The Authority of the Son

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ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἔρχεται ὥρα καὶ νῦν ἐστιν ὅτε οἱ νεκροὶ ἀκούσουσιν τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ οἱ ἀκούσαντες ζήσουσιν. John 5:25, NA27

Amen, amen I say to you that an hour is coming and now is when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those having heard will live. Personal translation of John 5:25 from the NA27 Greek text

The misunderstanding or false teaching about two truths pertaining to our Lord Jesus Christ and man are at the center of much of the false teaching that passes for “Christian theology.” It has always been so. The first truth refers to the deity of Christ and His sovereign authority as Lord and God. The second truth pertains to the original sin of Adam and the fact that all people are born dead in trespasses and sins, no exceptions. That spiritual death is without any ability to please God in any way. If we get either of these truths wrong, then we will get the Gospel wrong and that means all our theology is wrong as well.  View article →

The Gospel Test: Do Your People Really Know the Good News?

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Evangelist Greg Stier, President and Founder of Dare 2 Share Ministries, wonders: If the Gospel of Jesus is so simple then why can’t the average Christian clearly articulate it? He writes:

Imagine waiting outside the doors of the sanctuary of any evangelical church in America with a video camera and a microphone at the end of the Sunday morning service. Your mission? To interview 10 random members of the congregation with a simple question, “If I were not a Christian and you were to explain the gospel to me what would you say?”

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Jesus Knows What is in Man

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23 Ὡς δὲ ἦν ἐν τοῖς Ἱεροσολύμοις ἐν τῷ πάσχα ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ, πολλοὶ ἐπίστευσαν εἰς τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ θεωροῦντες αὐτοῦ τὰ σημεῖα ἃ ἐποίει· 24 αὐτὸς δὲ Ἰησοῦς οὐκ ἐπίστευεν αὐτὸν αὐτοῖς διὰ τὸ αὐτὸν γινώσκειν πάντας 25 καὶ ὅτι οὐ χρείαν εἶχεν ἵνα τις μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου· αὐτὸς γὰρ ἐγίνωσκεν τί ἦν ἐν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ.

John 2:23-25, NA27

23 And when he was in Jerusalem during the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name, seeing his signs which he was doing. 24 But Jesus, himself, was not entrusting himself to them because he knew all men, 25 and because he had no need that anyone should testify about man, for he himself knew what was in man. 

John 2:23-25, Possessing the Treasure New Testament V1

I was in a quasi-theological discussion with a fellow I work with not that long ago. We were discussing matters directly relevant to John 2:23-25 (above) in that just because people committed themselves to some religiosity or temporal experience or the personality of a “religious leader” with a “social cause” or whatever, does not mean Jesus is necessarily committed or entrusted to them. That was basically my stance and when I stated it, the jaw of the fellow I talking with dropped and he looked at me as if I had said something that he could use against me somehow or at least challenge me. He seemed positive that he could tear up my arguments. Of course, as he objected, I offered to debate him on any of his  “issues” with what I said, but only if his part was to challenge what I said biblically. That ended it. All he had was platitudes from his favorite preacher who sounded a lot like Joel Osteen. Right now, that fellow is the most “Politically Correct” person I know so I do all I can to not have any one-on-one encounters with him at all. View article →

Jimmy Carter: Democrats Should Abandon Pro-Abortion Position

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙

Life News reports:

Appearing on the radio talk show of conservative radio host Laura Ingraham today, former President Jimmy Carter said he believes the Democratic Party should moderate its position on abortion, which it currently supports without limits and funded at taxpayer expense.

Carter said toning down the stridently pro-abortion position would help win back Republicans who abandoned the Democrats because of abortion and other liberal social issue positions.

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Forget Not

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

Apprising Ministries reminds you that there are many today who think that those who believe in man’s total depravity and God’s absolute sovereignty have no heart for the lost.

Here in this devotional teaching from Charles Spurgeon you’ll see this is decidedly not so. View article →

What is Faith?

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Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1, ESV

Much of the false doctrine that we see in our time can be at least partially seen to emanate from a misunderstanding of what faith is. Paul tell us in Ephesians 2:8 that Christians are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God. So, whatever faith is, saving faith has as its source something other than our fallen nature. View article →

Does T.D. Jakes’ New Book on Forgiveness Deny Original Sin?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙

The Christian Post reports:

T.D. Jakes recently released a new book on forgiveness that has at least one critic accusing the renowned preacher of denying the doctrine of original sin.

Chris Rosebrough, an apologist, rejected Jakes’ statement to CP that forgiveness is innate and unforgiveness is learned from one’s environment. There isn’t a “single passage (in Scripture) that says human beings are by nature forgiving,” he argued.

Rosebrough explored the premise of Jakes’ new book Let It Go: Forgive So You Can Be Forgiven on his radio program, “Fighting for the Faith.”

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Matt Chandler Warns Pastors of Dangers of Seeking 'Success'

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙

The Christian Post reports:

Evangelical pastor Matt Chandler has been disturbed by what he’s been hearing or sensing from pastors lately – and that is their search for “success” through the size of their churches and the growth of their platforms.

In a post featured on theresurgence.com this week, Chandler, who leads The Village Church in Texas, bluntly stated that such a goal is “hollow” and “dangerous.”

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T.D. Jakes’ Spiritual Daughter Paula White in the News

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion

Apprising Ministries reminds you that the primary goal of Elephant Room 2 appeared to be the mainstreaming of Word Faith prosperity preacher T.D. Jakes.

Here in this new article, you’ll see why, as we examine the Word faith fruit of Jakes’ own disciple, Paula White. We shall see that a dangerous door into contemporary evangelicalism has been opened. View article →

The Marred Image of God

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Apprising Ministries takes a look at the root reasons why we have so many unregenerate preachers in the visible church today.

In this devotional teaching you’ll see that years of over-emphasizing the love of God and a misunderstanding of the true nature of man has had a detrimental effect on the Christian witness. View article →

Qualifications for Elders

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion

holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. Titus 1:9, NASB

In one of our discernment group discussions today the topic came up about Mark Driscoll’s replacement at Acts 29 actually being a promotion as per this article. From that it naturally followed that basically the same thing was going on with John Piper at Bethlehem Baptist. In each case, these men were moving on to positions of more influence and more power. Also, the man who is replacing John Piper taught “Spiritual Formation” at the College level. Who is replacing Mark Driscoll? Isn’t it Matt Chandler? Isn’t he the one who claims to hear commands directly and audibly from God just like Driscoll?

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Rick Warren Once Again Caught Up in Controversy, Part 2

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Marsha West takes up where she left off in Part 1. Among other things she reveals Rick Warren’s plan for interdenominational cooperation. She writes:

In part 1 I brought you up to speed on what some “watchbloggers” refer to as “Kingsway-gate.” I’m guessing we haven’t heard the end of this mess. However, this matter and many others commented on in part 1 have helped to earn Rick Warren the title: Teflon Pastor. So we shall see what happens with Kingsway-gate.

Common ground in the love of God…or god?

Most likely Saddleback Church congregants are unaware that their pastor signed a controversial document produced by the Yale Center for Faith and Culture titled Loving God and Neighbor Together: A Christian Response to a Common Word Between Us and You. In July 2008 Christian and Muslim leaders gathered at Yale University for a conference to promote understanding and peace between Christians and Muslims. The letter urged the two faiths to find “common ground” in the love of God. Since Christians and Muslims do not believe in the same God, one wonders which God we’re to find common ground with.

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J.C. Ryle on Happiness

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

There’s little doubt that we live in difficult times and there’s much talk about, and interest in, how the church can help people find happiness and fulfillment.

Apprising Ministries brings you a teaching from J.C. Ryle in this piece that tells us the only way to find true happiness, a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. View article →

Monumental Confusion: A Review of Kirk Cameron’s Documentary: Monumental

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

Authors Vince and Lori Williams viewed Monumental. They express their concern over seeing Glenn Beck in a live feed from the set of the GBTV studio and the conversation Kirk, an evangelical Christian, and Glenn, A New Age Mormon, had about God. They write:

“My premise as I start out this film is to approach this subject not as an actor or as a politician or not even as a Christian but to approach it as a father.” (emphasis ours) This is how Kirk Cameron defined his documentary in a recent interview to a secular radio host and this is exactly what the film delivered having just watched it at the live screening.

Before we even get into the review, it needs to be noted one of the most shocking parts of the live event was a very welcomed live feed from Glenn Beck on the set of GBTV studio. On the pre-show before Monumental starts, Kirk talks to the audience of viewers and introduces Beck as “one of our biggest supporters of the film and a friend.” Beck then comes on the screen very excited to be partaking in this live event and says, “I am honored to be called your friend”, and then goes on to say, “You were in Left Behind while I was reading it.” He goes on to address the audience with statements on the topic of how God is giving us an alarm, and if you don’t have freedom you can’t be who you are.

Beck states “He (talking about God) is telling us to do these things.”  Beck also says, “There’s no way out”, then goes on to say that God has really confirmed to him “why would I be telling you to gather if I’m a God that wants to torture you. He is a loving God. We have to return to Him.” Kirk then says, “We are ready to answer the call” and graciously thanks Glenn and pleasantries are exchanged.

Kirk then introduces some others involved with the film, in particular of note was his conversation with his current pastor Rex Holt of Conejo Church, http://www.conejochurch.com/

They have a conversation together talking about this being a spiritual journey and Holt speaks about John Robinson the pastor to the Puritans that were on this voyage.

The film opens up with the trailer many of us have seen with Cameron blasting away at how the world is supposedly going to hell in a hand basket and we have to somehow stop it from spiraling downward before we hand it off to the next generation.

The film is portrayed with Kirk’s narration back and forth of what he is learning along the way as he goes from point to point along the pilgrim’s escape route from England. View article →

CRN has compiled a list of false teachers and several other professing Christians we’ve warned you about over the years. The list also contains those we must keep an eye on plus movements, organizations and “frauds, phonies and money-grubbing religious quacks” to mark and avoid as per Romans 16:17-18 such as Glenn Beck.

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John 15 the Vine and the Branches

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 Ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ ἄμπελος ἡ ἀληθινὴ καὶ ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ γεωργός ἐστιν. 2 πᾶν κλῆμα ἐν ἐμοὶ μὴ φέρον καρπὸν αἴρει αὐτό, καὶ πᾶν τὸ καρπὸν φέρον καθαίρει αὐτὸ ἵνα καρπὸν πλείονα φέρῃ. 3 ἤδη ὑμεῖς καθαροί ἐστε διὰ τὸν λόγον ὃν λελάληκα ὑμῖν· 4 μείνατε ἐν ἐμοί, κἀγὼ ἐν ὑμῖν. καθὼς τὸ κλῆμα οὐ δύναται καρπὸν φέρειν ἀφ᾽ ἑαυτοῦ ἐὰν μὴ μένῃ ἐν τῇ ἀμπέλῳ, οὕτως οὐδὲ ὑμεῖς ἐὰν μὴ ἐν ἐμοὶ μένητε. 5 ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ ἄμπελος, ὑμεῖς τὰ κλήματα. ὁ μένων ἐν ἐμοὶ κἀγὼ ἐν αὐτῷ οὗτος φέρει καρπὸν πολύν, ὅτι χωρὶς ἐμοῦ οὐ δύνασθε ποιεῖν οὐδέν. 6 ἐὰν μή τις μένῃ ἐν ἐμοί, ἐβλήθη ἔξω ὡς τὸ κλῆμα καὶ ἐξηράνθη καὶ συνάγουσιν αὐτὰ καὶ εἰς τὸ πῦρ βάλλουσιν καὶ καίεται. 7 ἐὰν μείνητε ἐν ἐμοὶ καὶ τὰ ῥήματά μου ἐν ὑμῖν μείνῃ, ὃ ἐὰν θέλητε αἰτήσασθε, καὶ γενήσεται ὑμῖν. 8 ἐν τούτῳ ἐδοξάσθη ὁ πατήρ μου, ἵνα καρπὸν πολὺν φέρητε καὶ γένησθε ἐμοὶ μαθηταί. John 15:1–8, NA27

1 I am the True Vine and my Father is the Vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me not bearing fruit he take away and every branch bearing fruit he prunes it that it may bear much fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me and I in you as the branch is not able to bear fruit from itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the Vine you are the branches. The on abiding in me and I in him, this one bears much fruit because apart from me you are not able to do anything. 6 Unless one abides in me, he is cast as branch that dries up and they are gathered and thrown into the fire and they are burned. 7 If you abide in me and my words abide in you, whatever you want, ask, and it will be done for you. 8 By this is my Father glorified that you bear much fruit and you be my disciples. John 15:1–8, Possessing the Treasure New Testament V1

This last Sunday my Pastor, Rick Holland, preached through these very verses. I find it interesting how often I have been pulled back into theological discussions or research that has taken me right back here many times since. With the “deeds not creeds” group ignoring the truth as their groups seemingly continue to swell each and every day, we must not become discouraged, but remain fixed never wavering as we abide in Christ as his words abide in us. These people who decry the need for sound doctrine are open to deception from every source and there are plenty of wolves out there ready to lead them right down the center of the broad way to hell. The following post by Dr. James White is lengthy and technical, but I pray that you take the time to work your way through it. View article →