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OSAS: 2 Acid Test Questions

1. Is Satan’s first lie OSAS/eternal security? Yes (God said: Genesis 2:17, Satan said: Genesis 3:4).
They cannot and will not argue this one because it’s cold hard truth they hate and cannot refute.
2. Did Christ’s apostles teach OSAS? No.
Jesus invented the term “FALL AWAY” and so it must be possible and it is (Luke 8:13; 1 Timothy 4:1, etc.).
DID Jesus’ Apostles Teach “Eternal Security”? [podcast]

Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages 

“Great podcast, 🔥❤️ – EVERYONE should and needs to listen to this. I found that too many believe that sharing these harsh truths that come from the Bible is putting out negativity……. Why anyone would think that God’s words are negative is beyond me. With this way of thinking, says a lot to me, of what their true beliefs are…. sad. – Thank You for putting up another great podcast, and I pray that everyone will take the time out to give it a listen to. God Bless! 🙏✝️”

GOD is going to judge and damn into hell all who console or in any way condone people in their sins – instead of calling them to the absolute necessity of repentance and turning from all sin. ALL who teach OSAS/eternal security are clearly false teachers. Did Jesus and His apostles teach this lie? No.

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship …” Acts 2:41-42

The soul who is subject to Christ should clearly desire to continue “stedfastly in the apostle’s doctrine” and in so doing experience “fellowship” with His remnant – the true body of Christ.

The Message of Jesus Christ

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22

Here Jesus Christ, the Almighty God, tells His own twelve disciples that those among them who persevere to the end of their lives, remaining and continuing in obedience to Him – “shall be saved.”

Notice here in Matthew 10, the utter difference between what Jesus told His disciples and what so many leaders today lead people to believe. First, realize that Christ hand picked these twelve men and one of them didn’t continue with him and went to hell (Acts 1:25). There is the complete absence here and throughout the New Testament Scriptures of words like:

  • “You are eternally secure.”
  • “No matter what you do, you are sure for Heaven.”
  • “You are guaranteed Heaven because God is not an Indian giver.”
  • “It’s eternal life not temporary life.”
  • “Jesus is the Good Shepherd, how could Jesus ever lose a sheep?”
  • “You can’t obtain salvation by works, so you can’t loose it by bad works (sinning), it doesn’t matter what you do, you still have it.”
  • “Once in grace, always in grace.”

These are a mere sampling of the many clichés we here today used by those who seek to promulgate the eternal security heresy. Yet none of these are Scripture and those clichés are contrary, in blatant opposition to what the Bible actually states.

Those who teach the fairytale heresy of eternal security/OSAS teach something Jesus and His holy apostles never taught and refuse to teach what they did teach – the necessity after being initially saved to “endure to the end,” to “abide” which means to remain, to continue in Him or lose all, whom He shall “cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:6; Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21) 

SO, you aren’t personally responsible to “endure to the end” abiding in Christ? If this is your idea, you’ve openly called the Son of God a liar (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; John 15:6, etc.).

Falling away and being lost again is a biblical reality and that won’t change. Jesus invented the term “fall away” and so that means it’s possible, and yet those who believe eternal security, in classic satanic style, have to try to redefine terms and twist their plain meaning (Luke 8:13).

Keeping the framework of Jesus’ teaching on the types of heart soil His Word falls upon is essential. Luke 8:11-15 – The second of the 4 types believes and then “fall(s) away”, which means it’s possible and that eternal security is a lie (v13). Also, the 4th of the 4 types of heart soil, is the person who chooses to have a “honest and good heart” and brings forth fruit to the end because such a person is rooted in Christ and endures to the end which Jesus says is necessary for final salvation (Luke 8:15; Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Revelation 2:26, etc.). Jesus invented the term “fall away” and there’s no possibility someone could “fall away” from something they didn’t previous possess (Luke 8:13).

Concerning the last days, Jesus gives His disciples a vastly different message than what we hear today. Notice what Jesus says here and compare it to the messages of modern wolves who are doing everything they can to accommodate sin in the lives of their listeners:

“But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience (perseverance) possess ye your souls.” Luke 21:12-19

The message the Son of God gives here to His very own includes:

  • Persecutions from the religious (v12)
  • Prison (v12)
  • Giving answer to rulers (v13)
  • Divine inspiration in words (v15)
  • Betrayal by family and friends (v16)
  • Death for some (v16)
  • Hated for Jesus’ sake (v17)
  • Protection (v18)
  • The necessity of patience (endurance) to the end (v19)

Then, in this discourse concerning the last days, Jesus warns His very own:

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:34-36

As one can see from these passages, Christ’s message to His own was anything but a promise of ease and comfort in this life or automatic unconditional eternal security or some kind of fixed guarantee of immunity from judgment. There is no such language in the Word. All assurance is conditional upon the present state of the individual.

“If you don’t believe that you can live in victory over sin, you’d better cross omnipotence off your calendar.” – Leonard Ravenhill

Rather, Christ’s words were those of promise of great trials and tribulations and even martyrdom for some, and yet eternal bliss for those who endure.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Jesus’ message was certainly no promise of tiptoeing through the tulips with automatic and irrevocable eternal security.

Based upon the whole testimony of Scripture we must conclude that only false teachers would tell believers, something the Word never promises – that they are guaranteed a place in Heaven no matter what, no matter how they live after being saved.

Neither Jesus nor His holy apostles taught an un-conditional eternal security. There is no such teaching as eternal security by the apostles and Christ. Jesus simply gave a promise of being kept in the hand of the Father and yet only to those who “abide” (remain, continue) in Him – those who get saved and who hear his voice, who keep his Word and follow Him (John 10:27-29). Those who do not “abide” in Christ “to the end” after being saved will be cast into the fire (John 15:6; Matthew 10:22; 24:13). That’s what Jesus taught.

The Message of Paul, the Apostle of Christ

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (reprobate).” 1 Corinthians 9:27

Notice the word “keep” here which denotes the necessity of staying in the will of God – to remain “crucified with Christ.” (Galatians 2:20) Paul tells us here of the essential nature of keeping the deeds of the flesh under subjection to the Holy Spirit and Word of God. He reveals that even though he himself was saved and “preached to others,” it was still a possibility that he could become “a castaway.” This apostle did not count himself exempt from becoming cast away from Christ. His words here reveal the distinct possibility of becoming reprobate. The apostle Paul would never have stated these words if he believed the myth of “once saved always saved.” This apostle did not consider himself unconditionally eternally secure (immune from holy and divine judgment if he resorted back to sin). The very phrase “I myself should be a castaway” introduces the clear and present danger that after all the LORD did to find and work in him, the apostle Paul could lose out if he did not “keep under” his “body, and bring it into subjection” to the Lordship of Christ.

It is clear from these words that the apostle Paul never believed he was UN-conditionally eternally secure. He divulges here that there was still the potential of becoming one who is cast away from God ultimately if he didn’t “keep under” his body which speaks of abiding in Christ, and when we are, the sinful man and its deeds will be subdued by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:13-14).

Now if he were here with us today, this world-changing, historic apostle of Christ would agree and resolutely affirm the danger of becoming a “castaway” after knowing and serving Christ. If such is not the case, then God has changed and we know that can’t happen. The Holy Spirit gave this truth to His Church and God has not changed (Mal. 3:6). Yet as Jude foretold, today the landscape of the church world is littered with “ungodly men” who are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” and would argue against the truth in the face of volumes of Holy Scripture. They would argue with Paul that once a person is saved they are always saved no matter what (Jude 3-4). Such was never the message of Christ and His holy apostles. When we look at the lie in the Garden and throughout Scripture, we can clearly conclude that this falsehood is the message of Satan and his emissaries and is unthinkably being peddled today as a component of the Gospel or a Christian doctrine.

More from Paul:

“For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.” 2 Corinthians 5:2-3

This language is far different than that heard coming from those who corrupt the message of God’s grace in our day. The implication here is that even after being saved, one can be “found naked.” Being “found naked” means that the person in question is no longer clothed with the garment of Christ’s righteousness. Was this not the case with those believers in the church at Laodicea? See Revelation 3:14-20.

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…” 2 Corinthians 5:8-11

Under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, here Paul says that “to be absent from the body” is “to be present with the LORD” and therefore in light of this we labour, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.” As is plainly witnessed here by every honest student of Scripture, Paul upheld “labour” as a prerequisite of continuing in the grace of God and being ready to meet Him. “Labour” here refers to fighting the good fight of faith and laying hold on eternal life, continuing in the faith and not sinking or drawing back to sin and destruction (Col. 3:6, 14; 1 Tim. 6:12; Heb. 3:12-15, 10:34-39).

In the face of so much divine truth, why, why, why do some insist upon defending and promoting the unfounded “once saved always saved” myth which is not only NOT taught in Scripture by Christ and His apostles, but is actually refuted repeatedly and identified as the first and resounding lie of the enemy of God.

So far we have witnessed that Jesus never taught an abiding grace without holiness. Paul didn’t believe that he nor any believer was “once saved always saved.”

After leading people to Christ in Antioch, the apostle Paul returned to that city and notice here what his divinely inspired message to them was:

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

This was the perfect opportunity for Christ’s apostle to tell these new Christians that they were now “once saved always saved” or “eternally secure.” This is Satan’s first and ongoing lie to damn the souls of all who get save. He loses them at initial salvation and so the way he entices, seduces them away from Christ is with the same “Ye shall NOT surely die” lie he gave Adam and Eve in the Garden. They took the bait and died – death meaning they were now separated from God who is holy (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). Paul feared this exact enticement scenario for the believers he oversaw:

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:2-4 

Today, in stark contrast to the original apostles of Christ, we have people who have dedicated themselves to making those around them to feel “eternally secure” or assured of Heaven no matter how they are living and without the need to truly and to serve the One who bled to deliver them from all sin.  What are these people going to “feel” eternally in hell if they die in sin and stand before a holy God and Judge? (Mark 9:43-49)

The message of the apostles was not one of automatic security, assurance and ease, but rather that “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

Those who know the LORD and will be preserved in Him in this treacherous last hour, must be willing to endure trials and suffering (Matt. 24:10-13). Whatever the loneliness, anguish, and pain we may suffer here in this brief life, it is minuscule in comparison to the eternal terror to be experienced by all who deny Christ.

Mark This: Only a deceiver would neglect to preach the full-counsel of the original Gospel and name sin by name as the Bible does. Only a false teacher would promise eternal assurance to any person living in rebellion against the LORD (Ezek. 33:12-13; Lam. 2:14; Amos 9:10).

As we just witnessed firsthand in the Holy Scriptures, the LORD and His apostles admonished new converts to “endureth to the end” and to “continue in the faith,” and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” 

This view of an unconditionally guaranteed surety of salvation that requires no diligence of active and ongoing faith, is foreign to the authentic Christianity found throughout Holy Scripture, and is therefore “another gospel,” a false form of Christianity, facilitating a mere form of godliness, denying the need for the power or reign of Christ in the individual life (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Timothy 3:5, etc.). Such supposes that Christ will remain in the life of all who have been born again, no matter what vile sins they may now be living in. Nonsense. Unbiblical. Not true.

Wow! This is telling! OSAS/eternal security was never preached by Christ and His apostles. Repent.

Jesus Christ had the perfect opportunity to tell the Jews that had just believed on Him that they were now “eternally secure.” Is that what He said? No. Take a look:

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32

Beloved, the truth is, if we are not diligently seeking the LORD this day, we are backslidden and in danger of becoming like one of the foolish virgins to whom the door of entrance into the kingdom of Heaven was shut (Matt. 25:1-13).

Acts 14:22 can’t be answered by the OSAS/eternal security crowd. It clearly and further demonstrates the fact that Jesus and His apostles never taught “eternal security” – which is clearly Satan’s teaching (Genesis 2:17; 3:4) …. Watch this ….
 
When the apostle goes back around to the churches that were formed at his preaching, he stands before them and says something – something that is on record. There the apostle stands to instruct these new believers in the way, the doctrine, the Word of God he is going to deliver. Let’s peak in at what he told them….
 
What exhortation did Paul give to these new believers in Acts 14:22? Did he promise that they were guaranteed Heaven, eternally secure due to being now saved? Or, did he, in what’s called “the apostles doctrine” confirm what Jesus taught – that you must “endure to the end” to be “saved”? (Matthew 10:22; Acts 2:42)
 
“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to CONTINUE in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22
  • “Continue in the faith”
  • “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God”

We are wise to ask: If there were no possibility of not continuing in the faith, why O why would Paul have bothered to exhort these believers to do such?

Where O where do we ever read that God’s people lose their free will, their ability to choose? No where.

Beloved, the Holy Spirit of God had all the opportunity in the world here to tell these new converts to enjoy their salvation, be nice little Christians, attend church services on Sundays, build a denomination, give to the building funds, and live upstanding lives in their community. He didn’t! He could have told them that they are unconditionally eternally secure, but He didn’t. No, instead, Paul gave the same message Christ gave His twelve in Matthew 10:22 – continue and endure to the end and expect to be hated of all men for my name’s sake and much tribulation between now and Heaven. Every leader should be disclosing these things to those they oversee. Every saint should acknowledge these truths.

Paul was inspired by the Holy Ghost to write much of the New Testament canon, correct? Why didn’t he guarantee Heaven to everyone who was at one time born again? Why didn’t the Son of God do so?

In the message of the modern church, we are told that believers will be rewarded for their good works, but are not in danger of losing their souls if they don’t obey God. Some misuse 1 Corinthians 3 to come to this conclusion. Such a conclusion does not align with the whole of Scripture and therefore should not be embraced.

The early Church apostles obeyed the Master and taught new converts to continue in God’s grace, just as Jesus taught them what they must do to ultimately inherit His eternal kingdom (Matt. 10:22; 25:1-13; Acts 14:22; Rev. 2-3). Do we espouse and teach what Christ and His apostles taught?

For more on what Paul was inspired to teach, see 1 Corinthians 9:27-10:12 and Romans 11:19-23. Any thought that this Holy Spirit inspired, true grace teacher taught an unconditional eternal security will be soundly silenced upon the honest reading of these texts.

If OSAS was an doctrine of the original Gospel to the New Testament Church, wouldn’t the apostle Paul have included it in the books he contributed to the canon of the New Testament Scriptures?

The Message of Peter the Apostle

Okay so Paul clearly taught against OSAS/eternal security. So, since some just use the Bible to justify their own sin and aren’t truly interested in being honest with God, with “ALL scripture”, let’s see if we can get a better answer from the apostle Peter to justify living in sin…..

“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:20-22

After Simon believed upon Christ, Peter told him:

“Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done…But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.”  Acts 8:13, 20-23

Did you notice that there is anything but eternal assurance in this divinely inspired communication of the apostle Peter? Peter told Simon that he was going to “perish” after he was saved (“believed”) and “was baptized.”

Of course we all hope Simon repented before it was too late, yet all we know from this text is that he asked the apostle Peter to pray that none of the judgments pronounced would come upon him (v24). It is frightening to think of the millions of souls who when living in sin like Simon was, after being saved, do not have the voice of true, godly authority (like Peter) who follow Christ authentically, warning them to repent or they will “perish.” Simon got saved then turned to sin again and Peter called him to repent or “perish.” Simon was blessed because he had a man like Peter to rebuke the error of his way. Today, it is regrettably all too rare to find those authentic New Testament Christians, who endeavor to live and declare the apostolic faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3-4). Beloved, are you willing to answer the call of God to learn and live real New Testament Christianity as we witness on the pages of New Testament Scripture? This would include helping “Christian” people living in sin by calling them to “repent” or they will “perish.” Living like Jesus and His apostles means giving no hope of assurance or “eternal security” to anyone living outside of obedience to Christ’s Word/will, but rather calling people who are living in rebellion and sin to “repent” or they will “perish.” This means that they would ultimately go to eternal hell if they don’t repent – and this is all regardless of any past relationship experience they had with the LORD as is clear in this instance with Simon (Ezek. 33:12-13; Acts 8:13, 20-23).

Those under-shepherds who truly fear the LORD, endeavor to speak the truth in love to safeguard the precious souls of those they oversee with divine truth (Eph. 4:15; Heb. 13:17).

The apostle Peter had all the opportunity in the world to overlook this new convert’s sin. Peter had full and open occasion here to assure Simon that he was “eternally secure” no matter how he chose to live because he was now “saved.” But Peter didn’t. Why not? Because such would have been treason and utterly in opposition to the truth of God.

Even a cursory look at the New Testament Scriptures reveal that the LORD Jesus and His apostles had a completely different approach and instructions than do most ministries today. Unlike original and authentic Christianity found on the pages of New Testament Scripture, most ministers today give no admonition or warning to new converts.

The Message of Jude, the Half Brother of Jesus

“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire…These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.” Jude 4-7, 12-13

By direct inspiration of the Holy Ghost, Jude says that “ungodly men” who have “crept in unawares (secretly)are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” and by doing such are “denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Then he begins to innumerate how the Almighty has destroyed those who were once in His kingdom and then departed. He brings New Testament believers into remembrance of the fact that “the LORD, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.” Then he reminds us of how Lucifer and one-third of the angels who once occupied Heaven are now fallen into the eternally irrevocable state of condemnation: “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”

Not once do we see the Son of God, any of the apostles, or any other believer, telling the newly saved that they are “once saved always saved” or intimating that they are unconditionally “eternally secure.” Such a message is completely foreign to genuine and original New Testament Christianity. In the canon of Holy Scripture there is no hint of any God fearing man teaching or insinuating the diabolical lie that the believer has no need to trust God by faith, and to obey God in their daily life. Instead, there is abundance of warning that if after being saved, one goes back into sin, judgment awaits that transgressor. The teaching of “eternal security” is nothing new and is entirely alien to the teachings of Christ and His apostles and is therefore “another gospel.” (2 Cor. 11:1-4; Gal. 1:6-9)

Please allow me to exhort true Bible believers to offer a challenge to any teacher or proponent of an unconditionally eternally secure salvation. The challenge is this: To produce any biblical record of such a teaching which would include a preponderance of Scripture in context with the passage it has been placed in. If such evidence cannot be clearly demonstrated through the preponderance of Scripture, I hope and pray that God will grant repentance to any who still believe such, that they might turn to the truth and away from this deadly fable (2 Tim. 2:2-5).

What one will find, in studying the New Testament Scriptures, is that no such hint of the notion nor teaching of an unconditional eternal security is found among the early disciples of Christ. The apostles of Jesus continued in His doctrines as He instructed them to do and no such doctrine of an unconditional ‘eternal security’ is taught.

The Million Dollar Question:  If God wanted His people to believe that once they believed unto salvation, there was no further need to obey Him in faith, why didn’t He simply come out and tell us so in His Word?

Why in 66 books is there the deafening silence of such a teaching and yet, so many today in the evangelical church world teach and believe such?

Before leaving the earth and when sending forth His apostles, the Son of God commanded:

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

Notice in particular the command: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Jesus Christ never taught that a person is without responsibility after he is born again, but rather just the opposite. He commanded that all those in Him must abide or remain in obedience to Him or they will be thrown into the fire (Jn. 15:6). His many warnings alone make the reality of the jeopardy of the soul clear to the honest-hearted student of His Word (Matt. 24-25).

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide (remain) in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me…for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:4-6

We must ask ourselves: Why would the very Son of God ever so much as mention abiding (continuing; persevering) in Him if such were automatic or some kind of a fixed state of grace? Was Jesus just filling pages with His words, or is this a divinely-given mandate – the personal responsibility of each and every born again believer?

“Salvation is of the LORD” said Jonah – after he had repented from his rebellion and returned to the LORD (read Jonah 2). Salvation surely is of the LORD and yet the LORD has made it clear that He never forces any person to love and serve Him or continue to remain in relationship with Him (Deut. 28; 30:19; Josh. 24:15; Isa. 1:18-20; Jn. 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24; 15:1-6; Rev. 3:20). Remaining with Christ is volitional. The one who is “willing and obedient,” and “planted in the house of the LORD” will “flourish in the courts” of the LORD and be embellished with the blessings of the LORD (Deut. 28:1-14; Ps. 92:13-14; Isa. 1:19-20).

Jonah had rebelled against God. He then cried out in distress when the LORD blessed him to be swallowed up by a large fish (Rom. 2:4). As we learn in the parable of the prodigal son, the LORD will lead the wayward to repentance yet He will never force Him to repent even though He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9) The perfect will of God and the individual appropriation of such are two different issues. From the belly of that fish the prophet cried out to God in repentance and his prayer came into the ears of the LORD in whom is all salvation. The LORD heard, forgave, and restored Jonah. In his restored state Jonah said that those who “observe lying vanities forsake their own mercies.” As a direct result of his returning to the LORD, the LORD then told that fish to spit His man out upon the beach and it did. Read Jonah 2. It wasn’t till he repented that the LORD restored Jonah. When Jonah came to himself in the presence of God, he realized that he had embraced “lying vanities” in thinking he could forsake the LORD and not be forsaken by the LORD (2 Chron. 15:2).

If abiding in Him is a divine command, what is the consequence for not staying with Jesus? What did Jesus say is going to happen to all who do not remain in Him? Christ stated that any person who is in Him and doesn’t continue faithful in His Word, will be “cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (Jn. 15:6)

So, to teach that after a believer is saved, he is going to automatically go to Heaven, no matter what he does or does not do, is clearly not a New Testament teaching. Only those who get saved and continue to make the decision to “abide” in faith and obedience to Christ, will be eternally with Him – all others will be cast into eternal fire.

“But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Revelation 2:25-26

If unconditional eternal security was an original doctrine of Christ and the New Testament apostles, we would find it in the canon of New Testament Scripture.

Saint of the LORD, be exhorted to keep your soul diligently by removing yourself from any leader who espouses such a dangerous falsehood. Such a lie is a cancer to the soul, eating away at fervency and crippling the necessity of diligent faith in and obedience to Jesus.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” 2 Peter 1:10-11; 3:11-14

PRAYER: LORD Jesus, please bless me to continue in the apostles doctrine once delivered to Your saints in Your Word. Quicken my heart to a deeper relationship with You and fervency of spirit, born out of the fear of the LORD. Please cause my conscience to be extremely sensitive to Your conviction and grant repentance to my heart for every depraved motive or action. Father, thank You so much for the sacrifice and resurrection of Your only begotten Son. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

IF God’s saving grace is un-conditional, WHY then did He warn the first man and woman? WHY did He promised they’d “die” (be separated from Him) if they sinned against Him? (Genesis 2:17; 3:4) Remember, Adam and Eve were in perfect relationship with God when He warned them – because no sin had entered into the world as of that point.

God is “Holy, holy, holy” and “the wages of sin is death”“death” in Scripture means separation from Him (Isaiah 6:3; Romans 6:23; Revelation 4:8).

YOU can plainly see when someone is refusing to be honest about their sin when they migrate to the grace, grace, grace, “sovereign grace” delusionment. Simultaneously they evade truth, holiness, judgment to come, hell, the daily cross, etc. BEWARE of devils like this (Jude 3-4).

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Eternal Security/OSASAccounted Worthy to Escape [podcast] | Eternal Security Exposed | Sealed?The Return of Christ | SupportLie of the Ages [podcast]10 Questions about Eternal SecurityIs Salvation Eternal?The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security [podcast]The Essential of Fearing God | The KING is Coming [podcast]

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Abiding

“The Trial of Your Faith” has a Divine Eternal Purpose [podcast]


“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

“It is through much trial and tribulations that we are made pure, holy, and clean in His sight by the working of his Spirit in our hearts to conform us to Christ Image.” Jon Crane

The trials God allows into our lives, purify – but only as we praise, worship, thank, and obey Him through those seasons of tribulations.

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:7-9

God is Purifying His Kingdom Saints

“Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48:10

“Gold tried in the fire” refers to a spiritual metaphor, primarily from the Bible, that describes how difficult trials and hardships purify and strengthen one’s faith, revealing and removing hidden impurities like bitterness or pride, similar to how fire removes impurities from gold to make it purer and more valuable. It encourages believers to view challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth, resulting in a more genuine, tested, and valuable faith.”

“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:18-19

“Purify the sons” – Christ’s kingdom disciples

“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:3

We should not be surprised by the trials and sufferings of all true disciple of Jesus.

“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 11  My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. 12  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:10-12 

“the fiery trial which is to try you”

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” 1 Peter 4:12-14

As we abide in Christ, bearing fruit, He will continue to purge us so that we bring forth even more fruit.

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” John 15:2

In the fiery trials, Job declared:

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15

Being purified, remaining true to God no matter what adversity he face guaranteed that Job would see God…

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” Job 19:25

Only “the pure in heart” are going to see, to be with God in eternity.

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

“This verse is not for the hypocrites. Who play being a Christian on Sunday mornings. This is for the honest remnant who sit at His feet and pour out their hearts. As David did in Psalm 51. Asking God to create in them a clean heart! The ones Jesus is coming back for without any spot of sin. Let us draw near to God having our hearts and conscience washed with the pure water!” Karen Cochran

“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried” Daniel 12:10

“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33  And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34  Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35  And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Daniel 11:32-35

“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:10

The trial of our faith is for the salvation of our eternal souls. Let me explain: No, we are not earning our own salvation and yet the LORD is working in our lives to purify us to be presented to Him as His bride.

The people, the church Jesus is returning for:

“… Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27

The trial of our faith is for the salvation of our eternal souls. No, we are not earning them and yet the LORD is working in our lives to purify them to be presented to Him as His bride.

“And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Daniel 11:35 

They “shall fall” and God is going “to try them, and to purge, and to make them white.”

Of this verse, one source notes the following:

“The verse begins by stating that “some of them of understanding shall fall.” This is a reference to the wise and learned individuals in Israel who will suffer and be persecuted. This suffering is meant to “try them, and to purge, and to make them white.” The use of the word “try” suggests that the suffering is a test, a way to prove the true character and faith of the people. The word “purge” has connotations of purification, removing impurities or unwanted elements. This suffering is a means of refining the people, making them stronger and more steadfast in their faith. The phrase “to make them white” suggests that through this process of suffering and purification, the people will be made pure, clean, and righteous in the eyes of God.”

HOW do we know, how can we discern who Christ’s true remnant, His bride is?

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:7-9

We know the true bride by their adherence to Christ. They are about the “Father’s business” as they are accomplishing the Great Commission Jesus gave His people:

“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

YOUR PRAYER: Dear LORD I know You are going to chasten, try, scourge, and purge my life in order to purify it for Your acceptance and glory as I know You are Holy, holy, holy. Please multiply Your enabling, heart softening grace to this life You gave Father. Bless me to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Your grace is sufficient for You to be glorified in this life no matter what. I love You LORD and am living to see You soon, for Your soon return. In Jesus’ name.

See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates |  Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God  | Waste | Stewardship | GivingLet Him be Your Fear [podcast]Why We Need Not Fear DeathFear Not Little Flock | The Glorious Church Jesus is Returning For [podcast]

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Abiding

Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear [podcast]


“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3

“Perfect peace” can only come as our hearts and mind are “stayed” upon our LORD, as we truly trust in Him. And, such does not come without fighting “the good fight of faith.” (1 Timothy 6:12) It’s a “GOOD fight” because as we “labour to enter into that rest”, we win with Christ (Hebrews 4:11).

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:9-11 

The love and peace of God we experience here as we walk with Jesus, as we abide in His love, as we ask Him to make us one with Him, more and more as He prayed to the Father in John 17. Due to living in a fallen, a dark world, we must fight, we must “labour therefore to enter into that rest.” This should bring a fresh definition of the term “labor of love.”

Bless-ed Violence

The “violent” must and will take, will procure Christ’s kingdom “by force” – that is, the blessed benefits of Christ’s kingdom. This is not because it’s merited by our own works but rather because we live in a fallen world that fights against us each step of the way with the powers of darkness, with sin, and with sinners who are agents of the kingdom of hell.

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12

“The kingdom of heaven” is suffering great attack in this present dark world and only “the violent take it by force.” “By force” meaning by choosing to love the LORD supremely instead of self, to deliberately choose to change masters – to worship, to love and obey and serve Christ above all else.

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5 

As we choose to love God more than ourselves, abiding in Christ, we can be assured that we are going to eternally rest in our beds with our Father, with Jesus, and with the host of His saints and angels forevermore.

“He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.” Isaiah 57:2

Ultimately we shall rest in our beds in Heaven and yet for now, we must war, we must “fight the good fight of faith.” (1 Timothy 6:12) Being made perfect in our love, in our relationship assures that all fear shall be vanquished from our lives.

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:16-19

God “is holy” and God “is love.” (Revelation 22:11; 1 John 4:8, 16) His love is pure and holy.

LORD, please let Your love flood my heart and life and cast out all fear. In Jesus’ name.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

“But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33

Psychobabble Peddlers

If it works, why O why is there a lifelong process of “recovery”? Why is there no real solution, to actual cure?

Answer: It’s an indu$try. Follow the money.

Beware of the false prophets who attempt to sell you on their “counseling” for your supposed “mental health issues,” for your wounds – that God alone can heal. Run.

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalms 147:3 

“Suffering from depression” and “mental disorders” and “mental health issues” etc., are phrases we often hear to excuse, to make excuses for perpetrators. Total nonsense. They made choices. Lock them up.

Personally, I can’t count the number of people I’ve known who went the “counseling”, mental disorder, and mood drug route. They didn’t cling to the LORD, to His Word and were therefore deceived by beguilers who fed them the typical psychological profiling jargon. They bought Satan’s bait and have since been shipwrecked. They were never made whole by the LORD because they sought sinful man’s counsel instead of God. In each case, their whole lives are wasted, sub-optimized, miserable.

“Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.” Psalms 107:17

Unrepentant (John 3:18-21). These vile frauds indict the Almighty, claiming He didn’t provide all man needed for every part of their being. These are antichrists who put something, anything in place of Christ. They’ve inserted themselves and their drugs and counseling in between God and man, seeking to usurp the place of Christ who came to heal the broken in heart (Luke 4:18).

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Sin is man’s core problem (Jeremiah 17:9, etc.). False teachers psychologize the faith. Beware. Paul warned of this: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2:8-10)

The WORD of God is the counsel of God and contains “ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness.” (2 Peter 1:3-4, 19-21; Ps 33:11; 2 Tim 3:16-17)

The words “positive” and “negative” appear nowhere in God’s Word. “Truth” appears 237 times. Truth is divine and what matters, not what sinful men call negative and positive. Unrepentant sinners based things on how it makes THEM feel because they serve self, not the Savior. Hell bound.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Prayer | Manhood | The Conquering Cross of Christ [podcast]The Cross VictorySin – Man’s Core Problem

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IS SUNDAY MORNING “CHURCH” ATTENDANCE ESSENTIAL? [podcast]


“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5 

Being Connected to others due to the common bond, the “common salvation” one has in Christ is not the same as being connected because one shows up at a designated “church” building on Sunday mornings (Jude 3).

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” 1 Peter 2:9

Each and every true born again, Heaven-bound, blood-bought saint of Christ, WILL regularly fellowship with other of Christ’s people. And, adherence to the written Word will be the non-negotiable foundation of that fellowship (Isaiah 8:16, 20; 40:8; Mark 13:31; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:3-4, 19-21, etc.).

WHAT’S GOD BUILDING?
WHO IS “GOD’S BUILDING”? 

Jesus is NOT building your “church” – He’s building HIS “CHURCH.” You’d better find out what that means.

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

The word “church” here comes from the Greek word Ekklesia which means “the called out ones” – that is, His called out people. Jesus came to die for PEOPLE, not for religious organizations of mere sinful men or for the devouring wolves He often warned us about to build their church businesses, enterprises (Matthew 7:15; 24:11, 24, etc.). There’s no such thing as an organized church that isn’t in deception. Isn’t it time we “come out of her” (religious babylon) and live the life of an authentic disciple alongside the organic Jesus worshipping body of Christ?

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:4-5

Do the words “God’s building” appear in Scripture? If so, WHO, WHAT is He referring to?

Walking with God and going to a certain local “church” building on Sunday mornings are not synonymous. An official “church” building makes nothing official. Christ’s church, the members of His body are “God’s building” – He’s building His kingdom in the hearts of His blood-bought, beloved children! When Jesus declared that “I will build my church”, HE WAS SPEAKING ABOUT HIS TEMPLES – HIS PEOPLE! (MATTHEW 16:18; 1 CORINTHIANS 3:9; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16).

Jesus is KING and kingdom living is all about exalting KING Jesus – not mere men or organizations or ministries! It’s only then that His divine “nourishment” is going to flow down into His beloved 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

Modern church pawns want you to become enamored with THEM, not CHRIST. It’s a sales, a con job! Beware. Read Colossians 2:18-19 closely.

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

The Clues are Everywhere

Any person claiming to be a Christian who is just now seeing that the visible “church” is apostate, is clearly not reading God’s Word and obeying it. KJB “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1 …. the fact that 99% of the “church” uses one of the many fake “bibles” instead of the King James Bible, is apostasy in our faces. | 4 Verse KJV Comparison [podcast]

“A resounding no to is church essential!! It is essential if you want to feed your flesh, candy costed messages laced with poison! But if you desire a relationship with the one who saved your very soul, you better come out! The very reason we came out. How can anyone who truly loves the Lord stay in a church that is spitting in His face with lies and apostasy? And worshipping the one who hates God the most! Satan!! I can remember coming to this realization and sitting in our last church crying and saying God they don’t love You here? How can I stay? I could not!” Karen Cochran

The Unity God Ordains and Desires

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalms 133:1

The unity of the brethren spoken of in God’s Word has nothing to do with showing up to a Sunday morning meeting. Any lost soul could do that. No, true unity is in Christ and enjoyed uniquely by those who are born again and grounded in the sound doctrine of His written Word. This true Christ-centered unity is in part brought about by Christ’s true servant-elders, most of whom do not operate out of a physical “official” church building. No, instead, like Jesus and His apostles, Christ’s true servants today go about doing good, building up the body of Christ, giving biblical wisdom, praying for, and fellowshipping with the members of the body of Christ. They do not hide in buildings like the greedy cowards of today’s modern church world.

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting (equipping, maturing) of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:11-16

Serving God, in the minds of so many simply means nothing more than engaging in some of the numerous forms of modern church activities. Truth: Serving God is not serving in your apostate modern local church. Repent now. Follow Jesus (Luke 9:23-24).

AFFIRMATION without REGENERATION is rampant in the apostate modern church world.

If the overseers in a certain Sunday morning church group aren’t biblically watching for the souls of the people, teaching them the pure Word of God, equipping them to do the work of Christ’s ministry, and instructing them of the absolute essential of daily seeking God for themselves, would that be to God considered a place to assemble? No. See Ephesians 4:11-12; 2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 13:7, 17, etc..

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. … Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. … Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 10:25; 13:7, 17

In the context of the book of Hebrews, New Testament saints are to fellowship, to assemble with other of God’s true people. And, they are only to do so where there are true elders – elders who speak “the word of God” and “watch for your souls.”

There is no record of the earliest followers of Jesus and the apostles collecting money to build a physical building. When they collected money, what was it for? Where did it go?

“And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” Acts 2:44-45

Notice in the above passage that “EVERY MAN” mattered and not just some group of thieving wolves who were collecting and squandering the money on their own self-serving lusts! Beware (Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Peter 2:1-3).

“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own (they understood that God owns all and they were just stewards); but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” Acts 4:32-35

IS SUNDAY MORNING “CHURCH” ATTENDANCE ESSENTIAL?

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:13-20

Jesus never said “Follow me by going to, by attending church weekly.” Never. Nor did Christ ever say “Follow me by finding a good local church to join.”

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross DAILY, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24

There is no connection between the cross Jesus mandated for any person who would truly follow Him on His stated terms, and the local churches. In fact, the passage above and a myriad of others will never be heard taught in the modern churches.

No, yet fellowship is essential. Many today who do not “attend” a certain circus called the “church” have not at all backslidden. No, instead, they left in order to preserve their faith and not because they were leaving the faith. Fellowship is a necessity – yet little that goes on in most Sunday morning church busine$$es has to do with what God’s Word defines as fellowship. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” does not speak of a Sunday morning gathering in a certain building run by wolves, of course (Hebrews 10:25). Jesus says He’s in the midst of the gathering of His people, even if just 2 – “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20) Also, there are elders among God’s people – yet such operation of His elders does not require operating out of a certain designated, official “church” building. If so, Christ and His apostles weren’t legit …. they had no “church” building. They went to the people – they didn’t raise money and build buildings and invite people to the building. See Acts 8:4 and Mark 16:15.

“And they, continuing DAILY with one accord in the TEMPLE (Jewish, not built by New Testament Christians), and breaking bread from HOUSE TO HOUSE, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,” Acts 2:46

“And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you PUBICKLY, and FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE,” Acts 20:20

“The Word says God doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands. I want what God’s Word says about fellowship, not what man has done.” Papaw Cline

Authenticity is a high priority to God. 1 John 3:18 and such does not come about by being a church member but rather by facing God daily with a sincere, honest heart, denying the self-life, taking up the cross, and following Jesus (Proverbs 28:13; Luke 8:15; 9:23-24, etc.). Separating oneself from all the religious noise, clutter, bureaucracy…. is a blessing in many ways.

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Show me a person who does not go to church & I’ll see a weak believer at best ! When the apostles went door to door & preached to groups in & out of town the rest of the time they spent in the temple! Look at the last verse in Luke after Jesus ascended!”

REPLY:

I don’t think so. Show us all these verses where people are in a “church building” please. Waiting. I stopped “going to church” over a year ago…. much fruit, due to an abiding relationship with CHRIST, has been transpiring…. so your statement, “Show me a person who does not go to church & I’ll see a weak believer at best!” rings hollow to me friend. … friendly discussion here….. Could it be that those who are weak and are not taking personal responsibility daily to seek the face of the LORD are in need of the Sunday morning gatherings? …. some fellowships which are good, many which are not New Testament at all. There’s room for both according to Scripture….

Honestly speaking, …. how many regular church-attending Christians do you know who are ready for Jesus’ soon return, actually bearing the daily cross, feeding Christ’s sheep daily, earnestly contending for the faith, Gospel workers who labor continually, and winning souls to Christ?

Until I came out from among them, I didn’t realize just how burdensome the entanglement of the local church bureaucracies were. Whew, it’s a weight lifted and yet, if an individual is immature and not ready to be diligent in getting up each morning seeking the face of the LORD, pouring over His Word and in prayer, they may wish to remain in the church system.

The Fellowship of the Believers

Act 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Act 2:43  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Act 2:44  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Act 2:45  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Act 2:46  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Act 2:47  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

What 4 Elements were involved in the fellowship of the earliest followers of Jesus?

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.Acts 2:42

“And they continued stedfastly in …

  • the apostles’ doctrine (the Word),
  • and fellowship,
  • and in breaking of bread,
  • and in prayers.”

Sister Tina writes:

“If you think for one second that being in a building for one hour on Sunday morning justifies a relationship with Christ, you’re absolutely wrong. Take a look at the visible church today and all the warnings of apostasy because of it. Jesus said ‘go out and teach my Word to all nations and signs will follow. That’s not limited to a visible church in a physical building, one day weekly. No, we are the church (the called out PEOPLE of God). When we walk in the street and see a homeless person God gives us the opportunity as we go to share the gospel and be the gospel. This can happen everyday in all areas of our life. It’s up to us to be obedient to the call.”

Fellowship God’s Way

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