Bogoslovlje-KJV1611

With respect Your Grace and Holiness dear Patriarch Bartholomew and as a humble servent to our Lord God , considering the following, I do not deem ecumenical talks with the Roman Catholics to be in the best interest of the Orthodox teaching and church. I my self, humble servent of the Lord as well M. B. feel that it is my duty as a pure Christian Orthodox, to question Your commintment in pursuing ecumentical dialog with any other religion. POPE PIUS X (1835-1914; pope: 1903-1914)
“It would certainly have been better if Austria-Hungary had punished the Serbians for all the wrongs they had done.”
((Ed. Comment to the preceding quote: In The Secret History of the Jesuits, Edmond Paris points out that, contrary to Catholic Church propaganda, Pope Pius X actually helped instigate hostilities between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. Clearly both the Hapsburg dynasty (rulers of Austria-Hungary) and the Vatican saw the growing power of Serbia as a threat. In fact, in late 1913 Prince Schonburg had an audience with Pope Pius X, who told Schonburg the words contained in the preceding quote. In other words, the Roman Catholic pope was letting this Roman Catholic European power (Austria-Hungary) know that it was past time to “take care of” the Serbian problem!) [Melina: "There was nothing wrong with Serbian Christian Orthodox PURE HEART, who only has One God then and now and always"] Psalms 119:36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

~Christ came to confirm the law.
Let none suppose that Christ allows his people to trifle with any commands of God's holy law. No sinner partakes of Christ's justifying righteousness, till he repents of his evil deeds. The mercy revealed in the gospel leads the believer to still deeper self-abhorrence. The law is the Christian's rule of duty, and he delights therein. If a man, pretending to be Christ's disciple, encourages himself in any allowed disobedience to the holy law of God, or teaches others to do the same, whatever his station or reputation among men may be, he can be no true disciple. Christ's righteousness, imputed to us by faith alone, is needed by every one that enters the kingdom of grace or of glory; but the new creation of the heart to holiness, produces a thorough change in a man's temper and conduct. (Mt 5:21-26)
Do Not Murder (Mat 5:21)
The Sixth Commandment is "Thou shalt not kill" (KJV, Exodus 20:13). Certainly those who murder will be subject to judgment. The "tradition of the elders" would agree.
Anger and Insult (5:22)
But Jesus goes to the heart of the Law as he expounds the motivation behind murder -- anger.
"But I tell you that
anyone who is angry with his brother
will be subject to judgment.
Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,'
is answerable to the Sanhedrin.
But anyone who says, 'You fool!'
will be in danger of the fire of hell."
Let's examine the Greek words used:
• phoneuo (vs. 21) - "murder, kill" (p. 864).
• orgizo (vs. 22a) - "be angry" (p. 579).
• rhaka (vs. 22b) - "a term of abuse, as a rule derived from the Aramaic [word meaning 'empty one'] found in the Talmud, 'fool, empty-head'" (p. 733-734).
• moros (vs. 23c) - "foolish, stupid" (p. 531).
• Gehenna (22) - "'Valley of the Sons of Hinnom,' a ravine south of Jerusalem. There, according to later Jewish popular belief, the Last Judgment was to take place. In the gospels it is the place of punishment in the next life, 'hell'"(p. 153)

(Definitions are from Bauer, Arndt, and Gingrich, Greek-English Lexicon (Second Edition, 1979)
A.B. Bruce distinguishes between the word "Raca" and "fool" in this way: "Raca expresses contempt for a man's head -- you stupid!; [The Greek word] "more" expresses contempt for his heart and character = you scoundrel!" (Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels in The Expositor's Greek Testament, 1897, p. 107.)
Bible says “Woe to You Hypocrites!”
Man looks on the exterior, the action, but God examines the heart. And in the heart is the root of murder. Legalism is an exterior thing, but the life of a follower of Jesus begins in the heart. MATTHEW 23; 23-39
23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
23:24 [Ye] blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
23:26 [Thou] blind Pharisee, cleanse first that [which is] within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead [men's] bones, and of all uncleanness.
23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
23:32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
23:33 [Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and [some] of them ye shall kill and crucify; and [some] of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute [them] from city to city:
23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!
23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
no, Jesus didn't come to abolish the law, but to bring out its fullness, to fulfill it.
~ No man can take place of GOD!!!
"The Pope takes the place of Jesus Christ on earth.... By divine right the Pope has supreme and full power in faith and morals over each and every pastor and his flock. He is the true Vicar of Christ [a vicar is one who acts in the place of, a deputy], the head of the entire church, the father and teacher of all Christians. He is the infallible ruler, the founder of dogmas, the author of and the judge of councils; the universal ruler of truth, the arbiter of the world, the supreme judge of heaven and earth, the judge of all, being judged by no one, God himself on earth." [The New York Catechism, cited in Boettner, Roman Catholicism, 127]-------------------2nd CORINTHIAS 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
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In Greek;
The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
[(PROS KORINQIOUS B 11:3 δέ φοβέω μήπως, μή πως ὡς ὁ ὄφις ἐξαπατάω Εὖα ἐν αὑτοῦ πανουργία οὕτω ὑμῶν νόημα φθείρω ἀπό ὁ ἁπλότης τό εἰς Χριστός
11:4 γάρ εἰ ἔρχομαι κηρύσσω ἄλλος Ἰησοῦς ὅς οὐ (οὐκ,οὐχ) κηρύσσω ἤ λαμβάνω ἕτερος πνεῦμα (ὅς, ἥ, ὅ)οὐ (οὐκ,οὐχ)λαμβάνω
ἤ ἕτερος εὐαγγέλιον ( ὅς, ἥ, ὅ )οὐ ( οὐκ, οὐχ) δέχομαι καλῶς ἀνέχομαι.
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The Bull of Pope Boniface VIII, Unam Sanctam, says: 'We declare, affirm, define and pronounce it to be necessary for salvation for every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff.' This Decree was declared by Cardinal Manning to be infallible and beyond all doubt an act ex cathedra (which means that it is spoken by the Pope as the universal Head of the Church on earth and with the supreme apostolic authority, i.e. an infallible statement
In the year 1866 Pope Pius IX said: 'I alone, despite my unworthiness, am the successor of the apostles, the barque of Peter; I am the way, the truth and the life. They who are with me are with the Church; and they who are not with me are out of the Church. They are out of the way, the truth and the life. Let men well understand this, that they be not deceived or led astray by soi-distant Catholics who desire and teach something quite different from what the Head of the Church teaches.' ---------- [Man can not be God!!!! This was WORDS of God- Jesus so No man has right to use words of Jesus in his name as there is only one Jesus-God (legei autw o ihsouV egw eimi h odoV kai h alhqeia kai h zwh oudeiV ercetai proV ton patera ei mh di emou)
KJV John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.]
------------------------KJV - 1 CORINTHIANS 3
3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

POPE ADRIAN VI
“It is beyond question that he [i.e., the pope] can err even in matters touching the faith. He does this when he teaches heresy by his own judgment or decretal. In truth, many Roman pontiffs [i.e., popes] were heretics.” (1523)

POPE BENEDICT XV (1854-1922; pope: 1914-1922)
“The coming of a world state is longed for by all the worst and most distorted elements. This state, based on the principles of absolute equality of men and a community of possessions, would banish all national loyalties. In it no acknowledgment would be made of the authority of a father over his children, or of God over human society. If these ideas are put into practice, there will inevitably follow a reign of unheard-of terror.” (In Bonum Sane, 1920)

POPE BONIFACE VIII (1235? – 1303; pope: 1294-1303)
“We declare, affirm, and define as a truth necessary for salvation that every human being is subject to the Roman Pontiff .” (1302) KJV - DEUTERONOMY 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one LORD:

POPE INNOCENT III (1161-1216; pope: 1198-1216)
“Every cleric must obey the Pope, even if he commands what is evil; for no one may judge the Pope.” ------------
KJV John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. KJV - MATTHEW 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren. 23:9 And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ.
23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
~Bowing Down To The Pope. There are two examples in the New Testament that a man bowed down and knelt before another man. Acts 10.25-26 states: “As Peter was about to go in, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet. And bowed down before him. But Peter made him rise. 'Stand up,' he said. 'I myself am only a man.'” Revelation 19.10 adds: “I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, 'Don't do it! I am a fellow servant of yours... Worship God.'”People fall down at the feet of the Pope in Rome; he extends his hand and people kiss it in adoration and worship -- a thing the apostle Peter didn't allow to be done to him. (Acts 10.25-26.) Was the apostle Peter who preached the first sermon recorded in the Bible (Acts 2.14-40) inferior to the Pope? The Holy Spirit guided Peter.
~ That Mary Is Intercessor Or Mediatrix. The Good News Bible states in First Timothy, chapter 2, verse 5 (1 Timothy 2.5): “For there is one God, and there is one who brings God and mankind together, the man Christ Jesus.” According to this verse, our Lord Jesus Christ only can intercede or mediate for us to our Father in heaven. This verse is supported by John 16.23 where Jesus said: “. .I am telling you the truth: the Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name.” Our prayers should, therefore, be addressed to the Father “in my name. ”(by authority of, or through Jesus). This may be an example of a personal prayer: “My Father in heaven, I thank you for all the blessings I received from you. May I ask again, Father, to protect me from evil men and all harm as I drive to my work this day. In the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.” If prayer is made in a group, “our,” “we,” or “us” should be substituted for “I,” “me,” or “my.”
~ “Reverend” and Priests. Psalm 111.9 (KJV) says: “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.” Like denominational preachers, Catholic priests are addressed “Reverend” [“awesome” (NIV, NAS, NKJV); “terrible” (RSV)]. “Reverend” is found just once in the Bible and was used to describe God's name. Should “Reverend” be used in reference to man?
~ Pope, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops and Other Officers of the Roman Catholic Church. These statements appear in the Good New Bible: “From Miletus Paul sent a message to Ephesus, asking the elders of the church to meet him.” (Acts 20. 17.) “So keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock which the Holy spirit has placed in your care. Be shepherds of the church of God.” (Acts 20,28) “I left you in Crete, so that you could put in order the things that still needed doing and appoint church elders in every town. Remember my instructions: an elder must be without fault; he must have only one wife, and his children must be believers..” (Titus 4.5-6.) “I, who am an elder myself, appeal to the church elders among you... I appeal to you to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you...” (1 Peter 5.1-2.) These quotations teach:
a. that elders are also called shepherds or overseers (Acts 20.28, KJV, RSV, NAS), bishop (1 Tim. 3.1-2, KJV) Church leader (1 Tim. 3.1-2, GNB);
b. that elders must be married and have believing children;
c. that each congregation is shepherded by “elders” (not just one);
d. that each congregation is overseen by elders who are members of the congregation they oversee; and
e. that “Pope,” Cardinal, Archbishops, etc. are not mentioned in the New Testament as the shepherds of the flock.
The Roman Catholic Church Is The Outcome of Apostasy. The apostasy was foretold long before it took place: “The spirit says clearly that some people will abandon the faith in later times; they will obey lying spirits and follow the teachings of demons. Such teachings are spread by deceitful liars, whose consciences are dead, as if burned with a hot iron. Such people teach that it is wrong to marry and to eat certain foods. (1 Tim. 4.1-3.) [“to abstain from meats” (KJV]. It is common knowledge that priests up to the Pope don't marry because of regulations made by men; and Catholics don't eat certain foods (meats) at certain seasons of the year. Those who departed from “the Faith in later times” became the nucleus of the Roman Catholic Church.
My friend, I showed you from the Bible approved for use by Catholics some doctrinal errors of Catholicism. It is my earnest prayer that you will investigate further God's Word as contained in the Bible and get out of false teachings. We are warned: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel that is different from the one we preached to you, may he be condemned to hell! We have said it before and now I say it again; if anyone preaches to you a gospel that is different from the one you accepted, may he be condemned to hell!” (Galatians 1.8-9, GNB); and “Anyone who does not stay with the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God. Whoever does stay with the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 9, GNB).
The apostle Paul wrote:
1. “There is one body” Ephesians 4,4.);
2. ”The church is Christ's body” (Ephesians 1.23); and
3. Christ is himself the Savior of the Church, His Body.” (Ephesians 5.23.)
The obvious conclusions from these statements are:
1. That the Lord Jesus Christ built (Matthew 16.18-19, Acts 2.1-47) only one church and
2. That He is the savior of only one church or body. You have nothing to lose but everything to gain by being a faithful and zealous member of the Lord's church – the Church of Christ.
Salvation is the most precious gift from God and should not be rejected through our adherence to unscriptural teachings of men. May you therefore, heed the exhortation: “Put all things to test: keep what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5.21.) If you follow this advice, you will be on the right path to salvation. To be washed of your sins, you must:
1. Hear the gospel preached (Acts 4.4);
2. Believe in Jesus [John 8.24, Mark 16.16];
3. Repent for sins (Acts 2.38, Acts 17.30);
4. Confess Christ (Matthew 10.32, Romans 10.9-10); and
5. Be Baptized (immersed in water) (Matthew 28.19-20, Mark 16.16, Acts 2.38. Acts 22.16, 1 Peter 3.21.
After you have taken these five steps, all your sins have been forgiven and the Lord adds you to His one church: “Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2.47 KJV.) You, whose sins were forgiven, must remain faithful to the end (Matthew 10,22, Revelation 2.10) by staying in the Church of Christ to which you have been added by the Lord.
We earnestly invite you to the Church of Christ (1) which was founded by the Lord; and (2) of which Christ is the Head and Savior. We assure you that you will find peace of mind and joy in the hope of eternal salvation which will be your most valuable gift from God!

POPE JOHN VIII
“We confidently reply that those who shall die in battle fighting bravely against pagans or unbelievers shall receive eternal life.” -------------------- KJV-John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life. 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

POPE JOHN PAUL II (pope: 1978-2005)
“By the end of this decade (A.D. 2000) we will live under the first one-world government that has ever existed in the society of nations...a government with absolute authority to decide the basic issues of human survival.
A one-world government is inevitable.” (From Malachi Martin’s book, The Keys of this Blood).------------ KJV - JEREMIAH 51:1 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind; 51:2 And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her ...

POPE NICHOLAS I (800? – 867 A.D.; pope: 858-867)
“A king need not fear to command massacres, when those will retain his subjects in obedience…
We order you, in the name of religion, to invade his states, burn his cities, and massacre his people.” (860 A.D., in a letter to the King of Bulgaria).---------- KJV - JEREMIAH 52
52:3 For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

POPE PAUL VI (pope: 1963-1978)
“Who can fail to see the need and importance of thus gradually coming to the establishment of a world authority capable of taking effective action on the juridical and political planes? ...Delegates to international organizations, public officials, gentlemen of the press, teachers and educators – all of you must realize that you have your part to play in the construction of a new world order.” (In Populorum Progressio, 1967)-------------- KJV-John 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 6:71 He spake of Judas Iscariot [the son] of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve. KJV - 1 THESSALONIANS 2 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they [have] of the Jews: 2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him. ------------KJV - 2 KINGS 24:2 And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets. KJV - REVELATION 18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast [it] into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

POPE PIUS IV (pope: 1559-1565)
“The Bible is not for the people; whosoever will be saved must renounce it. It is a forbidden book. Bible societies are Satanic contrivances.”--------- KJV 2 TIMOTHY 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
John 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

"We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty." Pope Leo XIII, in an Encyclical letter, dated June 20, 1894 ----------KJV Isaiah 43:10 Ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I [am] he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
according to the Bible, there is only ONE true God and only ONE way to serve Him. The true God is the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. All the rest are frauds.
"Understand that I AM HE: before me there was no God formed,
neither shall there be after me."
The God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob

There are not many paths to God. Just one--His name is Jesus. A relationship with Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, cannot be compared to any religious imitations. Jesus stands alone without equal. The following is my response to an e-mail that I recently received (with just a few edits for readability).

"The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, hidden under a veil of flesh." The Catholic National, July 1895 --------------- 1 CORINTHIANS 1 :18-29
1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
1:20 Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:
1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

"But the supreme teacher in the Church is the Roman Pontiff... [who] requires... complete submission and obedience of will... as to God Himself." Pope Leo XIII, the Great Encyclical Letters, p. 193 ---------------A. Jesus Christ rose from the dead and was seen by over 500 people. Jesus Christ is God Incarnate

"...they shall call his name EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US."
--MATTHEW 1:23
"...if ye believe not that I am he,
ye shall die in your sins."
--JESUS CHRIST, JOHN 8:24

"Indeed, it is not too much to say that in view of the sublimity of their offices the priests are so many gods." Pope Innocent III ---

---2nd CORINTHIAS 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

"This judicial authority will even include the power to forgive sin." The Catholic Encyclopaedia Vol. 12, -article "Pope", p. 265

"And God himself is obliged to abide by the judgment of his priest and either not to pardon or to pardon, according as they refuse to give absolution, provided the penitent is capable of it." Dignity and Duties of the Priest, p. 27, New York: Benziger Brothers, Printers to the Holy Apostolic See, 1888

"The priest has the power of the keys, or the power of delivering sinners from hell, of making them worthy of paradise, and of changing them from the slaves of Satan into the children of God. And God himself is obliged to abide by the judgment of his priests... The Sovereign Master of the universe only follows the servant by confirming in heaven all that the latter decides upon earth." Liguori, "Duties and Dignities of the Priest", pp. 27, 28
-----------------KJV Romans 3:10-12 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
"Duties and Dignities of the Priest", pp. 27, 28 "Thus the priest may, in a certain manner, be called the creator of his Creator, since by saying the words of the consecration, he creates, as it were, Jesus in the sacrament, by giving him a sacramental existence, and produces him as a victim to be offered to the eternal Father...The power of the priest, is the power of the divine person; for the transubstantiation of the bread requires as much power as the creation of the world." Saint Bernadine of Sienna --------------KJV ISAIAH 43:10 Ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I [am] he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 43:11 I, [even] I, [am] the LORD; and beside me [there is] no saviour. 43:12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when [there was] no strange [god] among you: therefore ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I [am] God.

POPE INNOCENT III (1161-1216; pope: 1198-1216) "Indeed, it is not too much to say that in view of the sublimity of their offices the priests are so many gods."

"Every cleric must obey the Pope, even if he commands what is evil; for no one may judge the Pope." Pope Innocent III (1198-1216)-------------- .” KJV - MATTHEW 23:9 And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ.

23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

"This judicial authority will even include the power to forgive sin." The Catholic Encyclopaedia Vol. 12, -article "Pope", p. 265

"And God himself is obliged to abide by the judgment of his priest and either not to pardon or to pardon, according as they refuse to give absolution, provided the penitent is capable of it." Dignity and Duties of the Priest, p. 27, New York: Benziger Brothers, Printers to the Holy Apostolic See, 1888

"The priest has the power of the keys, or the power of delivering sinners from hell, of making them worthy of paradise, and of changing them from the slaves of Satan into the children of God. And God himself is obliged to abide by the judgment of his priests... The Sovereign Master of the universe only follows the servant by confirming in heaven all that the latter decides upon earth." Liguori, "Duties and Dignities of the Priest", pp. 27, 28

"Thus the priest may, in a certain manner, be called the creator of his Creator, since by saying the words of the consecration, he creates, as it were, Jesus in the sacrament, by giving him a sacramental existence, and produces him as a victim to be offered to the eternal Father...The power of the priest, is the power of the divine person; for the transubstantiation of the bread requires as much power as the creation of the world." Saint Bernadine of Sienna

"Every cleric must obey the Pope, even if he commands what is evil; for no one may judge the Pope." Pope Innocent III (1198-1216)

"VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope John Paul II rang in the New Year on Thursday with a renewed call for... the creation of a new world order based on respect for the dignity of man and equality among nations." Thursday, January 1, 2004 Posted: 9:21 AM EST (1421 GMT)

"Fear, then, our wrath and the thunders of our vengeance; for Jesus Christ has appointed us [the popes] with his own mouth absolute judges of all men; and kings themselves are submitted to our authority." Pope Nicholas I (858-867 AD)

In the papal bull of Pope Gregory XI, dated 1372 AD, and entitled In Coena Domini, the pope pronounced papal dominion over the entire Christian world, secular and religious, and excommunicated all who failed to obey the popes and to pay them taxes. This papal bull was confirmed by subsequent popes and, in 1568 AD, Pope Pius V vowed that it was to remain an eternal law.

"The First See [papacy of Rome] is judged by no one. It is the right of the Roman Pontiff himself alone to judge...those who hold the highest civil office in a state...There is neither appeal nor recourse against a decision or decree of the Roman Pontiff." The Code of Canon Law (Paulist Press, 1985), pp. 951, 271

------------ LET THE BIBLE SPEAK
about
ROMAN CATHOLICISM
When one reads his New Testament, he realizes that the early church was simply organized with each congregation an independent unit with elders, deacons, and other members. There was no clergy, no denominations, no missionary societies, or monasteries.

No pomp, no circumstance, no ritual, just plain worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24) characterized New Testament Christians. Their worship consisted of heartfelt prayers, singing without musical instruments, and the Lord's Supper observed by every member, every Lord's Day. Each one gave liberally of his means and the assembly was taught the Word of God.

Soon, however, man became dissatisfied with the New Testament pattern and digression set in. The result was the apostate Roman Catholic Church.

Such an apostasy was a matter of New Testament prophecy (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Acts 20:28-31). It began within the eldership with one man being designated as bishop over a congregation, then later over several congregations. Finally, there came to be a bishop over the Eastern Church and one over the Western Church with the Western Bishop gaining the most power. This Roman Bishop claimed to be the pope or "papa" over all Christians.

Other changes were taking place as well. The gospel preacher evolved into a priest. The Lord's Supper became the Eucharist and mass. Repentance became penance. By the third century, hereditary sin and infant baptism were added. One departure led to another as man lost respect for the New Testament pattern.
SOME CLAIMS OF CATHOLICISM
• Catholics claim that on any matter of doctrine the teaching of the church is final. The seat of authority for the Catholic Church is the pope.

The New Testament teaches that Christ has all authority (Matt. 28.18-20). The authority of Christ is now vested in the Scriptures, not in any church (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 John 9, Ephesians 3:4, Rev. 20:12).
• Catholics teach that Peter was the first Pope and head of the church.

The New Testament teaches in regard to Matthew 16:18 that upon Peter's confession, as a rock, Christ would build His Church. Jesus is always pictured in the New Testament as the foundation of the Church (1 Corinthians 3:11), not Peter. Peter was married (Maithew 8:14). This certainly doesn't fit with what is taught today in regard to celibacy. Paul wrote a letter to Rome without ever hinting that Peter was there ruling as universal pope over the church.
• Catholicism teaches seven sacraments: (1) baptism, (2) confirmation, (3) holy Eucharist, (4) penance, (5) ordination, (6) extreme unction, and (7) marriage.
• Concerning baptism, Catholics teach that it can be done by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion and is to be administered to all, infants included, to get rid of original, Adamic sin.

The New Testament teaches that baptism is a burial (Romans 6:3-5). No infant is capable of meeting these New Testament conditions for accepting Christ: (a) the ability to hear and learn (John 6.44-45), (b) to believe (Mark 16:15-16), (c) to repent (Acts 2:38), and to confess Him (Matthew 10:32-33). The New Testament does not teach original sin (Ezekiel 18:19-23), but rather teaches that sin is something each responsible person commits (1 John 3:4).
• Concerning confirmation, Catholics teach that at about seven years of age a child should be confirmed and in this act the Holy Ghost imparts gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.

There is not One instance in the New Testament of the sacrament of confirmation being given to ANY ONE, children included. Confirmation is a good word and used in the scriptures in the sense of brethren encouraging other brethren (Acts 15.32).
• There are four dogmas connected with the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist: (1) The dogma of the real presence which holds that the body and blood of Christ are actually present in the supper. (2) The question arises as to how and when this happens and Catholics have developed the doctrine of transubstantiation as an explanation, saying that when the priest consecrates the emblem, the change occurs (3) Sacrifice of the mass is the consecration of the bread and wine into the body and blood of God, by the priest (4) In communion under one kind, they teach that Christ is contained whole and entire in each element and that it is only necessary to partake of the bread to partake of the whole Saviour.

We simply ask, "Where does the New Testament teach any of this???" The answer is "NOWHERE!!!" The Lord's Supper is a memorial of the suffering and second coming of Christ (I Corinthians 11.26). The elements are the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine. These elements, when eaten and drunk intelligently, bring to the Christian's mind the blessing that comes from obedience to the Lord.
• Catholics attempt to provide for the forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism through the sacrament of penance which includes: (1) contrition, (2) confession, (3) satisfaction, and (4) absolution. Contrition is defined correctly to mean "godly sorrow," but confession is to be made to a Catholic priest. Catholics teach that there is a temporal penalty that must be paid after the sin has been forgiven by the priest and this is the practice that gave rise to the selling of indulgences.

The New Testament clearly shows that redemption cannot be bought with silver or gold (I Peter 1:18). God's plan of pardon for the child of God that sins is that he repent and pray God that the thought of his heart may be forgiven him (Acts 8:22). In addition, he must be willing to confess his wrong doing to God (I John 1.9) and to one another (James 5:16).
• The sacrament of ordination is the sacrament by which means men become a part of the priesthood in the Catholic Church. Many Catholics admit that their hierarchical system is not described in the New Testament and that it borrowed from Old Testament and pagan practices.

The New Testament teaches that each local congregation is overseen by men called elders (I Timothy 3:1-7, Philippians 1:1). The New Testament also teaches that every member of the church is a priest (1 Peter 2:5,9, Revelation 1:6) who can approach God directly for himself through the great high priest, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 3:1).
• Extreme unction is a sacrament in which the sick, by the anointing with holy oil and the prayers of the priest, are supposed to receive spiritual succor and even corporal strength when such is conducive to salvation. The unction is called "extreme" because it is the last of the unction's administered by the Catholic Church.

The passage used by them in support of this is James 5:14-15. But James says in this passage that what was done by these New Testament elders (not priests) was to heal the sick (not the dying) during the time in the New Testament Church when some who were miraculously endowed could indeed bring about healings.
• In order to control the marriage union, the Catholic Church has made marriage a sacrament.

While marriage is ordained by God (Genesis 2:24), it existed long before the church and is not a sacrament. Catholics are also in error when they teach that there is never any reason for remarriage. Jesus said in Matthew 19:9 that in the case of fornication that the innocent party could remarry.

CONCLUSION
We can go back over cultism, Protestantism, and Roman Catholicism all the way back to the church of the New Testament. The Scriptures are your final authority. Here you worship and live as the Scriptures teach. We are not a part of any cult or Catholic or Protestant denomination. Here you obey the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) by doing precisely what people did in New Testament times. (cf. Acts 2, Acts 8, Acts 9, Acts 10, Acts 16, Acts 18.8 etc.).

Worship with those who are of like mind (Hebrews 10.25) and together, following the word of the Lord, you will comprise the church of the Lord, and by faithful Christian living heaven will be your home.

The church of the 21st century?

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4:3,4)

"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." -- George Orwell

The church (When we use the word church with a lower case c we mean institutional/denominational churches--false christanity) of the 21st century, and the vision of that church of the future makes me sad. Why would I say that? Because anyone with a modicum of spiritual insight, and a great love of the Church (When we use the Church with a capital C we mean the real Church, the believers, the called out ones) will see this. I love the Church—the body of Christ. I wish it no harm or failure which is impossible anyway. However, the truth is God has always called, kept, and directed His people. Without a doubt the remnant is and always will be alive and active.

There is a decline in upholding the truth. Truth, accuracy, and first century scriptural traditions have been replaced with error, faultiness, and traditions of men. Ecumenicalism and mixing toward the one world religion is soon coming upon us. So where is the Church? Right where its always been kept in the grip of Christ. The "church" you see today in the landscape—denominations are filled with commercialism and sold out to the world. Avoid them!

People are allowed into the churches, unsaved, with the thought by the ministers that some "genuine confession will be had at their hands." The old close your eyes, bow your head, and repeat after me lie. church services are now becoming church circuses. With regards to the first century Church and the so-called church today they don't mix. They're two different things.

"And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved." (Luke 5:37,38)

There are those that have become accustomed to traditions and religion. It's difficult to tell others of the truth of the way because of their addiction and dependency. I would say you probably don't even know you're addicted to your denomination or religion. You blindly follow the "leader" asking no questions. Go read your Bible (KJV) and then you'll see. Then get out of there! Religion is convenient and subtle. It's rigid, binding, legal, liberal, disciplined formalism, and regimentation. It's counterfeit, has New Age infiltration, and superstitious extremes. Today, it comes in a more refined Christian package.

The Devil tries to guilt you into keeping "the law." Or he'll try to get you into another Gospel, which is not another Gospel—The love goo and licivisousness. Rightly dividing the scriptures gives you the even keel in Jesus, walking in the way, not looking and being swayed to the right or to the left. I've been saying for years we need balance.

God is not limited to a physical temple, sanctuary, church, or denomination. We are His abode because we are His people. Jesus said, "go" not sit. God is not confined to a set of regulations. We come to God in Spirit and in Truth. "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." (John 4:23)

Take for example worship. Worship is to be a direct expression from the heart of a believer to the very feet of God. True worship can only be from the heart and not manufactured. "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." (John 4:23) People are bound by their tradition in worshipping God.

True worship cannot be hyped up, conjured up, pumped up, organized, or "led into." People cannot be manipulated or engineered to give true worship. They will not rely on vibes, warm fuzzies, feelings or emotions to turn their heart toward heaven. There's no such thing as "worship" leaders under the New Covenant.

"But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple." (Psalm 5:7)

"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." (Psalm 29:2)

Worship is not to be what I can get out of it i.e. I feel good, I was moved, or I was really into it. Those things can happen but it's not the "hard drive" of worship. Worship is expressing to God everything you have with in you for who He is and what He has done for you! It's not about you. It's about Him. Only those that have been truly touched by Him, identified with Him, and interacted with Him can know true worship.

Many fellowships substitute true worship for rote, indifferent, disrespectful parody worship. This is due in part because of the faulty, insincere, numbers driven salvation exercise they claim is saving people. Worship is getting into a place where we enter into the throne room of God here on earth, and is to be reverential and respectful.

Have you ever seen someone in fellowship during worship time chewing gum, wearing a hat, or drinking coffee? I have. Talk about a come as you are relaxed atmosphere! In an effort not to offend anyone fellowships are allowing God to be offended. Songs are sung with no meaning or sincerity. Worship has morphed into the rest of the "service" instead of something critical. We better start worshipping like we will in heaven, least once we go there, we find the worship of heaven very strange. The Church of God are people, both Jew and Gentile together, called out of the world and false religion where as one new man they can worship God in spirit.

"And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." (Isaiah 6:3)

Truly it's a manifold problem. Those that do not really know God, and don't know about true worship, are leading those that don't really know God or true worship in this ascued kind of worship. What can you do? First, make sure you are born again. Second, make sure you know about worship.

The second example is Scriptural teaching. Modern Bible perversions are being promoted more than ever. And mention the word righteousness and they'll accuse you of being some holier-than-thou deceived person. Ever heard these phrases? "The move of God," "Get a touch from the Lord," "Feel the Spirit's touch," "Soak up the Spirit," "Breathe in Jesus," "Holy laughter," "Holy shaking," "Holy drunkenness," "God wanting to bark or howl," "Uncontrollable frolicking," "Just let go and open yourself up," "Open your mouth and let the Lord take over," "God is out of control," "Catch the fire," "You need to throw out your theology and go with the flow," "God is doing a work," "He's the reason for the season," "happy birthday Jesus,"" He's the real thing," "The real deal," "We serve a contemporary Jesus," "The best is yet to come," "The hour of power," "Peace signs," "the dove," "the olive leaf," "the rainbow," "WWJD," "hang loose sign" Jesus on bumper stickers, pictures, and t-shirts in which is not Jesus at all. These are very effective New Age symbols, slogans, and banners. And other stupid phrases. What are you thinking?

Remember "the power of praise"? Which meant if you want to scare the devil in a just keep singing a praise song over and over again. Or "let's stomp on the devil," "let's to "battle with enemy," or the "christian" mind mantra trick of "binding and loosing" prayers. How about screaming at the devil? All false and phony. And let's not forget "christian" mantras and chants to scare the devil. This is mind and emotional manipulation.

We have today things like "the power of love" "the power of prayer" "Prayer of Jebez" "the power of positive thinking", "the hour of power." Any strength we have come from Christ alone which is nurtured as we apply our lives to the word of God. Also don't forget the prosperity garbage of the "seed faith," "God wants the best for you" The "speak it into being" the "blab it and grab it" the "name it and claim it" This is simply greed, the spirit of materialism, and covetousness hiding behind a facade of false spirituality.

Today its feel good, free love, do what you want God is not mad it you. Go to the extreme it's ok, sin all you want no harm will come. It's all about numbers, feeling good, and money! God calls and no one listens. Witchcraft! I tell you its witchcraft! Pastors and "church" leaders become a substitute for the Spirit of truth. "Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand." (2 Corinthians 1:24) Man plays the Holy Ghost by getting in the way. However, "where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty."

"All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies." (Psalm 25:10)

How are denominations are formed anyway? People take one man's revelation from the Lord and build on it instead of seeking the full counsel of God. Ever notice the emphasis is always something like water baptism, Spirit baptism, the Sabbath, the gifts, and so forth? People are not taught right. They're not taught Bible Truth.

Isaiah 33:7 "Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without: the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly."

Today the cross is omitted, the Gospel is diluted, and the Bible has been made perverted. Today people hate judgment, righteousness, and truth. They only want to hear "be joyful, be happy today, be positive." They want a Ken doll "pastor" to fall in love with because he does not tell them the truth and feeds them plenty of sugar. People want to be entertained by the scriptures, and entertained at "church" but forget telling them there wrong.

Micah 3:5. "Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him."

Remember, "And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." (Luke 16:15)

People can justify anything. It's now considered "inappropriate" to judge, to weigh things up, to make correction, to use absolutes, to call a spade a spade, to name things for what they are.

Many "churches" are sincere. Many christians are sincere. Many atheists are sincere. The demons believe and tremble. But, "all the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits." (Proverbs 16:2)

The excuse is that modern day people need to be told teaching in simpleton stories and language or they will not understand. Their kept in the dark on many truths because they are not taught right. Test your fellowship. Listen to what is taught write the subject down, then research that subject from the Scriptures thoroughly to see if what was taught is true then you will know. It's amazing how much error people take in without any study to see if it's even true. The fellowship of believers is for, "…the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11,12). It's not entertainment, to find a date, to be pleasing to your flesh, or any other thing.

Forget "church" counsels, ecumenical meetings, church hierarchy, church boards, deacon boards, etc. yuck! Not at all Biblical. Better look out a false prophet is coming remember Jesus' words, "if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive." Also, notice peoples attitude towards Israel and the Jews? They act as if the Israelis can do nothing wrong and are elevated to some level of "special holiness." Which today you can't point to the geographical land of Israel and say there are God's people—there is the Hebrew Jews all the tribes? No way! How can you be in agreement with a group that hates, denies, and despises Jesus? And people love to say the Jews killed Jesus. Wrong! Read your Bible. Jesus laid it down by Himself.

"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." (John 10:17,18)

God's people today are called out of the world to simplicity in Him. Not to loyalty to a pastor, denomination, building, or creed. God has His own remnant who will stick to doing things His way, and stand for Him and for Him only. And it will be the Lord glorified in the end.

"Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace." (Romans 11:5)

God our Father makes much allowance for spiritual babes of the faith. This is called growing in grace. He knows that once we begin our pilgrimage in Him we are going to make mistakes probably plenty. We have to learn to stand on our own two feet, make your own decisions, and become responsible. Eat the meat and not suck on milk. Religion means finding God through externalization. Relying on our own effort, or righteousness, to make it. That's what churches do today.

Jesus has paid the complete price at the cross. The impossible has become possible in Him. He has granted us His righteousness even though we never deserved it and if we would only embrace His free gift. Because it's only when we receive Christ's finished work on the cross the Lord no longer sees our sinful state, but the righteousness of His Son. Jesus' payment on the cross cannot be added to, or watered down, with no need to ever be repeated again. Once and for all. Today the church is about short cuts, by-passing the cross, providing substitutes for God's plan of salvation through Good works, self-effort, anything but the blood of Jesus!

Must we separate? Yes!

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:14)

The world says, "Come lie with me, and don't rock the boat! As a great stewing pot of exuberance, cleverness, ease, and justified indulgence, brewed together collectively. Where if you don't chill out with the world, you will be branded intolerant, prejudice, and no progressive from the millennium past. We have tolerance and understand of cults, heathen religions, "zero tolerance," etc. shoved down our throats. All in the name of unity and peace. But only those true and faithful will refuse.

Soon, people will be jailed for saying homosexuality is wrong. Look out if you say the Bible is the word of God! This will be classed as the chief danger against human progress. Human progress? Oh Brother, you need to get on board with the new enlightenment, be progressive, up with the times, we're evolving! Yuck! No thanks. Watch out, you could be next by agreeing with the Holy Bible, and warning people with the truth.

What's coming is the great compromise, the great mingling, the great mixture, the world wide ecumenical movement, multiculturalism. Accommodating everything that is contrary to the word of God. Why? because Man loves to dumb down scripture. Questioning God saying, "Hath God said?" Is this the faith? Forget it. "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." (2 Corinthians 5:11) "Meddle not with them that are given to change." (Proverbs 24:21) Boy is that ever true! Choose your friends wisely!

There is everything wrong with present, or contemporary "christianity." It's all pseudo Biblical Christianity. We now have "Christian" culture, "Christian" lifestyle, and a "Christian" alternative! Wee! Let's all get on the happy bus! "Trendy christians" have worked hard to be like the world and get the world's approval. To express "Christianity" is cool and "up-to-date." Jesus has been made contemporary, updated, and trendy! Repacked to be "cool" and in. They've thrown out the Bible and were now following another Jesus, which changes with the times to suit their present needs.

However, authentic Christianity, the bonafide biblical kind, cannot come to the world's religious corner. Never! We are set apart by God to be a people different and separated from the world, remaining undefiled by the heathen and their ways. Today, as the Lord set's apart His Bride, to be espoused to one Bridegroom, how much of the faith has been prostituted and corrupted by a mixture?

Now we serve God Almighty Himself not the mere shadow. And are not subject to observing days, and months, and times, and years according to Galatians 4:10, which pertain to bondage and coming under the law again. Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, Palm Sunday, Mothers Day, Valentines Day, St. Patrick's Day (all Roman Catholic by the way) simply imported paganistic practices. We can't serve two masters. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

However, what does count is whether we are serving the Lord in truth. According to scripture, the only way to do this is by being in obedience to His word. "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46) The sotish children of this present church have a problem. They've neglected their Lord for another lord "And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth." (Judges 2:13)

What can you do? Pray and ask God for His help by His spirit to learn the Scriptures. Don't be fooled by modern translations of the Bible. Pray for the remnant and those trapped in the denominations to come out.

The third example is witnessing. Today, people go to fellowship and are spoken to like children. Then are made to feel guilty and told if "they want to receive Christ" to close their eyes, bow their heads and "while all eyes are closed and heads are bowed slip up your hand." This is so far removed from Biblical truth its not funny. They have made it easy salvationism. Today, the way witnessing is done is to bribe or make someone feel guilty into the kingdom—instead of repentance. Everything is done so as not to offend or embarrass someone.

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32)

Those that are believers are to plant seeds and water, but it's God that gets the increase. So what can you do? Learn the truth about real witnessing. Pass out tracts and talk to people about Christ then let God do his work.

God knows the burden I carry for the Church. How can you not see this? How is it we're so blind? Are we in the time prophesied in Timothy? "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first…." (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

The church is asleep. Those that try to roust them from bed are chastised and almost declared heretical! As the Scriptures say, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20) and again, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." (Hosea 4:6)

We have come to the place in the history of the church that should be rightly called "the dark ages of the 21st Century." When in history has the church become so childish? We have sacrificed facts for fiction, faith for fantasy, and holiness for hedonism.

Galatians 1:6,7 has come to pass, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ." As well as, "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?" (Galatians 3:1)

It has become evident that all of the things we're warned about in the Holy Scriptures concerning these matters are revealed. God forbid. Will this generation be known for its false doctrine feigned worship, greed for money, and artificial salvation?

There are those that say the Church should be progressive, but if progressive means exchanging truth and right practice for progression then we must cry HALT! Truth is not even recognized anymore because the lines are blurred. Fellowships and pastors are praised for their invitations and false doctrine than for traditions and truth.

There is nothing new it's just packaged differently. "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9) Thank God our salvation does not rest on the belief or not of the rapture, or our particular view of the tribulation. It only indicates the validity of the person.

Amen?

Piczo