EXCUSE me WOLF, “apostle” or “prophet” are NOT titles to be used to promote yourself! Repent sinner! Title touters are completely SELF-centered and need to repent, lay down their lives, be crucified with Christ, and follow Jesus (Matthew 23:8-12). Are those who use titles not broadcasting their pride for all to see?
Does Using Titles Draw Attention to Mere Men While Stealing Glory from Jesus Christ?
JESUS CHRIST is the only Celebrity in Heaven. The last time a phony “celebrity” self-actualized, the LORD booted that devil! (Ezekiel 28:12-12-19; Luke 10:18)
The fact that you dare call yourself an apostle or prophet proves you are not one! Repent. Do the work humbly and drop the self-aggrandizing title!
Please never again call yourself by the title of “prophet” or “apostle” again. Those 5 gifts in Ephesians 4 are functions to serve God and others with and never to bring attention to ourselves by using them as a title.
Most if not all today who claim to be prophets are frauds. Apostle and prophet are functions to serve God and OTHERS in and not for use as a title for self-enrichment (Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:10-11). Yet as the remnant body of Christ, we depend on the prophets and apostles of the LORD and the Holy Spirit centrally – “the MORE sure word of prophecy” which contains “ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness” are the written Holy Scriptures (2 Peter 1:3-4; 2:16-21). We seek out and live by THE WORD and not prophetic peddlers.
IF you are using a title, you are violating Jesus’ teachings and found out to be a self-serving wolf! Repent, drop the title and SERVE GOD and His people humbly, quietly.
Drop the title. Just shut your mouth and humbly do the task.
Make no mistake: Those using titles are doing so to bring attention to THEMSELVES and not the Savior!
IF you see someone claiming to be a “mystic” rebuke them. Delusional. Such a name appears no where in Scripture. God’s children are simply born again disciples of Jesus. Beware of those who arrogantly seek to elevate themselves above others by using titles like “mystic.” They need to repent and get saved.
HAVE YOU NOTICED HOW SELF-APPOINTED WOLVES ALWAYS TALK ABOUT HOW THEY ARE AN “APOSTLE” OR “PROPHET” WHILE NEVER ELEVATING JESUS, THE ONLY “HEAD” OF HIS BODY – WHICH HE PURCHASED WITH HIS VERY BLOOD? (see COLOSSIANS 2:18-19.) THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT JESUS CHRIST IS “THE APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST” OF OUR FAITH! (HEBREWS 3:1) TODAY’S FALSE APOSTLES AND FALSE PROPHETS NEVER MENTION THAT TO YOU NOW DO THEY!? RUN!
“The apostles called themselves slaves of Christ….that is humility and surrendering.” Sal Delacruz
“Reverend” appears just 1 time in God’s Word and it’s speaking about HIM, not a man – “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is HIS name” (Psalms 111:9).
True prophets are simply busy humbly serving, not announcing themselves, not drawing attention to their sinful selves using callings as titles.
In the case of men who are calling themselves apostles or prophets today…. if he were a true elder of Christ’s body, he wouldn’t be using apostle as a title which completely contradicts the title-less servant posture Jesus taught (Matthew 23:8-12). Apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher are not titles or rankings but rather function gifts whereby men humbly serve others and never use them as titles to elevate themselves among God’s people.
It doesn’t matter WHO among us in Christ’s body preaches the Word, it just needs to be preached! Jesus is the featured One, not any mere sinful man. “All ye are brethren” (Matthew 28:8-12). Concerning preaching, the Gospel says: “Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed” (1 Corinthians 15:11).
While teaching us to not use titles, Jesus says “Ye are all brethren” (Matthew 23:8-12). On this note, sister Frances Plante says: “Although men have created a hierarchy, God has not. Being on a platform doesn’t make you elite, it makes you accountable.”
The gifts and callings of God are gifts and callings to serve and not titles to tout!
IF you are truly an apostle or prophet, you won’t announce it by wearing it as a title but rather SERVE God humbly. Those eldership callings are mere gifts to use to serve GOD by serving His people, not bringing attention and glory to your wicked, sinful, depraved self. Repent sinful devil! (See Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 4:10-11.)
Ditch the title, just DO THE WORK! Bring no attention to sinful self! That’s exactly what Jesus taught! (Matthew 23:8-12)
The thing being pointed out here is that many use prophet and apostle as a title to elevate themselves instead of simply humbly serving while drawing all attention to Jesus and not to self – the cross.
A lot of people have been schooled by wolves and don’t realize it. They are using God’s Word to self-actualize. That means it’s all about THEM and THEIR gifts and not about Christ. The same warlocks that have misled these un-repentant counterfeits never preach the cross – which is essential to the Christian faith – where you must die, lay down your life, mortify self, and cry to the Father, “Not my will but thine be done” (Luke 22:42).
A true New Testament apostle or prophet first and foremost draws men to God’s WRITTEN Word which is the “MORE sure word of prophecy” – and not self by title touting. The written Word has even more divine authority than the literal audible voice of the Father speaking from Heaven. Peer into that in 2 Peter 1:12-21.
Tina McGovern writes: “I love how Paul referred to himself firstly just as PAUL, secondly as A SERVANT of Jesus Christ, and only thirdly did he acknowledge his CALLING by God yet never as a title. Fourthly he declared his JOB DESCRIPTION (i.e. EARTHLY MISSION) by GOD …. ◄ Romans 1:1 ► ‘PAUL, A SERVANT OF CHRIST JESUS, CALLED TO BE AN APOSTLE and SET APART FOR THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL OF GOD.'”
When Jesus, the PROPHET, was tempted of Satan, did He come up with a unique Word? No, He quoted the written Word which is God’s highest authority (Luke 4).
Jesus is the Head of the body of Christ and that’s the whole point – concerning false leaders among us who are using callings to serve God and His people as titles to bring attention to themselves.
The “A” in Apostle is only capitalized one time and that’s when it references Christ. Funny how those who tout themselves to be prophets and apostles conveniently never mention Hebrews 3:1.
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;” Hebrews 3:1
IF you are calling yourself a prophet or apostle, you are not one! Repent!
Well, yes He’s addressing using titles…. prophet is not a title but rather a calling to be fulfilled by some in humility. Those who use it as a title are scammers. True prophets are simply busying serving Christ and His people – doing the work – and not bringing attention to self! (Matthew 20:20-28)
Note that there are “FALSE APOSTLES” – “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:13).
Jesus commended the Ephesian believers for discerning and ousting false apostles:
“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:” Revelation 2:2
“Flattering Titles” are Forbidden
“Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give FLATTERING TITLES unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.” Job 32:21-22
TOUTING TITLES IS A RED FLAG. THAT DOESN’T MEAN THERE ISN’T THE CALL TO APOSTLESHIP, ETC., AND YET THAT DOES NOT NEGATE WHAT JESUS PLAINLY TAUGHT US ABOUT USING TITLES IN MATTHEW 23:8-12. WHY WOULD ANYONE USE A TITLE EXCEPT TO BRING ATTENTION TO THEMSELVES?
PEOPLE posing as Christ’s messengers who have to call themselves doctor, bishop, apostle, or prophet, aren’t! The fact that they chose to self-appoint, to self-title themselves openly manifests their falsity! Wolves! (Matthew 23:8-12) They are violating the clear teachings of the Son of God they claim to be serving. The true servant elders of Christ are doing the function – busy humbly carrying out His work and have no time nor audacity for titles. Devils among us exposed!
GOD is calling His remnant to shut up and serve! (Matthew 23:11; 1 Corinthians 1:29-31)
Anyone putting apostle or prophet before their name as a title is a fraud who is using that title to bring attention to self and away from Christ!
APOSTLE, PROPHET, BISHOP … THESE ARE BIBLICAL AND YET NOT TITLES BUT RATHER CALLINGS WITH A FUNCTION TO BE FULFILLED IN SERVING GOD’S PEOPLE – BRINGING ALL GLORY TO CHRIST AND NONE TO SELF (1 CORINTHIANS 1:29-2:5). ALL WHO ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BE CALLED BY TITLES, MOST OF WHICH INITIATED SUCH, ARE FALSE. READ MATTHEW 23:8-12. BAM!
IF THEY FULFILL THAT FUNCTION THAT COULD BE UNDERSTOOD BUT USING SUCH AS A TITLE TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE SELF (MERE MAN) IS AGAINST ALL THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS (MATTHEW 20:24-28; 23:8-12, ETC.). THOSE ARE EDLERSHIP FUNCTIONS TO BE FULFILLED IN SERVING (EPHESIANS 4:11-12).
The fact that someone calls themselves a prophet, apostle, or bishop means they are not. True followers of Christ simply and humbly serve, which is the opposite of using titles drawing attention to THEM instead of Christ! If they insist upon wearing a title, it should be simply, “servant.”
The “gifts” Jesus gave to some “men” are a calling from God to serve Him and His people and not to use as a title for self-elevation (Ephesians 4:8, 11).
Anyone who allows himself to be called apostle or prophet is false. If that’s their servant function, they need to just do it and not use it as a title to elevate the false, sinful god of self.
Only a beguiler would title tout in order to draw attention and credibility to himself – a mere sinful man who in his “best state is altogether vanity.”
“Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” Psalms 39:4-5
IF we have to use a title, something is grossly wrong! Let’s drop the titles and the self-serving desire to make ourselves look official and allow the only One worthy of praise to be magnified. We need to listen to the Master’s simple teaching about titles and repent at once if we have violated this truth:
“But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:8-12
In Matthew 23:8-12, Jesus is addressing the use of using titles. And, For example, “prophet” or “apostle” or “bishop” is not a title but rather a calling, a serving function to be fulfilled by some in humility. Paul says they are “gifts” to Christ’s body to be used of Christ to equip HIS BODY which means they are not to call attention to themselves. (Study Ephesians 4:8-12.) Those who use these as a title are self-appointed, outright scammers. True prophets are simply busy serving Christ and His people – doing tHe work – and not bringing attention to self by using titles! (Matthew 20:20-28)
Jesus is teaching His people here not to be using titles …. do the WORK and don’t worry about getting the recognition for it. Jesus says: “Thy Father … seeth in secret” and “shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:6).
Be warned that those who insist upon putting a title before their name are hirelings who wish to lift up themselves and not Christ. Beware!
Theodore Whitus writes: “These people that load themselves up with all sorts of titles and degrees are just working in the flesh. They are Paper Tigers. When the real hard times come, we will see who the real army of Christ is. The strong soldiers who are willing to trudge through the mud and blood in the trenches are being prepared. The true brethren who will die for Christ. Then titles and degrees will mean NOTHING.”
Beware of any man or (God forbid) woman who insists on being called by a title. Yes there are callings but yet there are also warnings from the same God to beware of using titles (Matthew 23:8-12; Ephesians 4:11-12). These are gifts or functions to be filled by those upon whom God puts this calling but never to be used as a title to elevate the mere servant. Self-exaltation is at an all-time high in the apostate modern church. In whom shall we glory? – “That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:29-31).
IN LIGHT OF MATTHEW 23:8-12, WE SHOULD HUMBLY SERVE AND DO THE WORK OF SERVING AS UNTO THE LORD ALONE. THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE TRUE DISCIPLE TO TITLE TOUT TO ELEVATE SELF. WHEN WE USE TITLES, WHO IS IT THAT IS BEING EXALTED? IF GOD KNOWS HE CALLED ONE TO BE A PROPHET OR APOSTLE, CAN HE NOT JUST USE THEM TO ACCOMPLISH HIS WORK WITHOUT THEM FLASHING THE TITLE? WHO ARE WE REALLY SERVING? OURSELVES OR THE LORD?
To God Himself and the one who truly knows the LORD, you are not impressive! No, nothing and no one is impressive to the one who is beholding the very Almighty God who made us and came and bled to redeem us! His nail-scarred hands and feet are monuments of the love He showed to us!
“The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.” Isaiah 23:9
“Hallelujah Amen! Just recently we were told that we were not allowed to correct an elder of a church because of his position as an elder. This is amazing arrogance, that God only speaks to the elders and they have a special in with God more than any other believer who possesses the Holy Spirit. There are leaders in church gatherings, but they are accountable to the people in the church too. If they are in error or have a sin problem, then those in the church are responsible to correct and even discipline them.” Gwendolyn Wehage
No man is above God’s Law and any mere man who thinks he is, is a wolf who is full of self – his god is his belly (Philippians 3:18-19).
There are a whole lot of self-promoting people operating in the apostate modern church world. Listen, only ONE is to be exalted and His name is Jesus. He’s the only nail-scarred, risen Savior! It’s time to die!
“No one Believer is higher than another, and neither can they have from Christ any undue or overbearing authority over other believers (1Peter 5 :1-8 ). All true Bible teachers must cause men to look to God, and not to themselves – as the Source of power and truth! A servant walks in humility and not pride and vanity. The definition of true Christian greatness is ‘the servant principal.’” CB
1 Thessalonians 5:13 says: “And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”
I personally know several men who call themselves pastors and yet, are not fulfilling the biblical place of serving for this function. They want the respect a pastor should receive for the work’s sake, but they are not fulfilling the biblically-detailed function of a true undershepherd/pastor (Jeremiah 23; 1 Peter 5:1-6, etc.).
Now, men called out by God (not self) to do His work full-time (serving), are to be esteemed “very highly … for their work’s sake” or due to the highest importance of the work of JESUS …. because there is nothing more important in God’s green earth than the rescuing and care of souls. “And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thessalonians 5:13).
Notice: Paul is never seen as introducing himself as “Greetings from Apostle Paul.” The words “apostle Paul” never appear in that order in Scripture. Yes, he is an apostle by the ordination of the LORD Jesus – which is a calling to fulfill as Christ’s servant and not a title to tout to bring attention to the mere man. Apostle is a gift and place of servanthood, not self-exaltation to bring glory to self, but rather Christ!
YES Paul was a called apostle, BUT THAT’S DIFFERENT THAN PUTTING A TITLE BEFORE OUR NAME. PAUL NEVER REFERRED TO HIMSELF AS “APOSTLE PAUL.” ARE YOU BEGINNING TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE? YOU SEE, THOSE TWO WORDS (“APOSTLE PAUL”) ARE NEVER SEEN TOGETHER THAT WAY IN HIS LETTERS. ALSO, PAUL REFERS TO HIMSELF MANY TIMES AS “SERVANT” AND IT’S A DEAD GIVEAWAY THAT NO ONE TODAY WANTS TO BE KNOWN AS A LOWLY SERVANT BUT MANY WANT TO PUT THE TITLE “APOSTLE” IN FRONT OF THEIR NAME. RED FLAG! – “PAUL, A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST, CALLED TO BE AN APOSTLE, SEPARATED UNTO THE GOSPEL OF GOD” (ROMANS 1:1).
God has called people to function as SERVANT leaders as parents, teachers, pastors, apostles (messengers), and prophets, etc. He has ordained that we have those who instruct and oversee but always in humility. Those who servant-lead are to serve in humility of spirit and that’s how you know them – whether they walk it out in pride or humility. Without exception, any person who feels the need to wear a title is deceived at best. He is seeking to be seen of men, to be elevated for their own self-serving purpose over others…pride. Here’s what the apostle Peter says of overseers among God’s people:
“The elders which are among (NOT ABOVE) you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5:1-4
Who Did Jesus Tell Us is the Greatest?
“But he that is greatest among you shall be your SERVANT.” Matthew 23:11
By reading the greetings in the beginning of Paul’s writings, it doesn’t appear that he used “apostle” as a title. He did not misuse his calling to serve Christ among His people by using a title. Jesus taught that in his kingdom we were not to use titles (Matthew 23:8-12). This is consistent to the rest of what this servant stated about being used to establish the faith of the believers in Christ and not in himself or any mere man (1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 3:5; 4:5, 10-12, etc.).
INTERESTING FACT: The ONLY place in the Bible where the word “reverend” is used is in Psalms 111:9 which speaks of the LORD Himself and states “holy and reverend is HIS name.” So, applying “reverend” before a mere man’s name is unfitting and out of biblical context.
1 Corinthians 1
“For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.”
1 Corinthians 2
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 *THAT your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
“EGO MAD PRIDE-FILLED HEARTS LOVE TITLES! How about just being a servant of God with a humble spirit! True shepherds are rare. Men who meet the biblical qualifications as seen in the pastoral epistles are rare in this late hour. As a pastor for many years, I never once used the term ‘reverend.’ We reverence God and stand in awe of Him, not men.” David Cooke
In the least, it’s safest to simply allow SERVANT to be applied to us…. Ps 39:4-5. There are many Scripture, and have been posted here, that should invoke in us the deep, holy fear of God, which would lead us to drop the titles and simply DO the work.
We can’t eliminate the biblically designated functions of serving named in the Scriptures, but we can cease to glory in those titles. Our obedience to the LORD should include fulfilling any function to His body He sees fit which will always include bringing glory to Him and not ourselves. Bishops, elders, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are named in Scripture.
Please cease calling yourself a “prophet” or “apostle.” These are not titles but rather functions to serve in – not to bring attention to you! 1 Peter 4:10-11; John 7:18 The kingdom of Christ is about Heaven’s soon coming KING, not you!
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QUESTION:
“So can you clarify for me about like for example the Prophets of old…( Samuel etc ) were addressed as Prophets, Apostles etc. It’s best to call each other Brother or Sister, according to verse 8b of Matthew 23, then, right?…”
REPLY:
Good question…..Yes, Paul was an apostle and said so….. yet in my opinion, in looking across Scripture – namely the teaching of our LORD (Matt 23:8-12)…. it seems fitting that we would not do such and seems to shine a light on the darkness of those today who do such. Only Paul and Peter named their calling as “apostle) and they also had extensive resumes’ of sufferings to prove it – which is unlike the smooth handed pansies today who tout their titles to gain nickles, noses, and numbers. Peter was given the revelation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, upon which Christ’s church is built (Matthew 16:15-19). Paul, having come from such a place of deep rebellion as Saul, which he details, was now an apostle of Christ, set forth to declare His Gospel …. Much of the New Testament Scriptures were penned by Him. He had a special calling and place in the New Covenant. This is no denial that there are apostles today but it seems to be different (Ephesians 4:11-12). They are called to perfect, to equip and mature the saints and not to initially spread the Gospel to the whole known world as was the special place of Paul.
Feedback:
“There sure are a lot of people on Facebook that believe they are God’s “special” ones, with such titles as, “Prophet”, “Apostle” and even “intercessor” which is a total fraud title. It appears to me these people are juvenile, self-righteous and even wolves in sheep’s clothing. It is a way to attain Facebook followers, popularity, and bring attention to self. I avoid those people with titles as a red flag of what is to come…self worship.” Toni S.
More interaction on this topic …..
The Crux … It’s a gifting of Jesus to be used to serve not to get others to serve the one with that calling … this fits with the whole counsel of what Christ taught us about not exalting ourselves using titles … Read this prayerfully and ask Jesus to show you what He is getting at here when He says … “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:8-12
When 2 of the 12 sought to be lifted up, what did Jesus teach us?
“And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Touting titles which are giftings given to men in order to equip them to HUMBLY SERVE is violating the principle of leadership taught by Christ …
God calls them that and they can acknowledge that calling in their serving BUT should never use that as a title to draw undue attention to themselves as Jesus warned and as many do today …..
“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 IS ALL THING MAY BE GLORIFIED (not the man in whom HE placed the gift) through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11
Like the 2 of Jesus’ 12 who sought to be elevated, title touting and jockeying causes strife… “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.” 1 Corinthians 4:6
Paul acknowledged that there was “no good thing” in him except Christ (Rom. 7:18). Concerning ministry the apostle/servant said ”5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; … For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 3:5; 4:5 … this further demonstrates that someone’s calling does not make them higher in God’s kingdom and is never to be used as a title ….
More answers to interaction on this topic:
… you are not yet understanding what Jesus was teaching … apostle is a gift, not a title (Eph. 4:8-11) ….
It’s one thing to be a teacher, pastor, or apostle and it’s yet another thing to use that title wrongly … why even use it? why not just DO the work? Why does someone feel the need to put “pastor” or “apostle” in front of their name?
Men certainly are in sin if they unduly use any title to bring attention to themselves … do we see this happening today Becky? Is there no cause for this warning? Yes or no?
It’s much safer and I believe in following what Jesus taught us if we just humbly do the work He gave us to do using the giftings HE put in us (like apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher) to serve Him and His people and leave off the title … so many today want the title and are not doing the work … besides, if a man has to use a title before his name on his business card or here on FB, what does that tell us?
In Acts 11:27 and 13:1-2 there are prophets and yet, they didn’t call themselves prophets as a title … see the difference?
That was Luke, the writer of Acts designating or recognizing that their gifting was prophets … they weren’t saying “Hey I am prophet Barnabas.” ….
He suffered greatly and those he said were the marks of a true apostle … compare that to the smooth-handed pansies today who want to put “apostle” in front of their name…. 2 Cor 6, 11-12 Paul’s resume of suffering
There’s a universe of difference between recognizing a calling from God and using a title to draw attention to self … those who insist upon using the calling as a title are violating exactly what Jesus warned against in Matt. 23:8-12 …
That’s exactly my point … it reveals that one is fake if he insists upon being called by a title … instead of just being known as a servant of the KING before whom we are all to bow … and direct all glory to Him alone who is worthy …”That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 1:29-31
In Matthew 23:8-12 Jesus was speaking to ALL, including His own “disciples” and using the false leaders of His day as an example of what NOT to do … which further establishes the point … “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to HIS DISCIPLES” (Matthew 23:1).
Seems to me that Jesus was eradicating the possibility by teaching that we are not to use titles …
Did Jesus give TITLES or “GIFTS” to men? “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” Eph 4:8-11
“Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave GIFTS unto men.” Eph 4:8
If men choose to call a man “pastor” perhaps that’s one thing, yet, if a man insists upon being called by a title, is he not violating the principle Jesus taught in Matthew 23:8-12?
God wants His true body to listen to what Jesus taught and cease to feel the need to be called by “Rabbi, Teacher, apostle, prophet, pastor, etc.” …… “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matt. 23:8-12
Consider closely what Paul the servant apostle stated … note the term “ourselves your SERVANTS for Jesus’ sake”:
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;” 2 Corinthians 3:5
“For we preach NOT ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5
“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” 2 Corinthians 1:9
Yes, I have used “apostle Paul” many times … that’s different than Paul or any modern servant insisting upon being called by a title … yes, these are truly good things to discuss to sort and search out and rightly divide His Word of truth.
Should we not reconsider things we see and do? … Do we have room to learn still? … note how Paul worded things here … “Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,” (1 Cor. 1:1).
“called to be an apostle” refers to his calling and not a title…
In other words he seemed to be saying “i am called to serve as an apostle.”
What’s interesting is that “Paul an apostle” appears but “apostle Paul” never once appears … meditate upon this and the reason for it in light of the whole counsel of God’s Word.
Yes … Jesus said this in Matt. 23 … notice His wording … “But BE NOT YE CALLED Rabbi (pastor?): for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” He told His 12 and all elders to not allow yourselves to be called by titles …”BE NOT YE CALLED Rabbi…” v8
Then, it seems He approached the common disciples and says that we are not to call men by titles?…
“And CALL NO MAN your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” v9
Then, He takes aim at leadership and again seems to indicate that we are not to allow ourselves to be called by titles …
“Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.” v10
Well, I am simply sorting out the core truth Jesus was getting at here … not saying that everyone who allows themselves to be called pastor is going to hell … I do believe that Christ may be showing His body this teaching … much tradition still clouds His teachings, right? are we still teachable?
Yes, the Holy Spirit (God) called Phillip an evangelist, not Phillip or other men … I see nowhere that Phillip called himself by the title of evangelist ….
Yes, and though I am anything but a cessationist … we know of a surety that Paul was designated as an apostle … today, we can know what He calls us too but we should not tout such a title … but see it as a gift to serve with, right?
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FEEDBACK:
“The ones who really give themselves away are the ones who will try to bite your head off if you address them as something other than their “title”! I guess “brother” or “sister” is insulting to them, especially when they know in their hearts that they really aren’t one!” Bill B.
Message Received:
“It is fine to have titles, especially if you have earned and deserve them/be Spiritual not Religious.” Joseph
Reply:
No man has “earned” a title to use to elevate himself. WHY would anyone use a title except to be seen of men, to position/elevate themselves over others? (See Matt. 6.) Paul never used his calling as a title to tout. ALSO, Paul many times called himself a “servant” and SO why do these same people who are calling themselves apostles never choose to call themselves simply a servant? Red Flag! Scam!
Overcoming that Old Serpent, Called the Devil, and Satan [podcast]
https://safeguardyoursoul.com//gods-not-impressed-with-giftings/
Apostasy
GOD’S GRACE “IN THIS PRESENT WORLD” TITUS 2:12 [podcast]
Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages
LOTS OF FRAUDS WHO CLAIM TO BE SAVED BY GRACE YET DEFEND INSTEAD OF ADMITTING, REPENTING, CALLING OUT AND CONFESSING SIN. “Grace” that isn’t leading you to live godly in this present world, denying ungodliness instead of living in it, is NOT saving grace. You are lost if this is the phony “grace” you have.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” Titus 2:11-12
YES God’s grace in Christ is certainly amazing and yet, the evangelical, calvinistic worlds have grossly emphasized and perpetrate a perverted view of God’s grace…. Fulfilling the prophecy of Jude 3-4. God says these are “ungodly men” who we are to “earnestly contend” against! (Jude 3-4)
It’s only the sin-justifying, grace-perverting frauds who hate personal accountability and obedience as the manifestation, the fruit of true worship and love for God (Titus 2:11-12; Jude 4).
IF you love God, truly, you will obey Him. Those who do not obey Christ, don’t love Him (John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).
Hell is full of people who got saved, then made excuses for their Christ-denying cross-less life on earth (Matthew 7:21; Titus 1:16).
This is how true grace manifests IF someone is saved by it….. otherwise they have either never been saved or have since fallen away from saving grace (Luke 8:13; Galatians 5:4; 2 Peter 2:20-22, etc.).
“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. 21 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.” 2 Peter 2:20-21
Dear OSAS fairytale believer: Grace is given to overcome sin and not to justify it.
This “so great salvation” (Heb. 2:3) that “hath appeared to all men” was wrought for us by the grace and life blood of the Son of God (Lev. 17:11; Rom. 3:23-26). We were down and out “having no hope” and “when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Rom. 5:6; Eph. 2:12) We were “without strength!” – In other words we had no ability in and of ourselves to get back to the one true God we were separated from due to our own sin (Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 5:12). Yet, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) He saved us to be made progressively more free and to please and serve Him with joy in the Holy Ghost. He is our Salvation and enabler in all things. We truly CAN do “all things through Christ which strengtheneth” us! (Phil. 4:13)
Whenever God commands something, He also provides the grace for it to manifest in your life – as you are submitted and therefore obedient to Him (James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 4:10-11). His grace, divine enablement, operational power, is always sufficient to bring His perfect will to pass in our lives and to bring us through any and all difficulties, grueling seasons we may find ourselves in! (2 Corinthians 9:8; 12:9-10; 1 Peter 5:10)
No gift could possibly be so “great.” See Hebrews 2:3. It is to Jesus Christ the LORD of all lords that we as vile and depraved sinners, owe all thanksgiving and have the immeasurable, grand and blessed privilege to worship. There is no fathoming the magnitude of the blessing, of the grace and mercy of our God poured out to us through “the blood of his cross.” (Rom. 11:33; 1 Cor. 2:9; Col. 1:20; Tit. 3:5-6) His grace truly is amazing and yet He is holy and righteous and will not permit sin into His presence.
“By him (Christ) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Hebrews 13:15
Seems to me that in “grace” circles grace itself is deified instead of the One who alone granted that grace?
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17
My identity, my salvation is first and foremost in CHRIST JESUS Himself and not in the grace He brought and provided via His death on the cross! First things first! Keeping the main thing the main thing! (1 Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 2:20; 6:14; Hebrews 2:9)
The apostle Paul, the divinely inspired grace teacher, stated here in our theme verse (please re-read Titus 2:11-12 above) that when God’s grace is genuinely at work in a person, that person is being taught and learning certain things. Let’s go to the divine source, God’s Word, to discover what these things are:
According to Titus 2:11-12, just what does God’s grace teach one who possesses it?
- To “deny ungodliness…in this present world”
- To “deny…worldly lusts…in this present world”
- To “live soberly…in this present world”
- To “live…righteously…in this present world”
- To live “godly, in this present world”
If a person claims to be saved (secure for Heaven) and yet is not “denying ungodliness” and “worldly lusts…living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world,” he is simply deluded. See also Matthew 7:21; Titus 1:16; James 1:22; 4:4 and 1 John 2:3-6.
If you don’t mind, I am nominating Titus 2:11-12 as that place in Scripture believers think of when they think of the grace of God. Do you think that saints and/or those who claim to be saints might take on a whole new level of responsibility if such were the case?
The person who currently possesses and is living in the grace of God can be assured of eternal life (Heb. 12:14). One can know or verify whether or not he truly possesses the grace of God by reading closely this enlightening theme passage of Titus 2:11-12. The authentically saved person is presently abiding in Christ’s grace – “Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts” and living “soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (life).”
If these things are not manifesting in our lives, be sure that we are not presently living in the grace of God and should immediately repent before the LORD (James 4:6). In verse 11 of Titus 2, the Word states that it is “the grace of God that bringeth salvation.” And then Holy Writ reveals how those who truly and currently possess this essential grace live their lives – “in this present world.”
“‘For whom ye yield yourselves, servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey.’ (Rom. 6:16) If we are compelled, therefore, to yield ourselves servants to sin, and be subject to Satan’s power, insomuch that we cannot help but obey him, and really have no choice in the matter, then our free agency, our volition, is destroyed; and to make matters worse, the devil has more power than God. Satan can make us disobey God, but alas, God cannot make us disobey Satan. The devil compels us to be sinners, but God cannot compel us to be righteous. What kind of doctrine is this?” –Howard W. Sweeten
In America, the vast majority of those who are called evangelicals do not even realize that this Titus 2 text exists. The masses have never had this text pointed out to them and expounded upon by their leaders. What is it these leaders are afraid their audiences will discover if they unveil this text? Some leaders just simply do not teach the Word (2 Tim. 4:2-4). This alone makes them false. For the Calvinistic leader I must ask: What are they hiding? What are they afraid people might find out? Why are other Bible passages on grace spotlighted and not Titus 2? Why is this Bible passage purposely neglected and avoided? What are our leaders afraid will be revealed to the people they communicate to? Do these leaders fear that the divine truth revealed in Titus 2 will contradict what they are teaching? Do they fear offending people by communicating what the evidences (fruit) of true grace and salvation are?
Unrepentant rebels who claim to be saved lack the discernment and ability to rightly divide the word of God because they refuse to turn their hearts over to the LORD – 2 Corinthians 3:14-16; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12. OSAS dupes reject the mountains of Scripture that teach a conditional eternal security because they simply do not want to repent and lay down their lives in this sinful world.
Speaking of “A Foreign Grace,” David Servant, in his book The Great Gospel Deception, says:
“It is not only the fruit of people’s deeds that mark them as false teachers, but also the fruit of their words. If they teach what is contrary to essential New Testament doctrine, they are false teachers.
Of course, no teacher in the church is going to stand up and declare that he is teaching what is contrary to the New Testament. Rather, he will neglect certain important scriptures and twist others to persuade his constituency that he is teaching the truth. This is being done today by many very popular and influential teachers who teach about a grace that is foreign to the Bible. The grace they proclaim is not the true grace that leads to holiness…
How is it possible that people who denied the only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ, could have ‘crept in unnoticed’? The answer is that they were not standing in front of congregations declaring, ‘I deny Jesus Christ.’ Rather, they were denying Jesus Christ through their false teaching about grace, turning it into licentiousness.
Their message could be summarized as follows: ‘Isn’t God’s grace wonderful? Because our salvation stems from His grace and not from our meritorious works, holiness is not essential for salvation. Because of God’s wonderful grace, all who believe in Jesus are saved, even if they continue practicing sin.’” p. 230, 231
As David Servant points out, the false teacher is not going to stand up and announce that he is a wolf. It is the individual believer’s responsibility to discern leaders by the fruit of their teaching. What is not taught (left out of the message) can be more deadly than what is taught. What we don’t know can kill us. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hos. 4:6) To be able to discern one must study the Word diligently and be exercised therein (2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16; Heb. 5:11-14). This gross lack of knowledge among some who claim to know the LORD is also an indication that many have not diligently studied the Word of God for themselves, but rather have relied upon their leaders to tell them what God has said. Consequently, so very many have been deluded with a false gospel.
Saints of the LORD, let us allow Jesus Christ to become important enough to our hearts to learn for ourselves what He has stated to us in His Word. Is the LORD truly your first love? Are you actively and fervently memorizing Scripture – His very words? Let me encourage you to do so from the Authorized Version (KJV). See Proverbs 4:4 and Psalms 119. Index cards are a great way to do such.
“In This Present World” – Holiness Now Or Then?
If we do not possess His grace “in this present world,” evidenced by our denial of ungodliness and holy living here and now, then how can we deceive ourselves into thinking we are truly His? If not now, the then (eternity) is surely eternal damnation. According to God’s Word, without holiness, no person will be with Jesus Christ in eternity (Matt. 5:8; Heb. 12:14; Rev. 21:8, 27). Think with me for a moment of how many people who are at this very instant, residents of the domain of the damned – hell. What is their unalterable and horrible future? These eternal souls will shortly be cast into the lake or ocean of fire (Rev. 20:11-15). Why? These people were given the choice and willfully and deliberately chose in their brief earthly life to make something else more important than the LORD and doing His will (Exod. 20:3; Matt. 7:21; Eph. 5:3-6; 1 Jn. 5:21). Pretty simple, yet the consequence is forever fixed – They have reached the point of no return. Hell’s eternal occupants who have gone before us to damnation will, after a million years of excruciating and conscious torment, have not one less second to spend there.
Is it worth it? Is living apart from life-giving fellowship with Jesus in this short life worth eternity in torment? Is justifying instead of crucifying the sins of the body worth spending eternity in the prison of fire? Jesus told us we must abruptly cut off the hand and pluck out the eye that causes us to offend the one true and holy God with our sin, that we might be in Heaven (Mk. 9:42-50). Ready or not – Jesus is Coming!
The Fruit of True Grace: Grace that is not taught with responsibility and the fear of the LORD is not Biblical grace at all. Be not deceived! (Tit. 2:11-14) According to Titus 2:11-12, true grace produces a specific fruit. God’s grace is active. When it truly abides in a person, it has specific earmarks of its possession while “grace” without this fruit is shown to be no saving grace at all. This is a sham that so many today have been taught. It is the bill of goods that is being sold from pulpits across America every week.
Comprehensive grace includes the fear of God which alters the lifestyle and causes the recipient to live a holy life. The adherent is led into intimate fellowship with Christ and from living in habitual sin that would disqualify him from the prize of eternal life. The good news is that there is the precious blood of the Savior available at the “throne of grace” to grant us all a fresh start! This believer, who is less than the least of all saints, has had enormous reason to rejoice in that he has fallen short so many times, only to be drawn back in by the LORD to receive mercy and grace afresh! This priceless grace, purchased with the blood of Christ, is available at all times to those who are born again. We therefore have no excuse to have any sin remaining on our account (Heb. 4:14-16; 1 Jn. 1:7, 9). We are blessed to have EVERY sin washed away in His holy blood as we simply go before His precious throne of grace and cry out in repentance and receive His priceless mercy which we do not deserve yet was merited by Christ’s blood. This truth makes me want to shout for joy!
What a rich blessing it is that God’s grace empowers the believer to fulfill what its Author demands. Through the apostle Paul the Holy Ghost tells us that “sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Rom. 6:14)
PRAYER: LORD Jesus thank You for Your saving grace which enables me to experience relationship with You and live completely pleasing in Your holy sight in all things. Right this moment I denounce all dissimulation and self-deception, lies, and excuses. LORD I beg You to make my heart pure LORD Jesus! Thank You that sin shall not have dominion over my life as I obey You in the daily crucified life, as I remain in fellowship with You, forsaking all thoughts and deeds that offend You. Your grace is sufficient to bring about Your perfect will which is holiness. In the name of Jesus, amen.
No honest Bible student reads the whole of Scripture and comes out with the idea that he’s OSAS. No, such a doctrine is taught by men who lure in their un-repentant prey with ear-tickling promises. “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.” (2 Peter 2:18) Instead of preaching the original Gospel message by calling their audiences to repentance and live a holy, cross-bearing life, they assure them in their sins, just like the false prophets Jeremiah cited (Jeremiah 23:17). This is exactly why those wolves who teach this lie of the ages have such lucrative “church” businesses. They’ve gotten rich peddling Satan’s first lie and are fulfilling prophecy as they lead many to damnation (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4
The OSAS believer is vested in his own flesh which he serves instead of Christ and so he doesn’t care how many Scriptures contradict the lie he loves – because he refuses to truly repent and bring forth fruit consistent with that authentic repentance. Instead of overcoming all sin he wallows in it, justifying that which God condemns because he’s self-deceived with this antinomian (lawless) lie.
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Abiding
The Book of 2 Peter Narrated [podcast]
Chapter 1
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 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
Chapter 2
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 5 and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 7 and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9 the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10 but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13 and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15 which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 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. 21 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. 22 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.
Chapter 3
This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 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? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
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Apostasy
The Sensual Seduction and Solicitation of the Modern Church!
Spiritual Seduction is a Reality!
“How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly LUSTS. 19 These be they who separate themselves, SENSUAL, having not the Spirit.” Jude 18-19
Of this passage, one disciple notes:
“The dictionary defines sensuality this way: sen•su•al (sen shu – al) adj.
1. Relating to or affecting any of the senses or a sense organ; sensory.
2. a. Of, relating to, given to, or providing gratification of the physical and especially the sexual appetites.
b. Suggesting sexuality; voluptuous.
c. Physical rather than spiritual or intellectual.
d. Lacking in moral or spiritual interests; worldly.
“The Holy Spirit here warns us concerning the Last Times when people would be Sensual not having the Spirit. These are people who would enter the churches not simply people outside the churches; else we would not need to be warned against them. It is commonly felt that “Sensual” always is synonymous with sexuality; however the context here is with regards to the physical ‘senses’—’Feelings’ and ‘sensations’. We have five senses; Sight, Sound, Touch, Taste and Scent. We are told that we ‘walk by faith’, as opposed to walking ‘by sight’. -2 Corinthians 5:7 ‘For we walk by faith, not by sight’. This is simply a reminder that our lives must not be governed by our feelings, our senses. Back in the sixties one of the philosophies of the world was always, ‘If it feels good, it IS good’. Another question that is often asked is, ‘Is this so wrong if it feels so right?'”
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12
Most of the social media messages tell us, continually remind us that God loves us but nearly none of them inform us that the God who loves us, sent His Son to die on a cross for us, and requires and commands us to be “crucified with Christ.” (Galatians 2:20; Romans 8:29; Colossians 3:3) Beware of the half-truth false gospel of today! We must walk in the original Gospel – all of it – if we are to escape and not be “Led away with the error of the wicked.” (2 Peter 3:17)
False prophets will speak about seeking the supposed presence of God yet never preach on the cross, personal holiness, or obedience. Beware.
The only way we can prevent being deceived is by astute study and belief of God’s Word whereby we are able to rightly divide His Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
One saint writes: “Throughout the whole world error and truth travel the same highways, work in the same fields and factories, attend the same churches, fly in the same planes and shop in the same stores. So skilled is error at imitating truth that the two are constantly being mistaken for each other. It takes a sharp eye these days to know which brother is Cain and which is Abel!”
Those who do not submit to God in their daily personal life, calling upon the LORD to circumcise and purify their hearts, will be caught up in and snared by sensuality. They will live by the senses, the flesh, and not the Spirit and be sent by God Himself a “strong delusion” so that they “believe a lie” and are ultimately “damned.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
Some seek the rush of a sensual feeling instead of the reality of the risen Savior – through the cross life!
“I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” Revelation 3:1
HAVE you noticed how these new lightweight “churches” brag about their “Top 10 Core Values”? What a joke! In other words they pick out 10 socially acceptable things most people will like and that’s their top 10. And they do this instead of simply announcing that they endeavor to adhere to the whole of the Bible. KJB. Lame.
The primary way God leads His NEW Testament church is by the Holy Scriptures and not self-appointed false prophets and false apostles (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalms 119:105; 2 Peter 1:19-21, etc.).
Those who pretend to be today’s prophets aren’t grounded in the written Word! RUN!
Scripture often warns us of those who would seduce us away from Christ – just as an adulterous woman seeks to seduce a husband away from his wife!
“For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” Mark 13:22
“These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.” 1 John 2:26
“Not Withstanding 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.” Revelation 2:20
“And this I say (here’s the reason I write you!), lest any man should beguile you with enticing words … As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 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 2:4, 8-10
“Church” attendance was never ordained by God to displace, to replace the personal study of His Word. Church membership endears the people, the prey, to the organization and it’s leaders and members and not to the LORD Himself. This has displaced the individual priesthood and fellowship God ordained for each and every individual believer. Lots of people replace personally diligently seeking the LORD with going to “church.” They either merely dabble with or don’t even personally study God’s Word for themselves and yet are members in good standing at these local entertainment centers many call “church.” The pastors have sold them on this lifestyle by promoting and emphasizing church membership and not discipleship.
Seminaries are wolf factories. The protestant seminaries were infiltrated by the vatican jesuits decades ago and are now marketing schools producing greedy wolves who set up church busine$$ to market the gospel – which is the meaning of taking the name of the LORD in vain! (Exodus 20:7). Satan’s Seminaries Exposed!
“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7
To take the name of the LORD in vain is to use His name for any other purpose except true, honest worship of Him! Those who use the name of Jesus to make dishonest gain by exploiting people for their own self-serving purposes, are not guiltless before a holy God!
Many Seek the Presence and not the Person, the Face of Jesus Christ!
If you name the name of Christ, this writer, this disciple would encourage you to honestly search out this whole “seeking the presence” cult. Contemplative prayer and spiritual formation are a cheap counterfeit for a real walk with God. They substitute a real walk with Jesus wherein He commands us to seek and obey HIM, not merely His presence. When we do seek HIM and obey Him, He promises to manifest Himself to those who obey His Word (John 14:21-23).
Perhaps those who seek the presence of God and not the face of God, are simply looking for some kind of feeling. They have not truly repented and are self-willed and living out of a self-serving agenda.
God plainly told us that he will only give His presence to those who know, seek, and obey Him – and not those who merely seek His presence (John 14:21- 23).
Those who seek His HAND instead of His FACE are completely self-serving, cross-less idolaters!
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his FACE continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
WE seek the PERSON of Christ and not merely the PRESENCE of Him. Beware of this deception saints. When we seek the FACE of the LORD, He will fill us with His Spirit and make His abode in and with us. Our part is to worship and obey Him and not to merely seek His presence. Many who are not seeking to know the LORD seek a feeling instead of seeking the face of the LORD! Beware of this idolatrous spiritual adultery. These same people are not studying and grounded in the Word or the cross of Christ.
Let’s look at who Jesus says truly loves Him:
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. … 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:21, 23
In this passage above, Jesus teaches us that His presence, He and His Father, abide in the lives of those who are His (born again) and presently obeying Him.
Those who love Jesus seek His Word and obey Him. These true disciples, God manifests Himself to. These are those He chooses to make His abode with and not those who simply seek to exploit the LORD for a feeling they call His presence. Beware!
Many today seek a feeling, a sensation and not the Savior! They’ve allowed the false leaders of today to mislead them.
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away … Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:5,7
Those not submitted to the authority, the power of God which is Christ, have only a mere “form of godliness.” As was specifically foretold, today we see the fulfillment of Paul’s warning where we have so many with a mere “form of godliness.” In their daily lives they deny, reject “the power” or the authority of Jesus to reign. When Jesus reigns in a life, His cross is central to that person’s life. They are grounded in the cross – the crucified life – without exception.
Yet today we see some who never grow after being saved because false ministries have intercepted them from the LORD. Those false prophet ministries emphasize any and everything except Jesus Christ!
The vast majority of today’s pastors are sensually soliciting their prey to worship at the altar of self and not soundly grounding their audience in the cross and sound doctrine which is God’s written Word!
So many run to pack themselves in with the herd, to get turned on in what is supposed to be praise and worship. Some of it is a hollow sound and mere lip service.
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” Matthew 15:8
The hoards consist of the same souls who do not daily, diligently seek the LORD in His Word and a set apart life of prayer (Matthew 6:6; 2 Timothy 2:15). They do not live a crucified life! (Luke 9:23-24; Galatians 2:20, 24, etc.) They are “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” because they are not being grounded in the Word of God.
The powder puff pansies use fake news “bibles” instead of the KING JAMES BIBLE.
Any leader not getting you into God’s Word for yourself, is absolutely a wolf! Run!
“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
The Witchcraft of the Modern Church!
There is no instance in the 27 books of the New Testament canon where God’s people gathered to be entertained and enamored in what the modern church falsely claims to be praise and worship.
Those false ministries who stage these events are appealing to your natural senses, your emotions. They are on a marketing journey – to sell their prey into a community and not to root them in Christ!
Proof? Name 5 people you know who attend such false churches who can quote just 5 Bible verses they’ve memorized. Case closed!
Seeking and Knowing the LORD Himself!
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10
Jesus told us that the chief purpose that He came is that we might know Him and the Father. Such a cardinal, central Gospel truth is never heard in modern apostate churches today!
“And this is life eternal (the whole divine reason for it), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
The cross reveals your sin, and God’s love, not how wonderful you are! Repent!
Beware of this “knowing the Tangible Presence” idea. Spiritual formation and contemplative prayer is heresy! These heretical systems are rooted in the occult and perpetrated by “many false prophets” which Jesus specifically warns us “shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:11). Christ’s true disciples today live BY FAITH not feelings (2 Corinthians 5:7). True followers of Jesus live by the Word of God and not by their senses, their feelings (Psalms 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Yet, many today are being led to conjure up a feeling, not realizing they are summoning up evil spirits that pose as the Holy Spirit of God – another Jesus, another gospel, another spirit (2 Corinthians 11:2-4, 11-15). Those who seek an experience instead of seeking the face of the LORD, will be misled by evil spirits and false prophets (1 Chronicles 16:11). Many today are sensual and not truly spiritual in the biblical sense. There is no cross at the center of their lives (Colossians 3:3). Their daily life is not rooted in Christ – the cross! They have been led by the self-serving wolves of today’s modern church to get addicted to a feeling instead of growing in grace and obeying the LORD and Savior Himself. Self-idolatry. They love to go do what some falsely call “praise and worship” to get that feeling. Praise and worship are biblical and yet, not what many have made it out to be. There are many houses of worship if you will, which do not have Christ, the cross, at the center and therefore are not worshiping the LORD by teaching the pure, sound doctrine of the Word of God – the King James Bible. These ravenous wolves know how the church busine$$ works and so they front with a good band, good music, using young, gifted people as their pawns as they stage their deceptive exploitation, hiding behind that good music! Beware saints.
Wolves entertain goats and market their church busine$$ to grow, to gain nickels, noses, and numbers. True under-shepherds ground God’s people in the daily cross, in the fear of God, and in the sound doctrine which is the written Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; 4:2-4; 2 Peter 1:19-21, etc.).
This is a big part of the end time deception we were often warned of….
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” 1 Timothy 4:1-2
Have you ever been part of this type “church”? I sure have. Think about it. If you’re like myself, you enjoyed the praise and worship (to some degree) and yet, were left empty due to the lame “word” and lack of biblical teaching. Can anyone relate?
In any given town in America, one can search high and low, near and far, and never find even one pastor who is true to God. Is this not a fulfillment of prophecy?
“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
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4
If you still believe that most pastors today are true, stay deeply in God’s Word daily and your discernment will change. You will begin to realize that over 90% of today’s pastors are “accursed” wolves and we know this because they do not preach the original Gospel that Christ and His holy apostles preached and gave us (Jude 3).
Modern church false gospel …. No repentance, no sin, No judgment, no holiness, no cross, No warnings to beware of false prophets and heresies, no return of Christ for a spotless – sinless – bride, no Christology (study of Christ!) …
Those who preach any other gospel other than the original and complete Gospel of Jesus Christ, are “accursed.”
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-9
Then Paul reveals why false leaders do not preach the original, the real and whole Gospel of Christ – because they love self and therefore fear and cater to mere men and not Jesus Christ!
“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
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