please see your email.

-Jim

So concludes a brief portion of testimony from a modern day baptist confession. In Titus 2, Paul exhorts a young under-shepherd to teach sound doctrine and more importantly – to live it in reverence to a Holy living God. He ends by stating, “Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”

I know a church claiming such confession where the Senior Shepherd has lived a life of reproach and shame both by the words of his mouth, the thought life those words betray, documented immoral and unprofessional actions, witnessed, documented, and recorded false witness, bending local ordinances and breaking laws for selfish causes. All this is excused because the Senior Shepherd is loved by his people.

In the same church, the worship leader will not talk to the individuals in laws and has not for years, even though they attend the same church – because of family dispute. This same leader allows all kinds of evil entertainment into the home with the excuse that if they did not, their children would not “fit in” with others. This same worship leader is adored by the church because of great skill in the lead musical instrument which is played in service and because the father of this individual has always been involved in worship leading, even though the other facts are common knowledge. Ephesians 4:30 says that such behavior [specifically within the body] grieves the Holy Spirit. Christ says in Matthew 5:24 not to worship before being reconciled to one another.

In this same Church, the elders have on several occasions, chosen to protect these and other individuals rather than obey Gods Word to correct and rebuke these individuals. Paul tells the Corinthians [1 Cor] in 5:11-13 not to associate with someone inside the church who claims to be a Chrisitian, but acts in such manners. He actually says to “cast them out” of the local body and calls them “evil”. He later says that doing so publicly with love, reminds everyone that God is Holy, and not to be mocked. These men continually uphold their actions and decisions by referring to every conceivable authority except for the Word of God.
I know because I served as an associate Pastor at that Church.
When men choose to love each other over Gods holiness, they have deceived themselves into believing they are demonstrating love. Anything that denies a love for God’s holiness, a respect and fear for His Word, and a humility that the Kingdom belongs to Him first and foremost, is not real love. It is a false love and a masquerade of peace. Proverbs calls such people who continue to operate as such are misusing the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and calls them fools.

The Lampstand has been removed from that Church and their first love is not the Lord Jesus Christ and His sovereignty, but their own proud establishment. To remain with them if not possible to cast them out is a direct disobedience to God in lieu of Titus 5:11-13. God wants true worshipers. He is interested in His glory and His kingdom not ours. This is the problem with the emergent church and church leaders [elders] who do not know how to rightly divide the Word of truth.

The sad thing is that many churches today are like this. Leaders rule ignorant congregations through ungodly manifestations of authority, loyalty, and truth hoarding. Their are many buildings filled with dead people every weekend singing songs about themselves and thinking they are praising God and thinking they are headed for heaven, but Jesus says he will tell them that he never knew them.

The time has come for people who claim to know God and His Word to become leaders of the Church of Christ. The Church is the greatest Living Image Bearer of our Great and Holy God. Problem is, the lost world is justifiably disgusted by the dead, man-centered zombies claiming to be the Living Churches. There is a difference between fallible and being a foolish steward.

I am angry. I am angry at weak willed, apathetic, poorly educated, unqualified, and subjectively prejudiced men leading others to their destruction in the name of Jesus. Thank God for His grace. May He bless the blind to see and worship Him in Spirit and Truth that all may know the Glory and majesty of our God. It time to stop pretending that we are all ok.

With you for His glory

:o)

Bless you guys, you have enriched my walk with Christ so much. Thank you.

The prisons that I conducted bible studies were :

Virginia Department Of Corrections– Fairfax Detention Center– Quantico Marine Base
Fairfax, Va- Fairfax, Va- Marine Brig Quantico
Yours In Christ

Bob Scruggs
507 SE Maple Terr
Port St Lucie, Florida

Good Morning !

The reason I am writing this is because I rarely see encouraging articles from people in the “word of faith” movement. It’s always miracles, signs and wonders, most of which they just talk about rather that show true evidence of. It is always, “send me money so God can bless you.”

I’ve read many of your articles concerning the false prosperity prophets we have today and thank you for exposing them on your web site or You Tube. I would like to point out that this is nothing new, my first exposure to this false teaching was back in 1954 at a Pentecostal church. I left the hospital, recovering from a severe burn accident with my arms infected and was in great pain. A friend of the family started taking me to several Pentecostal healing services in the Washington, DC area. When there were no results the preachers blamed my lack of faith etc,. The friend also took me to a “faith healer” and tent “evangelist” Jack Coe, who turned out to be another false teacher, died a year later. I just could not understand why God would not heal me. I was thirteen, saved and thought, based on the teachings I was getting that I did have enough faith to be healed . Several preachers looked at my swollen arms would pray and then say “you have to have faith”, then walk away leaving me feeling like I had no faith and questioned my salvation because of the “Fire And Brimstone ” teaching being taught. After months of pain I did recover even though the healing wasn’t instant. GOD was working in my life in spite of the spiritual leadership I was getting. It was years later that I realized what “JESUS” meant when HE said “My Grace Is Sufficient For You” but the Pentecostal preachers left more scars on me than my burns did.

While attending these loud, out of order and scary services, the pastor would bring in “special anointed” evangelist that traveled around going from church to church, “preying” on the people, usually on a Friday night (pay day) preaching the same nonsense that you see today. The “pay me so God can bless you” ministers. Even though I did not attend these services often, one night several years later, just before going into the Marines, the preacher said that “GOD” was going to give a special blessing to all those that would give $100, then $50, then $25. Since I’d just been paid (I cleared around $45 a week) and was leaving home in a few days, I felt I could give $25.00. People lined up with their money in hand, the preacher laid his hand forcefully on their foreheads and they would fall down with the “Catchers ” behind them. When it came to my turn I was prepard to fall down, which I did, not because of the so called power of the preacher but because everyone else was falling, as I laid there I even looked around to see if others got up so I could. What a hair raising experience, I stayed away from these “ fake” signs and wonders” for years.

Many years later I got involved with a prison ministry. I was to meet my mentor inside a prison for my first volunteer bible study but he did not show up and I had to conduct the bible study on my own. I had never done this before, was unprepared and couldn’t wait to it was over. When I walked out of the prison I felt miserable thinking I let God down, but He gave me the desire and compassion for this type of ministry. I was determined to learn what the bible teaches instead of relying on what someone else was teaching in church or on TV and ask the Lord to help me. I really felt inadequate for the task but found that the Holy Spirit really does the work, I have to be willing. I started going to this prison every week and after awhile started conducting bible study’s in several prisons. Of the many laymen volunteers that taught ” God’s Word “, none ever had there names in “Lights”, asked for money to go to more prisons or portrayed The Lord as some personal benefactor that needs an intercessor (them) to answer prayers. They all talked of forgiveness, personal responsibility, obedience, love, that the Lord is with us through it all, not that He will ALWAYS heal, ALWAYS prosper but that He will ALWAYS be with you. – NO- COPELAND- HINN-PARSEY-ROBERTS, ETC. , no offerings or preach the “WORD OF FAITH” movement . If they had, I doubt if they would have gotten out alive. Which brings up the point, if the “WORD OF FAITH MOVEMENT” is correct, it would be easy to convince the lost to come aboard the gravy train, obtain wealth and health. The problem is that only the preachers are prospering by preaching this evil deception. How many inmates would continue to come to the bible studies if they were told they could get wealth and out of prison sooner if they would accept the “word of faith” gospel and quickly found out it was a lie. Of course, most of these Word of Faith ministers do not go to prisons, partly because they won’t get any money there. It is bad enough that some of these “ministers” raise millions of dollars for themselves, and give precious little to anyone, any organization or ministry in need, but they are puffed up with their own self-importance, some threaten to “curse” anyone who dare speak against them or disagree with their message and they clearly are teaching a gospel other than that in the bible. The true gospel should and is being taken throughout the world with the same results as the first apostles had, sharing the salvation message and people coming to know Jesus Christ as their personal savior and His plan of salvation. Most of these men and women of God struggle financially, are in a position to help many if they had proper funding but get $0 from these “pay me so God will bless/heal you people”.

One of the biggest lessons I learned was that a person doesn’t have to be cleaver with “GODS WORD” but to teach the basic salvation principles, encouragement, and that great “LOVE OF GOD” and how through “Grace Are We Saved By Faith”. I also learned to trust “GODS WORD”, LUKE 22:35 NIV JESUS told the disciples “When I Sent You Without Purse, Bag Or Sandals, Did You Lack Anything?” “Nothing” They answered. I had just started a cleaning business to support my family but I did learn to trust God for my needs and my business grew over time and gave me the opportunity to devote more time to the ministry not with a lot of excess or instant wealth but we made enough to meet my needs. Once I was ask to take over a ministry at a brig at a military base that was over 50 miles away. Not really being able to afford it I prayed that God would provide my needs, and He never let me down. Have you noticed that the “Faith Teachers” want your support money before they go to the next conference?

“Signs And Wonders”- “Fire Conferences” … Think about this, if I put up posters in the prisons saying there is going to be a special “Signs and Wonders” Conference, would the inmates think that this was a ticket to a magic or freak show? If it was called a “Fire Conference” would the warden greet me with armed guards stating that it’s against state law to start fires or bring explosions in prisons. These terms are misleading.

There comes a time in ministy and our personal lives that we ask ourselves is God’s Word real and does it really work? In my years of prison ministry I’ve seen hundreds come to the simple salvation message with changed lives and with future hope. Not by a fancy sermon or cleaver words but of bringing the words of our savior Jesus and letting the Holy Spirit do His work. “THE TRUTH Will SET YOU FREE” to the lost.

What of all the miracles that we hear so much about from the “TV FALSE PROPHETS”. I’m convinced that God does miracles in all our lives but that He’s the one who deserves the credit, these people talked as if God needs their help and we must go through them for God to act and usually for a price. While in the prison ministry I saw many subtle signs of God’s intervention, I saw lives changed, hope, forgiveness, restoration, understanding, and above all – new “hearts”. The Holy Spirit does give a new conscience, I experienced it and saw it in many. Only God can change someone’s mind and heart without indoctrination. The biggest response I ever received for salvation was when I didn’t want to go, it was a cold rainy night and I was in a bad mood and not prepared but went out of obedience. I was shown it is definitely God, not me.,One night I came home during an ice/snow storm and was hit from behind at a stop light. Since I was prayed for by the guys and was doing “God’s work” I was a bit disappointed that I got hit and had slight injuries that’s when we really need to trust The Lord when things go bad.The biggest miracle I personally witnessed was when a murderer had accepted the gospel message and ask Christ in his life, regardless of my inadequacies. I had volunteered at a county jail as an assistant chaplain that housed about 2000 prisoners and had about 40 requests a day to see me. On one occasion I went to a special security cell and noticed the person’s name on the request form had been on the nightly news several weeks before. He had murdered his mother-in-law in front of his wife and kids while high on drugs. Well, this just didn’t set well with me, I pre-judged him and kept my visit short no “Love Of Christ Here”. Later I was really convicted of my sin and letting down Jesus. I went home and ask the Lord to forgive me for judging him, being in a bad mood and not showing the love I needed to show and besides, that is what I was there for, to try to bring others to the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

The next day I went to visit him and ask the guard to let me take him out of the cell to the chaplains office. The guard refused since he was considered very violent and had to be watched 24 hours a day and besides, he said the inmate was twice my size and he could he not be responsible for my safety. I said that God will protect me and something like “This Is God’s Business “. He went up the chain of command to get permission and I was able to bring him to the office. The first thing I did was to apologize for not being the christian that I should have been the day before and for pre-judging him. I ask his forgiveness he was shocked. I gave him some coffee and treats I snuck in. He ask me what kind of sentence he could expect and I told him most likely the electric chair in a few years. He stated that he wanted to die for his crime and ask if God could forgive him. I ask him if he ever heard about King David the giant killer and about his life etc. Even though he was responsible for taken a life God forgave him !

We discussed Jesus plan of salvation and read scripture and prayed for the Lord’s Forgiveness. Holding my hands he accepted Jesus into his heart. Was this just a jailhouse conversion or was it real? I know it was real by his response to the simple salvation message, the look in his eyes and his countenance change. The chaplain in charge also saw the change in this man’s life and arranged with the sheriff office to allow him to attend bible studies with other inmates without deputy escorts. Now that is a miracle!

As I watch these “False Prophets” on TV always raising money for their ministries, their false prophecies, lavish lifestyles etc, I see the same repeats of the 1950′s except they have have a much larger audience to deceive due to the world wide TV coverage. Also, I used to pray for their salvation etc, now I realize that they are one of the delussions that God has sent for those who do not know God’s word. These preachers know what they are doing, laughing their way to the bank and gathering followers the ones that do not know Jesus or are just ignorant of Gods word and continue to search for Signs And Wonders, etc. following these “False Christ” just as Jesus said they would in the last days.

I’m retired now and as I look back I wonder, as many of us do, did I do enough? Did I fail Jesus because I wasn’t cleaver with my bible study, not a great speaker, what more could/should have I done? I guess we all evaluate what we should have done, but I do know this by teaching God’s Word as instructed by Jesus we can’t go wrong, we are His disciples and His word proves that if God could use me with all my flaws He can use anybody. I’ve been reluctant to write this article for various reasons. First, I don’t take any credit for what the Lord has done in my life or to make it appear that I’m this great man of faith. Rather, I hope that others might realize that Jesus is working in their life as He did mine, perhaps bringing His subtle caring ways to the surface in your life. Think about this, when I started in the prison ministry I was still a federal prisoner on probation, had to get permission from the prison warden to visit any state or federal facility due to having spent several months at “camp fed” after losing a tax case. They rarely allow this. Yes, God can use anybody! Comments Welcome!

Love In Christ

Bob

If you will permit me, I’d like to also help you understand us here. In addition to defending the Faith, as commanded by Scripture, we also spend our lives ministering to others. We minister to the poor, the homeless, the hungry, to the extent we are able with food, clothing, shelter. When possible, we provide transportation to those who have none. We minister to those in rest homes, nursing homes, and hospitals. We teach the young in Christ by patient example, and by teaching God’s word to them. At work, we attempt to show Christ to our fellow workers, employer, vendors, suppliers, and business associates. We help those broken down on the side of the road. And in any other way, when we are aware of a need, if we are able, we attempt to meet those needs with the love of Christ.

Does that help to answer your question on how we witness to the world around us?

I didn’t say you couldn’t do both…I just asked why the ratio was so high?

How do you know? Do you have access to my planner?

Stop presuming.

I go back to your statement:

you spend countless hours correcting “heretics” instead of seeking and saving the lost as Jesus did.

HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS?

What do you do with Paul’s admonition in 2 Timothy 3:16-17?

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

Now, stop throwing rocks and get busy doing BOTH: sharing the true Gospel AND defending and contending for the faith… or is false doctrine ok by you?

(Corrected per commenter request–Admin.)

I believe that Jeff was saying that you would have to chop out passages like the following:

Acts 20:27-31–For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

Romans 16:17–Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

2nd Corinthians 11:3-4–But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

Galatians 1:9–As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Ephesians 5:11–And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

It’s a shame that the apostle Paul spent so much time correcting “heretics”!

Jeremy,

Jeff H…please read my post again. I said nothing about getting rid of books from the Bible.

You read what I wrote again.

You said:

you spend countless hours correcting “heretics” instead of seeking and saving the lost as Jesus did.

You rebuke us for spending our time defending sound doctrine (‘rather’ than evangelizing — as if we can’t do both)… However, defending sound doctrine is what Paul, John, Peter, and Jude do in their letters to the early Churches. You should try reading them once. They speak volumes

We are following the biblical model… Are you?

Following Christ,
- Jeff H

Pilgrim. As someone on the blog editor list…you didn’t answer my first question about how you are witnessing to the world around you. Maybe you missed it but I put it first so you wouldn’t think I was “judging” you.
I was trying hard not to assume or judge by asking a few questions…but you took it that way anyways. You assumed I “consider what [you} do here as unimportant” and you assumed that I “unfairly judged us as being so one dimensional” when I never said anything of the sort.
Please just read my actual words that I typed without trying to read into them. I’ll be thinking about your questions and would appreciate you answering mine.
And no, I have NOT “chosen to judge our hearts, motives, intentions, and passions by suggesting that we are not ‘seeking to save the lost.’” I never said you weren’t, I just asked how you were…which you didn’t answer.
Thanks.

I wrote in strong terms but I did my best, considering my temper, to stick to your Rules of Engagement.

Although I think it is obvious from the contents of the post that I am a Mormon, I forgot to specifically so state. Please feel free to edit the post or otherwise note that Murdock is a Mormon.

I am disappointed that you have unfairly judged us as being so one dimensional. And I am sorry that you consider what we do here as unimportant. However, I have two questions and a challenge for you.

Question 1: I agree God is “big enough” to “protect” his Church, but can you please tell me by what means he has used for “thousands of years” to protect the purity and the doctrinal integrity of His Church?

Question 2: You said,

“I’m just saddened, as someone who passionately loves Jesus and passionately loves the Lost, that you spend countless hours correcting ‘heretics’ instead of seeking and saving the lost as Jesus did.”

Does your compassion for the lost not include those deceived by heretical teachings? Or are you suggesting that heretics are not lost?

I’m also saddened that you have chosen to judge our hearts, motives, intentions, and passions by suggesting that we are not “seeking to save the lost.”

Challenge: I would like to ask you to provide me with all the New Testament books which DO NOT deal with the negative aspect of addressing heresy and false teachers. As a bonus (and if you have time) you can even include all the Old Testament books that DO NOT deal with the negative aspect of addressing heresy and false teachers. Let me know how much you come up with.

Sincerely,
- Pilgrim

you spend countless hours correcting “heretics” instead of seeking and saving the lost as Jesus did.

So, according to you we should throw out most of the contents of the Epistles because they are correcting, rebuking, and not evangelizing.

Pff.

R&R

I just wanted to commend you for taking a stand for Biblical truth. I just read the article about Rock Band P.O.D. in which you called all those who were commenting to Biblical discernment. Before God regenerated me I listened to P.O.D. I always felt that they were Christian, but when I had been given a new nature, God opened my eyes to see the twisted and deceptive message, image, and intent of this group. I am saddened at the fact that so many genuine Believers are deceived in so many ways in this hour that we now live. The only conclusion I can come to as to why anyone would listen to a group like this or any other so called “christian” band is simply because they do not study the Word of God or they are false converts. I was pleased to see that you had posted a link to Paul Washers sermon “Shocking Message.” God has been using that sermon in to change so many life’s. I praise God that he has placed men in the Church who will stand for truth no matter the cost. We need more Christians to armor up and grow a back bone! Pray for Revival, Pray for Reformation, Pray for a rediscover of the TRUE GOSPEL, Pray that the Church in America would wake up! Pray that the Church would once again understand that the LORD is Holy, Holy, Holy, and we cannot worship him in our “own way.” May our God and Savior Jesus Christ be magnified!

I hope to be in contact with you. In Christ.

Benjamin

Recently had a post that didn’t make it through. I’m guessing I’ve been tagged as a #3. I don’t expect this to be posted. . . . but I have hope for your mission.

Thanks for your time, learned a lot from readings on Washer and McArthur.

I have done my best to empathize or understand the basics of the draw to reformer theology, but I just can’t get my head around the accusations and your number 4. Makes no sense.

The DefCon folks I’ve encountered seem like vigorous scholars within their house. I just hope that those efforts can be redirected to the real antichrists that seek to destroy our homes and children.

I have spent the last 15 years alone in academia, at the highest debates and platforms. Alone with only Jesus, which was enough.

I come back to “the church” only to find our hands pointing at each other in a self-declared civil war. The world could care less. I wish your catagories would include Foucalt, Derrida, Chomsky, Agamben, Churchill, Kato . . etc.

But church drama sells and addressing the true antichrists is too much work. . .

for most. . .

Off to the road less travelled.

Please email me if interested in extending dialogue, really.

- The Pilgrim