>Lessons from vs. 1-2 </b><br />
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There is no doubt that the Coronavirus has become a <i>worldwide crisis </i>similar to what happened during the Spanish Flu of 1914. It's very easy to get impatient especially with the question, "When is the plague going to end?" There's a quote that says, "You don't need to know where or when if you know God is leading." Abraham was told to go to a foreign land and trusted God. Moses was going to lead people out of Egypt and trusted God. David himself was wandering during Saul's reign and made the mistake of not trusting God but later repented of it.<br />
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<b>Lessons from vs. 3-4</b><br />
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The Coronavirus has given the problem of people imagining mischief against a man. Where there's chaos then there's an opportunity. The opportunity to do good is there and so is the opportunity to do evil. Remember that God always gives Satan permission to do evil for His glory. God allowed Satan to hurt His only Son so salvation can be made available. God allowed Satan to harm Christianity for it to grow. The warning is that people who work against mischief may fall sooner or later. Fortunately, God is gracious and is still giving spaces for such people to repent.<br />
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The problem of flattering insincerely and delighting in falsehood is made even more evident. There are so many naysayers over the Internet who are spreading lies. In the Philippines, there are Communist activists who are spreading lies against the government by exaggerating the situation and underplaying the help done. Many of them tend to bless others but only outwardly. Some of them are "blessing" other nations who are doing a better job yet I don't think they are really happy about it. They are only doing it to undermine authority.<br />
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<b>Lessons from vs. 5-8</b><br />
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David had declared that he will wait upon God. David's expectation was upon God. David calls God as the Rock of his salvation, strength, and refuge. Times of crisis will be the best time to prove that God is indeed the Rock of salvation, strength, and refuge.<br />
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How can God be proven for what He is if there are no times of testing? The lesson of waiting is there to do God's will while you wait for results. It's to simply say, "God's timing is perfect." but mankind is naturally <i>not </i>a patient creature. It's very easy to want instant results rather than wait upon God. The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 includes patience which can only be truly cultivated in times of testing and waiting.<br />
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David calls upon under his authority to trust in God at all times. He asks his subordinates to pour out their hearts before Him. He declares to his subordinates that God is a refuge for us. It would be very shameful if pagans seek refuge in their pagan gods who don't exist while Christians fail to seek refuge in the living and true God.<br />
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<b>Lessons from vs. 9-10</b><br />
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There are con artists who have emerged during times of crisis. There have been Communist activists who are causing trouble. There are wicked men who want to take advantage of the crisis for their own selfish gain. These are men of low degree and they are of vanity. They are only thinking about profiteering never mind that they may be endangering their loved ones or even themselves in the process. They are all vanity because what good will excess money do if you can't enjoy it during this Coronavirus crisis? True, money is needed to buy basic goods but people who only want to use the money to satisfy their sinful flesh aren't thinking long-term about using money wisely.<br />
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These people fail to take the heed of trusting not in oppression or becoming vain in robbery. Vain here is also referred to as "vain hope" in the New International Version (NIV). The Tecarta Bible footnote for the King James Version (KJV) says "do not vainly hope in" for robbery. So9me con artists are trying to profiteer through the pandemic. It's no surprise that such people emerge and try to con people to donate money, they claim to run a charity project, but they only want to use the money for themselves. They might get away for a <i>short </i>season by bribing officials but God is watching. Some criminals may be happily enjoying their wealth now but God may have prepared a brutal death for them and they can't pay their way out of Hell.<br />
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<b>Conclusion from vs. 11-12 </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The conclusion is that power belongs to God. It would be best to trust on God and just do your part. The disciples went to Jesus when the boat was about to sink. Make God your first resort and not your last resort. However, don't expect God to miraculously deliver you all the time. God can send natural help like people as an answer to prayer. It's like if I pray for deliverance when I'm sinking then God can answer my prayer with a boat coming by. I can't refuse the boat and say, "God will deliver me." which would be just plain foolish.<br />
<br />
See also:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/05/focus-on-soulwinning-not-on-conspiracy.html">Focus on Soulwinning, Not on Conspiracy Theories This COVID-19</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/04/please-pray-to-god-to-give-wisdom-to.html">Please Pray to God to Give Wisdom to Your Authorities in the Midst of Any Crisis</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/04/surviving-and-winning-against-covid-19.html">Surviving and Winning Against COVID-19 by Obeying Romans 13</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-ongoing-coronavirus-outbreak-gods.html">The Ongoing Coronavirus Outbreak, God's Sovereignty, and Christian Responsibility</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-29090548945017785922020-05-31T12:05:00.000+08:002020-05-31T12:05:09.598+08:00Gleaning Important Lessons from Peter's First Sermon in Acts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is Pentecost Sunday which is on the seventh Sunday after Easter Sunday. Acts 2 opens up with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has always been co-eternal and co-equal with the Father. Deists would want to say that the Holy Spirit is just a force. Genesis 1:26 where God said, "Let us create man..." - the Father couldn't be talking to the angels. Rather, the Father was talking to the Son and the Holy Spirit. Who else could create but God? Doesn't God exist as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? The Spirit of God is mentioned in the Old Testament. John 14 has Jesus promising the Holy Spirit as the Comforter. Jesus was soon going to physically leave the Earth and He ascended in Acts 1. <div>
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Peter could no longer be the same. John 21 reveals Peter's restoration. Peter was allowed to taste failure so he can appreciate his restoration. Jesus had restored Peter back into the pastorate. Peter would later begin his first pastoral work in Acts 2:14-40 by preaching his first Sunday sermon. I think Luke would've summarized the whole sermon rather than put the whole thing. Perhaps, Luke just placed the more important points rather than the flowery words Peter may have used. Regardless, we have the important gist of the sermon that would drive the message. Peter now spoke boldly only by the grace of God.<br /><br /><b>Peter quoted from the authority of Scripture to convict the Jews unto repentance</b></div>
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The New Testament canon wasn't completed yet we already having the writings of the Apostles to serve as a guide. To say the apostles never spoke about Scripture to "debunk" Sola Scriptura is absurd. Instead, Peter quoted from Scripture during his sermon. You can see he speaks from Joel and Psalms. Back then, the Bible wasn't divided yet into chapters and verses so he doesn't say, "Read Joel 2:28-32 and Psalm 16:18-19." as a reference. What we know is that he quotes from Scripture with authority. He addresses the Jewish crowd with the Old Testament Scriptures to point out that prophecy was indeed getting fulfilled right before their very eyes.<br /><br />There was the false accusation that the apostles were drunk with new wine. So Peter quoting from Scripture was going to prove them otherwise. Some people do quote from Scripture but only to justify the wrong. Peter was quoting from Scripture to the crowd to prove them wrong. Psalm 16 was also quoted when David made mention of the Holy One will not see corruption. Jesus' resurrection proved that He has power over the grave. Jesus allowed Himself to die as the Father willed in order to pay the penalty for our sins. You can see Jesus paid the penalty and rose again from the dead to prove He has power over death.<br /><br />Peter also mentions that David is dead and buried in his grave until this day. Did Peter mention David's death to contrast it with Jesus' resurrection? Peter also mentions that David was aware that out from the latter's family tree will come forth the Messiah. Jesus was, according to the flesh, from the line of David. Joseph his stepfather was from David's lineage from Solomon. Mary the earthly mother of Jesus came from the lineage of Nathan, another son of David and Bathsheba. Psalm 110:1-2 is quoted revealing David's unique relationship. According to the flesh, David is Jesus' many times great-grandfather and yet Jesus is also David's lord. It's like Mary's unique position that she is Jesus' mother in His humanity. However, Mary in John 2:1-12 is aware that Jesus is also her Lord when He politely rebuked her. Mary's proper response was to point others to Jesus.</div>
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<b>Peter's loving conviction of the Jews</b></div>
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The Jews of Jesus' day were indeed responsible for the death of the Savior. However, it was planned by God in eternity past. 1 Corinthians 2:8 states that would have the princes of the world knew - they would have not crucified the Lord of glory. Satan himself hardened the hearts of the crowd. What Satan didn't realize was that his madness was allowed by God to fulfill prophecy. God had really allowed Satan to do what he does for a purpose. Remember that God allowed Satan to harm Job. God certainly allowed Satan to harm Jesus. Jesus being the submissive Son knew it was all part of the plan. </div>
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<br />Peter showed compassion rather than hate the crowd. Peter reminds them that Jesus is Lord and that He was the one they crucified. The crowd was full of unbelieving Jews who were gathered on that day. They were soon asking what should be done. They have realized their guilt. The blood of Jesus was on their hands. I believe many of them there were screaming, "Crucify Him!" on Good Friday. Rather than destroy them, God kept them alive for a reason. Now, we can see the reaction.</div>
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Peter soon said in Acts 2:38-39 with, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." Repent and be baptized? Does this teach baptismal salvation? The word for here means "eis" which is "because of" not "in order to". The Greek word repentance is metanoneia or a change of mind which results in a change of actions. Repentance is being sorry for your sins. They were called to repent of their sins. Repentance of sins doesn't mean forsaking them but it would result in forsaking them. A turn from sin starts with from and works itself from without. It's a mental rotation of one's mind from sin to the Savior that leads to an outward turn of sin. Turning from sin to the Savior on the inside leads to a turning of sin on the outside. Baptism here is a result of salvation and not the cause of salvation.<br /><br />Peter soon told them, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." The Jews were told it was time to abandon what they were used to and start anew. Their generation was used to the hardheadedness and hardheartedness. Now, it was time to change one's lifestyle by the grace of God. It was a call for the Jews to abandon everything they knew from Judaism to Christianity. The Jewish faith was long perverted by the Pharisees. I think it might be safe to say that Judaism was founded by the Pharisees and not Abraham. The Pharisees were appealing to Moses' seat for their corrupt authority. The Jews during the 400 years of silence up to Jesus' ministry were growing up with the corrupt Jewish system. The Jewish faith became false the moment it rejected Jesus. Fortunately, even biological Jews can be saved and the gift of salvation is available to both Jew and non-Jew.</div>
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<b>The result of Peter's sermon</b></div>
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A good man of God brings good fruits, right? Peter a man who was once timid and denied Jesus now boldly declares the Gospel. Peter was now seeing much repentance and conviction. Peter would later have a false convert named Simon the sorcerer. However, let's focus on Peter's wonderful sermon and what its results were.</div>
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<br />We can see believing and baptism. Believing comes first before baptism. That's why infant baptism is something that was rejected as unscriptural. Why some <a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/infant-baptism/" target="_blank">Protestant denominations do infant baptism</a> is not the same reason Roman Catholics do it. For some Protestants, infant baptism is done like the dedication ceremony where the child is dedicated to God with godparents to lead the child to faith. Later, the same child gets the believer's baptism once they have made their profession of faith. However, I tend to stick to the believer's baptism. Baptists were called as such not because Jesus made John the Baptist the first pastor. It's because Baptists have openly baptized by immersion telling Roman Catholics that their infant baptism is unscriptural and lost their heads for it. Every person baptized in Acts were believers and none were infants. Roman Catholics do a poor job in justifying infant baptism and baptismal salvation. Baptism happens because you are already saved not in order to be saved. Was the thief on the cross baptized? What if a person gets saved in jail (and might be in a country where Christianity is outlawed) or is forbidden (as a minor) by his or her family to attend a Bible-believing church? Those certainly will hinder their desire for baptism.</div>
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The fruit of fellowship happened among the saved. They stood fast by apostolic doctrine. What makes a church apostolic? It's not because of any claim that they came back from the apostles. The word apostolic means "belonging or relating to the early followers of Jesus Christ and to their teaching". Want to know if a church is apostolic and belongs to the true Church? Check its doctrine if it matches completely with what the Bible says. Sola Scriptura is the principle where Scripture is the final authority, <i>not </i>the sole authority. They started to redistribute their property according to people's needs. Some say it's a call for Communism while it isn't. Communism has a twisted view of equality. Rather, the people redistributed their property according to needs. They gave provisions that would be equivalent to Proverbs 30:8 where they sought to live more according to needs than wants. It's all about an equitable society and not the delusion of an "equal" society. They were in unity and harmony. </div>
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What can be seen here is far different from what happens in churches today. Peter was preaching the hard truth to a hardheaded crowd. He didn't water down or pull any punches. We can see that the glory is not Peter's but God's. Peter himself </div>
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See also:</div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/05/gods-messengers-arent-called-to-make.html">God's Messengers Aren't Called to Make People Feel Good About Themselves</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/08/if-that-preaching-doesnt-hurt-anyone.html">If That Preaching Doesn't Hurt Anyone With Biblical Truth Then That Preaching is Bogus</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/02/if-your-gospel-is-celebrating-sin-then.html">If Your Gospel Is Celebrating Sin, Then It Is Not the Real Gospel of Jesus Christ at All</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/05/repentance-must-start-first-in-your.html">Repentance Must Start First in Your Local Churches!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-call-of-salvation-is-salvation-from.html">The Call of Salvation Is Salvation FROM Sin, NOT Salvation to Sin!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-church-is-hospital-for-repentant.html">The Church Is a Hospital for REPENTANT Sinners and NOT a Haven for Unrepentant Sinners!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-gospel-according-to-jesus-has-never.html">The Gospel According to Jesus Has NEVER Been About Saving People From Life's Problems but Salvation From the Power of Sin</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-truth-offends-and-will-keep.html">The Truth Offends and Will Keep Offending</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/07/you-cant-preach-about-gods-love-for.html">Y</a><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/07/you-cant-preach-about-gods-love-for.html">ou Can't Preach About God's Love For Sinners Without Preaching About His Wrath Against Sin </a></li>
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FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-42310341511591698212020-05-13T21:03:00.002+08:002020-07-28T20:41:51.404+08:00Focus on Soulwinning, Not on Conspiracy Theories This COVID-19<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's no secret that the Coronavirus or COVID-19 is really a terrible thing. There are talks about that COVID-19 may start a whole new world order. There are talks about COVID-19 is a dangerous bioweapon. There are even people who say that the COVID-19 will ultimately lead to the mark of the Beast and a New World Order. There are also anti-vaccine people such as those in the nutjob sites Reformation Online, Now the End Begins, and Jesus-is-Savior. You also have Infowars with Alex Jones and Conspiracy World with Texe Marrs. the list can go and there's so much of it that I might as well avoid piling them up. Marrs and Jones may be anti-Catholic but they certainly aren't reliable. COVID-19 conspiracy theories are indeed <i>piling up </i>like crazy that it's a great distraction from the Great Commission.</div>
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COVID-19 is just one example that God's judgment is coming. There was also the Spanish Flu in 1919. There was also the Cholera Outbreak of 1854 during the time of Charles H. Spurgeon. Spurgeon gave a good example that he decided not to dwell on conspiracy theories (such as maybe lie that the cholera was a Jesuit-planned outbreak when it wasn't) but ended up reaching. COVID-19 is just another sign that life can be short, it can be uncertain, and God's judgment is coming. Feng Shui masters' predictions of good luck for 2020 were disproven as the COVID-19 kicked in. Probably God allowed COVID-19 to show that faith in astrology isn't going to help.<br />
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How are conspiracy theories not helpful during the crisis? There is such a thing as a healthy amount of fear. I have no problem with having a certain degree of fear. It's having a certain degree of fear that prevents you from jumping off the top floor or playing with fire. It's the fear of the LORD that is the beginning of wisdom. Having respectful fear for authority is needed so society can operate properly. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 conspiracy theories are distracting people away from the right direction. Medical scientists may end up overdiagnosing it that a wrong vaccine or medication may end up getting people killed instead of helped. There may also be unnecessary panic which in turn will lower down the immune system. In short, conspiracy theories are a huge distraction away from what's important.<br /><br />What's worse is that conspiracy theories can distract anyone from soulwinning. One reason why Christians should now be advised to discern their sources is that many of them focus more on conspiracies than soulwinning. Many times, the conspiracy theorists don't do it for the truth but for attention. I hear conspiracy theorists even make money out of what they do. How they make money might be because people will desperately pay for information that might be supposedly helpful. However, many of them tend to get the money but never give out materials. That is clearly theft. It would have the church too occupied trying to find a secret Jesuit or Illuminati laboratory cooking up the COVID-19 than win people. It would also strike unhealthy fear never mind that any Jesuit, Illuminati, or whatever out there is also part of the mission field.<br />
<br />Churches may be temporarily disassembled but it doesn't mean soulwinning can't happen. There are Christian churches right now doing some important soulwinning activities. Some Christian frontliners are now even passing Gospel tracts to people. There is the need to counter whatever literature Satan may pass in the bag of relief goods. Satan's children are taking advantage of the pandemic to spread their message. There are also others who will take advantage of the pandemic for their own selfish needs. If Satan's own could take that advantage then so should the children of God. Believers today are now more fortunate to have online banking. Before, they may even have to wait for their church workers to collect the money from their home. Regardless, COVID-19 maybe that badly needed time for cleansing of the mind and a call to win more people. That includes wicked people who are taking advantage of the pandemic as they too are the mission field.<br />
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See also:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/04/please-pray-to-god-to-give-wisdom-to.html">Please Pray to God to Give Wisdom to Your Authorities in the Midst of Any Crisis</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/04/surviving-and-winning-against-covid-19.html">Surviving and Winning Against COVID-19 by Obeying Romans 13</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-ongoing-coronavirus-outbreak-gods.html">The Ongoing Coronavirus Outbreak, God's Sovereignty, and Christian Responsibility</a></li>
</ul>
FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-40085629450334816602020-04-15T21:03:00.001+08:002020-06-09T13:43:18.356+08:00Surviving and Winning Against COVID-19 by Obeying Romans 13The Coronavirus pandemic is still going on worldwide. Some people are making things worse by not obeying simple rules and regulations. They are told to stay at home and they are told why they need to stay at home. They are given guidelines on dos and don'ts. Others are given permission to work from home as mandated by the government. Yet, they still don't want to <i>obey </i>that mandate. The only time the mandate must not be followed is only when you're told to disobey God or do something evil. However, Christians are told to pray for wicked authorities. Daniel 3 tells us about how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego disobeyed King Nebuchadnezzar but they exercised <i>civil </i>disobedience. You don't see the three of them rebelling against the king. They disobeyed the king in the most civil way possible and accepted whatever punishment may come.<br />
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<b>Subjection to authority</b></div>
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Now, why do I think about surviving COVID-19 by surviving Romans 13? Here is what Romans 13:1-7 presents:</div>
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Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. </blockquote>
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The Bible teaches about submission to authority from Genesis to Revelation. The more I think of people who don't want to follow quarantine guidelines - the more I think about the rebellious Israelites who didn't follow rules. Moses was giving them God's rules yet what did most of the Israelites do? They chose to disobey. Some people were told not to gather manna for tomorrow except on Fridays but didn't follow that rule. Nadab and Abihu were told not to offer strange fire before God yet they did it. You can see God puts a premium value on obedience and shows His wrath towards disobedience.<br />
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What we realize is that God ordained authority for good reasons. Without law, there is no order. God's Law was presented for our own good. The Old Testament ceremonial law may be gone but the moral law hasn't. The ten commandments are still on effect in the New Testament. We consider how God promises in Deuteronomy 28. Just remember the Old Testament is still relevant in the moral law. Just because it's in the Old Testament doesn't mean it's obsolete in the New Testament. God's Law teaches us right from wrong. If I didn't know God's Law then how would I accept I'm a sinner. Then there is Romans 3:31 that says that those under grace will fulfill the Law. The Law teaches you're a sinner. Grace teaches you to love the Law even when you're no longer under the latter's tutelage. The same way authorities are placed to watch over society in peace and order. they are also there to bear the sword. What's the sword for? Planting trees? No, the sword is used for law enforcement and kill criminals if necessary.<br />
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The problem with sinful people is their sinful desires resulting in the hatred for rules. A good example is the United States of America and the Philippines. How often do people think that they're free without the law? Take note that outside the Law of God then there is no <i>real</i> freedom. True freedom is found in God's fence of protection. Can you imagine going out into the streets and you can't enjoy your walk because crimes are rampant? Can you imagine trying to sleep at night to recharge your batteries yet there are no rules about peace and order? On the contrary, freedom is only found in God's moral law. Some people today would hate the quarantine order by the government calling it "repressive" and "dictatorial". The reason behind the quarantine order is because the Coronavirus is highly contagious. That's why the rule of social distancing is given. People are told to stay home because there are too many people and too little medical workers.<br />
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What's the role of having law enforcers such as soldiers and policemen during the Coronavirus crisis? Some people in the Philippines have gone as far as to say that it's repressive. However, any real research will reveal that<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51984199" target="_blank"> military has its role in any pandemic</a>. The military has their role to help keep peace and order. There is the reality that wicked people love to take advantage of times of chaos. Nehemiah encountered wicked people while he faced the greatest crisis of protecting his people. False prophets took advantage of people during the Babylonian captivity. That's why law enforcers are necessary in times of pandemic. Recent news events reveal that some people will steal relief goods, others will raise false alarms like the story of the "Boy Who Cried Wolf", and others will take advantage of the situation to oppress people - just to name a few of the many bad things that could happen.<br />
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What does it mean to be subject not just for wrath but for conscience's sake in the pandemic? Obedience to the government's laws concerning the pandemic is not just out of fear of possible punishment. It's not just the fear of paying hefty fines or doing unpleasant community service. It would also mean that you obey the quarantine rules because you want to help the government flatten the curve of any pandemic. You would get only your fair ration of relief goods because others need it. You would avoid panic buying so others have their means to help combat the pandemic. You would practice social distancing because you know the virus is highly contagious. This is a good conscience that one's cooperation will help save lives. However, this doesn't mean people shouldn't correct the government when it's wrong. Rather, any form of criticism given to the government should be on the constructive side. John the Baptist rebuked Herod Antipas but never launched a rebellion. The Apostles disobeyed the mandate not to preach the Gospel while still paying taxes and telling people to pay taxes. It's also required to pray for those in power that they will make the right decision.<br />
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<b>Following the Law out of love for God</b><br />
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Then we realize these are the final verses of Romans 13 that we need to apply to survive the Coronavirus crisis:<br />
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8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.</blockquote>
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We realize that the laws against adultery, murder, stealing, lying, and covetousness are made to protect us. We would also realize that if we truly love our neighbor as ourselves - we would not do those things which harm our neighbors. We want to contribute to social peace and order because we love our neighbors and care about them. Love works no ill and that it fulfills the Law. To be under grace means to go beyond the Law as one's schoolmaster.<br />
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Galatians 3:25-25 mentions the following:<br />
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Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.</blockquote>
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Now we understand that the Law teaches us right from wrong. The Law is like a teacher. Then salvation came and by faith - Christians are no longer under a schoolmaster. Consider it that when you finish schooling - you are no longer under your teacher's authority. Instead, that teacher who taught you while you were a student is now a friend of yours. The Law works that way. First, the sinner is under the condemnation of the Law. After salvation, the Christian is now walking with the Law side by side. The Law is no longer a schoolmaster but a companion and accountability partner. True love will work nothing evil but will seek to fulfill the Law. Romans 3:31 says that faith establishes the Law.<br />
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Casting aside the works of darkness will help survive the pandemic. Help your authorities by giving honest reports of lawbreakers so they can be apprehended. Help your authorities by obeying the rules. I would agree with the liquor ban during the pandemic not just to discourage social gatherings but to also prevent rioting, drunkenness, laziness, and wanton behavior which all contribute to social disorder. Giving honest reports would help keep society in order. Reporting those who give false alarms will also help the government's work in keeping peace and order during the pandemic much easier.<br />
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At this point, soulwinning will be very vital. Charles H. Spurgeon carried soulwinning during the time God spared his community during the London Cholera Outbreak of 1854. Spurgeon took every opportunity to have certain people to reach out the sick. Christian frontliners must be encouraged to pass Gospel tracts to people while they do their work. It's just like how the people in Wuhan are now giving the good news to others in the midst of the Coronavirus crisis. Right now, there will be people whose hearts are probably still hardened as the Pharaoh of the Exodus. However, others may find themselves awakened during the Coronavirus crisis with God's effectual calling.<br />
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God bless!<br />
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See also:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2014/11/gods-law-is-for-our-protection.html">God's Law is For Our Protection!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/04/please-pray-to-god-to-give-wisdom-to.html">Please Pray to God to Give Wisdom to Your Authorities in the Midst of Any Crisis</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-ongoing-coronavirus-outbreak-gods.html">The Ongoing Coronavirus Outbreak, God's Sovereignty, and Christian Responsibility</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-44603037751834417562020-04-15T15:39:00.002+08:002020-04-15T17:17:01.363+08:00Judaism is Satanic, Jesus is the Only Way to God the Father The Middle East is really indeed a war zone where countless people go to Hell daily. I considered the pride in the Middle East. There is also the battle between the followers of Judaism (seldomly called Jews in the <i>religious </i>sense) and Muslims. As Passover is about to end tomorrow - it would be a good issue to address that both Islam and Judaism are just as satanic as each other.<br />
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<a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Judaism.html">Got Questions</a> has this to say about Judaism:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
So, what is it that Jews believe, and what are the basic precepts of Judaism? There are five main forms or sects of Judaism in the world today. They are Orthodox, Conservative, Reformed, Reconstructionist, and Humanistic. The beliefs and requirements in each group differ dramatically; however, here's a list of the traditional beliefs of Judaism would include the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>God is the creator of all that exists; He is one, incorporeal (without a body), and He alone is to be worshiped as absolute ruler of the universe.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The first five books of the Hebrew Bible were revealed to Moses by God. They will not be changed or augmented in the future.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>God has communicated to the Jewish people through prophets.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>God monitors the activities of humans; He rewards individuals for good deeds and punishes evil.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Although Christians base much of their faith on the same Hebrew Scriptures as Jews do, there are major differences in belief: <span style="background-color: yellow;">Jews generally consider actions and behavior to be of primary importance; beliefs come out of actions</span>. This conflicts with conservative Christians for whom belief is of primary importance and actions are a result of that belief.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: yellow;">Jewish belief does not accept the Christian concept of original sin</span> (the belief that all people have inherited Adam and Eve’s sin when they disobeyed God’s instructions in the Garden of Eden).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Judaism affirms <span style="background-color: yellow;">the inherent goodness of the world</span> and its people as creations of God.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: yellow;">Jewish believers are able to sanctify their lives and draw closer to God by fulfilling mitzvoth (divine commandments)</span>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>No savior is needed or is available as an intermediary.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The 613 commandments found in Leviticus and other books regulate all aspects of Jewish life. The Ten Commandments, as delineated in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21, form a brief synopsis of the Law.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The Messiah (anointed one of God) will arrive in the future and gather Jews once more into the land of Israel. There will be a general resurrection of the dead at that time. <span style="background-color: yellow;">The Jerusalem Temple, destroyed in A.D. 70 by the Romans, will be rebuilt</span>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: yellow;">Beliefs about Jesus vary considerably</span>. Some view Him as a great moral teacher. Others see Him as a false prophet or as an idol of Christianity. Some sects of Judaism will not even say His name due to the prohibition against saying an idol’s name.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<br />
Calling Judaism the Old Testament religion is something. I used to think Judaism was the Old Testament religion and that it was <i>later </i>perverted by the Pharisees. However, a bit of a study would reveal the essential difference between the Jewish faith of the Old Testament (which I used to think was traditional Judaism before perversion) vs. the teachings of Judaism. Notice the points that were highlighted in yellow and see a lot of stuff that doesn't agree with the Old Testament:<br />
<ul>
<li>The sin of Adam had obviously tainted the whole human race. If humanity didn't inherit the sin of Adam then why in the world did God demand a sin sacrifice? Why in the world did Cain the firstborn of the Earth become a murderer? It would be impossible for Cain to kill Abel if he didn't inherit the sinful nature of his parents. It would be impossible for Abel to see his need for a Savior if he didn't have that original sin. Then the world fell into more sin during Noah's time. How can that account for mankind is basically good?</li>
<li>Judaism is putting the cart before the horse. The Old Testament doesn't teach salvation by works either. The Old Testament pointed out the need of the Savior over and over and that all that people can do was to put their trust in God and His promises in the Old Testament. Genesis 15:6 clearly states that Abraham believed God and was accounted for righteousness.</li>
<li>Believing that no savior is ever needed is contradictory. The followers of Judaism today fail to see the antitypes of Jesus in the Old Testament. They fail to see that God promised a Savior in Genesis 3:15 that will put in as an intermediary. They fail to see that God provided a ram that saved Isaac and became the sin sacrifice. They fail to see that the Bible has types of Jesus such as Moses and Jeremiah. They fail to see that the Captain of the LORD's host is a pre-incarnate Jesus. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We also need to why Judaism is <i>just as satanic</i> as Islam:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Both Judaists and Muslims believe that their good works will bring them closer to God. Worse, they are still relying on blood sacrifices of clean animals in the Old Testament to wash away their sins. </li>
<li>Both Judaists and Muslims believe in an upcoming messiah but not Jesus. Muslims believe in the Mahadi. Judaists believe that their messiah will gather Jews once more in Israel. Sadly, both Mahadi and the Judaist messiah point to the Antichrist.</li>
<li>Some branches of Judaism view Jesus as just another prophet. Islam also teaches that belief.</li>
<li>Both Judaism and Islam also reject the concept of original sin. </li>
<li>Both of them have plenty of followers unaware of their violent religious history. </li>
<li>Not to mention, Judaism and Islam are antagonistic to Christianity. It's no surprise to see that Judaists and Muslims are now having unequal yokes with Roman Catholics. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
What about the verse of Esther that says people were becoming Jews? People were accepting the religion of the Old Testament - not the perversion of Judaism. If anything, I think Judaism probably rose during the 400 years of silence after Malachi. The Jewish religion was already getting perverted with syncretism such as in the times of the prophets. Jeroboam already set priests who were not of the Tribe of Levi. Many of the Pharisees (such as Saul of Tarsus) were not even of the Tribe of Levi. The 400 years of silence after Malachi would have made ample room for Satan to cook up another dangerous religion to mislead people. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One may consider what Martin Luther really meant in his book "The Jews and Their Lies". It's accused that Luther was a racist. The Christian History Institute writes on the matter as follows:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Luther was not an anti-Semite in the racist sense. <span style="background-color: yellow;">His arguments against Jews were theological, not biological</span>. Not until a French cultural anthropologist in the nineteenth century held that humankind consisted of “Semites” and “Aryans,” were Semites considered inferior.</blockquote>
<div>
Luther's arguments were against people of the Jewish faith (Judaism) not Jews in the biological sense. Many times, the Bible uses the word "Jew" to describe the ethnic Jew. Yet, Esther 8:9 says that some Persians became Jews - Jews in the sense that they accepted the true religion of the Jews. That's why I tend to use the term Jew differently from Israelite. Yet, Bible translations would prefer to use the word Jew with more than one meaning. It's almost like saying that there's such a thing as an Israelite Christian but not a Jewish Christian. On the other hand, anti-Semitism today hates Jews for simply being born Jews. Though I may want to call followers of Judaism is as either Judaists or Judaizers to avoid confusing them with biological Jews. </div>
<div>
<br />
The Jewish faith can't save. It wants the Father but it doesn't want the Son. Jesus already warned that He is the only Way to the Father (John 14:6). Jesus had warned in Luke 10:16 that whoever rejects Him rejects the Father. How can you expect Jews to get saved if they only believe in the Father without Jesus? It's either you receive Jesus or perish. Thank God for some Jews who have come to their senses away from the evils of Judaism. As Revelation 2:9 warns that there are people who claim to be Jews but are not Jews. Instead, they are of the synagogue of Satan! I would say Judaism today is nothing more than a synagogue of Satan. The Old Testament ceremonial laws are gone. The animal sacrifices have been abolished. Only the moral law still stands. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
See also:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/07/god-says-to-israel-yet-have-ye-not.html">God Says To Israel, "Yet Have Ye Not Returned Unto Me." Five Times In a Row</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2018/09/jews-dont-need-red-heifers-they-need.html">Jews Don't Need Red Heifers, They Need Jesus Christ</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/04/many-jewish-people-still-reject-jesus.html">Many Jewish People Still Reject Jesus as Their Passover Lamb</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/07/sad-to-say-but-many-jews-still-remain.html">Sad to Say but Many Jews Still Remain as Obstinate as Ever When It Comes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/12/sorry-pope-francis-jews-cannot-be-saved.html">Sorry Pope Francis, the Jews Cannot Be Saved Outside of Christ!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-jews-still-need-to-receive-lord.html">The Jews Still Need to Receive the Lord Jesus Christ or Perish!</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-7088282779581709312020-04-12T10:38:00.003+08:002020-04-12T10:38:52.162+08:00Celebrating Christ's Resurrection While Believing All Religions Lead to God is BlasphemyWell, today is Easter Sunday which I'd prefer to be called Resurrection Sunday. Although the Coronavirus threat is far from over - I do have my assurance that the trial has a purpose. What truly can be amazing is how Roman Catholicism continues to insist to be the one true Church founded in 33 A.D. yet many of the teachings are unscriptural. Pope claims to be the successor of Peter yet the latter never claimed himself to be the Vicar of Christ. With Easter in mind, the focus is on the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Yet, many people celebrate it today <i>while </i>believing that all religions lead to Heaven.<br />
<br />Make no mistake and see that the Vatican is celebrating ecumenism. Interreligious dialogue is happening. The late Michael Jackson's song "Heal the World" is deceptive in its message while having good intentions. The late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had called for ecumenical yokes in his speech "I Have a Dream" between Catholics and Protestants. Don Moen even sang for the Pope. Contemporary Christian Music has been long unequally yoked with the Vatican. Some are even told that Catholics and Protestants just have different interpretations and the same prayer. Since when did Biblical Christians pray the same repetitious prayer that can be played in a tape recorder? Then you have the late John Paul II who became the biggest face of ecumenism for 25 years. Going beyond Catholic and Protestant reconciliation is to seek to be one with <i>other </i>religions<i>. </i>A picture of John Paul II embracing the 14th Dalai Lama (considered to be the Pope of Tibetan Buddhism) is no surprise either.<br />
<br />
What is the real message of the resurrection of Jesus? It's the fact that the founders of world religion are still <i>dead</i>. The many fake last messengers such as Joseph Smith and Felix Manalo are still dead. Many follow the teachings of Lao Tzu, Confucius, and Gautama Buddha but they are all still dead. New cults come and go but they are still dead. Muhammad founded Islam centuries after Christianity but he is still dead. A Hindu spiritual guru called Sathya Sai Baba claiming to be Sai Baba's reincarnation (and yes, Sai Baba is still dead) died and is still dead. The founder of the Chaitanya cult, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, is still dead. Guru Nanak Dev is still dead. Wang Jue Yi the founder if I Kuan Tao is still dead. Many other founders of religions after Jesus that I haven't mentioned are still dead. They are all still in Hell right now because they have rejected the true and the living God. But guess who arose above them? The Lord Jesus Christ arose above them. Also, I refuse to say Jesus is the founder of a religion. Jesus Himself came to establish a relationship between God and man being the second Person in the Godhead. Why celebrate Jesus' resurrection if you believe all religions lead to God? It wouldn't make sense if all the religious leaders I mentioned are still dead.<br />
<br />
Before Jesus died, He said in John 14:6 that He is the only way to the Father. Yet people insist I'd go to Hell for saying that. Well, they need to tell that to Jesus and say that He's going to Hell for being such a "bigot" in today's politically correct world. Consider it that truth and error can't mix at all. Christianity will always be radically different. That's why I don't have any reason to believe Roman Catholicism is the "one true Church" because of the <i>well-documented</i> inconsistencies and heresies. Even religions today can't agree among themselves. Buddhism and Hinduism, for instance, have too many branches with writings that contradict each other. The cults today always battle over who is right. We can't just say, "Let's settle down and let's not disagree." Unfortunately, religious wars today don't only happen because of bigotry but because of irreconcilable differences. In India, Hindus have been fighting over with Muslims for eating their "sacred" cows. In the Middle East, Muslim nations are waging war against Jews because the Koran commands a hatred for Jews. Muslim theocracies have long persecuted Christians because the Koran commands them too. Today, the average Muslim doesn't even know their violent history. Today, the average Roman Catholic doesn't even know their violent history either. Why should all contradicting viewpoints agree when they can't?<br />
<br />
Love one another by condoning to false religion? Going to Hell for preaching Jesus is the only Way to the Father? Falsely accused of bigotry for defending the truth of the Scriptures? It's nothing new and Christians have no right to be surprised that it's hurled at them. Christians can only expect more persecution as the poison of ecumenism gets stronger in the last days. Yet, the resurrection of Christ is still the same. It's proof that Jesus is the only Way to the Father. Either you take it or leave it. Repent or perish!<br />
<br />
God bless!<br />
<br />
See also:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/08/by-false-peace-many-will-be-destoyed.html">By False Peace Many Will Be Destroyed</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/04/celebrating-holy-week-while-believing.html">Celebrating Holy Week While Believing All Religions Lead to God is Blasphemy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/09/god-cant-be-god-if-he-embraced-ecumenism.html">God Can't Be God If He Embraced Ecumenism</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2018/08/how-religious-ecumenism-will-help.html">How Religious Ecumenism Will Help the Antichrist and His New World Order </a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/11/no-wonder-itll-be-easy-for-antichrist.html">No Wonder It'll Be Easy For the Antichrist to Be Loved By the World!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2014/07/pope-francis-i-and-pushing-unity.html">Pope Francis I and Pushing "Unity"</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/12/prophecies-are-getting-fulfilled-yet-so.html">Prophecies Are Getting Fulfilled yet so Many People Still Refuse to Believe the Bible!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2013/09/signs-of-times-all-eyes-on-israel-and.html">Signs of the Times... All Eyes on Israel and More!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2011/02/bible-is-credible-with-prophecy-history.html">The Bible is Credible with Prophecy, History and Current Events</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-bittersweet-reality-in-book-of.html">The Bittersweet Reality in the Book of Revelation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-dangerous-heresy-of-love-gospel.html">The Dangerous Heresy of the "Love Gospel"</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-incredible-irony-that-many-people.html">The Incredible Irony That Many People Want a Perfect Leader But Reject the Lord Jesus Christ!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2011/03/roman-catholic-jesus-is-not-jesus-of.html">The Roman Catholic Jesus is NOT the Jesus of the Bible!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-time-of-harvest-is-coming-be-ready.html">The Time of Harvest is Coming! Be Ready to Meet God!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2018/05/this-world-offers-nothing-but-false.html">This World Offers Nothing But False Peace</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/01/unsaved-scoffers-still-laugh-at-bible.html">Unsaved Scoffers Still Laugh at the Bible While Prophecy Fulfills Before Their Very Eyes</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2011/02/whats-wrong-with-ecumenical-movement.html" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">What's Wrong with the Ecumenical Movement?</a></li>
</ul>
FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1997462952370164955.post-87406434733867065162020-04-11T20:05:00.000+08:002020-04-11T20:05:10.194+08:00China Can Curb the Coronavirus But Not Christianity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7lHpuI1hkzUczGPStichxVng6gZN76Zhf49tOzK_p1bvFHiv6I9HAH3oCGq4sZWBouwGz7TFrxucXBzlSPVlZu1pGXVuRgBX0nfeaP-MWQmNaL-uQ037gUE6dL0-LlCUTa2_J4KtPTs2/s1600/12294847_987512671306702_1020647084617154974_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7lHpuI1hkzUczGPStichxVng6gZN76Zhf49tOzK_p1bvFHiv6I9HAH3oCGq4sZWBouwGz7TFrxucXBzlSPVlZu1pGXVuRgBX0nfeaP-MWQmNaL-uQ037gUE6dL0-LlCUTa2_J4KtPTs2/s320/12294847_987512671306702_1020647084617154974_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Studying the persecution of the Church is something. Have you ever read "Foxe's Book of Martyrs"? Today, just think a lot of Chinese Christians deserve to be focused as martyrs in an atheistic state. China itself is controlled by the atheistic Communist party. When you consider the current Coronavirus epidemic - you can see that China can curb the Coronavirus but not Christianity. The <i>Communist Party of China</i> (CPC) has done a lot of methods to try to get Chinese Christians to renounce their faith. Just hearing about the methods starting fro deprivation to mutilation makes me cringe. It's only normal even for a Christian to worry about that.<br />
<br />
Why can't China curb Christianity or its Christian population? It's because China is part of the nations. Matthew 24:14 says that the Gospel must be preached first to <i>all </i>nations before the end can come. Are Chinese the mission field? Is China the mission field? Yes, they're all part of the mission field. You can't counter God's grace. Ephesians 2:8-10 and Titus 2:11-14 shows God's grace at work and teach how to live righteously. Christians are called to be a peculiar people zealous unto good works. Such people would provide hope in a country crushed by the tyranny of Communism. It's no better than living in Rome during the reign of the Roman emperors. The politically correct media would also be involved in whitewashing persecution as if it's just a small vain thing.<br />
<br />
The blessedness of persecution for one's faith in Jesus is there. Matthew 5:11-12 declares blessing through suffering for Christ. Jesus declares a great blessing for people who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. False accusations and physical afflictions may come. Communism has tried some of Nero's methods. Nero's methods only succeeded in persecuting Christians but it didn't destroy Christianity. The Vatican Inquisition did even worse but only made Christianity stronger. The very weapons of love and forgiveness are more powerful than any revolution against Communism.<br />
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When people have something worth dying for then you can expect others who don't may get attracted. You might hear some people in China saying, "Just look at them sing! I want something worth dying for!" or "How could they love those who hate them? All my life I was just taught to hate! I want that love! I see God's love!" on a daily basis. Such is the blessing when these Chinese Christians realize the great honor to display Christlike behavior to the unthankful and the evil.<br />
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See also:<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/02/accepting-persecution-is-part-of.html">Accepting Persecution is Part of Christian Life</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/06/be-more-christlike-be-ready-for-more.html">Be More Christlike, Be Ready For More Persecution!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/01/bloodstained-bibles-legacy-of-christian.html">Bloodstained Bibles: A Legacy of Christian Martyrs</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/03/calling-christians-as-fanatics-and.html">Calling Christians as Fanatics and Bigots By Politically Correct Standards</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/05/china-may-end-up-having-largest.html">China May End Up Having The Largest Christian Population In The World!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/06/christianity-has-never-been-about.html">Christianity Has NEVER Been About Having Your Best Life Now!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/06/christianity-is-not-about-being-happy.html">Christianity Is Not About Being Happy, Happy, Happy but Being Holy, Holy, Holy</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/11/christians-are-not-friends-of-world.html">Christians Are Not Friends of the World</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2011/03/christians-falsely-accused-of-doing.html">Christians Falsely Accused of Doing Hate Crimes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2018/06/christians-please-dont-expect-instant.html">Christians, Please Don't Expect Instant Rewards for Your Good Works</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2011/03/christians-falsely-accused-of-doing.html">Christians Falsely Accused of Doing Hate Crimes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/10/continue-reformation-expect-only.html">Continue the Reformation, Expect Only Persecution!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/02/crucifixion-and-stoning-didnt-stop.html">Crucifixion and Stoning Didn't Stop the Early Christians From Loving Their Enemies</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/09/dear-christian-its-foolish-to-expect.html">Dear Christian, It's Foolish to Expect Yourself to Be Treated Better Than Jesus Christ!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/08/god-blesses-his-elect-by-giving-them.html">God Blesses His Elect by Giving Them Trials to Endure</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/04/god-makes-christians-better-through.html">God Makes Christians Better Through Suffering</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2011/04/john-1514-explained.html">John 15:14 Explained</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2011/03/misapplying-love-one-another.html">Misapplying Love One Another!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2011/03/murdering-christians-in-gods-name.html">Murdering Christians in God's Name!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/05/persecuting-of-christians-shows-mans.html">Persecuting of Christians Shows Man's Total Depravity</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/09/preach-gospel-seriously-and-expect-to.html" style="text-align: justify;">Preach the Gospel Seriously and Expect to Be at War with the Whole World!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/02/remember-to-please-god-not-man.html">Remember to Please God, Not Man</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/12/sinful-people-want-to-lock-up-people.html">Sinful People Want to Lock Up People Who Lovingly Tell Them the Truth</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/07/so-everybody-else-now-have-rights.html">So Everybody Else Now Have Rights... Except For Christians!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2019/07/suffering-for-greater-glory-of-god.html">Suffering for the Greater Glory of God</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-christian-life-will-get-more.html">The Christian Life Will Get More Complicated As the Days Go By</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2012/03/emerging-christian-population-in-china.html">The Emerging Christian Population in CHINA!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-saints-higher-calling-in-christ.html">The Saints' Higher Calling in Christ Jesus</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/03/trouble-can-be-blessing-in-disguise.html">Trouble Can Be a Blessing in Disguise</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2014/11/when-fighting-against-sin-and-heresy.html">When Fighting Against Sin and Heresy, Don't Expect to Come Out Unscathed!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2017/02/worldly-people-think-becoming-born.html">Worldly People Think Becoming a Born Again Christian is an "Unpardonable Sin"</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2011/05/criminalizing-christianity.html">Wrongfully Criminalizing Christianity!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fundamentalbaptistchristian.blogspot.com/2016/01/you-cant-expect-christianity-without.html">You Can't Expect Christianity Without Enemy Attacks!</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
FRANKLINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261010494180368225noreply@blogger.com