Category Archives: Bible Study

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Methodism Faith Based System

This week as we moved on in our Study of Faith Based Systems, we will be talking about Methodism.

Methodism is a religious movement founded by John and Charles Wesley and a group of associates in the 18th century. It grew to be a major Christian Revitalization Movement that made a significant impact on the 19th century Missionary Movement and Christian enterprises throughout the world. The original movement has developed into a family of churches loosely connected to the World Methodist Council and claims a membership of over 18 million and a community of 40 million. In 1739 John Wesley started a society in London to promote Evangelical Christianity in England.

What is Evangelical Christianity? Evangelical Christians believe in the inspiration of the Bible, to which they hold as the divine rule of Faith and practice. They affirm the fundamental doctrines of the gospel, including the incarnation, virgin birth of Christ, His sinless life, substitutionary atonement and bodily resurrection as the grounds of God’s forgiveness of sin, justification by faith alone, and the spiritual regeneration of all who trust in Jesus Christ.

Returning back to Methodism, in 1741 John Wesley began the training of lay ministers and in 1769 sent his first missionaries to serve in America. In 1784 Wesley and his followers finally broke away from the Church of England and established their own Church.

Now, the Church of England is also known as Anglicanism. The origins of English Christianity are unknown, but the presence of British Bishops at the council of Arles (A.D. 314) indicates the existence of an organized Church. Following the Roman withdrawal and Teutonic invasions, Christianity retreated to the Celtic lands, but in the late 6th and early 7th centuries, Roman and Celtic missions began the reconversion of England. The Synod of Whitby (663-664) secured the observance of Roman forms. The English church was largely isolated from continental Ecclesiastical affairs until the Norman invasion of 1066. Even afterwards distance from Rome, the conflict between England and France, and papal decline made English submission more nominal than real. It was an easy matter for King Henry VIII (1491-1547) to use his divorce from Catherine of Aragon as grounds for detaching England from papal obedience. The parliament of 1532-1536 gave Henry the title “Supreme Head on Earth of the Church of England.” Under Edward VI (1547-1553) the church underwent a liturgical and doctrinal reformation. The accession of the Catholic Mary Tudor (1516-1558) inaugurated a period of reaction during which many of the Edwardian reformers were martyred.

Returning back to our story of Methodism….with a few notable exceptions, such as Welsh Methodism, the movement of Methodism is Arminian in theology with a strong social concern. Arminianism is a general term embracing the teachings of Jacobus Arminius. The theological views of Arminius and his followers were summed up in five points which were designed to counter the prevailing Calvinist orthodoxy of his day. They are:

  1. God from all eternity predestined to eternal life those whom he foresaw would remain steadfast in faith;
  2. Christ died for all humanity, not only the elect;
  3. Through free will a person cooperates in his conversion;
  4. Humans may resist divine grace;
  5. Humans may fall from grace.

At the Synod of Dort  (also known as the Synod of Dordt or the Synod of Dordrecht) was an international Synod held in Dordrecht in 1618–1619, by the Dutch Reformed Church, to settle a divisive controversy initiated by the rise of Arminianism) the Arminian teachings were condemned by orthodox Calvanists as heretical. Today, Arminianism is the major teological force among North American Evangelical Christians.

Lets take a look at what Calvanism is since it so opposed Methodism’s basis in Arminianism. Calvanism originated with John Calvin’s interpretation and exposition of scripture found in his Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536). It emphasizes the sovereignty of God in salvation and was later closely associated with Puritanism. The five points of Calvinism, referred to by the acronym “Tulip,” were drawn up on response to Arminianism. They are:

  1. Total depravity;
  2.  Unconditional election;
  3. Limited atonement;
  4. Irresistible grace;
  5. The perseverance of the saints.

Presbyterians, various reformed churches, Anglicans and some Baptist Churches have been strongly influenced by Calvinism as a theological system.

So it seems the Methodist Arminianism and Calvanism has something of a rivalry. Of the two Arminianism would more closely resemble Biblical principles. In the 20th century mainline Methodism has tended to encourage Liberal Theology and has moved away from its revivalist roots.

 

 

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Christian Faith Based Systems Part 3

Continuing from part two of our series…

Even though a lot of these popes in Vatican history have done some very terrible things under the name of Christendom, there are some Popes who have done some good things. However, the overall impact on Christian society today is that people are focused on the negative things that they are doing. It wouldn’t be a bad thing against the Roman Catholic Church except, that they are continually doing some of the same things that they did back then, during the years with the popes mentioned in part 2 of this series. We find out that in the 1980s, 1990s, and today, that there are Popes and Catholic priests doing some of the same terrible things. Instead of it being done openly and publicly, these things are being done secretly. How can a religious system be beneficial to the people, if they are still practicing the same paganistic mentalities that they did from years ago?

Now we will move on to another faith based system: The Word of Faith Movement.

The Word of Faith Movement is a world wide movement that teaches that Christians can access the power of faith or fear through speech. Its distinctive teachings are found on the radio, internet, television, and in many Christian Churches. The basic doctrine preaches that of wealth, health, and through positive confession. The Word of Faith Movement has distinctive teachings including physical, emotional, financial, and relational healing  or prosperity for any who have the right belief filled confession. The Movement emphasizes choosing to speak the promise and provision that the speaker wants, as an act of faith and in agreement with God’s plan and purpose. They believe that this is what Jesus meant in Mark 11:22-23. The term “Word of Faith,” is derived from the passage Romans 10:8 that says…”the word of faith which we preach;”

We are not saying that the Word of Faith Movement is wrong, but when the people who are pronouncing it begin to change the very essence of what the Movement means, then problems arise. They began to pronounce to people that they were “gods.” “You are born again right? Then that makes you a Child of God, and if so, that means you are a god, because you came from God.” They emphasized this, not understanding the scriptures. In Isaiah 43:10 God says of Himself “before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me,” and further in Isaiah 44:6 that “I am the first, and I am the last, and beside me there is no God, and further in Deuteronomy 6:4 “The Lord our God is one Lord.” Also see 1 Corinthians 8:4-6. ” We are not “gods,” as though we are above anything petty and esteem ourselves higher that what we are. This world of Faith Movement started off the right way, and went on the wrong way. We will not be gods, but friends of God (John 15:15).

Below is an excerpt from an article published by Charismanews.com titled “10 Ways the Word of Faith Movement Went Wrong,” that explains how the movement, has gone astray although having faith in God is good. The entire article can be found on at this web address: http://www.charismanews.com/oinion/41054-10-ways-the-word-of-faith-movement-went-wrong

1. They preach a “rights centered” gospel rather then a “stewardship centered” gospel.
Perhaps influenced by our Jeffersonian heritage of individual rights in America, the way the gospel is applied to individuals in the Word of Faith movement is based on personal rights in Christ. Although this is partially true, the New Testament balances our rights in Christ with our responsibility that goes along with these rights.
2. Their dispensational belief precludes the role and importance of the Old Covenant in the New Covenant age.
I heard Brother Hagin brag several times in his teaching sessions that he did not read the Old Covenant because we have a new and better covenant now in Christ. The challenge with that teaching is that he did not understand the relevance and role of the moral and civic law of God found from Exodus to Deuteronomy—especially the Ten Commandments that were repeated over and over again either exactly or in principle by the New Testament writers. Without the moral law of God, we have no standard for holiness and will lack the conviction of sin the moral law gives as our standard of holiness and ethics.
3. They have a semi-gnostic dualism regarding their view of God.
Word of Faith preachers have a simple view of God: Everything that is good is of God, and everything bad is from the devil.
4. Positive confession sometimes leads to dishonesty and superficial Christianity.
I have been around many believers who are afraid to be honest and admit they are struggling with their faith. This brings people into bondage and even a form of superficial religion. Some believers are like robots—when you ask them how they are doing, they routinely say, “I am blessed and highly favored!” However, I know some of these people, and they are merely trying to keep a positive confession even though their world is falling apart.
5. Their view on prosperity is only based on giving.
While it is true that the Bible teaches we reap what we sow and that if we give, it will be given back to us (Luke 6:38), one of the flaws of the Word of Faith movement is that it only teaches people one side of prosperity. I believe the church needs to equip the saints not only to give but also to get, as well as how to manage what they get  while investing and saving for the future.
6. They have faith in their faith as a principle rather than it emanating out of the person of Christ.
I have found in many instances where this movement presented faith almost as an impersonal force, like the law of gravity. This led to teachings like “having faith in your faith.” When this is taught, it can disconnect faith from intimacy with the Lord. The more I get to know a person, the more I can trust them. Faith is not a force. It is a result of growing in simple trust based on growing in an experiential knowledge of the Lord. Faith is relational. It is not an impersonal force.
7. Some pastors have modeled their church preaching after these “specialists” in the body. 
Brother Hagin, T.L. Osborn, Smith Wigglesworth and the like were not typical pastors called to oversee a flock. Thus, they were able to preach based on their primary assignment, which was faith and healing.
8. It can put guilt and bondage on believers.
I have heard of many people who walk around in guilt because they are not healed or because they are struggling financially. In some cases, I have even heard of famous faith preachers who checked into a hospital under a different name so word would not get out that they were sick and under a doctor’s care!
9. It can produce independent, narcissistic believers.
When the Word of Faith movement went from a stewardship-centered gospel to a rights-centered gospel, it also attracted many self-focused people—people who used God as an excuse for their lavish lifestyles and who frowned upon those living in simplicity. Unfortunately, this teaching often appealed to the narcissistic tendencies in all of us, and many large ministries were built more upon the American Dream of having a nice house and a nice car than upon taking up our cross and following Jesus. Jesus said in Luke 14:33 that we have to lose everything in order to be His disciple, but many in this movement only focus on what we gain. Truly, you can’t be resurrected until you first go to the cross!
10. It is not connected to the cultural mandate of Genesis 1:28.
Last but not least, the Word of Faith movement did not go far enough. Instead of limiting faith to merely believing for individual healing and health, the Word of God teaches that our faith should also transform whole cities and subdue kingdoms! (See Isaiah 61:4 and Hebrews 11:33.) The gospel is a blueprint to disciple and baptize whole people groups, not just individuals (Matt. 28:19-20). It not only deals with individual sinners but systemic evil. The Word of Faith movement, though, brings faith for individual victory but doesn’t say much about corporate victory. However, regarding the community of believers, faith is also based on the corporate culture and anointing of a congregation. (First Corinthians 11:27-32 and Hebrews 3-4 teach that whole congregations can be negatively affected by a culture of unbelief or disobedience.)
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The Roman Catholic Church and Other Christian Faith Based Systems Part 2

Continuing on from our series titled “The Roman Catholic Church and Other Christian Faith Based Systems,” we are going to observe 5 of the most popular Popes in the past and their less than spiritual attitude and action towards God and Christiandom.

 

Pope John XII
Pope John XII (955-964)

1) Pope John XII 

The 16-year-old John XII was accused of sleeping with his two sisters and inventing a catalog of disgusting new sins. Described by a church historian as “the very dregs,” he was killed at age 27 when the husband of one of his mistresses burst into his bedroom, discovered him in flagrante, and battered his skull in with a hammer.

 

 

John XXIII
John XXIII (1410-1415)

2) Pope John XXIII

Thirty-seven of his own clergy members witnessed and professed against John XXIII on charges of; fornication, adultery, incest, sodomy, simony, theft, and murder. He also had a harem of mistresses in Boulogne numbering two-hundred consisting mostly, if not entirely of nuns.

 

 

 

Pope innocent viii
Innocent VIII (1484-1492)

3) Pope Innocent VIII

The Rule of Innocent VIII is remembered as the Golden Age of Bastards: He acknowledged eight illegitimate sons and was known to have many more, although he found time between love affairs to start up the Inquisition. On his death bed, he ordered a comely wet nurse to supply him with milk fresh from the breast.

 

 

 

Alexander Vi
Alexander VI (1492-1503)

4) Pope Alexander VI 

The vicious Rodrigo Borgia, who took the name Alexander  VI, presided over more orgies than masses, wrote Edward Gibbon. A career highlight was the 1501 “Joust of the Whores,” when 50 dancers were invited to slowly strip around the pope’s table. Alexander and his family gleefully threw chestnuts on the floor, forcing the women to grovel around their feet like swine; they then offered prizes of fine clothes and jewelry for the man who could fornicate with the most women.

 

 

 

Julius II
Julius II (1503-1513)

5) Pope Julius II 

Julius II is remembered for commissioning Michelangelo to paint the Sistene Chapel’s ceiling. He was also the first pope to contract “the French disease,” syphilis, from Rome’s male prostitutes. On Good Friday of 1508, he was unable to allow his foot to be kissed by the faithful as it was completely covered with syphilitic sores.

 

For more information regarding these popes and other popes, refer to this article titled Vatican Hall of Shame.

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The Roman Catholic Church and Other Christian Faith Based Systems

As of late, Pastor Catron has been getting quite a few questions about the Roman Catholic Church and what they’re all about. They claim to have the largest faith based religious system in the world. Pastor Catron will be doing a 4 part series on, not just the Catholic Church, but also on the church belief system in the christian arena. But he will start off with the Catholic Church. We want the reader to get a clear understanding of where the Roman Catholic Church or “RCC” came from and their influence on Christendom in the world and also it’s effect on today’s society.

In Roman Catholic history, it is said that in 1 A.D., the Catholic Church was established under the teaching of Jesus Christ. The Apostles were teaching about Jesus Christ, and this is how the Catholic Church was established, by one of the Apostles. The only Apostle that was in Rome at the time was Paul.The Catholic Church is saying their foundation came from Peter. (matt. 16:18) That is why they claim to be the first christian church that was established. My problem with that is, why didn’t the Apostles set up the Teaching of the Apostolic Faith and call it catholicism and set up the catholic church? Instead the Apostles called it “The church.” Why? Well because the church is made up of both jew and gentile. The word church comes from the Greek word “ecclesia” which means Assembly, congregation, or called out ones.

The Term catholic comes from the Greek word (katholikos) which means universal. During the time when the Apostles were teaching, christianity spread like wild fire throughout the whole Roman Empire. The Roman people coined the term in Rome as “catholic”. The difference in meaning, being a catholic as in universal and Catholic as a foundational teaching is whether the c in catholic is capital or not. When Lower case “c” is used, it means universal, but when its a capital “C” it is the Roman Catholic Church Foundational teaching. Its sad to say, but they are using “Catholic ” and “catholic” upper or lower case as the same meaning. The word Catholicism is associated with the RCC or Roman Catholic Church and they are declaring to everybody that they are the original Church that was established in Rome, and that they were the original people, who were teaching about Jesus Christ first. But the people back then, who were just catholic “UNIVERSAL” In Rome believe that the mission was a worldwide universal one.

Now the term “universal” has changed in the Roman Catholic Church, It went from being the universal teaching of Jesus Christ to the term meaning of “All Inclusive.” In other words regardless of  what belief system you have, your form of worship is acceptable in Catholocism. What ever you want to believe they will include it into the Roman Catholic Church, because RCC said we all Worship the same god. An the RCC believe that we all have the same belief system, an thats in the one god; others just go about worshiping in there own way how they believe. look at the video  link below.

If you do your own personal research, it can be found in libraries or on google, which are good sources for a in-depth study for this information. The Catholic Church has their own Catholic Encyclopedia, but it is more likely to be skewed for their benefit, but this too is a source as well.

Here is an excerpt from an article by James L. Melton titled “The Plain Truth About the Roman Catholic Church,” regarding some history of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Roman Catholic Church claims to have started in Matthew 16:18 when Christ supposedly appointed Peter as the first Pope. However, the honest and objective student of the Scriptures and history soon discovers that the foundation of the Roman church is none other than the pagan mystery religion of ancient Babylon.

While enduring the early persecutions of the Roman government (65-300 A.D.), most of professing Christianity went through a gradual departure from New Testament doctrine concerning church government, worship and practice. Local churches ceased to be autonomous by giving way to the control of “bishops” ruling over hierarchies. The simple form of worship from the heart was replaced with the rituals and splendor of paganism. Ministers became “priests,” and pagans became “Christians” by simply being sprinkled with water. This tolerance of an unregenerate membership only made things worse. SPRINKLED PAGANISM is about the best definition for Roman Catholicism.

The Roman Emperor Constantine established himself as the head of the church around 313 A.D., which made this new “Christianity” the official religion of the Roman Empire. The first actual Pope in Rome was probably Leo I (440-461 A.D.), although some claim that Gregory I was the first (590-604 A.D.). This ungodly system eventually ushered in the darkest period of history known to man, properly known as the “Dark Ages” (500-1500 A.D.). Through popes, bishops, and priests, Satan ruled Europe, and Biblical Christianity became illegal.

Throughout all of this, however, there remained individual groups of true Christians, such as the Waldensens and the Anabaptists who would not conform to the Roman system.

This quote from the aforementioned article sticks out : “..foundation of the Roman church is none other than the pagan mystery religion of ancient Babylon.” Here is another quote from RomanCatholicBeliefs.org regarding who the Roman Catholic Church is really worshiping:

For thousands of years Pagan religions have used symbols to show which gods they worshiped.  These symbols were declared openly in Egypt, Babylon, Rome and other cultures. These symbols are still used today, but their true meanings are hidden. Most people typically don’t notice the symbol or they have a positive impression of it. The enlightened understand the meaning behind the symbols, and they use them to communicate with others. Leaders of a Christian Church should not have anything to do with the symbols of pagan gods. “For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God.” 2 Corinthians 6:14,16 If you’re Catholic, ask yourself why the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church are using all of these symbols of pagan gods. The Zucchetti which is worn by Catholic priests, cardinals and the Pope, represents respect, fear and submission to Cybele, the Mother Goddess of Rome. The Cap of Cybele is one of the oldest and most sacred pagan religious symbols of humanity, dating back to 2,000 B.C. The skull cap was worn by the sun priests of Egypt. It is a thin, slightly rounded skullcap now commonly known by various titles including the Yarmulke (Jewish) and Kufi (Muslims). The Roman Catholic Church calls it the Zucchetti. Vatican Hill was the site of the largest ancient temple to Cybele.  Ashtoreth the goddess of fertility, sexuality and war; was known as Cybele in Rome. The Bible warns against worshiping her, “Then the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths.” Judges 10:6. The Bible declares “For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 11:7 Ask yourself, why do Catholic priests, Bishops and the Pope, wear the Cap of Cybele?

Check out the video below that gives so insight into what our current Pope is teaching about the God of the Christians and thr god of the Muslim and how they are the same.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_cbAgOuz5I&feature=youtu.be

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Understanding Spiritual Gifts: Part Three

Understanding Spiritual Gifts: Part Three

How to Apply the 9 Charismatic Gifts

 

This teaching was to be posted last Wednesday, December 30, 2015. However, due to the New Year, it was postponed to today, January 6, 2016.

We always must remember that these Spiritual gifts are for building, edifying, and enriching the Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16, 1 Corinthians 12:1-12

Its depending upon God’s will, and the Spirit of God that He gives these gifts freely to those who are the spiritual heads of the Body of Christ. Everyone in the church doesn’t need to go around healing people. It says in that spiritual gifts aren’t given to everyone. Its used for the purpose of the building up of that ministry, that church, or the Body of Christ.

How to apply these gifts? One has to remember that these gifts are not to be taken lightly to use at your own whims, but the Holy Ghost guides you and gives you unction to use that gifts. They want to use it for their own benefit, cause or price.

For instance when the Sons of Sceva tried to utilize a gift of casting out spirits, the resultant went very bad for them. The spirit answered back and said to them “Jesus I know, Paul I know; but who are ye?” Acts 19:15. For those who think they have a gift, if its being utilized out of selfishness, anger, greed, and not being led by the Holy Ghost, you are subject to 3 things happening to you

  1. Set up on by demons
  2. Cause your death
  3. God will take that gift away from you

So you always must remember to be led by the Holy Ghost, and you have to have the power of the Holy Ghost operating in your life to utilize any gift God has given you. One crucial important thing is this: you have to believe what the gift said it would do. If you can’t believe, it will not operate in your life. Before anyone believes they have a gift, they should check with their spiritual head. If you have a gift you have to be trained and taught in the Word of God. You have to stay prayed up, fast and allow the Holy Ghost to have its will and way in your life.

Its about applying these gifts, you can’t apply nothing until you know what the gift is. You can’t operate under the gift unless you have love. In other words, your heart has to be right before that gift can be utilized in you. 1 Corinthians 12:19-31, 1 Corinthians 13:1-4. You have to be faithful, the Word of God tells us to be faithful.