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The Blood of Jesus (PDF)

(Duplication encouraged. An open King James Bible should accompany your study of this topic. Carefully, prayerfully study each verse given in order to answer each question correctly. Print this document out and pencil in the answers in the blanks provided. It may be best to cut and paste it to your word processing software and then print it out. Your life in Christ will be enriched forever as you embrace and put into practice His Word.)

When the man and woman whom God had created chose to sin against Him, He separated them from His presence. They attempted to cover their nakedness by sewing fig leaves together and girding them around their waists (Genesis 3:7). This was man’s attempt to cover his own sin and shame.

“The aprons of fig leaves speak of man’s attempt to save himself by a bloodless religion of good works.” William MacDonald

God did not honor the fig leaves, so He shed the blood of animals to make them “coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). Here He chose to depict the sacrifice of the coming Redeemer by the offering of innocent animals. The atonement for the man and woman by the sacrifice of these animals prophetically pointed to the Savior who would later come and personally shed His holy, sinless blood to redeem His creation which had been contaminated by sin.

From the cradle of creation through the dispensation of the Mosaic law, in Christ’s redemptive blood on Calvary’s cross, and throughout eternity future, we see that in the Creator’s economy, it is blood that quenches the fire of His holy vengeance.

It was out of the riches of God’s mercy and grace that our sins have been remitted by the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Let us now follow this blood line through the Bible.

1. Of Cain and Abel’s sacrifices, which one did God honor? Genesis 4:3-5

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Adam’s and Eve’s son Abel brought “the firstlings of his flock” at the time of sacrifice. Obviously, God instructed Adam and Eve to sacrifice animals to continue to cover their sin. God had already foretold that His Son would be sent to redeem the fallen race (Genesis 3:15). The blood of this animal that Abel offered prefigured the blood of the Messiah which would later be shed to redeem mankind. Abel pleased God because he displayed faith in His Word concerning the blood sacrifice that Jesus Christ would make. This is the beginning of the blood river of redemption which flows from Genesis to Revelation. Cain’s sacrifice was rejected because it did not align with God’s redemptive program. It was like much of the religious activity we have today, of self-will and man-made tradition, instead of that which God requires.

2. Complete the following statement made in Hebrews 11:4:

“By ________ Abel offered unto God a more ___________________

 __________________ than Cain, by the which he obtained witness

that he was righteous, ______________________________________:

and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”

God honored the faith that Abel displayed in the coming Redeemer and declared him righteous thereby.

3. What is essential for the remission of sin? Hebrews 9:22

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“Remission” means a dismissal or release from a debt or penalty. In the New Testament, it is used concerning the forgiveness of sins. Remission of sins occurs when God applies the blood of Jesus to the life of the believer, thereby, canceling his sin debt.

4. Read Exodus 12:1-14. What kind of lamb did God instruct His people to sacrifice? Exodus 12:5

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5. What did the Lord command His people to do after they had killed the lamb? Exodus 12:6, 7

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6. What did God say that He was going to do to the Egyptians for their sin? Exodus 12:12

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The Egyptians would not let God’s people go; consequently, God was going to send a death angel through the land of Egypt (Egypt represents the sinners of the world) and kill the firstborn male child and beast of every family. This event is called the Passover which was to be God’s judgment upon the sin of the Egyptians.

7. What role did the blood play for God’s people who placed it on the door posts of their houses? Exodus 12:13

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While the nation of Israel was under Egyptian bondage, the Lord informed Israel that each family was to shed the blood of an unblemished lamb and place the blood upon their door posts before He delivered them from Egypt (Exodus 12). So, today, every disciple of Jesus should apply the blood of Christ’s redemption to his life daily in prayer and through a life of obedience to the Word (1 John 1:7; Revelation 12:11). The blood which initially cleanses one upon repentance and faith in the Son of God, is to continue to daily cleanse that person from his sins and iniquities (1 John 1:7).

8. For what reason did God say that He would pass over – not allow harm to come upon His people? Exodus 12:13

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Judgment was averted by the presence of the blood. Where the blood was applied, God’s wrath was appeased. Is the cleansing blood applied to every area of your life?

9. What did the Lord state that He would do when He saw the blood? Exodus 12:13

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Here we see that the atoning blood appeased the wrath of God. He said that this blood would save the people from His justified wrath. The unblemished lamb was a type of the spotless Lamb of God which was yet to be slain (1 Peter 1:19), saving those who would receive Him, from the holy wrath of God (Romans 5:9). The Israelites openly expressed their faith in the coming Savior by placing the blood of the unblemished lamb on their door posts in the sign of a cross (up and down and across). This blood had to be personally appropriated/applied by each Israelite family (Exodus 12:3-4).

10. Who is our Passover Lamb? 1 Corinthians 5:7b

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11. Under the Old Covenant, what did God require to make atonement for the souls/sins of His people? Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 17:11

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Under the law God instructed the nation of Israel to approach Him by the sacrifice of animals. The sins of the people were atoned for by the blood of animals (Leviticus 16:34; 17:11). This prophetic pattern of God continued to cover the sins of His people from the time of the fall until the One whom these sacrifices foreshadowed appeared. Those in Israel who genuinely loved the God of all truth, fervently anticipated the arrival of this repeatedly prophesied Redeemer. About 4,000 years after man had fallen, a prophet sent from God, John the Baptist, saw Jesus Christ the Reconciler approaching, and declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). It was “the fulness of time” and the Father had sent the promised Redeemer into the earth to take “away the sin of the world” (Galatians 4:4; John 1:29). The sacrifices that previously atoned for Israel would now be superceded by the one sacrifice of “the Lamb, God’s only begotten Son (Hebrews10:1-23).

These blood sacrifices of the Old Testament were instituted by God to point to the One who would pay the ultimate sacrifice for the sin-debt of the world. Jesus was the fulfillment of all of the Old Testament blood sacrifices. His pure and spotless blood was about to be shed to pay fully for the sins of the world. The Lamb which was slain before the foundation of the world (in the mind of God) was now manifest on earth to redeem mankind from his sinful and separated state (Rev. 13:8; Jn 1:14).

12. What did Jesus say just before He offered Himself on His altar, the cross? Matthew 26:28

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13. For what purpose was Jesus going to offer His blood? Matthew 26:28

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14. How was the Church purchased? Acts 20:28; Revelation 5:9

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15. How did our God make peace and reconcile mankind to Himself? Colossians 1:20

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16. In light of the truth that Jesus made peace between God and man through the blood He shed, wherein should we glory? Galatians 6:14

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And what should we preach? 1 Corinthians 2:2

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17. According to Ephesians 1:7, what two blessings does the believer receive through the blood of Jesus?

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As is clearly announced in the God-breathed New Testament records, redemption and the remission/forgiveness of sins only comes by the blood of Jesus, and is a gift granted by the Father out of the abundance of His grace. To redeem (as in redemption) is to buy back. We had been sold out to sins by the first man and our own rebellion, yet, God, in His great mercy, came in the person of Jesus Christ to buy us back to the Father. The blood of Christ is God’s agent for removing man’s sin. All of the baptismal water in the world cannot wash away one sin. The blood of the Son of God is the divine detergent that cleanses man from sins and the guilt that it brings. To receive the person of Jesus Christ is to partake of the unspeakable benefits of His blood.

18. How are men not redeemed? 1 Peter 1:18

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19. How are men redeemed? 1 Peter 1:19

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God the Father honors the blood of Jesus as full payment for sins. It was the divine price paid for man’s redemption. His blood alone satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem mankind. Man was bought back and therefore can be brought back to peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).

20. Read Romans 3:21-26. Complete the following found in Romans 3:24, 25:

“Being justified freely by his ___________ through the

____________________ that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set

forth to be a _____________________  (the atoning sacrifice) through

______________________________, to declare

___________________________ for the remission of sins that are

past, through the forbearance of God.”

21. How are sinners “made nigh (close) to God? Ephesians 2:13

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22. What agent of God justifies the person who receives Jesus Christ? Romans 5:9

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23. What is the believer saved from because of the blood of Jesus? Romans 5:9

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God is holy and demands holiness of the human race that He created. His wrath on sin and all who partake of it is appeased only by the blood of the Lamb Jesus.

24. Refer to Revelation 1:5 and complete the following:

“And from_____________________ , who is the faithful witness, and

the first-begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Unto _____________________________, and __________________ 

_______________________________________________________.”

25. What is purged when the blood of Jesus is applied? Hebrews 9:14

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Not only does the blood of Christ take away the sins of the one who personally receives Him, but also the guilt that is always coupled with sin. The shame of sin is removed when the blood of Jesus is applied (Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:9). If there is a shortcoming, the repentant believer can always find forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of Jesus. God’s part is the blood, our part is repentance. Repentance on the part of the transgressor is a must for the removal of sin (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:7-9).

26. Why can every single disciple of Jesus enter into the holy throne of God with great boldness/confidence? Hebrews 10:19

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Under the Old Covenant, only the high priest could enter behind the veil into the holy of holies to meet with God (Hebrews 9:7). Because of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus paid, every believer can approach God in the holy of holies. In the same hour that Jesus died, the thick veil that separated the Old Testament saints from the presence of God was ripped open (Mark 15:38). This marked the hour that God came out from behind the veil to meet man on a personal basis – All this because of the blood of Christ that was poured out for mankind. Personal access into the very presence of God has been granted to all who truly trust in the precious and cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. Each disciple of Christ now has entrance into the very throne of the Father where Jesus is seated on His right hand, making intercession (Hebrews 7:25; 10:19-22).

27. As the child of God walks in the light, what is it that continues to cleanse his sins? 1 John 1:7

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It is the blood of Christ that continues to make the disciple of Jesus holy before the Father as he continues to walk in obedience. It is the blood of Jesus that sustains the people of God in holiness before Him.

28. What two weapons recorded in Revelation 12:11 has God given to the Body of Christ to overcome Satan and his angels? Read Revelation 12:7-11.

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Overcoming the enemy comes from being washed by the blood of Jesus and upholding the standard of His holy Word as a weapon of spiritual warfare. Jesus supplied His blood, you are to supply the testimony of its power to redeem (Psalms 107:2).

29. What is the agent that will cleanse the Great Tribulation saints? Revelation 7:14

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30. In the ordinance of communion, what is symbolized by the drink? 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

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The drink is to bring us into fresh remembrance of the blood sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. He has purchased us with His own blood.

31. What does “the cup” of “the fruit of the vine” represent as instituted by the Lord? Matthew 26:26-30

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His body was broken and His blood flowed to the earth. When we break bread and drink wine/grape juice, we are to do it in remembrance of His sacrifice for us, without which we would have no hope of redemption whatsoever.

THE WORK OF REDEMPTION IS COMPLETE IN JESUS CHRIST. HIS BLOOD FLOWS JUST AS FRESH AND POWERFUL THIS INSTANT AS THE MOMENT IT WAS SHED. TAKE A MOMENT TO EXAMINE YOUR HEART. THE LORD JESUS INVITES YOU TO COME TO HIM FOR THE CLEANSING OF ALL SIN AND THE SHAME THEREOF. AS YOU REPENT OF ALL SINS BEFORE GOD, ASK HIM TO TAKE AWAY YOUR SIN AND GUILT THROUGH CHRIST’S PERFECT BLOOD. THANK HIM FOR HIS BLOOD.

ENRICHING ASSIGNMENT:

In 250 words or more, detail the ways that the Word of God should be incorporated into the daily life of the believer. (Tips for your essay’s content: study, performance, prayer, warfare, proclaiming, meditating upon, memorizing, etc). Search the Scriptures as your source for this essay and use Scripture and references to validate your statements. Begin with deep and prayerful meditation on God’s Word. Write your essay neatly and in an organized manner.

SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION: Ephesians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 5:7b

It would be very advantageous for you to cross reference all of the Scriptures in this study. For example, pencil in each topically similar verse into the margin next to the corresponding verses on this same subject. Write out these verses with references on index cards – make it a priority to carry and post them where you will study and meditate upon them. These two measures will build in you a wealth of truth on each topic. This will help you to retain and become resourceful in the Word of God – ready to be used of Him. Capture the knowledge that you have learned, don’t let it slip away from you.

Capitalize on your efforts. This is preparation in earnest (2 Timothy 2:21).

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Articles

The Truth about Tradition and Church Membership [podcast]

Is Church Membership Biblical?


Godly and Ungodly Tradition and True and False Church Membership

YOU KNOW you are in a fake church when they have “membership classes” to get you to join yet spend little or no time preaching the Word on the necessity of repentance, forsaking your life in this world, denying self, taking up the cross, and following Jesus daily! Run!

Membership means money to them!

They have a busine$$ plan.

“Prove (test) all things; hold fast (keep and do) that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Of the 13 times we find the word “tradition(s) in Scripture, only twice is it used positively. The other 11 times it is used negatively because men put their foolish traditions above Christ.

History of Church Membership: The history of church membership in Protestant and Evangelical churches begins with the Catholic Church, which implements its discipline over all the baptized (christened, water sprinkled), through a tradition-based sacramental system, governing the lives of their captors from cradle to grave. Essentially, in this way the Roman cult corrals and coerces the insistence of membership upon every initiated, water-sprinkled/christened catholic child. Without that cult-initiation rite, that membership to the Roman religion, that person is considered outside of salvation, outside of the “one true church.” Through church membership in the Catholic church, the completely un-biblical sacramental system is enforced. The Catholic sacramental system is the creation, the strategy of devils, designed to strengthen the piety of the Catholic faithful throughout their lives, guiding them safely into the bowels of eternal damnation. Jesus died and rose again that He alone might have preeminence over His true worldwide body. Church membership to a local church or church organization is perpetrated by cross-less wolves and is a direct affront to the Headship of the one, nail-scarred Savior (Colossians 1:18; 2:18-19, etc.).

The vast majority of so-called pastors today are more interested in getting you to join their church club, to become a member of their church, than they are about truly feeding the flock of God with the whole counsel of Scripture, equipping you for ministry, and winning souls to Jesus (John 21:15-17; Acts 20:20-32; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 5:1-6, etc.). Prove it wrong.

Church membership today is nothing more than a device of wolves to corral and exploit the people! There’s no biblical justification for it.

Church membership is a tool to run a scam on the people – to number them as Satan led David to do (1 Chronicles 21). The LORD judged David for doing this and is judging the wolves today who coercively promulgate their church membership scam. God’s people belong to HIM and no other (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23, etc.).

Church membership is for nobody’s good except those peddling it. Church membership is designed to make you loyal to their church club, not Christ.

APPLE CARTS FLYING: THE TRADITION AND DECEPTION OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: BEWARE!

Can anyone find church membership in God’s Word among the earliest followers of Jesus? No. If someone is concerned about you becoming a member of their church, that’s a red flag. Make no mistake: They are corralling you in order to control you. Think about it: WHY can’t they just love you as a member of the one blood bought body of Christ? (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4) Church membership as it’s done by the 501(C)(3) government churches is against Holy Scripture and is a device of evil men, wolves. Run.

Beware of the agenda saints. Church membership is a corralling of God’s people for the self-serving purposes of hirelings.

“Church membership” as it’s carried out in the modern church world, quenches the Holy Spirit in my opinion. It ruins the organic, spontaneous, pure fellowship true believers enjoy due to being in Christ. Church membership seems to be a learned device to coral believers in order to exploit them. Think about it: Seminarian pastors are taught this scheme to build their church busine$$.

Denominations or church organizations reinforce this to secure people and funds. It’s a business model. No such thing as church membership in the Bible except that membership Christ alone procured by His own blood. ALL of His saints’ names are written in Heaven (Luke 10:20). Jesus says that this is what we rejoice in!

“Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20

We are Christ’s kingdom disciples. We belong to HIM.

“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23

Local level “church membership” diverts the heart affections of those corralled by hireling wolves! Beware.

Only Abiding in the Truth Protects

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield (protection) unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6

Is church membership not adding to God’s Word?

God gave us His written Word so that we can be safeguarded from being misled. As we will see in a moment, the traditions of men have and will continue to lead many astray and into eternal damnation. Tradition is passed along from one religious, truth-despising generation to the next. Concerning rightly dividing the truth of God’s Word and how twisting Scripture transpires as a tradition and applies to interpretation of God’s Word, Charles Koller writes:

“There are pitfalls of interpretation into which devout believers may fall, resulting in distortions of the truth. A preacher may borrow an interpretation from a devout Bible scholar, who had previously borrowed it from another equally devout but perhaps misguided Bible scholar. And so the inventions of devout men may unwittingly be passed around as ‘the Word of God.’ Let the Bible speak for itself! What does it actually say? And what does it mean?” Charles W. Koller, How to Preach without Notes, p.65

“Tradition(s)” as it Appears in Scripture:     

Matthew 15:2     Why do thy disciples transgress the TRADITION of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 

Matthew 15:3     But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your TRADITION? 

Matthew 15:6     And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your TRADITION. 

Mark 7:3     For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the TRADITION of the elders. 

Mark 7:5     Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the TRADITION of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 

Mark 7:8     For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the TRADITION of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 

Mark 7:9     And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own TRADITION. 

Mark 7:13     Making the word of God of none effect through your TRADITION, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. 

Galatians 1:14     And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the TRADITIONS of my fathers. 

Colossians 2:8     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. 

2 Thessalonians 2:15     Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the TRADITIONS which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 

2 Thessalonians 3:6     Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the TRADITION which he received of us. 

1 Peter 1:18     Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by TRADITION from your fathers; 

Did you notice that in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Christ’s apostle Paul says we are to “hold the traditions WHICH YE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT, whether by word, or our epistle.” The roman catholic cult deceitfully seeks to justify the use of its myriad of Bible-contradicting traditions using this verse. Yet read the words of this verse and carefully note that Paul taught these “traditions” and so they came from God who sanctioned the apostle to pen Holy Scripture (2 Peter 1:19-21). “Traditions” that glorify God are found in God’s Word, not in the writings of some religion of mere sinful men that diametrically contradicts what we read in Holy Scripture. Also, these “traditions” that we received from Paul are tangibly recorded in an “epistle.” The saints at the city of Thessalonica were receiving this divinely-inspired, written letter or “epistle.” This later became part of Holy Writ for all New Testament Scriptures and one of the books of the New Testament canon. What New Testament disciples “have been taught” is now canonized in the 27 books of the New Testament canon of Holy Scripture and is final authority for the faith and practice of all narrow way believers (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21, etc.).

DFPS front flat

Testing and Discerning what is True Tradition and What is False

All who cling to their religion and/or religious tradition in lieu of Christ and His Word, are as sure for hell as if they were already there (Mark 7:6-9).

We are warned in Colossians 2:8 to “Beware” of false “tradition” which leads us away from the pure worship of “Christ.”

“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.” Colossians 2:8      

Many times people in local “churches” are seen or heard saying “That’s just how we do things around here!” Well, if what you do around you stupid “ministry” is not according to God’s Word, it’s time to repent and change it. Now!

Testing the Concept and Practice of Modern Church Membership

No such thing as church membership in the early church. Totally false.

Church membership is a tool of controlling leaders to corral souls for their own self-serving purposes! Beware! (Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 34; Matthew 23) They discount your place in Christ by telling you that membership is important in the church business they are building to their own glory.

JESUS came to make captives free. SATAN’s agents seek to put you in bondage! (Luke 4:18; John 10:10; Galatians 5:1)

—- MOST “good church members” are lost due to following a pastor and program instead of truly following Christ on HIS terms. See Mark 8:34-38 and Luke 9:23-24 and you will see why Jesus says only a “few” will be in Heaven Matt. 7:13-14. Your pastor is not your judge, God is and so you better please Him according to what He told you in His Word or you will be cast into the lake of fire as a disobedient, idolatrous rebel (Matthew 7:21; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:4; Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:14-15, etc.).

Church membership as we know it today, is a tradition of mere sinful and self-serving men “whose god is their belly.” (Philippians 3:18-19)

“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.).” Philippians 3:18-19

There is nothing found in Scripture that directly teaches people that they should “join a church.” So, did the Almighty, all-knowing God somehow forget to tell us something we needed to know, OR, has someone added something foreign to the practice of the Christian faith?

The Bible student must conclude that “joining a church” as we know it in this apostate age, is not by divine decree but is rather a tradition of sinful men and therefore a “false way” that we should “hate.” (Psalms 119:104, 128) So, church membership in an earthly organization is not a tradition any disciple of Christ should hold and should stay clear of such in order not to dilute his allegiance to the one and only “Head” of His true body, Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:18; 2:18-19; Ephesians 5:23). This is after the workings of sinful men to secure the allegiance and loyalty of men’s hearts, intercepting the affections of their hearts from the “Head.” Was it not rebellious Absalom who “stole the hearts of the men of Israel”? (2 Samuel 15:6) Is this not the subversive, insidious “spirit of antichrist” at work today to rob God of the glory due to Christ’s holy name alone?

Did Jesus or any disciple in the New Testament Scriptures ever instruct anyone to “join a church” or become a good church member as we know these thing to be today in westernized “Christianity”?

Such a question poses a threat to some pastors who are far too possessive, un-submitted, and un-abandoned to Christ. Though not truly submitted to the LORD, which would mean they trusted Him in all things, many of these same leaders seek for coerce others to submit to them, to join their church, to support them, etc.

Posing such a question as this one on church membership, is an example of testing all things against the counsel of Scripture like good Bereans (Acts 17:11). Testing what is being accepted in a local gathering of saints can shake up a leader who is not truly broken before the LORD. Testing all things helps us rightly divide the word of truth and begin to examine what is truth and what is tradition in the things we do as His body and as individual saints. We must live and oversee only as our LORD has revealed in the divine wisdom of His Word and as He enables and leads – which will always be in accordance with His Word (Psalms 11:105; 2 Timothy 3:15-17, etc.).

Jesus says “follow me” and if one is going to know and follow Him, that person must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him “daily.” (Matthew 16:24-25; Luke 9:23-24).

Church membership as we know it today in the modern church system, is clearly a tradition of mere men and not a part of true, New Testament Christianity. At this point, many will say: “But brother, the Bible says we are to fellowship!” Yes, true, but remember that church membership is completely unneeded for true Christian fellowship as defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 3:16-17, etc.). Yes, the Bible teaches us that Jesus’ true disciples are to fellowship with one another and modern church membership is completely unneeded for such unless you factor in the hirelings who perpetrate such for their own personal purposes. In fact, self-serving ambition is the root of most traditions. The whole church-building centered modern church system is designed to benefit and profit the business-owner or franchisee (the pastor), not the LORD and His people. Christ’s true saints are not lukewarm weekly church members but rather, on fire disciples are fellowship daily and “exhort one another DAILY” and so much the more as His return draws nigh (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrew 3:13; 10:24-25).

You see, if a pastor can get you to sign his roster, he knows he has your allegiance and therefore you money.

Most people claiming to be Christians have this tradition in their minds that they need to find and join a church. Yet, it’s a nearly impossible task to find a body of true believers who are walking in the New Testament definition and revelation of what God calls fellowship where Christ is supreme. 99% of local churches are entertainment centers that offer little or no elements nor the spirit of the early church believers.

The test of true Christian fellowship is whether or not there are the following elements as found in the book of Acts (partial list):

  • continuing steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine (written Word)
  • breaking bread together
  • fellowship
  • prayer
  • sharing one to another whatever each member of the body of Christ needs – having all things common
  • ceasing not to teach and to preach Jesus Christ (Acts 5:42)

You see, when you find – if you ever find – a pastor who tells the people to give among yourselves, having “all things common,” you have found something very rare. Regrettably, the modern church is a business and that CEO pastor who refuses to truly pastor the people, needs to pay a mortgage and many other unnecessary expenses they are wasting. So, in his mind, following Christ has nothing to do with it – making the mortgage and building his church business is what matters to him.

Perhaps we should cease searching for a church and simply be Christ’s church.

The LORD Himself, nor any of His apostles ever hinted of or instructed anyone to “go join a church” or to “become a good church member” and yet this is the order of the day in the apostate modern church world which is piloted or hi-jacked by self-serving hirelings who are farming their communities to build their own local church franchise, competing against other CEO type entrepreneurs. Now grant it, being an entrepreneur is not a sin if done uprightly in the business world and yet, the Church of Jesus Christ is no place to employ entrepreneurial tactics. Christ’s church is not a business. Yet this is the way much of the modern church world is set up. Ecclesiastes 1:9 tells us that “There is no new thing under the sun” and so we know we can peer into history and see the same things happening as we see transpiring today.

“And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:13

God’s house or dwelling place in individuals and in groups is to be dedicated to the worship of Him alone and yet, many today are intercepting the worship due only to the LORD and exploiting His people for their own self-serving purposes (Isaiah 56:10-12; Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 34; Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Peter 2:1-3, etc.).

Setting forth such an idea that subverts the modern tradition of church memberships may be scary to some. To make the case that true New Testament fellowship is what is important and not joining a church, makes some pastors nervous because they are entrenched in following tradition instead of Christ. Perhaps they are threatened by this because they have not fully released themselves and therefore the people to the LORD, acknowledging Him alone as their Maker, God, Redeemer, and “Head.” (Colossians 2:18-19) Today would be the best day to denounce these idolatrous sins and begin to “lean not to thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5-7)

Please don’t read rebellion against God into this – but do read rebellion against man and satan into it please. You can put my name on that! It’s time to sift through and test every notion, philosophy, and practice of today against what we observe in Holy Scripture to be truth and according to the mind of Christ. See Acts 17:11 and Jeremiah 1:10. The erroneous traditions and contradictions to holy truth must FIRST be removed and torn down before a proper foundation can begin to be built. Study and memorize and put into action the divine principle and order of Jeremiah 1:10.

Christ and His redemptive work on that cross is despised by church membership. How? Well, church membership dishonors that Christ bled to make us members of HIS one body or church. Read Ephesians 2; 4; 1 Corinthians 12.

It’s only where Jesus Christ is upheld as the supreme KING, God, Counselor, Truth, Way, and Life that divine virtue flows from Heaven into His people! See Colossians 2:18-19.

Until we first put to the test the very reasons for which we assemble/meet and embrace the priorities set forth in Scripture, our assemblies will be limited at best.

Blindly following or going along with tradition instead of what is taught in God’s Word, always leads to dismal results as we have the pharisees for an example.

We should ask “What is the biblical precedence for ….” and “What saith the Scriptures?”

This doesn’t mean we won’t find things that are biblical, but how can we possibly have a clear heart about things until we do?

“Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” 2 Samuel 15:6

Traditions of Mere Men are Meant to be Broken – Rooted Out

A reading of the Gospels reveals to us that Jesus often upset the religious bafoons of His day by breaking their foolish, man-centered, Christ-denying traditions. Their foolish traditions trumped divine truth.

“For laying aside the commandment (Word) of God, ye hold the TRADITION of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.” Mark 7:8

Do you know what Jeremiah 1:10 says? This verse gives us extremely valuable and necessary insight into the order and workings of the LORD.

“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10

What is the LORD’s order of working in our hearts?

  • “to root out”
  • “to pull down”
  • “to destroy”
  • “to throw down”
  • “to build”
  • “to plant”

First we should diligently examine why we do what we do. All teachings and practices must be acid tested against Holy Writ (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1). Questions to explore:

  • “What did the early church do” is a very good starting question.
  • And, “What do we see the apostles and Christ doing”?
  • “What does the Bible teach?”

Your Prayer: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I come to You in the name of Jesus, asking that You would please begin to purge out any notion or philosophy or belief in this life You gave that is not of You – that is not according to the whole counsel of Your written Word. Please make me Your authentic disciple. Root out all from my life that does not glorify You and fill this vessel with the fruits of Your righteousness to bring glory to You and to serve others as unto You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sign up for free email devotional HERE… The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.

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The One Essential to Victory [podcast]


Victory is at hand!! This message is at the heart of the original Gospel message Christ and that His apostles gave. Yet, this is seldom if ever heard today. Victory awaits you!!!!! God desires to give it to you!!!! You be careful though saint. Be not deceived. Get this truth in your heart and life and God will raise you upward to the victory that brings Him glory and where you belong. Paul said that there are many “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Phil. 3:18-19) Discover who they are and what is divinely required for you to be blessed with victory in this life and in eternity with Christ!

Raised Up | I Die Daily


The Victory is in Jesus [podcast]


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Bowels of Mercies [podcast]


“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

“Now the end (supreme goal) of the commandment (Word of God, Gospel) is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” 1 Timothy 1:5

Recently a dear brother in Christ who got to reading on the ministry site, sent me an email claiming that I was perhaps being too harsh in some of the expose’s on the site. After I responded, this dear man sent back an apology, asking forgiveness for his own unwarranted harshness towards me.

Whew! Saints this is exactly how we should humbly work out things in the body of Christ, whose love never fails!

Here was the response sent to him:

“Blessings in Christ dear brother and thank you for the iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17). Please let me know how can be a blessing to you (Ps 133:1; Eph 4:3).”

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12-14

WHEN we aren’t concerned about how we are affecting others, it’s because we don’t care for them and are full of self (Colossians 4:6).

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6

“Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” 1 Peter 1:22

“Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.” 2 Corinthians 6:12

“For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:8

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,” Philippians 2:1

“For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.” Philemon 1:7

“Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:” Philemon 1:12

“Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.” Philemon 1:20

“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” 1 John 3:17

Saints, may our LORD help us to HELP other disciples who are in the same fight as we are in and help them in the LORD’s process of sanctification. Galatians 6:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:24-26 

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