Sinner’s Prayer? Are Altar Calls Biblical? [podcast]
Is the Gospel not a divine ultimatum? Yes it is.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15-16
The Point of Leading Someone to Christ
Just another perspective to consider…. Personally, I won’t fault anyone who sees this differently…. for me, when the convicting law, the Word, the Gospel is preached, I often ask the now convicted hearer if he would like to repent and receive Christ (Acts 17:30; 20:21; John 1:12). Jesus saved me in this very fashion after I heard God’s Word preached and was then invited to pray with an elder.
“I was asked to say the sinners prayer after hearing the message of the cross back in 1980. I was not a false conversion. Still walking with Jesus today. 9-19-23.” Kathleen
“Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch (capture) men.” Luke 5:10
It seems to this disciple that if Jesus sent us forth to be “fishers of men,” that at times, we are going to actually land those fish in His boat, right? Those fellows are going to get into His ship – fellowship.
“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
Those who truly follow Jesus are fishing for men – seeking to see Him save lost souls. It would seem from this that our LORD expects to land some of the fish He is seeking to save through our efforts. The goal of those who fish is to land fish into the boat, right? Do you concur?
The sinner’s prayer is NOT essential to salvation. Jesus says that repentance and faith in Christ and His finished work are essential, but not coming to Him via a “sinner’s prayer.” Yet please remember that the thief on the cross used his sinful mouth to call upon the LORD and was saved.
“I prayed the sinners prayer 51 years ago and I was transformed by the Holy Spirit, born again and still serving Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.” Judy
“Sinner’s Prayer” – Call it what you wish – Personally I can’t find a biblical reason why praying with someone who is repenting and putting their faith in Christ is a sin. Also, no shade cast upon those who don’t agree with such.
“I prayed by myself on my knees beside my bed! I had told a friend I can’t find God. She quoted me John 14:6. Even though she was not saved, but had heard those words from a Pastor. My life was a mess and I knew I needed something more outside of myself. I prayed a very simple prayer and said God I am told I need Jesus so I am asking to receive Him tonight. My life is a total mess! I can’t remember all the words I prayed but in the morning I was a completely different person! Everyone who saw me noticed immediately. And kept saying what happened to her? Jesus happened that’s what happened!! I went to bed and woke up a brand new creature in Christ!! Hallelujah!” Karen Cochran
Should we not throw altar calls perpetually … calling, inviting men to come to Jesus in repentance and faith?!
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17
Do you personally desire to pray with more people, sinners, seeing them come before our LORD in repentance and faith and be saved? How’s that going to happen if there’s no preaching and invitation, calling them to “Come”?
Can we observe that the so-called “altar call” and “sinner’s prayer” are simply catch phrases that define certain methods used in ministry? Yet, it seems observable that these occasions can be used differently, depending on the one conducting the ministry. Though never using these phrases until this type of discussion arises, in this disciple’s perception, that which is called an “altar call” or “sinners prayer” is merely an occasion to pray with someone in order to facilitate them drawing nigh to the LORD for the first time or otherwise.
I recently heard a very popular evangelist complain that only 1 of the 28 people he prayed with to be saved continued with Christ. Here was my response:
“Instigating a false conversion by not properly giving the sinner the Law and saving Gospel is one thing and leading a ready sinner in prayer to God is another. It happens both ways – a sinner praying to be saved with someone else or individually. Why do we think it has to be one way or the other? So, are you saying that praying with those 28 of your friends and only seeing only one truly get saved and follow Christ was a waste? Was that one eternal soul not worth it all?”
Perhaps the problem is not preaching the Law and Gospel to the sinner thoroughly enough before praying with them.
I’ve personally prayed with hundreds of people who were repenting and putting their faith in the LORD Jesus. Have seen a mixture of carry through or fruit after such – in perfect accordance with Jesus’ teaching of the seed of the Word and the heart soil. That’s what’s going to happen no matter who the ministering disciple is. See Luke 8:11-15. Have seen many who prayed to God in repentance and faith and are walking strong today in Jesus! Remember, sinful people chose to reject the ministering of Jesus, Peter, John, Paul, etc. That’s just how it goes with the Gospel – because God gave all men free will (Deuteronomy 30:19-20; Isaiah 1:18-20; Joshua 24:15, etc.).
Personally I take issue with giving people the convicting Law and saving Gospel and then not asking them if they’d like to repent and receive Jesus right that moment (John 1:12; Acts 16:30; 20:21; Galatians 3:24, etc.). If it’s clear that someone is ready to repent and receive Christ, I ask them if they like to stop their life, admit to God they’ve sinned against Him, and let Him save and forgive them. The choice is there’s. Some people don’t like what is called “the sinner’s prayer” because they or someone they know prayed and didn’t get saved. First off, that’s one of the 4 heart soils Jesus taught about (Luke 8:11-15). Also, praying with someone to repent after they’ve heard the Law and Gospel is one thing, and the individual’s free will is another. There’s a timing for individual’s to be saved. Most of the time we, as Christ’s laborers, are planting the seed of salvation that may ultimately lead to the recipients repenting and putting their faith in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:6-9).
There are ministers I like who disagree with this. That’s fine. My use of praying with sinner’s to be saved is not the classic “sinner’s prayer” magic formula by any stretch of the imagination. No, it’s a thorough citing, reading of God’s Word and their own personal desire to repent and put Christ first in their lives.
“I encountered the Messiah while reciting the sinners prayer. Tech Sargent Mayfield lead the entire group in this simple, life changing prayer… I experienced God’s presence and my life was changed forever. 47 years ago. Thank You Lord.” Pedro
This message is primarily associating the use of praying with sinners in the context of personal evangelism, one on one…. and not leading a large group in saying some magical “sinner’s prayer.”
“I said the sinners prayer many years ago and while saying it I felt my pride leave and a tingling sensation on my head. Like the Holy Spirit was there. My life has never been the same. Weeks before a similar thing happened to my wife.” Dino
Reciting a prayer mechanically is one thing. Being led in a prayer of repentance and faith in Christ after hearing the convicting law and desiring to be saved, is yet another thing!
“Whether the sinners prayer is biblical or not, I was instantly born again when I said it…I went from blind to seeing. It’s about your eyes being opened by the Holy Spirit. Nothing at all wrong with the sinners prayer.” Jimmy
Just because some in ministry recklessly ran people through a sinner’s prayer in a meeting with masses of people and it didn’t “stick,” doesn’t change my view on praying with and leading a sinner in a prayer, a repentance and faith confession before God.
“15 years ago I was a truck driver working in the oilfields of Texas. One night I stopped at an old truck stop to get something to eat and on my way out I picked up a gospel tract that was sitting on a shelf by the door. Little did I know at that moment that my life would be forever changed. Later that night all alone in the middle of the Texas oilfield on an oil lease, I found myself on my knees crying out to God and reading the sinners prayer. Today, I am an ordained and licensed minister with a full time street ministry spreading the message of hope and salvation to the homeless on the streets of down town Houston, Texas. 15 years later I wished I could tell the person who placed the Bible tract in that truck stop that the seed he had sown did not fall by the wayside. I use Bible tracts with the sinners prayer today. It is a seed that I am planting. Some of the seed will fall by the wayside, some onto stony ground and some will fall among the thorns. BUT some will fall onto good ground. Not everyone who reads the sinners prayer will pick up their cross and follow Jesus but some will… It wasn’t easy and I made some mistakes along the way but with the help of the Lord I am an overcomer!” Carlos
Some have made an idol of the “sinner’s prayer” instead of preaching the Word, letting the Holy Spirit convict, and praying. There’s no such thing as a magical prayer. When the law to convict and saving Gospel of Jesus is preached, the prayer will merely facilitate their repentance and faith.
“I was saved using the sinner’s prayer. It helped me articulate words better. I know I’m saved because of my conviction of my sins and faith and trust in Jesus.” Dom
This writer is not condemning you if you don’t like praying with a sinner to God to be saved. You are welcome to your opinion. Personally, I prayed with a pastor and Jesus saved me. Since when do we factor out prayer, praying which is simply communicating with God, just because some misused it? Since many pervert the doctrine of salvation, why don’t we just abandon it also? Should we now glorify the devil by throwing away God’s truth because some mixed it with lies or misused it? Does God no longer answer prayer? Will the Almighty not listen to and answer a prayer, a simple request from a sinner, to save someone into His kingdom? …. as if He cancelled prayer due to a few diabolicals who perverted it?
“The Harvest”
If our LORD didn’t have in mind the harvest of precious souls for whom He died, why then did He come and die for them? Why would He have said:
“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38
A “harvest” is a reaping from seed previously planted and notice that Jesus says that He is “the Lord of the harvest.” Soul winners have long clung to the precious exhortation given us in Psalms 126 where a harvest is promised to those who labor in winning sinners to Christ.
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed (God’s Word), shall doubtless (surely, definitely) come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves (harvest) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6
I believe this truth. It seems apparent that all true soul winners are going to see Jesus capture souls via their prayerful, biblical efforts!
Posturing the sinner’s heart by administering Holy Scripture is vital, so that if you do pray with them, their heart is made ready by the LORD.
There are some who do ministry by preaching the law and Gospel and then send those people they ministered to on their way without seizing the moment by inviting the convicted sinner to pray right there, settling things right with God.
“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured (helped) thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” 2 Corinthians 6:2
It is this disciple’s conviction to help sinners be secured into Christ’s kingdom while the conviction is teeming in them.
There is no shade thrown here on those who do not minister this way and yet but rather a giving of thanks for the Word, the seed those ministers are sowing in the hearts of people. As we know, God’s Word never returns back to Him void but rather accomplishes what He pleases in those hearts in which it is sown (Isaiah 55:11). Though the methods of Christians differ, if they are preaching the original Gospel, may God be praised (Philippians 1:15-18). Yet, I will respectfully disagree and will definitely give my perspective on this matter of praying with sinners to facilitate them coming to Christ, as I believe that it’s important to capture the fish in a timely fashion when he is ready to be caught (Matthew 4:19).
While I am not going to judge another man’s servant on a non-essential matter such as this one, for myself, I will continue to pray with sinners who are ready to come to Jesus and agree to repent and place their faith in Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins (Matthew 26:28; Romans 14). Without apology, this servant is going to continue to preach the law to convict the sinner of sin, the Gospel of Jesus to save, and lead in a prayer of repentance and faith every precious, eternal soul possible! And, by God’s grace, I will continue to use a verbal confession to the LORD from them, as they pray aloud to the LORD, to secure their place in God’s kingdom, leading them to confess Christ aloud before men, turning to Jesus from their life of sin!
Is it okay to preach to them and just leave them? Well, in my limited opinion, I believe that if someone is ready to convicted and agrees to repent right there … not if they are ready to repent and to commit their life to Christ! That’s my perspective and I believe it’s according to and certainly not in violation of the biblical perspective.
A prayer saves no one. In fact hell is full of people who said a prayer to be saved. If one doesn’t repent, their prayer is in vain. Jesus says that repenting is an imperative. God does hear the cry of repentance from a sinner whom He then saves into His kingdom.
The reason I personally believe it’s important to “catch men” or capture them when they are presently convicted, is so that Satan has no place or time to steal that seed. See Jesus’ parable of the sower and the Word. See Matthew 13; Mark 4; Luke 8. Another general truth that governs my concern for souls is that we are in a battle for the souls of men. Satan is the enemy. We as Christ’s are His “ambassadors” as you know and involved in winning souls to Him and catching them as a fisherman catches or captures fish and brings them in the boat (Luke 5:10; Proverbs 11:30; 2 Corinthians 5:20).
“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” 2 Corinthians 5:11
There was a clear urgency about Paul’s ministering to others.
So, I may be wrong, but these biblical truths have formed my thinking in this matter of giving sinners the option, invitation to repent and receive Christ at the time they have heard the Law and Gospel.
“Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3, 5
Sinner’s Prayer?
—–SINNER’S PRAYER? This is a stirring examination of the use of the Sinner’s Prayer as it’s called.
What has become known as “the sinner’s prayer” is simply to get the sinner to confess Christ publicly – before men – in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Does the Bible tell us that the sinner must “confess with thy mouth the LORD Jesus and believe with thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead” to be “saved”? Yes or no please?
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10
My desire is not to be forceful. Just trying to qualify things here, squaring them with Holy Scripture.
Now, that being said … Don’t like the sinner’s prayer?
The fact is, that if someone repents and trusts Jesus, anywhere anytime on His green earth, like it or not, God is still going to save that soul.
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13
Here’s a believer who called upon the LORD and God kept His promise and saved him:
“The sinners prayer was my call out to Jesus and ever since then I’ve been saved by his grace and his sacrifice he’s changed my life.” Tino
The problem only arises when men misuse this method. Yet, for this disciple, I see the virtue of using this public confession to bring souls to Christ, one by one usually.
“Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8-9
According to the full counsel of God’s Word, entrance into His kingdom includes true repentance, faith in Christ, and a verbal confession before God and others that one believes Jesus died, was buried, and rose again from the dead (Matthew 3:2, 6; 4:17; 10:32-33; Acts 16:31; 20:21; Romans 10:9-10).
In this disciple’s heart, at my current level of understanding, it is my opinion that God put this truth about the need for heart belief and verbally confessing Christ in His Word, particularly Romans 10:9-10, in order to give His body a sort of prescription for leading sinners to Him.
The sinner’s prayer is simply confessing Christ upon repenting and believing upon Him. It must never be used to simply run someone through a prayer, acting as if that sinner saying a prayer saves them. It doesn’t – repenting does. And, that repentance can be facilitated through a prayer. In order for this to be done correctly, several Gospel elements of truth should be utilized. When a sinner is led to believe that somehow, after praying a magic little prayer, that he is saved for life and eternity, that sinner has been completely misled. No, when a sinner is going to repent and believe upon Christ unto eternal life, they should be told that they are giving their whole life and trust to Jesus Christ, nothing held back. I like to preface the repentance prayer with “John, you should realize that you are not praying to me or any man but rather to God, and He’s listening. With everything that’s within you, pray this to the Father in Heaven who awaits your repentance and confession of Jesus Christ.”
To a man who preached the law and sin to sinners regularly, I once suggested that he also seek to win the souls of those who will choose to repent and be saved. I shared this with this particular man because the ministry he was conducting seemed to only communicate the condemnation of God upon sinners without offering them the Gospel of Christ’s saving grace. Praise the LORD that this man is actually sowing that biblical truth into the hearts of many – that they are condemned by sin. This will surely result in some of them, under the weight of guilt, eventually repenting. I applaud that brother’s efforts because the lost soul must be convicted that he is a sinner in order to see his need to repent and receive Christ.
Let me stop here to say that this most undeserving disciple, the one penning this article, was saved from an altar call and through repenting via a sinner’s prayer per se. How glad and grateful to Jesus do you think this unworthy man is for the beloved brother who firmly led me to the feet of Jesus that blessed night in 1984? Eternally! He made sure I had the opportunity to hear the original Gospel and to see that I acted on it. He didn’t send me off in the dark of the night for Satan to devour the seed that was sown in my heart (Luke 8:12).
“I love the story of Nicodemus’ chat with Jesus about being born again. If people just repeat the sinner’s prayer and backslide, then maybe they did not understand the power of God’s word. The “sinner’s prayer” is not an incantation where one speaks the magic words and voila! I remember specifically the day I bowed my head and prayed when a pastor gave the invitation during his summer crusades in ’67. At 13, I really did not understand, but know the Spirit of God kept me from many issues plagued by young people. Fast forward: After a year in Iraq, I was ready to head home when I suffered a stroke at Ft. Benning. As I laid in the ambulance, I realized how close to death I may be, or worse, becoming paralyzed. With that thought, I physically with my lips spoke praise to Jesus and proclaimed Him Lord of All. If I was to become paralyzed, then those would be my last words spoken. With that I asked what I could learn from this emergency to help others. Then I heard the Lord’s voice that nothing more will move against me. When I heard those words, the driver asked the attendant “Fast? Or slow and steady?” My attendant said “Slow. I think we’re good.” My word of confirmation. I suffered with NO debilitating conditions. Praise the Lord Almighty of Heaven and Earth!” Randy
Winning souls is God’s will. That is, winning them over into God’s kingdom from the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:12-14).
“He that winneth (seizes) souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
The Hebrew word here for the English word “winneth” is laqach and it means to carry away, receive, seize, take away, to win.
Think about and begin to meditate upon the word “winneth” here.
We are here to win – to seize the moment in bringing others home to Christ! That is, while they are under conviction, getting them to submit their lives to Christ on the spot. That’s how this sinner was saved into Christ’s kingdom and for that I am eternally grateful to Him and those who cared enough to win my soul to the nail-scarred, risen Savior!
We are Christ’s and so we will win it all in the end and even now! And, we shall be used of Him to win others in this late hour before His soon return!
Do you believe God can use you?
Jesus literally captured the hearts of men and He still does today – everyday! To His disciples, our LORD said “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch (capture) men.” (Luke 5:10)
In the Gospels we read how the Son of God called me to Himself. In fact, that’s why He came – to “save sinners” like us and all men (Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 1:15). When Jesus called the individual disciples of His twelve to “follow me,” they did. Is Christ still calling men to follow Him? Yes! And, Jesus is now using you and I to beckon others to follow Him. To follow Him, the individual must be willing to lay himself aside for the great reign and glory and supremacy of the King of kings to rule in their life!
“A true witness delivereth souls.” Proverbs 14:25
It seems noteworthy here to mention that Jesus never commanded any person to “join a church” or to “go to church.” Fellowship sure is important, yet like the earliest disciples in the first century, we should be experiencing fellowship “daily” and “from house to house” and not just in the context and confines of a certain building on Sunday morning (Acts 2:42-47; 20:20; Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25). Christ told us that following Him is “daily,” not weekly (Luke 9:23-24). Jesus is the “first love” of all who are ready to meet Him (Revelation 2:4-5). That means that they are consumed with Him – “daily” – as opposed to the casual churchgoer who holds Jesus as a second class citizen, one only worthy of an hour or so per week. “Lukewarm” is hell bound (Revelation 3:15-16).
We must be careful what we “win” people into. Think about it: Most people today who are won to Christ in America are immediately whisked away and taught to become a churchgoer type or church member instead of a true “daily” disciple of Christ who is learning to deny himself, take up his cross and truly follow Christ (Luke 9:23-24; 2:42; Acts 17:11; 20:20). This is an abomination. They are not being won into a real, daily walk with Jesus where they study His Word diligently and seek His face in prayer, witness, and walk in His love. No, they are taught that the extent of “Christianity” is to be a good church going church member, pay their tithes, and go to sleep spiritually (Revelation 3:15-16). This has and will continue to send millions into eternal damnation who “fall away” due to this falsity and misrepresentation of Christ (Matthew 10:22; 24:1-13; Luke 8:13; Acts 14:22; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; Revelation 2-3, etc.).
“Ye are the Light of the World”! Matthew 5:13
Now for those who have laid down their lives and are presently following the Master, first, we should acknowledge that people in darkness need the help of Christ the light and those whom Christ has already brought into His kingdom of light. Jesus says “Ye are the light of the world” and that’s because He who is “the light of the world,” dwells in us and uses us to help others see and come to His blessed light! (Matthew 5:13; John 8:12)
Though some have used the altar call to get a “decision for Christ,” I personally don’t discount the power of preaching the Word that brings men to a decision. Obviously Peter’s preaching brought people to a decision and they responded by asking “what shall we do?” Peter answered:
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:38-42
Certainly, the apostle Peter didn’t leave them hanging. He told them to “Repent, and be baptized.”
It is my personal opinion that a prayer of repentance with that convicted sinner is permissible and for myself preferable. In my personal estimation, there’s no problem with praying with someone to repent and receive Jesus, the problem is when that person is not truly ready to repent and confess Christ – to lay down their life – due to the person ministering not bringing them to the place of deep conviction using the holy law (Psalms 19:7; Romans 7:7, 12; Galatians 3:24). This problem can be due to ineptness or lack of seasoning in those ministering to that person. By the leading and power of the Holy Spirit, we must give sinners the soul-converting, convicting law of the LORD and let it do its work to bring them to Christ (Psalms 19:7; Galatians 3:24). Then, some of those we give the law to are going to have their eyes opened and begin to see who Jesus is and why the Son of God came to die on a cross and be raised again. They will then see why they need Him and call upon Him to be saved! Those are the souls we want to “catch” or capture (Luke 5:10).
In praying with sinners to be saved by Christ, it’s important to realize that they should confess their sinfulness, rebellion, and that they believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again for them. This must be done with their own mouths. We have ample evidence that confessing Christ before another human being is very important to the LORD – in showing that one is not ashamed of Him and in coming into the kingdom of God as they call upon the name of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:13).
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized (public confession), he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.” Acts 16:30-34
Getting the Sinner to Respond in Repentance Means Winning that Soul!
There comes that moment in time – that moment in the life of each individual – when Christ convictingly beckons to their heart to “Follow me.” That person must then choose to follow or to reject Christ. This is how it was with His twelve as He called each of them on a certain day in their lives. Jesus was there, present with them in person, when He called them to follow Him. Christ told the rich young ruler to “Come, follow me.” (Luke 18:22) That meant that this rich man (in this temporary world) had to deny himself and lay aside all and begin following Jesus at that moment. He chose not to and Jesus made no attempt to accommodate his rebellion.
“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34
Well, we know Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever,” right? (Hebrews 13:8) Is it possible that the LORD now many times uses the members of His body to bring the souls He is seeking to “follow” Him? Does that begin at a certain moment in time? Yes. Is it possible that Christ wants to use you and I in divinely-ordained encounters to call sinners to repent and begin at a certain moment to follow Him? I happen to be of the distinct mindset that the answer is a resounding Yes!
The problem is not with calling men to repent and leading them in a prayer of repentance and faith, but rather in praying with people who are not ready and willing to truly turn their whole being to the LORD in repentance, placing all their faith in Christ alone for salvation. This is the laying down of their lives to follow the Son of God. When we minister correctly and thoroughly, we will know most of the time when a person is ready to repent and receive Christ. I like to ask them “Is there any good reason why you couldn’t stop your life this moment, repent, and receive Jesus today?” I dare you to try this!
As the LORD uses each of us in our daily lives of following Him, things will happen at least a bit differently in every scenario. Of course, our LORD is in control, not us. Not long ago, while on a trip out of state, I was blessed to meet a 59 year old man who was not yet saved. He grew up Catholic and so never heard the true saving Gospel of the grace of God through Jesus Christ alone. He was searching and yet didn’t know how to get things right with God. We spoke for about an hour and a half the first time we met and let me tell you, it was an engaging conversation I shall never forget. Well, before I departed that day, after I had thoroughly preached the convicting law and the saving Gospel of Jesus to this precious man, I gave him a copy of the Born Again book which is a small and super potent soul-wining tool. The next day, I went to the same coffee shop and immediately upon arriving was approached by this same man who was now wearing a bright and beaming smile. He said “Hey Todd, I read that Born Again book last night. Then, at 2:30 A.M. I woke up and prayed the prayer in the last chapter!” He had marked the page where the prayer is to repent and be saved. So, then, with his copy of the Born Again book in one hand and grasping my hand in a firm handshake with his other hand, he said, “Sir, I wonder if you would allow me right now to pray this prayer in your presence?” I immediately said “yes, I’d be honored” and told him “that’s exactly what the LORD wants you to do. He wants you to confess Him before men. Jesus says ‘Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.’” (Luke 12:8-9)
Well, I was privileged to spend the rest of that week with this dear man, nearly daily. We were able to cover a lot of ground in those precious times of fellowship where the LORD was discipling him deeper each day in his new walk (Colossians 2:6-7). As the LORD allowed, we covered many Bible passages and questions he had about a variety of things in this life and the life to come. He was now full of peace, joy and love. It was obvious by his new found words, manner of speech, and demeanor, that this man’s life was changed – that he was now a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). This man and I talk by phone on a regular basis now as we have since we met. He is now following Christ. The fruit is evident.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. … 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-10, 13
Note again that “with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
The word “confess” appears 28 times in God’s Word and is usually used when people are instructed to confess sin and to confess the name of the LORD.
“Every tongue” will one day “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” and yet, for most, that will be as they are terminated into the lake of fire. Does this not make it more the reason we should seek to secure that confession now, before it’s too late?
“And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:11
“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” 1 John 4:15
“Phillip Ran” – Go Get Em!
Securing the confession of a truly convicted, repentant soul is key, that is, when the timing is right. This is what Philip did with the Ethiopian eunuch whom the LORD saved.
“And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.” Acts 8:30-31
Notice that “Philip ran” to help this man get saved. That’s certainly very different than preaching to someone and then letting them just go away into the darkness of this world. Right? Philip was diligent to help this seeking man get saved. And note that the unsaved man realized that he needed someone to help him – “How can I (understand), except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.”
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said (confessed), I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Acts 8:35-37
Believing upon Christ by confessing Him as LORD is the prerequisite to being water baptized, otherwise water baptism is futile/useless. Water baptism is the public confession of one who has already repented and believed upon Christ unto salvation! So, before this Ethiopian was water baptized, what did Phillip tell him he must do? – believe with all his heart, right? Then the sinner confessed aloud with his mouth that “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” He was saved by the LORD at that moment.
Confession Seems Universally Important to Saints and Sinners Alike
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs 18:21
Whether we understand it or not, verbal confession is very important in the divine economy. Perhaps it’s more important or useful for the human confessing than it is important to God for His sake. What it does in the human when he confesses seems to be powerful. – “with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10) In this disciple’s opinion, I believe that a type of legal right is given to the entity associated with the words of our mouths. Following the simple instruction of James 4:7, I have seen many precious saints delivered from bondage and sin due to freshly submitting to God, then resisting the devil, and watching the enemy flee by the power of Jesus’ name! This all transpires by verbal confession with words proceeding from the heart. This is in line with Hosea 14:1-2:
“O Israel (God’s people), return unto the LORD thy God (repentance); for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. 2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.” Hosea 14:1-2
Also, how about factoring in the truth we have in 1 John 1:9:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Jesus goes so far as to tell us that He will “deny” those who do not “confess” Him “before men.” Here’s His promise to “deny” those who refuse to “confess” Him in the presence of men:
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33
Knowing when the Iron is Hot
There’s a saying that speaks to the notion of seizing the moment (timing). The saying is “Strike while the iron’s hot.”
Before leading someone in repentance and their confession that Jesus Christ is LORD and that He rose from the dead, we must make sure the time is right. That is, that they are ready to repent and receive Jesus (John 1:12; Acts 20:21).
Discerning where a person is is important. Timing is everything as has been said.
“A wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.” Ecclesiastes 8:5
God is the only One who can save a soul and give the “increase” of salvation! And, He delights to do so. Watch here what the apostle Paul says of this:
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
Most of the time we are sowing the Word in the hearts of men. Sometimes, it’s time for the harvest. May our LORD grant to our heart His discernment as to whether we are sowing into that person or that God is bringing the “increase” of His salvation – or both.
As we see here in this passage above, our LORD Jesus privileges us to be used in sowing the seed of His Word into the hearts of men. Those whom the LORD has saved “are ambassadors for Christ,” they are “a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Into our now regenerated lives, “all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)
Walking in this new life and “ministry of reconciliation,” it’s important to realize that most of the time we are sowing the seed of divine truth while at other times and instances, we must be ready to pull the drowning sinner into the boat of Christ’s salvation.
I personally pray with people after communicating the law and Gospel to them to give their life to Christ when I perceive that they are:
- Convicted by the law
- Willing to repent and believe upon Christ
To the person who seems to realize that they are undone in sin before a holy God, I always ask them something like, “Are you willing to acknowledge to the LORD that you have violated God’s holy law, repent, and receive Jesus Christ today?”
Or,
“Is there any reason why you couldn’t admit to God what He already knows – that you are a sinner – and to repent and receive Christ?”
Question Received:
The “sinners’ prayer.” There are variations of it, but in a nutshell it involves confessing you are a sinner and asking for forgiveness from God. In your opinion, is this the point of salvation?
Reply:
Romans 10:9-10 … The mouth is important to God as it externalizes what’s in the heart (Matthew 12:34) and in their initial act of obedient repentance, one should with their own mouth confess Jesus Christ as their new LORD and outwardly/verbally acknowledge that He rose again from the dead. – “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10) In coming to Christ to be saved, that soul is repenting – turning their life over to the LORD, placing their full faith in Christ, the One who died and rose again to justify them (Acts 16:31; 20:21). Yes, if a sinner prays sincerely from the heart in repentance (turning their life to God), confessing Christ as the new LORD of their lives, believing He died for them and rose again, God is going to save them right then and there. That is according to His own Word of promise – “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) So, praying with a sinner who is ready to repent and put his faith in Christ, is simply facilitating them calling “upon the name of the Lord” at which point the Word of God tells us that they “shall be saved.” I have personally seen hundreds of people genuinely saved this way. That is, people who went on to bear fruit in the LORD’s kingdom, something only possible by God’s saving grace.
This message was sent out to each person who is on our Moments For My Master email devotional list. We would love to add you and have the privilege of nourishing your heart with God’s Word (1 Tim. 4:6). Click here to Join.
—– MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“Hi brother, your posts about, not just telling people about Lord Jesus, but–*Regaining That Fervour*–to actually spend the time to try and bring people to the point of–*Surrendering Unto Christ*–has really inspired me, I actually prayed with a lady that comes to my apartment to do 1 hour of home duties, but instead, I saw–*pain & distress in her* and spent the whole hour testifying that–*Only Surrendering Unto Christ*–Can He help with the–*extreme distress in her life and actually got her to pray with me, for her to accept Christ–and she did–Hallelujah–Amen brother, amen. As you know, repentance is the must of the Gospel along with the “must” of being born again (John 3:3, 7 and Luke 13:3, 5). Unless I am missing something, repentance means coming to complete surrender of our will and lives to Christ. Acts 2:38; 3:19; 20:21, etc. God bless you brother. Thanks bro, keep up the–*Good Works For Christ*–Amen.” Paul, Australia
Easy Believism and the Sinner’s Prayer
Most who misuse or over emphasize a “sinner’s prayer” also teach the eternal security heresy. So it’s an easy in and guaranteed forever no matter how you live “salvation” which is completely foreign to Scripture.
Easy believism is a curse of the modern apostate church world to be avoided by all true disciples of Jesus. “Once saved always saved” or unconditional “eternal security” as it’s called, is another horrible and deceitful falsehood peddled by many false teachers. Most evangelicals are taught the lie that they are “once saved always saved” which is a notion that never appears verbatim or in concept in God’s Word as a doctrine taught by Christ or His holy apostles. To the contrary, Jesus and His apostles taught that the one whom Christ saves, must “endure to the end” to be saved into eternal glory or that person will lose out in the end and have a more excruciating eternal torment than the sinner who was never saved (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; 25:1-13; Luke 8:13; Acts 14:22; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21, etc.). See the books Lie of the Ages and Soul Damning Sins.
William MacDonald apply captures this easy believism apostate phenomenon:
“We have oversimplified the gospel. The first fatal flaw is the missing emphasis on repentance. There can be no true conversion without conviction of sin…We sugar-coat the gospel when we de-emphasize man’s lost condition…It is useless to tell un-convicted sinners to believe on Jesus – that message is only for those who know they are lost. We have forgotten that the message is repentance toward God as well as faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. A second serious omission is a missing emphasis on the Lordship of Christ … A third defect in our message is our tendency to keep the terms of discipleship hidden until a decision has been made for Jesus. Our Lord never did this. The message He preached included the cross as well as the crown … We popularize the message and promise fun. The result of all this is that we have people believing without knowing what they believe (with) no doctrinal basis for their decision. They do not know the implications of commitment to Christ. They have never experienced the mysterious, miraculous work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration.” (Author’s emphasis) William MacDonald, Evangelical Dilemma, p. 4
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Abiding
“If any man speak, let him Speak as the Oracles of God” [podcast]
The Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet Amos of the day we now live in.
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:” Amos 8:11
“Amos 8:11: A famine in the land – The most grievous of all famines, a famine of the words of Jehovah; a time in which no prophet should appear, no spiritual counsellor, no faithful reprover, none any longer who would point out the way of salvation, or would assure them of the mercy of God on their repentance and return to him. This is the severest of God’s judgments on this side the worm that never dieth, and the fire that is never quenched.” Adam Clarke
Today, we have an epidemic of people in ministry, doing ministry, who’ve never been personally grounded in God’s Word. In many cases, they have followed the convoluted teachings of others, of mere men. Sad yet so true. On social media we see arrogant novices spreading a poisonous mixture, a diatribe of half-truths and heresies (1 Timothy 3:6). Beware and be not one of them. Get soundly grounded in God’s Word for yourself. Begin immediately studying God’s Word for yourself, which is a divine mandate (2 Timothy 2:15). That’s exactly what Paul told Timothy to do and exactly what God tells you to do here in 2 Timothy 2:15.
Deceivers don’t teach you the Bible itself. No, instead they build their brand, their “ministry” on extracting a few verses in order to use to tickle the ears of their prey. These people are charlatans and have no business teaching the body of Christ. Run.
“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11
“If any man speak, let him – In his whole conversation, public and private. Speak as the oracles of God – Let all his words be according to this pattern, both as to matter and manner, more especially in public. By this mark we may always know who are, so far, the true or false prophets. The oracles of God teach that men should repent, believe, obey. He that treats of faith and leaves out repentance, or does not enjoin practical holiness to believers, does not speak as the oracles of God: he does not preach Christ, let him think as highly of himself as he will.” John Wesley
“In order to explain or enforce God’s word, and edify his neighbor, let him do it as those did to whom the living oracles were committed: they spoke as they were inspired by the Holy Ghost. … should speak as or according to the oracles already delivered, grounding all their exhortations and doctrines on some portion of that revelation already given. This command is sent to every man upon earth in holy orders … Their teaching should be what the oracles of God, the Holy Scriptures, teach and authenticate.” Adam Clarke
“That he may give more precision to his counsel, the Apostle proceeds to speak of gifts under two heads into which they are naturally divided. First come those which St. Paul (Rom_12:6-8) ranges under the head of prophecy, embracing therein teaching and exhortation likewise: “If any man speaketh, speaking as it were “oracles of God.” The first Christian preachers must have gained their knowledge of the life and teaching of Jesus by listening to the narratives of the Twelve, and must have gone forth to give their teaching orally. The training of those who were appointed to minister in the various places whither the apostolic missions penetrated must have been of the same kind. In those first years there was work to be done which would seem more important than the writing of a Gospel history. When such preachers published to the congregations what they had learnt of the Master’s lessons, their sermons would be orally given, and though conveying the same instruction, would be liable to constant modifications of words. It was from such oral teaching that the variations found in the Gospel narratives probably had their origin. The preachers gave the spirit, and as nearly as possible the text, of what they had been taught. Perhaps by memoranda or otherwise, they would refresh their knowledge of the apostolic words, so as to adhere as much as might be to what they had first received. The word logia-oracles-which the Apostle here employs, seems intended to remind such preachers and teachers that they now, as the Jews of old, had received “living oracles,” (Act_7:38) words by which spiritual life was conveyed, to deliver to the Church. Those of them who were Jews would call to mind how God’s prophets had constantly prefaced their message with “Thus saith the Lord” or concluded it with the Divine accrediting, “I am the Lord”; and that the Christian prophet must bear in mind that he is only an ambassador, and must abide by his commission, if he would speak with authority, that as a steward he must ever think of the account to be some day given of “the oracles of God” (Rom_3:2) with which he was entrusted, and must “handle aright the word of truth”. (2Ti_2:15) For all such is St. Peter’s admonition, “If any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary
Ministry has become a performance – where people are performing, seeking to brand themselves, constantly creating endless media productions to increase their followers, their personal popularity…. it’s a fleshly show, a stage for carnality … Paul speaks of this in Philippians 3:18-21.
Have you ever pondered why there is little or no Scripture being used when listening to someone pretending to be speaking about the LORD? You should wonder (Matthew 7:16, 20; 1 John 4:1).
“Preach the word” is the divine mandate, command (2 Timothy 4:2).
Let us cease to pretend that we represent the LORD when everything we say isn’t coming straight out of His Word. Read that again please. He didn’t instruct us to entertain or to tell stories. He commanded us to preach HIS Word. King James Bible.
“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles (written Word) of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11
Think God is calling you to serve? Good. If He has saved you, He has called you (Ephesians 2:8-10; 4:7). Get lost in His Word every day (Jeremiah 15:16). Read it (Revelation 1:3). Study it (2 Timothy 2:15). Memorize it (Proverbs 4:4). Meditate upon it day and night (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1). THAT’s your prep for ministry, not going to an antichrist seminary. Jesus inducted you into His school of the Holy Ghost and Word the moment He saved you.
Purged, Sanctified, Meet for the Master’s Use, Prepared unto Every Good Work
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21
The only way the disciple of Jesus can be “prepared unto every good work” of the Gospel, is via the Word of God, by way of a personal knowledge and understanding of the precepts of God and his personal use of that divine truth, wisdom.
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect (equipped, mature), throughly furnished (with God’s Word) unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17
“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14
Dear minister of Christ:
It is your duty and personal responsibility to study and learn and increasingly know and be filled full of the truth of God. And, this cannot and will not happen outside of diligently, daily study of God’s Word. Memorize 2 Timothy 2:15 and 3:15-17.
“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” Proverbs 22:17-21
How shall a man be prepared to speak the oracles of God other than getting those precepts, those divine truths into his own heart and mind by diligently studying God’s Word?
“Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. 2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. 4 And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.” Ezekiel 3:1-4
How can God’s words possibly get into us unless we get into and stay into His Word?
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15
If you are a disciple of Christ, your goal should be to have Scripture memorized in order to be equipped to “give an answer to every” single person who you meet who has questions – saved and unsaved.
Every answer to man’s questions and problems are given to us in Holy Scripture. – “ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3-4). Are you learning them for your own life and the lives of others?
If Christ is truly sanctified (set apart as supreme, ultimate priority) in our hearts, we are diligently desiring, studying, learning, memorizing, and communicating His blessed Word. We are being armed for giving an answer from His Precepts to those He blesses us to speak with.
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11
If you dare speak for God – Let God speak for Himself by speaking, quoting His Word. This necessitates your personal duty to learn, to memorize His Word: “Let thine heart RETAIN my words” (Proverbs 4:4).
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Apostasy
Beware of the “Intercessors” [podcast]
What could possibly sound more innocent than an intercessory prayer group, right?
Intercessory Prayer Witches Warning: There were no special “intercessory prayer groups” or special “intercessors” in the early church. Jesus is the Great Intercessor! (Hebrews 7:25) The Intercessor spoken about and revealed in the New Testament is Jesus Christ – not Satan’s infiltrating witches who claim to be special “intercessors”! Beware!
Recently, a woman claiming and announcing herself to be “an intercessory prayer warrior for 30 years” sent me a welcome DM. Here’s the reply she was sent:
There’s no such thing as an “intercessory prayer warrior” designated or appointed in the New Testament body of Christ. That premise is a bunch of witchcraft used by satan’s jezebels to infiltrate and destroy among God’s people. Repent now.
Saints, this is how they gain a stronghold, how they get their evil foot in the door. They must be rejected, turned away, called to repent. They witches are self-appointed and pretend to have special power in prayer with God. But we know that’s a lie because Jesus informed us that the Father answers the prayers of His people in Jesus’ name. Jesus says where 2 or more are gathered in His name right – there He is (Matthew 18:18-20). And the power is in HIS name in salvation, prayer, and everything in His kingdom – and not because some witches got together to offer their incantations! John 14:13-14; 16:23-24
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“Every woman I have come across that professes to be some special anointed prayer intercessor has turned out to be exactly what you’re describing. And they are usually rooted in NAR theology. My antennas always go up now when someone identifies as an intercessor. We all pray “intercessory” prayers when we pray for others. But I agree, there is no such thing as a intercessor anointing or anything like that. It freaks me out now after what I have experienced with these people.” Khrista
REPLY:
Exactly, there are many gifts and callings in the New Testament and not one of them is “intercesory prayer warrior” nor any such thing. I’ve found the same thing also…. they are all witches, infilitrating to destroy (Revelation 2:20-24). Jesus says where 2 or more are gathered in His name right….. and the power is in HIS name in salvation, prayer, and everything in His kingdom – and not because some witches got together to incantate! John 14:13-14; 16:23-24
“I will do a new thing” … what does that refer to? What does it not refer to?
One of the ways the witches and warlocks of today’s modern church world trick people to give up their eternal souls by following false doctrine, false systems of theology, false movements, etc., is to misuse, to use out of context, one portion of a sentence from Isaiah 43:19. They springboard of this phrase and then teach things the Bible never sanctions. One example of something not seen in the New Testament canon, in the earliest followers of Christ, is an “intercessory prayer group” and especially not one run by women, with no male elder overseer – which is a recipe for disaster.
The prophetic frauds of today’s modern church use the “I will do a new thing” phrase in Isaiah 43:19 to justify and trick people. Once they front with that “I will do a new thing” statement, then they bring in heresies. Yet we know that any “new thing” the unchanging God is doing, is not going to contradict His own Word.
“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19
Scripture says that “ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God” and is given to us, “ALL” of it “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” (Isaiah 40:8) Oh and “For I am the LORD, I change not.” (Malachi 3:6) And “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” (Mark 13:31) And “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
“Prayer warrior” is not a calling listed in Scripture that is reserved for a few select, “anointed” who “bind” evil spirits in their “calling.” They are misled and illegitimate. EVERY saint of Christ is called to pray daily, perpetually for the members of Christ’s body, etc.
Most of the time, when you see someone claiming to be a “prayer warrior”, they are full of false teaching about prayer as this comes out of the grossly heretical NAR and Word of Faith movements, the same warlocks who have “intercessory prayer” groups.
Beware of the self-appointed intercessors. Beware of the intercessory witchcraft. Have you ever noticed that these self-appointed “prayer warriors” otherwise known as official “intercessors,” never ground you in the Word of God, the cross, the crucified life, as Paul did Timothy and Titus? (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15-17; Titus 2:1) Instead, they entice and allure you to flatter you with the idea that you are gifted, you are special, and you’re needing to start a the church and you’re the man of the hour, etc. They flatter your flesh is what they are doing and causing, positioning you to become dependent on them, not God, not the Word of God. Therefore they stay upon their prey with regular phone calls and sessions in order to manipulate and control them. God says this is witchcraft.
What they do is deceive their prey to believe the lie that they have special power and access to God.
Today we see SO much pride-filled witchcraft going on in the name of “prayer warriors” and special “intercessors”. Personally I am learning to stay clear of the “prayer warrior” terminology and those who claim they are such, etc. Seems to lift up us, the mere pray-ers, and not Him and leads to pride in people as they boast of themselves, that they get prayers answered or that their prayers and calling is more important than others. Nonsense! Prayers are answered on one basis – the blood, the cross, the name of Jesus Christ. Any and every child of God can pray in the name of Jesus and God will answer it based on the righteousness of His only begotten Son, not some “powerful prayer warrior” or self-appointed “intercessor” witch (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24) | Why Does God Answer Prayer? On What Basis?
Beware that in any “prayer group” all it takes is for just one of those members to introduce a sugar-coated stealth request or attitude and the whole group is influenced. The course and direction of that group will be off target from that time forward. This is why many a disciple has and is learning to keep things down to a simple minimum void of the “need” or false obligation to join in with any and every “prayer group” that comes along.
The key is joining with one or two or so believers who are truly Christ-centered, biblical, crucified with Christ, teachable, humble, broken, and sincerely seeking the face of the LORD.
Like any cult type manipulation and control, these self-appointed “intercessors” wield their witchcraft over their prey by constantly having a word for them, by being their source. What the enemy is using them to do is to displace their prey from being one with Christ, in His Word, hearing His voice for themselves, and following Him as He, their Great Shepherd, is leading them (John 10; Hebrews 13:20).
Jesus says His sheep hear HIS voice and they follow Him and not other (John 10).
The primary way God leads His New Testament church, people, is via His written Word.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17
The LORD’s way is to train men through long seasons of learning and suffering and obeying the Word of God. He warns us about laying hands suddenly on no man, of partaking in ordaining a novice into the ministry (1 Timothy 3:16; 5:22).
There’s no such thing in Christ’s New Testament church as special “intercessors” or special intercessory prayer groups, especially not run by women. It’s a jezebel recipe for wicked women to manipulate the pastor and direction of that “church.” This can only function, happen where there’s an Ahab, a spineless moral coward “pastor” allowing it (Revelation 2:20-24).
“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;” Romans 15:30
Interceding in prayer, simply praying for another person, is according to Holy Scripture, yes, yet intercessory prayer groups of all women, not overseen by male elders, is a recipe for jezebel disaster.
BEWARE OF THE INTERCESSORY PRAYER WITCHES! Satan loves to use that which sounds noble and spiritual and yet is not biblical. And it’s not biblical for a good reason. God’s Divine wisdom. To protect His body. Let’s stay with the Word saints!
THERE is lots of witchcraft going on in the name of intercessory prayer and spiritual warfare. THINK: Just what did Jesus do when combating the devil? He simply quoted GOD’s written Word which is final divine authority! (Matthew 4) It’s time to wise up and cease being led around by the nose by warlocks posing as Christ’s ministers! Spiritual Warfare
Are believers in Christ to pray together? Yes.
“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20
Believers are to pray to the Father in Jesus’ name, individually and in praying with other of God’s people (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24). This post is a warning that involves out of control jezebels who wield witchcraft behind the guise of being an intercessory prayer group.
When we hear or read “spiritual warfare” teachings today, we must ask: Do we see anyone doing that in Scripture? So much of what is pawned off today as “spiritual warfare” is actually witchcraft.
Even the sending out prayers and breaking this and that over people can be witchcraft….. much of what is called “spiritual warfare” today in the apostate modern church is actually “spiritual witchcraft.” God will not deliver any person who will not turn their heart toward Him in real repentance (2 Corinthians 3:14-16; James 4:7). We should simply ask God in Jesus’ name and trust Him to do things and stay clear of adding to that simple Scriptural prescription. “Let your requests be made know unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)
“WITCHCRAFT” is on the list of soul damning sins (Galatians 5:19-21). Witchcraft, in its basic definition means to preside over, to exercise control over. It’s simply when man takes control, in place of God. Cross-less. See Isaiah 14:12-15 and 1 Samuel 15:22-23.
No sinful human is qualified to make intercession for mankind and so God gave us Himself, the Word, the only begotten Son of God!
“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30
“God is awakening those who will listen and hear Him. These false ministries have been blindly accepted for years. Under close scrutiny we can plainly see they’re based on fleshly desires of men to be elevated. No one person or ministry has a special place in the church save Jesus Christ. He alone is to be glorified. He alone is Lord.” Antoinette Yeboah
“Hi Todd, I just read your article on witchcraft in the Church and agree with it..I have just recently listened to a sermon by Derek Prince from 1971 and he says almost the same thing about the woman’s prayer groups and so on….The first 20 minutes says a lot. I have experienced my mother in-law operating in a Jezebel Spirit. My wife and I cut her off.” B.
The Great, Divine INTERCESSOR, Our Savior Jesus!
The word “intercessor” appears one time in God’s Word and is prophetically, specifically speaking of Christ. And, it says no man could be that “intercessor.”
“And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.” Isaiah 59:16
The word “intercession” appears 9 times in God’s Word and primarily, especially in the New Testament specifically speaks of Christ’s perfect sacrifice and therefore intercession for His people on earth.
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“Any time you pray for someone, you are ‘interceding’ for them. Guess we’d all better stop praying for others!”
REPLY FROM ANTOINETTE
“This is exactly the point. There should be no such thing as a ‘church intercessor’ or and intercessory ministry because we are all intercessors. We are all charged to pray for one another. Anything else is unscriptural and unnecessary. It’s man who complicated the gospel because of our erroneous and fleshly desires.”
More Interesting Feedback from Christ’s Body:
“Good post, Todd. In all my years of being a believer I have been referred to as an intercessor, of which I have never been comfortable with. I had never seen it like you have explained it now. Now I know why! Thank you for sharing this teaching.” Anita
“Now this is a real problem in most churches, and it’s growing. I put witchcraft up there with voodoo and witch doctors. Only those who believe in it are defected by it. How does it get into the church? Start with false teaching.” Alan
Christ Makes Intercession for His Saints
“Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he (Christ) hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and (Jesus) made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:12
“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:34
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25
HINT: Beware when a so-called “intercessory prayer group” (no such thing in Scripture) talks about everything and everyone EXCEPT THE GREAT INTERCESSOR HIMSELF – JESUS! (Hebrews 7:24-26, etc.). Or, more deceptively, they use His Word for things not clearly spelled out in His will/Word. Beware. Be grounded in Christ saints.
The Divine Holy Spirit Intercedes for Believers
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27
Modern self-proclaimed “intercessors” busted and exposed!
Next time you meet a self-proclaimed “intercessor,” ask them to show you the calling for such in the Bible – other than that each and every believer, through JESUS CHRIST, is to go to the Father in the name of the one Great Intercessor – Jesus Christ (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-25).
To say there are special intercessors in the body of Christ is to say:
- That God forgot to tell us of something important in His Word, namely that there are to be special intercessors,
- That Jesus, the real Intercessor, is not central to the Christian faith, knowing God, and
- That each and every individual believer doesn’t have full access to the throne of God via the blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16).
There’s no such thing as a “prophetic intercessor” in the New Testament church. Such is a title used today in the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) movement for delusional witches!
Anyone who’s trying to control someone else is doing so because they’re not giving control of their own life over to God (James 4:7). This is called “witchcraft” in God’s Word and is a soul damning sin (Galatians 5:19-21).
The LORD avenges us of our enemies only when we submit to Him (James 4:7).
As long as we are not truly submitted to the LORD, Satan is in control of our lives. Memorize James 4:7.
“Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.” Judges 5:2
“Willingly” offering ourselves is spoken of in Romans 12:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
Modern self-appointed “intercessors” are not submitted to God and are therefore under the power of the enemy.
Recently, in a conversation with a lady, she boasted that she’d been an intercessor for 30 years. What immediately comes to my mind is not a good image. If you’ve been in the charismatic movement and have since had your eyes opened, you know how this witchcraft works. The “intercessors” in these churches are basically witches who pray for what THEY want to see come to pass and since they are under the control of the “prince of the power of the air,” the devil, it’s Satan’s will being instituted and prayed for! Beware!
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11
The Bible informs us that the devil is a liar, he is our enemy, and he “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 2:11)
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8
The enemy of souls uses things as fronts that seem to be honorable, noble, or logical on the surface yet that are not sanctioned in Scripture. There are many gifts and callings listed in Scripture and yet there is no record of the special calling of an “intercessor.” Also, we see no “intercessory prayer groups” in the early church. There were none.
The next time you meet someone who says they are an “intercessor,” ask them to qualify that so-called calling with Scripture alone. Keep reading….
Personally, I’ve never met someone who calls themself an “intercessor” who wasn’t deceived or outside the un-biblical New Apostolic Reformation or charismaniac movement.
Jesus warned us of and taught on jezebel and the destruction that comes as a result of allowing such! Revelation 2:20-24
Regrettably, nearly without fail, women who call themselves “intercessors” are jezebels and in many cases part of jezebel ministries. The men who call themselves “intercessors” are without fail Ahabs which means they are dangerous, weak, jezebel enablers.
Lemuel’s mother taught him: “Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.” Proverbs 31:3
YOU be the man. Study and know what God has made you for and requires of you as a man who is the servant of Christ.
Jezebel’s cannot and will not function where there is no Ahab but rather godly men who refuse to be moved off of truth! (Revelation 2:20-24)
“Intercessors” and “Intercessory Prayer Groups” in Today’s Church are the Manifestation of Jezebel!
Jesus’ warning in Revelation 2 about jezebel in the New Testament comes into focus. Notice that Christ say that she “calleth herself a prophetess.” She is self-appointed and self-important.
“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.” Revelation 2:20-24
Weak men, Ahabs, are guilty of allowing Jezebels to function and many times using the noble title of an “intercessor.” Charismatic churches are rampant with this evil witchcraft.
ANY person who puts their own supposed calling before the truth of God and body of Christ is completely self-serving and has no concern for the LORD or His body whatsoever. In fact, such a person is completely departed from the LORD and will bring great destruction on the body of Christ if allowed – if suffered. This is exactly what Jesus addresses in Thyatira and calls it “the depths of SATAN” himself (Revelation 2:20-24). In their self-deceived hearts, they are sure that God has called them to minister in a way He clearly forbids – just like the Jezebel who was allowed by the Ahabs in Thyatira who was self-appointed – “calleth HERSELF a prophetess.” (Revelation 2:20-24) Repent now.
“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.” Ephesians 5:23-24
Out of God’s order is out of God’s order. If God calls man to be the head, and He non-negotiably does, that means that MEN bear that personal responsibility for which they will be judged.
“Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.” Proverbs 31:3
“Strength”
H2428
חַיִל
chayil
khah’-yil
From H2342; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength: – able, activity, (+) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, (+) valiant (-ly), valour, virtuous (-ly), war, worthy (-ily).
Total KJV occurrences: 243
This is the same diabolical ploy to steal the glory of Christ we see played out over and over again…. the spirit of antichrist.
Counterfeits are known in that they refuse to uphold JESUS as the “Head” of His body!
“Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:18-19
First off, isn’t it interesting that those today who call themselves “intercessors” never mention the matchless Great Intercessor who bled to redeem and ever liveth to make intercession for all believers at His Father’s right hand (Hebrews 7:24-26). Every believer should be an intercessor – simply pray for others. Do we ever see the word “intercessor” in God’s Word relating to us? No, in nearly every case the words “intercessor” and “intercession” are applying only to Jesus or the Holy Spirit.
These self-appointed modern “intercessors” are caught red-handed in this alone: They refuse to preach the Great Intercessor and only hail their own virtues and the need for themselves, insidiously replacing Christ with themselves. Anti-Christ means when anything, anyone is put “in place of” Christ.
Where is the special, named calling for an “intercessor” in God’s Word? There are servant callings in the New Testament and the nine gifts of the Spirit yet no calling named “intercessor.”
In Genesis 3, the curse…after the fall…. God tells the woman “thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” (Genesis 3:16) Scholars believe this in the Hebrew means that the woman will desire her husband’s position as the head. It should be obvious that many a woman has a difficult time submitting and not wanting to be the ruler. This seems to be part of the curse pronounced on mankind after the fall.
It’s when the cross is at the center of our lives that we “buy the truth and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:23). And as those who say with our brother Paul, “Let God be true and EVERY man a liar.” (Romans 3:4) As Jesus’ disciples we refuse to use human reasoning to determine what we will believe (Proverbs 3:5-6). Scripture reveals to us that what one believes is always a matter of the heart – a choice to believe truth or anything else (Proverbs 23:23; 2 Timothy 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; 2 Timothy 4:3-4, etc.).
JEZEBELS hate to be questioned or constructively challenged! They are stubborn, prideful, unaccountable, not submitted, and arrogant!
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
To identify the root of this rebellion against God, His order, Andre Viljoen writes:
“James 4 vs 7 So submit to (the authority of) GOD. Resist the devil (stand firm against him) and he will flee.” Vs 10 Humble yourselves (with an attitude of repentance and insignificance) in the presence of the LORD, and HE will exalt you) HE will lift you up, HE will give you purpose.”
Those who are not submitted to the LORD truly, are under the influence and power of Satan himself.
The individual priesthood of each and ever believer is never to be violated by controlling witches or warlocks! Beware.
Jesus didn’t die on the cross to save you for any other mere sinful man to control you! You are bought with His precious blood! You are His! He is the “head” of your life!
“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23
LOTS of people in the modern church are doing “ministry” not seen in the New Testament Scriptures. They are suspect. Beware. They are subjecting their prey to this foolishness, this rebellion which is as the sin of witchcraft (1 Samuel 15:22-23). Many follow what they learned from other deceived people doing “ministry” in the modern apostate church world! Instead of seeking the LORD earnestly, they continue to perpetrate these devices upon others. LET JESUS teach you from scratch – from the ground upward!
GOD calls all of His people, who are born again into Jesus Christ, to pray, not just those who are self-appointed “intercessors”, an office or gift never mentioned in Scripture other than that Jesus Christ is the Great Intercessor (Hebrews 7:24-26). All born again believers who are washed in the blood of Jesus, presently abiding in Christ, can pray to the Father in Jesus’ name! No such thing as an “intercessor” calling other than for ALL believers, not a special few. Beware of those who claim they are called “intercessors.” These are usually jezebels who cloaked their evil behind this title or supposed special calling.
Prophetic or Pathetic? | Witchcraft | Prayer | Jezebel Exposed | Manhood
Beware of the Witches and Warlocks in the Church [podcast]
Testimony of Jeni
“While standing in the gap and praying for others IS scriptural and holy, Satan often plays. His “playground” is often right inside “the church”. He is the master of twisting and perverting God’s holy truth. He has, from the beginning, wanted to be like God. He has always had his counterfeits to the things that belong to God. Once I was in a prayer line. Suddenly a lady came and laid her hands on my head. She began to pray, “Lord, give her dreams and visions…” I received the dreams and visions. I received them for years after…. They consisted of reoccurring tormenting dreams and never dreams of peace. The dreams were filled with demonic activity. I awoke often in fear, dread and a sense of hopelessness. We must be aware that often times when some are praying to the “Lord”, they are in actuality speaking to “lord”(our enemy and the deceiver of all mankind). We do well to remember that Satan can also work wonders. Yes, he can also give unto man, and send answers to prayers.. His main goal being destruction. Satan’s ministers are everywhere just as the bible warns, transforming themselves into ministers of “righteousness”. 2 Cor. 11 God graciously brought me out of that group. He allowed me to look back and see the “den” I was in. He revealed to me that it was not of Him. He brought me out because I am his sheep, and he is my Shepherd. We must lean fully upon our God to lead us out of the traps and deception of the enemy. JESUS is the way, the truth and the life. He promised to deliver his true ones from every evil work. We must stay close to the Shepherd and bishop of our souls for He knows the way and he can be trusted. Remember salt “looks” like sugar my beloveds. However, salt will never be sugar.”
Apostasy
When Bible Burning Backfires [podcast]
King Jehoiakim Judged
Let us ever be aware of the Bible truth of sowing and reaping.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8
Read Jeremiah 36 (KJB) perhaps several times. In this passage, note:
v. 28 – Denial changes nothing. Burning a scroll or the whole Bible negates not one iota of the divine authority invested therein nor your personal accountability to it. John 12:48; Rom 2:16; Revelation 20:11-15
v. 30-31 – King Jehoiakim burned God’s Word and denied God.
v. 32 – The Word of God stands forever (Psalms 89:34; 119:89; Mark 13:31). It cannot be erased, and anyone who tries to burn or erase it, will be erased, burned in the fires of hell by the one true God whom they defied.
Jeremiah 36 records and details a pivotal moment in the ministry of the prophet Jeremiah, where he is commanded by God to write down his prophecies, leading to a direct confrontation between the Word of God and the defiant King Jehoiakim. The chapter serves as a testament to the endurance of God’s Word despite human efforts to destroy it.
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21
Historical Background
- Timeframe: The events take place around 604-603 B.C., in the fourth and fifth years of King Jehoiakim of Judah.
- Political Climate: Babylon, under Nebuchadnezzar, had recently defeated Egypt at Carchemish (605 B.C.) and was asserting control over the region. Judah was in a precarious position, shifting loyalties between Babylon and Egypt, creating a state of high political tension.
- The King: Jehoiakim, son of the reform-minded King Josiah, was wicked and defiant, starkly contrasting his father’s humility.
- Jeremiah’s Status: Jeremiah was “shut up”—likely banned from the Temple grounds—after preaching for over 20 years.
Overview of Jeremiah 36
1. The Command to Write (vv. 1–3)
In the fourth year of Jehoiakim, God instructs Jeremiah to take a scroll and record all the prophecies, warnings, and calls to repentance he has spoken against Israel, Judah, and other nations since the days of King Josiah. The stated goal is that the people might hear of the impending judgment and repent, allowing God to forgive them.
2. Baruch Records and Reads the Scroll (vv. 4–10)
Jeremiah dictates the messages to Baruch, the son of Neriah, his scribe. Because Jeremiah cannot enter the Temple, he sends Baruch to read the scroll on a fast day, hoping for national repentance.
3. The Officials’ Reaction (vv. 11–19)
Baruch reads the scroll to the people. Micaiah, a concerned official, reports this to the royal cabinet, who summon Baruch to read it to them. Upon hearing the content, the officials (including Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah) are frightened, recognizing the danger the message brings. They wisely advise Baruch and Jeremiah to hide.
4. Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll (vv. 20–26)
The officials inform the king, who sends Jehudi to fetch the scroll. As Jehudi reads it, Jehoiakim, in a state of defiance, cuts the scroll with a penknife and burns it section by section, despite pleas from some of his officials to stop. Neither the king nor his attendants showed fear.
5. The New Scroll and Judgment (vv. 27–32)
God instructs Jeremiah to rewrite the scroll and adds a specific, harsh judgment against Jehoiakim: his body will be left unburied, exposed to heat and frost, and none of his descendants will sit securely on David’s throne. Baruch writes a second scroll, which includes all the original words plus many more added prophecies of judgment.
Key Themes
- The Indestructibility of God’s Word: The king burns the first scroll, the Word of God is simply rewritten and expanded, highlighting that human opposition cannot destroy divine truth.
- Repentance vs. Defiance: The chapter contrasts the proper response to God’s word (fear and repentance) with Jehoiakim’s defiance.
- The Role of the Prophet and Scribe: Jeremiah is the messenger, and Baruch is the faithful scribe who records and reads the word at great personal risk.
- God’s Patience and Justice: God offers repentance through the scroll, but when that is rejected, judgment is inevitable.
In Jeremiah 36, the burning of the scroll by King Jehoiakim represents a pivotal moment of defiance against God’s word, where the king used a penknife to cut and destroy a prophetic scroll.
The Event (Jeremiah 36:22–24)
- The Setting: The scene takes place in the “winter house” in the ninth month, with a fire burning in a brazier (or firepot) before King Jehoiakim.
- The Action: As Jehudi read the scroll aloud (containing prophecies from Jeremiah), the king cut the scroll into pieces using a scribe’s knife (or penknife) and threw them into the fire.
- The Destruction: The king methodically cut and burned the scroll column by column (or section by section) until the entire scroll was consumed.
- The Response: The king and his servants did not show fear or tear their clothes in repentance, demonstrating complete indifference and hardening of heart.
Symbolism and Significance
- Rejection of Divine Authority: The burning of the scroll symbolized an attempt to silence God and reject His warnings of impending judgment.
- Contempt for the Message: Cutting the scroll, which was a parchment scroll of leather or papyrus, column by column, showed intense contempt for the message.
- The Futility of the Action: Despite the destruction of the physical scroll, God commanded Jeremiah to write a second scroll, indicating that divine truth cannot be destroyed.
- Judgment: The act led directly to further judgment from God against Jehoiakim.
Key Terms
- Penknife/Scribe’s Knife: A tool normally used by scribes for cutting or sharpening reed pens, misused by the king for destruction.
- Scroll (Roll): The parchment containing the prophecies.
- Brazier/Firepot: A metal pan used for burning coals to provide warmth.
Those who despise the Word of God will be destroyed:
“Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.” Proverbs 13:13
Those who do not receive and obey God’s Word will be counted “unworthy of everlasting life”:
“Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” Acts 13:46
“Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” Jeremiah 20:9
May God’s Word be fully received in our hearts and be that burning fire emanating from our very bones and pouring out to those around us daily.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
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