TOP 5 MOST MISUSED VERSES OF THE BIBLE

Here is a good article from ChurchLeaders.com .  It is important that we grow in our use of "pet" scriptures.  I agree that these are most often used wrongly. PLEASE feel free to comment.

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Top 5 Most Misused Verses in the Bible

by Brian Orme

The Bible is a sharp, double-edged sword — able to pierce the heart. However, when portions of the Bible are used in the wrong context, it’s like trying to fight with the butt of the weapon instead of the blade. It’s just not effective.

Over my years in ministry and as an ongoing student of the Bible, I’ve come across many biblical misquotes, misunderstandings and flat-out misuses.

However, if I’m honest, many of these have come from my own lips. I confess: I’ve been guilty of abusing passages, ignoring context and, even at times, stretching the meaning for my own teaching needs, but I’m seeking to reform my loose ways in favor of something much more beneficial — the original interpretation.

Here are the top five Scriptures, in my opinion, that get misused in the church today — with a brief description of the original context.

I invite you to comment on each one or to provide additional passages you think should appear in the top five. Also, just to be clear, I don't think referencing these passages in a slighlty different context is a biblical felony — if it was, I'd probably be doing hard time — but it's always good to know the heart of the original meaning. 

1. I Can Do All Things.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. — Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

This short verse is often quoted by sports teams, bumper stickers and taglines as a rally cry to accomplish great things like running a marathon, climbing a mountain, winning the championship, finishing the remodel on the kitchen, etc.

However, this short — and powerful — passage gets its meaning amidst the context of contentment. Paul is writing this letter to the church in Philippi to let them know that God has taught him to be content in times of plenty and in times of desperation (he’s writing this letter in prison).

So, in its proper meaning, this verse is a tribute to a man who learned to follow God in any circumstance. Whatever came Paul's way, he handled with faith. It could be stoning, prison, shipwreck, beatings, etc. This passage is not a clarion call to go out and accomplish great feats of strength, but a beautiful reminder to pursue faith and trust God in the midst of the ups and downs of a life given fully to the cause of Christ.

So, if you get put in prison for preaching Christ, beaten, and learn to live with little food or possessions, and you find yourself content because you have Christ, well, this verse should definitely be quoted.

2. Plans to Prosper.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." — Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

This verse is often quoted during a trial to encourage or inspire — pointing us to the promise that God has specific plans to help us prosper so don’t worry!

However, in context, this verse is dealing with a particular promise given to Israel from God; the promise points to the end of their Babylonian exile in specific terms — 70 years (verse 10). So, the word prosper doesn't refer to money or material blessings, but physical and spiritual salvation.

But, someone might say, God still wants us to prosper, right? Well, in terms of salvation, yes. In fact, this passage is a great reminder of the fulfilled prophecy and the perfect Word of God. This is an amazing story that points us to a greater release and redemption for all of God’s people.

So, taking away our specific, individually focused application doesn’t subtract the awesomeness from this passage. In fact, it enhances it and reminds us of the collective salvation of God’s people in history and in the future, still to come.

3. Where Two or Three Are Gathered.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” — Matthew 18:20 (NIV) 

This verse is often used as an encouragement that God is with us in tough circumstances — all we need are two to three people in a prayer group and we’re set. In fact, you don’t even have to say the full verse, just start it out: “Where two or three are gathered … ” and other church members will shake their heads in agreement.

However, this passage really deals with building a testimony in the context of church discipline. A proper, and reliable, testimony was extremely critical in the Jewish context. This passage was an encouragement to the church leaders during difficult times of confrontation and church discipline — that God would be present with the witnesses as they sought to make matters right and restore a fallen member.

So, it’s pretty safe to say that unless you’re in the midst of church discipline, you’re taking this verse out of its original context.

Is God still with us when two or three are gathered? Yes, of course. He's also with us when it's just one or one thousand.

4. All Things Work for Good.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. — Romans 8:28 (NIV)

This passage is often used to encourage another believer who’s going through a tough time — reminding them that it will eventually work out for something good in their life. In other words, don’t worry about getting fired — God has something better in store for you … all things work out for good, remember?

There are two major issues in this passage to deal with to keep it in context.

First, the passage deals with those who love him. That’s an important distinction. It’s not for everyone, but specifically for believers.

Second, the “good” that’s described in context is our ultimate conformity to Christ, not our comfort. So, the good here leads us to sanctification and our ultimate glorification and not the turnaround of our circumstances from bad to good. Things might get better after the job loss, they might not. Ultimately, we have redemption to hope for — and that's the ultimate good. 

5. Where There’s No Vision.

Where there is no vision the people perish, but happy is he who keeps the law. — Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) 

Your church will not perish without a vision statement. I think vision statements are fantastic — and helpful, but this passage isn’t a divine reminder for pastors to build a better brand direction.

This verse is often used to remind leaders that if they don’t have a compelling vision, and dream big, their people will be lost. The key word in this passage, “vision,” is actually the word revelation and it points to the Word of God or the revelation of God.

In other words, a more accurate interpretation could be: Where there is no revealed Word of God the people perish, but happy is he who obeys God’s Word.

This verse is a great picture of what happened in Nehemiah. The people rediscovered the Word of God and read it for everyone to hear and understand. The result: revival. It had nothing to do with Nehemiah’s catchy core values or the Venn diagram of his mission statement — it was the Word of God that brought life to the people.

So, this passage isn’t necessarily apropo for the building project or the five-year plan for your life center, but it is a fitting reminder that God’s Word gives us life — especially when we obey it.

THE REVIVED OTTOMAN EMPIRE

This Week’s Feature Article by Jack Kelley

The Ottoman Empire existed from 1299 until 1922. It was in many respects the Islamic successor to the Eastern leg of the Roman Empire and like the Roman Empire it had its headquarters in Constantinople (Istanbul). At the peak of its power and influence, the Ottoman Empire extended from the Adriatic Sea in the west to the Caspian Sea in the east and from Austro-Hungary in the north to the southern tip of the Red Sea. It was at the center of interactions between the Eastern and Western worlds for 6 centuries. The Ottoman Empire was defeated in World War 1, having aligned itself with Germany. Its dissolution at the end of the war led to the formation of 40 new nations in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Northern Africa, many of them on land once claimed by the Romans.

Suleiman The Magnificent

The Empire’s greatest days occurred under the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent who reigned from 1520-1566. Only 25 years old when he came to power, Suleiman began his reign by performing many acts of kindness and mercy toward his people. He freed hundreds of slaves, showered his officers with gifts, and built a school for slaves. To the Ottomans he was known as The Lawgiver, having re-written the non-Shariah portions of the law. This was the law by which the Ottoman Empire was governed for all of the remaining years of its existence. Because of the humanitarian nature of his laws he was also called Suleiman the Just by his subjects.

Suleiman was a powerful conqueror for Islam. His armies pushed the boundaries of the Empire nearly to Vienna and his powerful navies controlled the Mediterranean. Because of the tribute he received Suleiman became one of the wealthiest men of all time. He never wore the same clothes twice, he ate from solid gold plates with jewel encrusted utensils and had a harem of over 300 women.

The Ottomans were tolerant toward the Jews and welcomed thousands of them into the Empire after King Ferdinand expelled them from Spain in 1492. Suleiman’s father had wrested control of what is now Israel from Egypt in 1517 and Suleiman fell in love with Jerusalem, ordering its walls rebuilt in 1535. It was the first successful rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls since the Romans destroyed the city in 70 AD and Suleiman’s walls can still be seen surrounding the Old City today.

According to Nehemiah, the Persian King Artaxerxes Longimonus issued a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem following the Babylonian destruction. He did this in the spring of the 20th year of his reign (Nehemiah 2:1). On our calendar it would have been March of 445BC. On the 483rd anniversary of this decree Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey on what we know as the first Palm Sunday, fulfilling the prophecy from Daniel 9:25 of the Lord’s 1st Coming as Israel’s Messiah. Then in 68-70 AD the city was destroyed by the Romans.  After centuries of being rebuilt and then torn down by various conquering groups, the walls around Jerusalem were finally rebuilt for good by Suleiman beginning in 1535 AD, and during his reign the city enjoyed an exceptional period of peace and religious tolerance.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

Turkey is the surviving remnant of the Ottoman Empire. Following their defeat in WW1 the Empire was divided up by the victorious Western powers. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk had been a high ranking Ottoman officer and led the effort to found the Republic of Turkey. He set about to make it a secular nation in the style of western democracies. While endorsing Islam, he limited it to the status of a religion instead of allowing it to be the political force it had been. He saw to the suspension of the Ottoman Caliphate and Sultanate, clearing the way for the newly formed National Parliament to assume ultimate power. Among the many changes he enforced were the institution of a new language and alphabet, the adoption of western style of dress and mandatory 2nd names for men, and the granting of full political rights to women.

Until recently, Turkey has been viewed as a western nation. With membership in NATO and more than a dozen military and commercial treaties with Israel, Turkey has been an important western ally in the Middle East. In fact, many students of prophecy have seen Turkey’s alignment with the west as a major obstacle to an early fulfillment of Ezekiel 38-39. It appears from a study of the modern equivalents to the Biblical names mentioned there that Turkey has to be among the Islamic forces that will invade Israel in the future.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Lately there’s been a major shift in Turkish politics in what could be a dramatic step toward the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38. After stalling for years, the EU has put Turkey’s application for membership on the back burner and as of now a majority of EU ministers oppose Turkey’s admission to the Union.

Perhaps as a result of this Turkey has begun to look to the East, and current Prime Minister Erdogan is fast becoming a regional Muslim leader by criticizing Israel—particularly after the Gaza war. His clout is spreading from the streets of Gaza to Beirut, Damascus, and Cairo—the traditional strongholds of Arab nationalism.

PM Erdogan is by far the country’s most popular political leader enjoying wide support among the Turkish people, due in part to his frequent criticism of Israel. He’s become convinced that instead of relying on outside powers to bring peace to the Middle East the Ottoman Empire should be re-born to take the lead. He’s been quoted as saying, “Turkey’s goal is to live in peace with all countries and restore the might of the Ottoman Empire.”

In this regard, a recent article by historian Robert E. Kaplan entitled ,”The US Helps Reconstruct The Ottoman Empire” has been getting some attention.  Dr. Kaplan’s specialty is modern Europe and he received his doctorate from Cornell University.  His article was published by the Gatestone Institute, “an international organization dedicated to educating the public about what the mainstream media fails to report.”

In the article Dr. Kaplan shows that with the exception of Iraq, the ultimate outcome of each American military intervention in Europe and the Middle East since the mid 1990′s has been the replacement of a secular government with an Islamist regime in an area that was formerly part of the Ottoman Empire. Providing detailed documentation, Dr. Kaplan wrote the article more to raise awareness of what he sees as US strategy in the region rather than to draw any conclusions.

It turns out that there are three primary beneficiaries of a revived Ottoman empire.  Turkey is an obvious one because Turkey is the surviving remnant of the original empire and is the logical choice to head up a revived version.  Germany is another beneficiary.  Germany had a close and beneficial relationship with the Ottomans in the years leading up to WW1 and is working behind the scenes with the US in the hope of regaining its influence in the Muslim world.  And the US benefits because like Turkey the New Ottoman Empire would be primarily composed of the Sunni sect of Islam.  Helping the Sunnis get control of the Middle East would further marginalize Shiite Iran, something the US sees as being strategically important.

If this is what’s really going on, it could help to explain Pres. Obama’s efforts to reconcile with the Islamic world,  why he included Turkey in his first overseas tour upon taking office, and why he seemed to be so obviously on the side of the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood in their efforts to unseat Hosni Mubarak’s secular government in Egypt.  It would also help to explain Turkey’s decision to build a $100 million mosque/cultural center in Lanham, Maryland,  about 30 minutes by car from the White House.  It is expected to “be the largest and most striking example of Islamic architecture in the western hemisphere” when it is finished in 2014.

The Man With No Name (Yet)

A Revived Ottoman Empire would send students of prophecy scurrying back into their Bibles to see if the re-birth of the Ottoman Empire could fulfill the prophecy of the so-called revived Roman Empire. There are already some who believe the 7th Kingdom ofRev. 17:10 is the Ottoman Empire, and they point out that Constantinople is also a city on seven hills. If so, its Islamic heritage would confirm the identity of the one world End Times religion as Islam.  It would also support the idea that the end times Islamic leader called al-Mahdi could be the anti-Christ.

As details of Islamic eschatology become more widely known, prophecy students are discovering a striking similarity between Islamic prophecies of al Mahdi and Christian prophecies of the anti-Christ. I’ve made mention of these in several previous articles, how both come on the scene during a time of great turmoil on Earth, both come claiming a desire to restore peace, both have a seven year reign, both head a one world religion and one world government, both claim supernatural origins, and both reigns end in a battle between good and evil that brings Earth’s final judgment. Could they be one and the same? The legend surrounding al-Mahdi as being in occlusion (supernaturally hidden) since the 10th century could make him the 8th king who belongs to the seven, just like Rev. 17:11 says.

As you can see we might have an interesting circumstantial case here for a revived Ottoman Empire. It’s not something to build doctrine on just yet, but it certainly bears watching. One nice thing about our times is we won’t have long to wait before we find out how these prophecies are fulfilled. You can almost hear the footsteps of the Messiah. 06-01-13

AS CLOSE AS WE WILL EVER GET...

 - By Gene Lawley -http://www.raptureready.com/soap/lawley19.html

As close as we will ever get to knowing the day and the hour before Jesus actually comes is tucked in an overlooked passage of scripture from the Apostle Paul. But first, some background. Just after my 78th birthday in April last year, I was talking with my doctor about my health conditions, and he reminded me that life expectancy for a male now is 77 years. That tells me that I am living on "borrowed time" and it brought me to think of my generation and how it fits into Bible prophecy. (Now, a year later, the immediate future-perhaps six months or so-appears much more ominous, even predictable, than it did then.)In Matthew 24:32-34, Jesus says this: "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near-at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place."

[Emphasis mine]

The fig tree has long been considered a "type", a symbol, for the nation of Israel, and this budding of the fig tree example relates to the restoration of Israel as an independent nation on May 14, 1948. The "dry bones" of Ezekiel 37 take on life, once again. And the generation that sees this happen will see all of the prophetic events Jesus named in His projections just prior to this fig tree example.

How long is a generation? Psalm 90:10 tells us very clearly that it is seventy to eighty years. Here is an astounding "coincidence": Add 70 years to 1948 and the year 2018 comes up, for the beginning of that generation's demise. And we are still within the context of God's "no man knows the day or the hour" of Christ's coming limitation. How is that? It looks like those who live past 70 years are living on "borrowed time", and the uncertainty of our personal longevity is truly in the hands of the Lord. And so it is with "this generation". We can juggle years and months around in an attempt to pin down the time of the "coming of the Son of Man" more closely, but it is conclusive that He will come "as a thief in the night", as the Scriptures repeatedly tell us.

Let's look again at that Psalm 90:10 passage: "The days of our lives are seventy years, and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away" (NKJV). The psalmist apparently was lamenting our struggle, but the fact of God, only, knowing "the day or the hour" of our passing is made evident in that unanswered longevity question for this generation. Note also, at the end of the verse, his expectation at the end of his and our time-"and we fly away". Could this be a subtle reference to the Rapture?

If the Rapture were to occur tonight, the length of "this generation" would include the seven years that are identified as the final "week" of Daniel's prophecy of "seventy weeks of years" (Daniel 9:24-26). Add seventy years to 1948, then subtract seven years and the resulting year is 2011, yet no Rapture occurred then. Is this generation, which now includes believers and non- believers, then living on "borrowed time"? If the calendars match with God's calendar, we are now, in 2013, 65 years into this final generation (1948 +72 - 7=2013, a 65-year period), for the Rapture (in a pre-trib setting) will occur seven years prior to the end of the age and the second coming of Christ. God has given 70-to-80 years as a generation, thus, sometime between 2011 and 2021 the Rapture will likely occur. (Yes, there are people now living well into their 90's and a few into their 100's; it only heightens the uncertainty of the timing of His coming.) What are the converging events that would indicate that the time is near, the "times and seasons" aspect?

Are we, then, close upon the time of the "day of the Lord", the time of the Rapture of the Church and the beginning of the "time of Jacob's trouble" (Jeremiah 30:7)? (Note that Daniel 9:24 identifies that time period having to do with Daniel's people and their Holy City.) The following consideration of current events and Bible prophecies will test the reality of this looming possibility.

The statement of Jesus in Matthew 24:36, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only...", and similar statements and illustrations in all the Gospel accounts, have bothered Bible students for years. Yet, there is no way of getting around what the Scripture says.

In one place (Matthew 24:4), He says this: "But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into." Yet, one might quickly think, "If I just knew the hour He is to come, then I would be sure tobe ready", and perhaps many of us have thought just that. However, the strong implication in His statements that we are always to be ready to go to meet the Lord, whether it is to meet Him coming for us, or to meet Him when our temporal lives are over on earth.

A very pertinent scripture to this point is 1 John 3:2-3, "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Like a Thief in the Night

The "like a thief in the night" parallel is commonly related to His coming on the "day of the Lord", and implies "suddenly and without pre-announcement". To highlight the apparent fact that most people will not be prepared for His sudden appearance, Jesus recounts two historical situations which evidence that stark reality in Luke 17:26-30: "And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:

"They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed." These scriptures tell us several important and time-wise things:

1) Most people will not be aware of the signs of the times and what is on their doorsteps. Their lives will be in a "forever rut";

2) These incidents illustrate the Rapture of the Church, the true believers, and it is clear that it will occur before the judgment of God upon the disbelieving world, for no such normal life activities will be possible at any time, "pre-wrath", middle or post tribulation. For when the rider on the white horse enters the scene (Revelation 6), the major struggle for all people will be summed up in one word: "survival";

3) All born-again believers will be raptured, even the most back-slidden one among us. Lot was not the best example you could find of a righteous man in his day-the Angel practically had to drag him out of the city, saying "the Lord cannot judge this people until you are out of the city" (Genesis19:22). Peter says of Lot, "If (God)...delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)- then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations..." (2 Peter 2:7-9). There will be no "partial" rapture-and any conclusion to the contrary is heresy.

4) The context of Luke 17:26-37 tells us that the Rapture will be sudden and world-wide-daylight for some, darkness of the night for others (thus the confusion of days and hours for each time zone).

Of the Times and Seasons

Paul writes of the transforming miracle in the Rapture: "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality " ( 1 Corinthians 15:51-53). He calls it a mystery and it is, as many of those left behind will be declaring, in wonder-and fear.

He writes of the Rapture event in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 through 5:4 in a contextual account that describes its manner of occurrence and gets as close to revealing "the day and the hour" as anyone will ever get-until the actual event takes place. Most often, it seems, we read and quote 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, perhaps adding verse 18 to finish the chapter, then read no more of the context.

But there are no chapter breaks in the original language that Paul used, and when one reads the passage straight through into chapter 5, there is a continuity of thought that reveals much about the timing of the Rapture that seems to have been missed-at least in my own past observations.

Here is the passage, to verse 4 of chapter 5: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

"But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief."

[Emphasis mine.]

As Close as We Can Ever Get

Note the continuity of the subject, now dealing with when this event will occur. First, he indicates that these believers, and now those of this day, are fully aware of the "times and seasons" of the Rapture. World events are clearly indicative of that period just before the Lord's return. Then, he says the believers know "perfectly" that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night-the uncertainty of the exact moment during the "times and seasons".

The next verse is crucial, for it pinpoints an event that will unleash the judgment of God upon the earth. In the continuity of the text, he writes, "For when they say "Peace and safety", then sudden destruction comes upon them..."

Like a swirling vortex, sucking its victims down one final plunge into oblivion, events of the world seem to be drawn into a central topic of "peace in the Middle East", specifically between the Palestinians and Israel. My Bible search did not find any other use of the term "Peace and safety" that Paul used. The only one that seems to deal directly with the current situation is that of Daniel 9:27, where Daniel writes, "Then he [the one who is of the people who destroys the Holy City] shall confirm a covenant with many for one week [seven years]..." [Emphasis mine]

The two "peace agreement" events have to do with Israel and its neighbors, thus a strong likelihood that they speak of the same thing. The "confirming of a covenant with many" likely will be fulfilled in the context of the multi-nation votes of the United Nations Security Council, thus it is confirmed "with many". It will include, no doubt, a provision that allows Israel to rebuild its temple on the Temple Mount, for after three and one-half years that named "confirmer" will set himself up in that temple and claim to be God.

Are the "times and seasons" of this event upon us now? Constantly for months we have seen attempts to enter a bid for statehood for the Palestinians to the United Nations, and apparently it was recognized at a lower level in the UN, not the Security Council, last September, 2012.

Statehood for Palestine is inseparably linked to the peace agreement issue with Israel and Israel is not willing to give up the areas of the West Bank and the Golan Heights, which are demanded by the Palestinians. In the strong urge for peace, however, Israel may be wavering on the issue. Two events that could impact the situation, and may well do so, are Iran's threat of nuclear prominence and Israel's response, and Israel's increasingly enraged neighbors who cannot contain their anger any longer and it overflows into open warfare of the Psalm 83 description. In 1 Thessa- lonians 5:3 the questions are, "who are the 'they' who cry out, "Peace and safety", and who are the 'them' upon whom sudden destruction comes?

As the events of this summer, 2013, unfold, and the ever- lasting hatred of the Muslim world for Israel reaches its boiling point-or perhaps more likely, its boiling over point-when and what will the scenario look like? If the "they" who cry "Peace and safety" are Israel, then it is likely that there will have been a major confrontation between Israel and its surrounding neighbors that results in major destruction of the enemies of Israel, thus that cry is associated with victory for Israel.

Certainly God has promised His hand in the conflict will be on the side of Israel. Isaiah 17:1-2 predicts the total devastation of Syria's age-old city of Damascus, for it will be reduced to rubble, never to be inhabited again, and Ezekiel 29:12 tells of Egypt's devastation in which no man will dwell for forty years. Psalm 83 seems to speak of a conflict with Israel's immediate neighbors, who are hovering on its borders, intending Israel's elimination from the Middle East.

Another scenario could be that when the Palestinian state-hood bid is accepted and voted favorably, "they", the Palestinians, may say, "Peace and safety", and as they proceed to take over their claimed Israeli territories, then sudden destruction comes upon "them", the Palestinians, as Israel responds with its defensive reactions to the intrusions of its enemies.

The Amplified New Testament merely uses this phrase to describe it: "When people are saying, 'All is well and secure...'", which may indicate either of the suggestions.

It is almost a certainty that soon there will be a dramatic transformation of the Middle East landscape, politically. Also, it could turn out as it was a year ago, as well as the three years before then, when the "peace process" was given one more year to work out the details of an agree-ment and have it ready by the next September. Given the urgent desire of the "one world government" faction to make the most of this opportunity to move ahead with their goal, and the Muslim intent to wipe Israel off the face of the earth, it seems the "times and seasons" of all events are coming together soon. Coupled also with the social and moral cup of evil that is filled almost to its brim (known as the United States of America) God's final wrap-up and world-wide judgment may truly be on the near horizon.

The "peace process" seems to have settled on the month of September each year as its date-line; the Feast of Trumpets comes up each September with its likeness to the Rapture; the rage in the Muslim world at Israel and America con- tinues to boil; and natural disasters and pestilences abound. One day soon all these issues and events will come together in perfect timing by God's hand, and like a thief in the night, He will make Himself known in great glory!

How close are we to seeing the final wrap-up begin to unfold? A couple of news headlines from May 1-2 are very much of "prime time" content:

"Pope accepts invite to Israel, urges peace talks"

"Netanyahu: Conflict Is Over Israel's Existence, Not Land"

In regard to the latter headline, it is vividly apparent that it is the truth. In spite of Israel having relinquished territories previously captured in open conflict-Gaza, the Sinai-the result has been only more rocket fire and open hostility. It's another proof that the Bible's age-old prophecies are coming to pass, as Psalm 83:3-4 clearly tells us: "For lo, Your enemies roar; and those who hate You have lifted up their head. They take shrewd counsel against Your people, and plot against Your hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, so that the name Israel may be remembered no more."

The Prime Minister is right-the issue is their hate for Israel, not a desire for their land. And their rage is a burning fuse, ever shortening. This may well suggest, too, a relaxing grip by Israel on its firm resistance to any more "land for peace" arrangements.

For the believer, the Apostle Paul had encouraging words to those facing their final days as mortals on earth: "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8).

Revelation 22:20 is an appropriate summation of these things: "He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! "

Author contact: andwegetmercy@gmail.com

PENTECOSTALISM AND IT'S IMPACT

By a former participant in Pentecostalism
Edited by Rick Ross

Introduction

In writing this analysis, it is important to note that the Pentecostal movement is diverse and heterogeneous. Some charismatic Christian groups are extremely adhoc and fluid in technique, such as the Wesley and quasi Pentecostal-Baptists churches, whilst other groups are more organized and rigid. For example, the United Pentecostal Church, other so-called independent "Oneness" Pentecostals and at times the Assemblies of God. And as a result, the diversity of Pentecostal movements must be taken into account when reading this analysis. This paper attempts to examine the main differences between mainstream fundamentalist and/or evangelical Christianity and the Pentecostal movement. As a rule, many believe that Pentecostals are identical to fundamentalist and evangelical Christians and only possess different techniques of presenting the gospel. However, this is far from the truth. Some Pentecostal movements cannot be included alongside mainstream Christian groups, that is the Baptists, Anglicans, Church of England and so forth.
I am sure such an assertion may be seen by some as somewhat controversial and debatable. Many are divided over this issue. Whilst some assert that Pentecostals are like any other Christian group, many such as Robert Bowman and John Weldon contend that some Pentecostal sects can be said to exist alongside organizations such as the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses as heretical organizations. For example, the United Pentecostal Church International and/or "Jesus Only" or "Oneness" Pentecostals, the Latter-Rain Movement and Snake Handling Pentecostal sects. Again, many are divided about these issues.

My Background

I first became involved with a Pentecostal, Assemblies of God Church at the age of 14. Since then, until the age of 17 church, my attendance was on and off. Often I would go to more mainstream Christian churches, but at times still attended a Pentecostal church. During my teens, most of my family went to a mainstream Christian church. At that time, I was confused as to which church I ought to join. By the age of 17, I had become more attracted to the Pentecostal movement for various reasons. The people seemed more inclusive, warm, open and friendly than at other churches. I'd always thought the members of other churches were rather indifferent, unfriendly and exclusive by comparison.
Even though I wanted to get closer to Christ, my focus was not entirely on Christ.
In the Pentecostal church the lively atmosphere also fascinated me. The music the singing, the clapping of hands, dancing and so forth. Even the minister was more appealing. Often he talked of Christ excitedly, arms swaying in the air, with a vibrant voice exhorting the audience to contribute by saying: "Hallelujahs" and "Praise God Almighty"!
My friends and leaders would tell me that the Pentecostal church would be more beneficial for me. They constantly emphasized that other churches were "lukewarm" and that God would "spit the lukewarm out." On the other hand, they considered their church as somewhat closer to God because they were hot-hearted towards God. They'd tell me, "your family doesn't really know the lord."
During praise and worship people would "speak in tongues," often all at once. Then the minister would at times share a "prophetic word," whereby he pointed someone out of the audience and rebuked them for their sins. I was always in fear that one day the minister would point me out. If the minister were not rebuking someone for a sin of some sort, he would predict how a person was suffering and verbalize their feelings in front of everyone with emotive words and metaphors and tell them what they should do. Even when people would start weeping and violently shaking. But I would just brush my doubts away and instead, became swept up in the emotion and hype. I now realize that I lacked a basis of knowing who Christ really was.

Praise and Worship Techniques

In the Pentecostal/ Charismatic movement, Praise and Worship is not organized around the clock. Singing, clapping speaking in tongues and dancing can often last for hours. Here, it is important to draw attention to the techniques and aims of the church in order to gain an understanding of how Pentecostal worldview differs from mainstream Christians. Within Pentecostal church services the minister often encourages the convert to seek spiritual gifts that are said to intensify religious experiences. Some of the favored Pentecostal spiritual gifts, which are not necessarily prominent within mainstream Christian churches, include "baptism in the Holy Spirit" (i.e. "speaking of tongues"). "Speaking of tongues" is when a person speaks whatever comes to mind. The Pentecostal believes that what is spoken, which is a language only recognized by God (i.e. glossalalia) or, a foreign language, which is not known or understood by the speaker. But this can be interpreted by someone else and is used to edify the church (i.e. xenoglossia). Of the two, glossalalia is more common. It seems xenoglossia is quite rare nowadays. Other spiritual gifts include the ability to interpret these tongues, the gift of prophecy, discerning between godly and demonic spirits and the ability to heal. Pentecostal services call for the converts full involvement and attention in the church.
According to Poloma, the church 'service is often designed to make an emotional impact and produce an emotional response.' (Poloma: 1989:188-9). For example, the ministers' talk in emotive tones, varying his pitch from high to low. Furthermore, musical instruments such as guitars, pianos, drums and saxophones seem to continually play an emotive tune over and over again. Such techniques seem hypnotic. This can be seen as a subtle form of manipulation. If one allows himself or herself to be carried away, feelings may reach an emotional high and even culminate in an altered state of consciousness.
Feelings and emotions play a large role in the Pentecostal religious experience. "In many Pentecostal churches today, once the drum stops beating and the organ stops throbbing and the volume of the service dies down, the emotionally motivated Christian goes into an emotional low" (Poloma: 1989:189). Such techniques seem to offer the convert a temporary form of escapism from the big, bad world and often prepare the believer for his or her next hectic week in the world. The techniques used are also very attractive and appealing. This is because the more appeal a service has, the more likely the faithful will return, participate and contribute their time and money.
From my own experience, it seemed the Pentecostal Church services were warm, vibrant and inclusive for newcomers. Such services aim to produce "good" feelings and a sense of belonging. New or potential converts are never excluded and old believers are always told to look after someone new at the service. Cult experts have called such a technique "love-bombing" (i.e. seemingly unconditional love). If the convert conforms to the community, the love bombing continues. However, if the convert chooses to disregard Church rules and those in authority, regular members are exhorted to persist encouraging the potential convert, and, if the potential convert breaches church regulations the love is withdrawn.

Divisions between Charismatics, Pentecostal Christians and Mainstream Christian Churches

Speaking In tongues

Mainstream Christian churches approach this issue with extreme caution. They make a huge effort not to "forbid" people to speak in tongues; hence they are not really opposed to this supposed "spiritual gift." However, they also feel the need to stress that "gift of tongues" must be used within the right context. According to most Christian scholars if the majority of a Pentecostal congregation is speaking in tongues all at once during church services, then it cannot be properly interpreted. The bible clearly states: "If anyone speaks in a tongue, two- or at the most three should speak one at the time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God." (1 Corinthians 14:27-8).
Hence tongues must be used in a biblical manner. From these passages it is obvious that it must be used in an orderly way. Furthermore, the bible also states, "In the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue." (1 Corinthians 14:19).
Also it seems that the gift of speaking in tongues is not necessarily for everyone. The bible states that there are many differing spiritual gifts each coming from the same spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:4). Whilst some speak in tongues, not everyone speaks in tongues just like whilst some are great helpers there are also others who are not so great at helping and may have strengths elsewhere. (1 Corinthians 12 8-11). On the other hand, Pentecostals state that all should speak in tongues. However, in many of the so-called "baptisms in the spirit" alter calls I've observed, some people just cannot bring themselves to speak in tongues and hence cannot bring themselves to be "baptized in the spirit." Also, since tongues are considered a "spiritual gift," many of the more extreme Pentecostals may look down upon those who do not speak tongues. Those who do not speak in tongues may not be considered "spirit filled." Such an assertion and attitude would be considered unbiblical by most Christians.
Unlike many Charismatic Christians and Pentecostals, mainstream Christians argue that once you accept Christ into your life you have the spirit. In such Mainline Churches the primary emphasis is on Christ rather than spiritual gifts. Furthermore, if someone has the gift of tongues it is not seen as more significant than other spiritual gifts such as encouragement, administration, mercy etc. On the other hand, amongst some charismatic Christian groups and Pentecostals the focus is often too much upon the so-called "spiritual gifts," which are seen as something meant for everyone to edify the church. Obviously though there are problems speaking in tongues at a church if no one is there to interpret what's been said.
Throughout history such phenomena has been ambiguous and paradoxical. For example, in the past religious sects such as the Mormons (Latter-day Saints) and the Quakers have claimed the gift of tongues. Since not a lot is known about xenoglossia and glossalalia it is important to approach this issue with caution. Since there is also a lack of objective proof regarding the origin and/or nature of glossalalia and xenoglossia it is obvious that people base such an experience largely upon faith. This attitude can be potentially dangerous. It may be unsafe to be ruled by subjective feelings alone without some objective balance.
Pentecostals often place their emphasis on feelings and emotions and encourage, what can be seen as unbalanced thinking. For example, many claim to speak in tongues and believe they are speaking in another language, though this cannot be objectively observed. 'It is significant that though linguistic experts have studied hundreds of hours of tongues recorded on tape, they have never been able to identify any of them as a known human language.' (Culpepper: 1977:101-2). There are also arguments that there is no proper syntax to study and that only a few vowels and consonants are made. Vowels would include A-E-I-O-U; the consonants include all the other letters in the alphabet. Perhaps Pentecostals might argue this is because the languages spoken through tongues are "spiritual" languages, which are therefore unknown to humanity and only known by God. But if this is the case, subsequently tongues cannot be interpreted within the church and perhaps it would be preferable if people practiced this and prayed at home, allowing for a more private setting between a believer and God. This is reminiscent of the scripture; "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself." (1 Corinthians 14:4).
Another substantial problem with the practice of tongues is that "Many Charismatics acknowledge that often when Christians begin speaking in tongues they have doubts as to whether the experience is authentic, whether the Spirit is giving the words, or whether they are just making them up.' (Culpepper: 1977:91). Since the nature of this experience is so ambiguous and it causes substantial doubts perhaps Christians ought to approach this practice with more caution. Again, this does not mean Christians should reject tongues altogether. Because in the bible it states:
'Do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.' (1 Corinthians: 14:39-40).
Hence, the issue remains sensitive and can be approached from a biblical perspective, with caution and common sense. Certainly though, if someone does not speak in tongues, this does not mean they are any less of a Christian. An evident attitude though amongst many Pentecostal and Charismatic churches is, "I can speak tongues and this means I'm superior and more spiritual than other Christians who don't." OR, "Since I speak tongues and that person doesn't, I'm a spirit-filled person Christian and that person isn't. And they need to learn from me."
This attitude breeds spiritual elitism, a superior attitude and does damage to some individuals, while building up the egos of others, but does little to edify the whole church.

Prayer

According to some Pentecostals prayer should be done as if speaking to a KING. However, Baptists and other Christians say that prayer should be done as if speaking to your father or friend. I've noted the differing styles of prayer. Charismatic Christians and Pentecostals seem to make their prayer more emotional and exciting. They often speak with a quasi-language; that is, they may say a phrase in English then switch to tongues and back to a recognized language again. Thus their prayer may seem more elaborate and colorful. Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians often criticize mainstream Christians for being lukewarm, even in their way of addressing God. Mainstream Christians often pray in a neutral tone of voice, some preferring to read out of a prepared prayer book. They may leave out repetitive "hallelujahs,' "we worship you Lord" and/or "praise God almighty" and then save the Amen until the end of their prayer. The bible states:
"But when you pray, go to your room, close the door and pray with your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 'This, then is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'" (Matthew 6:613)
The bible encourages believers to pray in a way, which is straightforward, thankful, honest and/or to ask for help. Since God already knows what we need before we ask, clearly there is no need to use the same repetitive phrases over and over again. After all, the Lord knows if we pray with honesty. Therefore there is no use in emotional hype when praying. The problem with trying to be "hot-hearted" towards God in prayer is the danger of building up a façade. That is, trying too hard to make God, and others see how hot-hearted we are about God because of how we pray. This is not only unbiblical; it also obscures the reason for prayer. For example: Generally, if you approach a very close friend because you need their help, you would explain the situation in a straightforward manner, ask directly for help and then thank them. It would be unnatural to purposely become over emotional and/or continually repeat a contrived refrain such as:
"Thank you for all you've done for me in our friendship. You're a great friend, just so cool. For you've always been here for me. I'm in trouble and need something. Help me Joe. Help me! You're my best and most coolest friend. Thankyou Joe, Thank you Joe, Thank you soooo much for helping me. I love you. Thank you Joe. I love you. You're a great friend!"
Actually a friend might find such excessive emotion somewhat strange and suspect that there was some amount of insincerity or phoniness involved. This previous refrain would be comparable to a Charismatic Christian or Pentecostal in prayer saying, "Oh Lord God almighty I feel your presence. I worship you Lord with all my heart and soul. I praise you-- for you are the Alpha and Omega the beginning and end. Hallelujah! Amen! Praise God Almighty! Forgive me for I have sinned. Separate my sins as far as East is to West. Oh Lord Hallelujah. Amen. You are so holy, help me Lord, help me Lord. For you are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
This repetitive memorized prayer technique does not seem natural or spontaneous. It is instead a contrived jargon taken from the bible seemingly for effect.

Prophecies

Prophecies are in the bible. They are mentioned throughout the bible, especially within the books of Daniel and Revelation. However, there are differing types of prophecy. The books of Daniel and Revelation are prophetic about the future. Other types of prophecy include those used to build up and edify the church (1 Corinthians: 14:4-5). It is important to note that the term prophecy means different things to different people. Some see it as superstitious, something that comes from fortunetellers with a crystal ball. Others see it as addressing social catastrophes in the world that have been predicted. And still others believe it is connected to helping people through inspired encouragement and/or preaching. (Culpepper: 1977:112-13).
Most Christian churches today seem to see prophecy as inspired preaching or encouragement. They also see prophecy as predominantly historical as expressed through the time of prophets and apostles recorded in the bible. However, Charismatic Christians and Pentecostals see prophecies as contemporary and common today. And also, the Pentecostal tends to view the idea of prophecy as either addressing something that has been predicted or as inspired encouragement or preaching.
Some Christian groups have gone too far with prophecy, which when used incorrectly, can generate superstition and even turn some people away. For example, within many Pentecostal churches I visited prophecy time usually comes after or during praise and worship services. The music and tongues die down, but gently and persistently keep playing whilst the ministers voice rose to a firm pitch. Then, the minister would pick people out of the crowd and rebuke them of sin or tell them what they should or should not do about their current situation. Many vague metaphors and emotionally charged words were used. For example: "Don't change the way you are, you are beautiful and your life will flow like abundant rivers." Or, "You feel like a broken and twisted arrow, the Lord recommends you move on." Often, those picked out for a prophecy either began weeping or violently shaking. Some were so shaken that they fell back and had to be caught by another church elder.
These so-called prophecies seemed to target a specific person rather than include the entire church. How then can this really be considered as edifying the church? Again, as I said before, I was often in fear that the minister would one-day single me out. It is this very fear that the many of the more manipulative churches may operate upon. Such fear is used as a tool to ensure that the convert stays in line and keeps on track. Sometimes a Pentecostal church might clearly use such "prophecy" to manipulate and judge a member.
Another prophecy I once heard stated, "Oh come to me my flock, come to me and you will never thirst of grow weary." According to Schwertley, 'this kind of vague, nonspecific sort of 'prophecy' can never be confirmed as real, because it contains nothing specific regarding the future.'"(Schwertley: [ http://www.reformed.com/pub/charist.htm ] :p10). It is obvious that this kind of talk doesn't really do much to edify the church in a reasonable manner. It seems that members are just allowing themselves to move into a kind of transcended temporary mode and going along with the flow without questioning or challenging themselves.
Some Pentecostal believers are gullible and/or ignorant. They really do believe that what the minister is saying comes directly from God and that no one else knows about it. However, it also seems that if a member is said to be behaving in a devious manner, or a member chooses to share with another fellow member about a distressing situation they're in--it's not surprising that the first place the fellow member will disclose this information will be to the pastor. Such information often enables the minister to manipulate his flock. And since the issues are either addressed or condemned in the public worship space, it seems that the problems people are undergoing are not necessarily kept confidential.
The manipulative techniques of so-called prophecies may cause long-lasting psychological and mental damage. For example, one problem that exists within some Pentecostal churches regarding prophecies, is when a person speaks out and has not necessarily been commanded to do so by God. In such a situation, another member of the church is to weigh what is being said and tell that person to be quiet. In such a circumstance there is also the danger of not speaking out. Furthermore, many prophecies, which have been made, are untrue. In many cases these prophecies generate unreasonable fears within believers. The faithful church member is always trying to find and/or make meaning of the prophecy. They may constantly seek to ask God what it meant. Such a dilemma often leads to a type of mysticism and superstition, which is inconsistent with the bible. One might compare such prophecy to looking into a crystal ball or tarot cards.
Howard is certainly correct to argue that some Charismatic Christians have a similar worldview to the New Age movement and to other groups such as Christian Science. "Both Charismatics and New Agers offer simplistic, quick fix solutions, which are based in magic and superstition, to social and personal problems." (Howard: 1997:138). This argument is further consolidated in their attitudes to sicknesses and healing.

Sicknesses and Healing

Within the Charismatic and Pentecostal movements the system of dualism is deeply entrenched. There are often sharp divisions, which are emphasized between the good as opposed to the bad, and the godly as opposed to the ungodly. There is little leeway for gray areas or ambiguity. Such an attitude leads to an intensified dogmatic and simplistic attitude to the bible and to life situations in general. For example, in relation to sicknesses and illnesses within there is an attitude that "He's sick because he has an unconfessed sin.' Or, 'She's sick because she's harboring an unresolved grudge.' Or, 'Benny Hinn is unable to heal her because she lacks faith." Such doctrines are not only illogical, but biblically unsound. If these assertions are valid, why is it that so many people today, who harbor a grudge, are not sick? Think of all the Christians and non-Christians alike who have unconfessed sins. Some are jealous, lustful, arrogant, and boastful. Since ALL of us have unconfessed sins, why is it that some aren't sick? But instead only some of us are sick, while others are not. Just because someone is sick, doesn't necessarily mean that person has an unconfessed sin or is harboring a grudge. Such an attitude within the Church is dangerous. (See Matthew 7:1-5) First, this is a judgmental attitude. If a person feels condemned and judged it will only motivate them to feel worse about themselves and/or leave the church. Church should be a place for building up people. And church should never be a place to make someone feel they're somehow less of a person for being ill. Any assertions made about someone being sick because he or she holds some grudge is clearly biblically incorrect. Christians believe humans suffer in this world because we live after the fall, (i.e. within a "fallen world").
Many Pentecostal Christians attend huge healing gatherings whereby anyone who's sick is encouraged to attend in the hope of being healed. Perhaps the most prominent healing ministry within the so-called Pentecostal "Word of Faith" movement are the Benny Hinn crusades. Ten of thousands of people often attend a single Benny Hinn crusade, which are frequently held in huge stadiums. Benny Hinn has his own television show, which is used to publicize so-called "miracles" of healing. In Sydney, the Benny Hinn show is on television almost every morning at 5:00 AM or 5:30 AM. The program includes Benny Hinn teaching, Benny Hinn and his believers in praise and worship and Benny Hinn healing the sick. What's most astounding is the fact that Mr. Hinn has even claimed the ability to heal people watching his rerun shows. Of course Benny Hinn carefully explains he is the instrument of God, Jesus and/or the Holy Spirit, who use him only as a channel for healing. This is somewhat similar to the claims made by Christian Scientists and/or many New Age healers.
Generally, such faith healers say, "Oh Jesus hallelujah, hallelujah&there is a woman sitting somewhere in the middle of the audience, her daughter is suffering from ulcers in the gum, God is healing you daughter right now." The healer often exclaims, "Come out to the stage and be healed." Is there any real evidence that the person has actually been healed?
Although some people are said to have broken legs and crutches have been thrown onto the stage, this does not necessarily mean a person has been healed. Anyone can throw crutches on a stage and/or make claims. It is important to objectively evaluate any healing not evident to the naked eye by a process of expert medical review. Hence critical thinking is required.
According to Schwertley, Jesus Christ healed people entirely who were permanently deformed i.e.: had no ear, was blind, deaf, mute and suffering from leprosy. Jesus healed in public places spontaneously in front of both non-believers and believers. (Luke 22:51-52). He even made the dead come to life. For example: Lazarus. Jesus healed people so that they might come and believe in Christ. (Matthew 9:18-34).
Quite the contrary, modern faith healers like Benny Hinn only appear to be able to heal temporary, common illnesses such as back pain, mouth ulcers, and leg pain. Furthermore, modern healers today seem to heal largely if not exclusively in front of their own following in planned and confined Christian settings. Weren't miracles such as healing supposed to be a sign for both non-believers and believers rather than just for believers? Something is clearly not quite right if these so-called healers are only conducting healing miracles in front of believers. Are these modern healers really what they claim to be?
People like Benny Hinn and Kenneth Copeland have their own TV shows, which are broadcast internationally. But should God's gifts be used for show? These modern healers seem to take advantage of naïve believers who contribute much money to their ministries. They then draw substantial salaries and expenses, fly first class, buy expensive cars and often live in exclusive neighborhoods. Healing crusades appear to be big business and generate big money. According to Benny Hinn ( November 6, 1990, TBN sermon ) "poverty is from the devil and that God wants all Christians prosperous."
Within the "Faith Movement" many people have been told that they don't need to take their medications anymore. Taking this advice some really believed they were healed and died as a result ( Cited within a 1998 "60 Minutes" episode ). Such tragedies will hopefully cause people to question and consider such advice more clearly. Belief in healing should be coupled with a proper medical examination, before any medication or medical treatment is ended.
"Prophecy, healing, exorcism and spiritual warfare have all caused deep and lasting harm to people with genuine faith. To many outsiders, the movement would appear to represent a frightening return to medievalism and superstition." (Howard: 1997:119).

Pentecostalism's Impact

According to Robin Arnaud, "Pentecostalism has become the largest and fastest-growing form of Christianity on earth! Yet in its wake it leaves broken lives, false hopes, a warped view of God and man, and often, especially in the United States, financial ruin. An exodus of believers from such churches began a few years ago and have now become a torrent! Former Pentecostals and ex-Charismatics may soon become the second-largest and second fastest growing Christian groups on earth." (Arnaud: 1998, from unknown web page). Charismatic Christians certainly appear to be zealous in their attempts to gain converts and create miracles. But by acting too extreme the net result may be a judgmental attitude and causing division in the church rather than edifying it. Many Charismatics seem to love showing mainstream Christians how things should be done. Again, the example stated previously, "We're baptized in the spirit, we speak in tongue, that means you should learn from us."
Charismatic Christians also tend to focus perhaps too much on feelings and personal experiences rather than the bible. They place their emphasis largely upon "spiritual gifts" rather than on Christ, who He was, what He said and did. As a result, they often become inward thinking and self-centered rather than focused on Christ and what He wants us to be. In my own personal experience as a Pentecostal Christian, Jesus became clouded like a distant figure.
In some cases it seems Pentecostal groups may almost worship a different Jesus and some are apparently heretical according to Christian scholars. For example, the so-called "Oneness" or "Jesus Only" Pentecostals, which are largely comprised by the denomination known as the United Pentecostal Church. Just because the words Jesus, God and Holy Spirit are used constantly in sermons doesn't necessarily mean their teachings are biblically sound and/or historically consistent with established Christian doctrines and beliefs such as the trinity.
In today's society, it's easy for Christians to become caught up with what spiritual gift you have and what spiritual gift you don't have. And as a direct result many Christians seem to forget about who Christ is and their own salvation. It can be destructive to become so focused on works and so self-absorbed.
Is Pentecostalism "Cult like"?
There is a diverse range of Pentecostal and charismatic groups. They cannot all be considered "cult like." Here are some points (Howard: 1997:140) to consider though, if you are in such a group and evaluating its safety:
"A convert becoming increasingly dependent on the movement for definitions and the testing of 'reality'.''
"A movement drawing sharp, negotiable boundaries between 'them' and 'us', 'godly' and 'satanic', 'good' and 'bad' - and so on.'"
"Leaders claiming divine authority for their actions and demands."
Some other points from (Bowmen: Weldon: 1999:375) especially in relation to "Oneness Pentecostals" that deny the doctrine of the trinity.
"Social isolation: Members are encouraged to distance themselves from "outsiders" insuring further isolation and dependence on the particular group."
"Spiritual intimidation: Members who leave may be told God will judge them or they will be turned over to Satan. To leave the church is to forsake God and court damnation."
"Compliance through shame: Those who violate OP (Oneness Pentecostal) standards or holiness must confess their sins before the entire church."
If you are involved with the Charismatic or Pentecostal movement or know someone who is involved that you worried about, I'd encourage you to consider that involvement carefully and leave if you find that church doctrinally unsound or destructive.

References:

Books: The Holy Bible: NIV (New International Version)
Ankerberg, J & Weldon, J. Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions: Harvest House Publishers, USA; 1999.
Culpepper, Robert. H. Evaluating the Charismatic Movement: A Theological & Biblical Appraisal: Judson Press, USA; 1997.
Howard, Roland. Charismania:When Christian Fundamentalism Goes Wrong: Mowbray: London, UK; 1997.
Poloma Margret, M. The Assemblies of God at the Crossroads: Charisma & Institutional Dilemmas: University of Tennessee Press: Knoxville; 1989.
Web sites:
Institute for First Amendment Studies, Skipp Porteous
Reformed Witness, by Pastor Brian Schwertley
The Word is a Lamp to my feet: Houstons...we have a problem
The Word is a Lamp to my feet: Jumping on the bandwagon


Copyright © 2001 Rick Ross.

SEVEN REASONS FROM THE BIBLE WHY A CHRISTIAN CANNOT LOSE HIS SALVATION

By Shane Montgomery Shane Montgomery (pictured here with his wife, Debi) has been in the ministry since 1990. He and his wife, Debi, were married in August 1980. Pastor Montgomery has always considered his wife the greatest asset to his ministry. They have three grown children and two grandchildren. He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1984 with a B. S. degree in Aerospace Engineering. Shane finished his Masters Degree in Theology in 1991 through Bethany Theological Seminary in Dothan, Alabama. They served at the Rotorua Bible Baptist Church in Rotorua, New Zealand for over eleven years, and saw the Lord build the largest national independent Baptist church in New Zealand, with the addition of Timothy Baptist College. He now pastors Casa Grande Baptist Church, P O Box 11883, Casa Grande, AZ 85230-1883, Phone: 520-431-4825, Email: pastor@casagrandebaptistchurch.com

Following are seven reasons from the Bible why a born-again Christian cannot lose his salvation. Over 200 Scriptures are referenced, which are given at the end for ease of readability. Anyone reading this who doubts the truth of this doctrine, sometimes called "once saved, always saved", is encouraged to look up and read the Scriptures for himself.
 

1. Eternal Life - The Bible says that ETERNAL life is a present possession [1]. If we could lose that life from God [2] then we never had ETERNAL life. Our life is Christ's life when we are saved [3] (see #4) and Christ cannot die again [4]. I John 5:13 says we can KNOW that we have ETERNAL life. God promised eternal life and God cannot lie [5].
 

2. Born Again as Sons of God - When we accept Christ we are born again of God [6], are passed from death unto life [7], and become a new creature [8], or creation [9], with all things new. We would have to become unborn to lose our salvation and born a third time to get saved again, which is not mentioned in the Bible. We also become a son of God [10] with a new nature, Christ's nature [11], and Christ cannot deny himself [11]. We get an incorruptible nature [12] and our will is changed [13]. John 10:27 says the believer WILL follow Christ.
After we are saved, God no longer deals with us as sinners but as sons [14]. He chastises but his chastisement is not payment for sin, it is child-training. God may chastise but the payment for ALL sins was made 2000 years ago on Calvary (see #3). Sometimes God may even chastise with death [15]. The fellowship with God may change but not the Father-son relationship. For example, a father tells his boy not to play with the father's delicate tools or they will break. The boy disobeys and breaks the tools. As chastisement the father smacks the boy but the smack does not pay for the tools; the father still must pay for the new tools and the boy is still his father's son. All of our sins were paid for on Calvary and ALL of them are forgiven when we are saved (see #3).
 

3. What Happens to a Believer's Sins - In God's eyes when we get saved we are perfect forever [16], justified (made as if we had never sinned [17]), and sanctified [18], as far as our salvation is concerned. We still live in a sinful body and still sin but these only affect our fellowship with the Father once we are saved (see #2). The Bible says that God WILL NOT impute (charge up) sin to a believer [19] and that includes ANY sin. If a justified person could go to hell he was never truly justified. If after being saved a sin or sins could cause one to lose his salvation then all of his sins were not paid for at Calvary and forgiven (washed away) when he trusted Christ and his blood [20], as the Bible says [21]. God forgives and forgets [22] every sin, including future sins (all our sins were future when Christ died for them), when we get saved.
 

4. What We Have "In" Jesus Christ - When we get saved we are placed into the body of Christ [23]. We become "flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone" [24]. Our soul is "circumcised" from our flesh with a circumcision "made without hands" [25]. The Bible says that the body (church) will be presented without spot or blemish [26]. It cannot be without blemish if pieces have to be removed. Our position is settled: we are mystically seated in heaven already [27], a joint-heir with Christ (a joint heir cannot be disinherited [28]), and safe in Jesus' and God's hand [29] where we cannot be plucked out. The Holy Spirit places us IN Christ [23] just as we were IN Adam [30] before we were saved. IN Christ we are safe from condemnation [31], accepted [32], preserved forever [33], sanctified [34], alive forever [35], a new creature [36], perfect [37], righteous [38]; and we have liberty [39], all spiritual blessings [40], and an inheritance [41]. Our inheritance is reserved for us in heaven [42] (see #6), will not fade away [42], is incorruptible [42], and cannot be defiled [42].
Colossians 3:3 says our life is HID with Christ IN God; Satan has to get through God and then Christ to get to us, to cause us to be lost again. If Satan can overcome God and Christ to get one Christian, then he can get all of us because we are all sinners alike [43]. If Satan knew there was a way to make a Christian lose his salvation he is subtle enough that he could cause every Christian to lose his salvation [43.1]. For a believer to go to Hell, Christ and God [44] would have to go to Hell, because we have everything in standing and position that the Lord Jesus Christ has and we are "in" Him [45]. Our security is in a perfect person: Jesus Christ [45.1].
 

5. "God" Keeps Our Salvation - Throughout the Bible Jesus is called the Saviour [45.2]. Hebrews 7:25 says he saves to the uttermost, or he COMPLETELY saves. Eternal security is not a separate doctrine from salvation; if we are not saved forever then we were never saved at all because Christ saves us from ALL of our sins when we get saved (see #3); and gives us ETERNAL, EVERLASTING life (see #1). Christ came to save [46]. Once we are saved it is God's responsibility, not ours, to keep our salvation, because we never could. Just as a believer can never save himself, he can never keep himself. We are kept "by the power of God" [47], not our power, and "HE is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against THAT DAY" [48]. When we are born again God begins a work in us that He will perform until the day of Jesus Christ [49]. Jude 24 says that Christ, not us, will KEEP us from falling and present us faultless to God. We are confirmed unto the end [50]. Christ is the "author and finisher of our faith" [51]. "Whatever God does, it will be forever and nothing can be put to it or taken from it" [52]; and that includes our salvation, AMEN!
The security of our soul depends on Christ's righteousness, not our own [53] (see #4). If sinning in any way could cause one to lose his salvation, then Paul would have lost his, because AFTER he was saved he said he was the chief of sinners [54]. We get saved by God's grace [55], not by what we do [56], and our salvation remains by God's grace, not according to what WE do; we will be saved from wrath THROUGH him [57].
If we can do something to lose our salvation then God failed and our salvation was not only dependent upon God's grace, but also upon our behaviour - which is works! (Doing works in the Lord's name is not definite evidence of salvation, we must KNOW him as our personal saviour [58], see #8.) Salvation is a gift, not a wage [59]; it is obtained, not attained [60]. It never was deserved and never will be. If our safety is dependent upon our works then we are really saved by our works and must earn our salvation, which is a direct violation of Scripture and the truth of salvation by God's grace ONLY [61].
A person who believes that he must work to keep his salvation, instead of work because he HAS salvation, needs to make sure he is ONLY trusting the Saviour Jesus Christ to take him to heaven and not Jesus Christ plus his good works; he needs to understand how to be saved and what salvation really is [62].
 

6. Jesus is Faithful - Not only are we kept by God's power but we CANNOT come into condemnation [63]; we are NOT condemned [64]. Our intercessor is Jesus Christ [65] and he pleads our case when we are saved; that is why we can never be condemned again with the penalty of our already forgiven sins, or else Christ's intercession is not sufficient. If we lose our salvation we are condemned again and the Scriptures [66] are not true! Once we are saved and given to Christ [67] we cannot be lost again because John 6:39 says that of all that God gives Christ, Christ will lose nothing (and we are something).
We will NEVER die [68] but will live forever [69] (see #1). Christ will IN NO WISE (under ANY circumstances) cast out any that come to him [70]. All that get saved will NEVER perish [71] (never means NEVER). Christ will NEVER leave us or forsake us [72]. NOTHING (including ourselves) can separate us from the love of God IN Christ [73], and all believers are IN Christ (see #4).
 

7. The Holy Spirit, Our Seal - God gives the Holy Spirit to every believer when we get saved [75] as the earnest (down payment [76]) of his promise to take us to heaven and give us our inheritance [77] (see #4). We can only be unsaved if we do not have the Holy Spirit [78], which means we would have to lose the Holy Spirit to get lost again; but the Bible says we are SEALED by and with the Holy Spirit UNTIL the day of redemption [79]. The Holy Spirit can be quenched [80] or grieved [81] but not lost.
8. The Sinful Believer and the False Christian - We will not be perfect until we get to heaven, and we may be disobedient, but we cannot lose our salvation. We can still fall, but not so as to be eternally lost, for the Lord upholds us [82]. We are still tempted and tried [83], as Jesus was [84], but only for the purpose of strengthening us and making us more of what the Lord wants us to be. Our works may not stand the fiery test of the judgement [85] but our salvation will [86].
Not all who claim to be saved are. Not all church members are saved. If they are saved, they will eventually show a change and false professors of Christ eventually fall away [87]. Just make sure you are trusting ONLY Jesus [88] and HIS righteousness [89] to get you to heaven, not YOUR faith or a prayer or work(s), and you believe (trust [90]) to the "saving of the soul" [91].
9. Misapplication of Scripture / Rightly Dividing the Word - One should not twist Scripture [92] talking about the Old Testament saints, Tribulation saints, or the losing of a ministry, testimony, nation, or life and try to make it prove a sinner forgiven by the grace of God through Christ's blood can lose his salvation. The Word of God must be "rightly divided" [93] or it can be "wrested unto your own destruction" [94].

 

 

Scripture References

1. John 3:36; 5:24; 6:47,51; 10:28
2. I John 5:11-12; Romans 6:23
3. Colossians 3:4
4. Romans 6:9-10; I John 1:2
5. I John 2:25; Tit 1:2; Numbers 23:19; John 3:14-18; Romans 6:23
6. John 1:13; 3:3-7; I Peter 1:23
7. John 5:24; 11:25
8. II Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15
9. Ephesians 2:10; 4:24
10. John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 3:26; I John 3:1-2
11. II Timothy 2:13; II Peter 1:4
12. I Peter 1:23; I John 3:9
13. Philippians 2:12-13
14. Hebrews 12:5-8
15. I Corinthians 5:5; 11:30
16. Hebrews 10:14
17. Romans 3:24-28; 5:1,9; Acts 13:39
18. I Corinthians 1:2; 6:11; II Thessalonians 2:13
19. Romans 4:8; 8:33; II Corinthians 5:19
20. Ephesians 1:7
21. John 1:29; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 2:13; I John 1:7,9; 2:12; 3:5; Revelation 1:5
22. Psalms 32:1; 103:12; Isaiah 1:18; 38:17; 43:25; Micah 7:18-19; Acts 13:38-39; 26:18; Colossians 2:13; Hebrews 8:12; 10:17; I John 1:7; 2:12
23. Romans 12:5; I Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:21-22
24. Ephesians 5:30
25. Colossians 2:8-14
26. Ephesians 5:27
27. Ephesians 2:6
28. Romans 8:16-17
29. John 10:27-30
30. Romans 5:12
31. Romans 8:1-2
32. Ephesians 1:6
33. Jude 1; Psalms 37:28; II Timothy 4:18
34. I Corinthians 1:2
35. I Corinthians 15:22
36. II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10
37. Colossians 1:28
38. II Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9
39. Romans 8:2; Galatians 2:4
40. Ephesians 1:3
41. Ephesians 1:11
42. I Peter 1:3-5; Ephesians 1:13-14; Acts 26:18
43. Romans 3:10-12,23; 14:23; James 4:17; I John 1:8-10
43.1. Isaiah 53:9, 11; 59:17; John 8:46; 18:38; II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 1:9; 4:15; 7:26-28; 9:14; I Peter 1:19; 2:22; I John 3:5.
44. I Thessalonians 1:1
45. Romans 6:3; 8:1-2,11; 12:5; I Corinthians 1:30; II Corinthians 1:21; 5:17; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:6,10; Colossians 1:28; 2:7,10; I John 4:13; 5:20
45.1. I Peter 5:10
45.2. Acts 5:31; 13:23; Ephesians 5:23; Philippians 3:20; II Timothy 1:10; Titus 1:3-4; 2:13; 3:6; II Peter 1:1; I John 4:14
46. Luke 19:10; John 3:17; Acts 4:12; Titus 2:13-14
47. I Peter 1:3-5
48. II Timothy 1:12
49. Philippians 1:6
50. I Corinthians 1:8
51. Hebrews 12:2
52. Ecclesiastes 3:14
53. Romans 3:24-27; II Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9
54. I Timothy 1:15; Romans 7:21-25
55. Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 11:6
56. Titus 3:5; Romans 4:5
57. Romans 5:9
58. Matthew 7:22-23
59. Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:18; 6:23
60. Hebrews 9:12
61. Romans 11:6; Galatians 2:21
62. John 3:3,18,36; 5:24; 6:28-29,47; 14:6; Acts 16:31; Romans 5:1; 10:9-10,13;
Galatians 3:22,26; Ephesians 2:8-9; I John 5:11-13; Revelation 22:17
63. John 5:24; Romans 8:1
64. John 3:18
65. Romans 8:33-34; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:15-16
66. John 3:18; 5:24
67. John 6:37
68. John 11:26
69. John 6:51
70. John 6:37
71. John 3:16; 10:27-30
72. Hebrews 13:5
73. Romans 8:35-39
75. John 7:38-39; Ephesians 1:12-13; I John 4:13
76. II Corinthians 1:22; 5:5
77. Ephesians 1:13-14
78. Romans 8:9
79. II Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:12-13; 4:30
80. I Thessalonians 5:19
81. Ephesians 4:30
82. Proverbs 24:16; Psalms 37:24-25; 145:14
83. I Corinthians 10:13; James 1:2-4; I Peter 1:6-7; 5:10; II Peter 2:9
84. Matthew 4:1; Hebrews 4:15
85. II Thessalonians 1:7-10; I Peter 4:12-13; II Peter 3:9-13
86. I Corinthians 3:13-15; 5:5
87. I John 2:19
88. John 14:6
89. I Corinthians 1:30; II Corinthians 5:21
90. Ephesians 1:12-14
91. Hebrews 10:38-39
92. Matthew 5:19,22; 7:13,21-23; 8:11-12; 12:32; 13:21; 24:13,48-51; 25:1-13,25-29,34,40-41,45-46; Mark 3:29-30; Acts 1:25; 2:38; I Corinthians 15:1-2; II Corinthians 13:5; Romans 11:16-24; Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 3:6,14; 6:1-6; 9:28; 10:26-27; 12:14; James 5:20; Revelation 2:10; 3:5, 7; 12:17; 14:6-7,12; 22:14
93. II Timothy 2:15
94. II Peter 3:16