No Other Gospel

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For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed–God is witness. 1 Thess. 2:1–5

The rebellion against God is alive and well…for now. This rebellion began before the fall of Man into sin (Genesis 3). It began when Lucifer attempted to overthrow God and ascend to the throne himself. Because of this, he lost his place in Heaven and became Satan. When he deceived Eve in the Garden and Adam followed her into sin, they actually became recruits in his continual war against God. All of their descendents were born into this army as children of wrath. After God interceded after the fall, He prophesied that there would be a seed of the woman who would be bruised by the serpent, but He would, in turn, crush his head. View article →

Another Jesus

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But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. 2 Cor. 11:3–4

Every professing Christian, whether he or she is a trained theologian or not, has constructed some kind of Christology in their mind and in their heart. Sadly, with the dearth of clear and correct doctrine being taught in our churches, most seem to believe that whatever their own concept of Christ is okay. After all, to have correct doctrine isn’t that important, right? Some think that Jesus came to give His followers a “better life” here and now. This would include becoming prosperous and influential. Others see Jesus as mostly concerned about the environment and that He is the ultimate tree hugger. Still others see Jesus as primarily a teacher of ethics. This same Jesus is concerned with accepting all into His kingdom regardless of whether they have repented of their sins or not. Are any of these examples representative of the Jesus we meet in God’s Word?  View article →

The History Channel’s Bible Miniseries Mishandling of God’s Word

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Rom. 12:2, NASB

Back on February 14th my wife and I went to see a movie at a local theater. It was Lincoln, which I have wanted to see for some time since I have been reading Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book Team of Rivals upon which the movie is partially based. The book is history written based upon actual letters and diaries and records written by the people Goodwin wrote about in her book, however, in the movie, artistic license was obviously taken in order to dramatize certain things. Certain facts were made up and others were left out or changed in order “to fit the movie story line” and tell the story that Steven Spielberg wanted to tell. We arrived at the theater early, and we had to sit through nearly 30 minutes of previews and specials before our movie actually started. One of those specials that was previewed was The History Channel’s upcoming miniseries, “The Bible.” View article →

A Major Problem Concerning Faith As Evangelical Megapastors Unite With Word Faith Heretics

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Apprising Ministries shows you in this piece the confusion now being sown over faith, which is actually a gift God gives to the Christian.

You’ll get a better understanding as to why you’re seeing Seeker Driven prophet-leaders like Steven Furtick trying to get people to “whip up” their faith and “believe God” by decreeing His Word a la Word Faith prosperity preachers like T.D. Jakes. View article →

Republicans to File Supreme Court Brief in Support of Same-Sex ‘Marriage’

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Christian News Network reports:

A number of recognized Republicans have signed their name to a Supreme Court brief expressing their support for same-sex marriage.

The Proposition 8 amicus brief, which will be filed this week before the February 28th deadline, is said to be backed by several former Bush advisers, former governors, U.S. Congressmen and other prominent Republican entities.

View article →

Brief Word On The Sin Of Homosexuality

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Apprising Ministries reminds you that the arguments being advanced by the pro-homosexual lobby of the Emerging Church right now are actually old liberal and neon-orthodox ideas.

They actually are easily refuted from the text of the Bible itself as you’ll see here in this new piece. View article →

Always Maintaining a Blameless Conscience Before God and Men

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9 συνεπέθεντο δὲ καὶ οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι φάσκοντες ταῦτα οὕτως ἔχειν. 10 Ἀπεκρίθη τε ὁ Παῦλος νεύσαντος αὐτῷ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος λέγειν· ἐκ πολλῶν ἐτῶν ὄντα σε κριτὴν τῷ ἔθνει τούτῳ ἐπιστάμενος εὐθύμως τὰ περὶ ἐμαυτοῦ ἀπολογοῦμαι, 11 δυναμένου σου ἐπιγνῶναι ὅτι οὐ πλείους εἰσίν μοι ἡμέραι δώδεκα ἀφ’ ἧς ἀνέβην προσκυνήσων εἰς Ἰερουσαλήμ. 12 καὶ οὔτε ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ εὗρόν με πρός τινα διαλεγόμενον ἢ ἐπίστασιν ποιοῦντα ὄχλου οὔτε ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς οὔτε κατὰ τὴν πόλιν, 13 οὐδὲ παραστῆσαι δύνανταί σοι περὶ ὧν νυνὶ κατηγοροῦσίν μου. 14 ὁμολογῶ δὲ τοῦτό σοι ὅτι κατὰ τὴν ὁδὸν ἣν λέγουσιν αἵρεσιν, οὕτως λατρεύω τῷ πατρῴῳ θεῷ πιστεύων πᾶσιν τοῖς κατὰ τὸν νόμον καὶ τοῖς ἐν τοῖς προφήταις γεγραμμένοις, 15 ἐλπίδα ἔχων εἰς τὸν θεὸν ἣν καὶ αὐτοὶ οὗτοι προσδέχονται, ἀνάστασιν μέλλειν ἔσεσθαι δικαίων τε καὶ ἀδίκων. 16 ἐν τούτῳ καὶ αὐτὸς ἀσκῶ ἀπρόσκοπον συνείδησιν ἔχειν πρὸς τὸν θεὸν καὶ τοὺς ἀνθρώπους διὰ παντός. Acts 24:9–16, NA28

9 The Jews also jointed in the attack saying these things to be so. 10 And Paul answered as the Governor nodded to him to speak: “Knowing that for many years you have been judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense concerning these things, 11 since you can take note that not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 Neither in the temple did they find me conversing with anyone or stirring up the crowds in either the synagogues or in the city itself. 13 Nor are they able to prove to you the things that they are now accusing me. 14 But I confess this to you that according to The Way which they call a sect, thus I serve the God of our fathers, believing in all the things according to the Law and the things written in the Prophets; 15 having hope toward God, which also these men anticipate, a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 By this I also do my best to always have a blameless conscience toward God and men.” Acts 24:9–16, a personal translation from the NA28

In our last post, Fumbling the Ball, we looked at some disturbing examples of some very visible professing Christians and Christian leaders who have set an example of compromise. We discussed how this “fear of man” that causes Christians to compromise infects us all. What is that God-given mechanism that He put in each of us that works as the soul’s warning system? It is, of course, the conscience, which allows humans to contemplate their motives and actions and make moral evaluations of what is right and wrong. However, in order for the conscience to work correctly as God designed it, it must be informed to the highest moral and spiritual level and best standard. This means that we must submit it to the Holy Spirit through God’s Word (Romans 12:1,2; 1 Timothy 1:19; 2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:22). View article →

Rob Bell to Teach Teens That Christian Beliefs About Hell are ‘Misguided and Toxic’

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Rob Bell is set to release a teen version of his controversial book, Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived. Reporting on the upcoming release of Love Wins: For Teens and its accompanying promotional video, Christian News Network notes that “Bell explains that the book is designed to teach youth that God is the life of the party, rather than the one that spoils everyone’s fun.” View article →

The New Modern Family? Woman and Two Men Raise Son in ‘Polyamorous’ Relationship

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Christian News Network reports:

ABC News recently aired a segment about a woman involved in what is called a polyamorous relationship — living with multiple boyfriends or girlfriends under one roof.

The woman, identified as Jaiya, began by living with her boyfriend Jon. However, because Jaiya wanted to have children and Jon didn’t, he suggested that she bring someone else into the picture that would conceive with her.

View article →

Fumbling the Ball

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

32 Πᾶς οὖν ὅστις ὁμολογήσει ἐν ἐμοὶ ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὁμολογήσω κἀγὼ ἐν αὐτῷ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν [τοῖς] οὐρανοῖς· 33 ὅστις δ’ ἂν ἀρνήσηταί με ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἀρνήσομαι κἀγὼ αὐτὸν ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν [τοῖς] οὐρανοῖς. Matt. 10:32–33, NA28

32 So everyone who confesses me before men I also will confess him before my Father who is in Heaven 33 and whoever denies me before men I will also deny him before my Father who is in Heaven. Matt. 10:32–33, a personal translation from the NA28

What does it mean to confess Jesus before men? Is it what so many say in our time that it is a simple profession of faith that you are a “Jesus Follower?” Or as so many do in that they point to their religious affiliation? One thing is made clear in Sacred Scripture; if one does profess to be a Christian then that “faith” that is presented will be tested. The test will be along some line of demarcation that divides what is genuine faith from what is of the flesh or of this world. Of course, there are three results of these tests. Christians go through the fires of tribulation and stand firm and their faith is strengthened as the Holy Spirit works through that test to reveal the truth of their faith to them and also to those whom God intended to see it for his own purposes. However, genuine believers can also fall badly as their faith is tested as did Peter the night of our Lord’s trial in which he denied our Lord 3 times and also when Paul had to confront him about his hypocrisy when the Judiazers came to Antioch (Galatians 2:11-13). In both cases Peter failed the test because of “fear of men.” Did this make him an unbeliever? Of course not! No, these tests were used by God to reveal to him problems with his walk in which he needed to confess and repent. On the other hand, there is a third result in which disingenuous faith is revealed and these false believers immediately fall away as their faith is revealed to be not supernatural, but of the flesh or of the world. I covered this in this post back in 2006.  View article →

Activists Don’t Care About Pain Babies Feel During Abortion

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LifeNews (LN) reports that scientific evidence shows that unborn babies feel pain during abortion. Sadly, this fact makes no difference to many pro-aborts. “The way people respond to the scientific evidence that the unborn child feels pain speaks volumes,” says LN. “Some of us have taken what science shows and reacted by supporting laws protecting innocent unborn life. Others with exposure to the very same evidence have generated technology and an industry that literally destroys innocent human life–the abortion industry. View article →

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness

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There is a default spiritual condition in every man that is deplorable. Many professing believers, while extolling the great work of God’s grace on their behalf to save them or they would be among those doomed to an eternity in hell, actually hold to a position that is based entirely within the scope of self-righteousness. These “believers” seek to be justified before God in and of themselves. They may not declare it verbally, but by their own acts it is obvious that they view their “sanctification” and their religiosity as that which is justifying them before God. This is nothing new. The Word of God makes clear that even Cain slew Able because his own “religious works” were not acceptable to God while righteous Able was justified before God because of an imputed righteousness about which Cain knew nothing. This continues in 21st century Christianity. The tragedy is that a huge contributor to this problem is a dreadful lack of the teaching of the deep things of God in our churches. This results in so many Christians being ignorant of the basics of theology.

John Bunyan was an incredible Bible teacher in 17th Century England. Bunyan understood more than most that genuine Christians are so because of God’s grace alone. He also understood that God had every right to take away as well as to give, all by grace, to prepare believers for service in whatever capacity was required for the Kingdom. Since this was so, how could justification be based upon man’s own efforts, abilities and deeds?

Possessing the Treasure shares Bunyan’s essay, “Justification By An Imputed Righteousness or No Way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ”, in which Bunyan deliberately exegetes sacred Scripture to clearly teach these truths to God’s elect. View article →

Apprising Ministries Exclusive: Actual Statement From Charisma House And Jonathan Cahn Re. David James And Possible Lawsuit

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion

The rather banal, supposedly non-fiction, book The Harbinger by “Prophet” Rabbi Jonathan Cahn never really made it too far out of the prophecy camp circles.

Even so, the real prophecies from Cahn couched behind so-called non-fiction severely divided online apologetics and discernment ministries such as this one.

The reason for that was because of a devastatingly accurate critique by Dave James, which completely blew up the faulty eisegesis underlying Cahn’s speculation/prophecies, which in my opinion, were designed to titillate and sell a book.

Apprising Ministries now brings you up to speed as to where things stand right now. View article →