Mat 12:38  "Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39  But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

Pilgrim

From Luther’s large catechism

http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/catechism/web/cat-13.html
“We have now finished the three chief parts of the common Christian doctrine. Besides these we have yet to speak of our two Sacraments instituted by Christ, of which also every Christian ought to have at least an ordinary, brief instruction, because without them there can be no Christian; although, alas! hitherto no instruction concerning them has been given. But, in the first place, we take up Baptism, by which we are first received into the Christian Church.”

 “In the second place, since we know now what Baptism is, and how it is to be regarded, we must also learn why and for what purpose it is instituted; that is, what it profits, gives and works. And this also we cannot discern better than from the words of Christ above quoted: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Therefore state it most simply thus, that the power, work, profit, fruit, and end of Baptism is this, namely, to save. For no one is baptized in order that he may become a prince, but, as the words declare, that he be saved. But to be saved. we know. is nothing else than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil, and to enter into the kingdom of Christ, and to live with Him forever.
 Here you see again how highly and precious we should esteem Baptism, because in it we obtain such an unspeakable treasure, which also indicates sufficiently that it cannot be ordinary mere water. For mere water could not do such a thing, but the Word does it, and (as said above) the fact that the name of God is comprehended therein. But where the name of God is, there must be also life and salvation, that it may indeed be called a divine, blessed, fruitful, and gracious water; for by the Word such power is imparted to Baptism that it is a laver of regeneration, as St. Paul also calls it, Titus 3, 5.”

Luther’s small catechism: 

http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/LCMS/smallcatechism.pdf
“Second
What benefits does Baptism give?
It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all
who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.
Which are these words and promises of God?
Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be
saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16).”

From Lutheran website

http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=3967
“The Scriptures teach, of course, that there is only one Baptism (Eph. 4:5). There is no indication that God has limited this blessed means of grace to individuals on the basis of age or levels of maturity. Baptism is God's act, a divine testimony to what "grace alone" really means, whereby He imparts the blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation to indivduals, children and adults alike. And as our Lutheran fathers have always taught, Baptism confirms the grace of God upon adults who have already come to faith, and strengthens them in their faith, even as the Lord's Supper does.”

http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2607
“The LCMS does not believe that baptism is ABSOLUTELY necessary for salvation. The thief on the cross was saved (apparently without baptism), as were all true believers in the Old Testament era. Mark 16:16 implies that it is not the absence of baptism that condemns a person but the absence of faith, and there are clearly other ways of coming to faith by the power or the Holy Spirit (reading or hearing the Word of God). Still, baptism dare not be despised or willfully neglected, since it is explicitly commanded by God and has his precious promises attached to it. It is not a mere "ritual" or "symbol," but a powerful means of grace by which God grants faith and the forgiveness of sins.”

http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2610
“There is no ambiguity about what Lutherans actually teach on this point, although you are may well be correct in observing that this needs to be taught more clearly and emphasized more frequently for the sake of those who may misunderstand what the Bible and the Lutheran Church actually teaches in this regard. Baptism is "enough" for salvation in that it contains all the blessings of salvation that God himself has attached to it; these blessings are received, however, only by those who cling in faith--which itself is a gift of God!--to the words and promises attached to baptism.”

http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=4645
“We also believe on the basis of what the Scriptures say concerning baptism throughout the New Testament that it is  a means through which God conveys His saving grace. Lutheran theologians therefore often speak of baptism as "visible Gospel." God (not human beings) has instituted baptism (Matt. 28:18-20). He has attached His powerful Gospel to the visible element of water and through this, His work, He unites us with Christ and imparts to us His saving blessings. That Baptism is God's means of imparting His grace is especially clear in Romans 6.”


Luther clearly taught that saving grace takes place for many at their baptism. This is a false gospel and is condemned by the Word of God. A false gospel cannot save and those who trust the false gospel which Luther taught are in grave danger. If they do not trust the true gospel of the Bible they will perish. According to Gal. 1 anyone who teaches a false gospel is curse. Luther unfairly receives a free pass and his wickedness winked at because many today are not aware of what this man taught and practiced. I am not a protestant, I owe Luther nothing. Liberal or not at least the “Evangelical Lutheran Church in America” is honest enough to reject Luther’s wickedness against the Jews.

Pilgrim

Brother Pilgrim,

  I have not read all of  "What Luther says", but alot of it only as I was lead to read. He died in 1546, February 18, not far away. As I was reading where your address led me, it did not read like Luther, wrote or from what I have read of him. Alot of it seemed like something that he would not have did, from what happened after the 95 thing he nailed on the door of the church. And as Marv said it is incomplete.

Hello ggamble,

http://www.elca.org/ecumenical/interfaithrelations/jewish/declaration.html

“In the spirit of that truth-telling, we who bear his name and heritage must with pain acknowledge also Luther's anti-Judaic diatribes and the violent recommendations of his later writings against the Jews. As did many of Luther's own companions in the sixteenth century, we reject this violent invective, and yet more do we express our deep and abiding sorrow over its tragic effects on subsequent generations. In concert with the Lutheran World Federation, we particularly deplore the appropriation of Luther's words by modern anti-Semites for the teaching of hatred toward Judaism or toward the Jewish people in our day.”

Even the Lutheran Church has come out against Luther’s hater for the Jews as part of their statement above shows. Are you aware that Hitler looked to Luther as one of his most esteemed religious leaders? Are you aware that one of Hitler’s butchers use Luther’s anti-semitism in his defense at the Nuremberg trial?

Apart form all this Luther held to the false gospel of baptismal regeneration. He believed and taught that salvation took place at one’s baptism and apart from baptism one cannot be saved.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptism

“Martin Luther, for example, placed great importance on baptism. Luther states in The Large Catechism of 1529,

    "To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to save. No one is baptized in order to become a prince, but as the words say, to 'be saved.' To be saved, we know, is nothing else than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil and to enter into the kingdom of Christ and live with him forever."”

If Luther believed what he taught then he held to a false gospel which does not have the power to save. God’s Word pronounces a strong anathema to anyone including angles who preach a false gospel and this would include Luther.

Gal 1:6 “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.” 

Luther’s catechism is a good example of the serious problem of man made doctrinal statements. You have to wonder how many souls are in hell right now because they embraced the false gospel of salvation presented by Luther’s catechism rather than the true gospel of the Bible. Luther’s catechism is a clear case of mankind making void the Word of God by their own traditions.

Pilgrim

Luther said there were 6 things as the head of the family that should be taught in a simple way to his household. In other words these things should be taught at home. And I'm not Lutheran either.
 If they are used in the sense of works or as the only means to salvation, or rituals, religious practices for the wrong reasons or as regulations or to seem holy and the love of the Lord is not in it, then there is a danger. If  they are not yet committed to Jesus,  does not mean they are bad seeds of the Word being planted in them. I'm a witness to them seeds planted up till I was 16, then the years of rebellion until I truly seen the light at age 43, fits the Proverb to a tee.

Hello ggamble,

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Luther is the wrong man to quote to me. I don’t have much respect for a man as wicked as he was. At age 60 Luther wrote “The Jews and Their Lies”, one of the most hate filled documents I have ever read. http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/Luther_on_Jews.html

Pilgrim

I don't think Pilgrim is against the statements that the creed makes.  I think he is retisent to uphold a man's statement, regardless of it's basis, over or in accordance with God's word.  I agree with the Creed.  I uphold God's word.   

Amen! Allinall,

The Word of God is more than sufficient for all our needs. As sincereheart pointed out God’s Word in it’s simplicity doesn’t need the aid of mankind to make it’s point. To often mankind thinks they are helping out with their doctrinal statements and in the end they corrupt the Word of God. The Heidelberg confession, Belgic confession and Cannons of Dort are just a few example of mankind tampering with the Word of God and bring in error in a major way.

Pilgrim

[about]

I'm not Pilgrim,
but instead of finding something about the Word of God to recite --
maybe just recite from the Word, itself? 

Amen! sincereheart.

Pro 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Joh 4:19 “The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20  Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Pilgrim

Joh 20:19 “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20  And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. ”

Joh 20:26 “And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.”


Mat 10:34 “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36  And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

Pilgrim
 

Col 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.”

Jer 10:1 “Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2  Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3  For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4  They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.”

Deu 12:28 “Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God. 29  When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; 30  Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. 31  Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. 32  What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.”

1Jo 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

Pilgrim
 

I believe man made creeds and doctrinal statements are dangerous and should be avoided. The Word of God is the only doctrinal statement that mankind needs. I have seen to many doctrinal statements that go beyond the Word of God and exalt man’s traditions above the Bible. I think we get dangerously close to the pharisees and Sadducees and make void the Word of God by adding our own traditions that all are expected to hold to and follow.

Mar 7:1  Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2  And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3  For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4  And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 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? 6  He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7  Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 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. 9  And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Pilgrim

Pigrim,
I agree with you. We receive the Holy Spirit at our baptism. It is not the water that saves, but the words that are spoken. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are present when we call on his name. Mt.28:19 Jn.3:34

God bless,
bluelake

Hello Bluelake,

How would you explain Cornelius in Acts 10 if one receives the Holy Spirit at their water baptism? Cornelius and those with him received the Holy Spirit before being baptized by water.

Act 10:44 “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?”

Some in the Church of Christ say this was an exception and salvation does not work like that today. Yet, when Peter spoke about this event in Acts 15, he stated that we all are save in this manner.

Act 15:7 “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8  And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9  And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10  Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11  But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”

Also, if those who hold to the idea that Cornelius and his household were saved differently than we are today then that means there is more than one gospel. The gospel that we are saved by has always been the same in every age. Hebrew 4 speak about the gospel preached to those under Moses wandering in the wilderness being the same gospel we are save by. Therefore baptism could not have been part of the gospel because those following Moses in the wilderness existed before believers baptism was instituted. Seeing we are saved under the same gospel that was given those wandering the wilderness with Moses then baptism cannot be part of the gospel even today.

Heb 4:1  Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

God bless,
Pilgrim

Hello Pilgrim,

I love you in Christ,

Hello Tom,

Yes, I know you love me. It is obvious throughout your letter. How would anyone even dare to question it after reading your letter?

but I would say this is a very sad example of how some Christians foster needless divisions with other Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

This is your opinion and your entitled to it. Yet, my opinion is not the same. I do not consider telling people the truth about the evils of christmass to be divisive. If I did then I would have to hold our Lord to the same standards and say that He was making sinful divisions every time He rebuked the theologians of His day which were the Pharisees and Sadducees. Do you believe our Lord was making sinful divisions when He refuse to go along with the added traditions of the Pharisees? If not, then why do you accuse me of causing sinful divisions because I refuse to go along with those who add the traditions of christmass to the Word of God?

Comparing a Christmas tree to beer, cigarettes, and wild women might be a conviction for you.

Dear brother Tom, the point I was making was just because you call something Christian does not make it Christian. Yet, since you brought it up I will ask you what is the worse of two evils in the eyes of God. Committing adultery in the flesh with another person, or committing spiritual adultery against God by embracing the forms and traditions of heathen worship and foolishly trying to repackage under christian terminology it and offering it to God?

If you wish to hide at Christmas and Easter because you think that pagans or the devil owns those days, follow your convictions and do so.

I never understood strange statements like these Tom, do you think that I run to my basement and hide in fear and trembling on these days? If so, where did you get such strange ideas? Or, are you saying that anyone who speakes against these days and refuses to dishonor God by partaking in them are cowardly? Even you say I point out the evils of christmass every year, how is this twisted into running and hiding on theses days? You would think that if I lived in fear of these days the last thing I would do is go against them on a public forum.

You attempt to cause a big debate on theses same issues every year, and it just didn't work this year.

Dear brother Tom, did I start this topic? Was my post a reply to your post? Isn’t it one of the purposes of this forum to have debates? Just because I share what I know to be the truth, you accuse me of evil motives? You say I have no right to judge others in this matter. Then is it not just as wrong for you to judge me in this matter? Before you claim your not judging me, please go back and carefully read what you have written and notice you even judge my motives unrighteously. Do you believe your response to me in this manner is righteous before the Lord? I know your mind is made up over christmass and you don't want to be confused by the facts. I do not post on this topic to convince you of the truth becuase I know only the Lord will be able to convince you on this matter. Yet, I share because this is a forum and others read and pray and decide in light of the Scriptures the truth about christmass. On this forum alone I receive many responses form people who once partook in christmass, who are now convinced that it is not pleasing to the Lord. They encourage me to keep speaking openly about it for the sake of others unlike you who are still undecided in this matter. Many of them are fearful of posting publicly their joy in being delivered from the religious lies of christmass because of fear of receiving responses like the one you gave me. One person contacted me seeking forgiveness for being bitter at me when first reading my thoughts on christmass. This person later was convinced about the truth of christmas and thanked me for being brave and honest enough to keep posting even in light of all the opposition I receive form others who cling to the traditions of christmass.

You say I “foster needless division”. Yet, it is you who jumped in out of the blue and responded as if I was replying to one of your post. You even typed in red and big bold letters and if I remember right I believe it was you who said this is equivalent to forum screaming. Forgive me if I am wrong.  It takes at least two to divide, so who decides who brought “needless division”? Do you think that maybe you are the one causing “needless division” rather than I? If one person leads another person away from the truth of God to the religious lies of the devil, then who truly is causing division in the eyes of the Lord?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Dear brother Tom, would you please explain to me what is so merry about the false christ of the catholic mass? You do realize that this is what the term christmas means don’t you? You can say that this is not what it means to you all you want, but the fact of the matter is that you cannot change the meaning of words. You say you have many Catholic friends when you wish them a “MERRY CHRISTMAS!!” what christ do you think they are thinking of? The false christ of the Catholic mass or the true Christ of the scriptures?

Eph 4:25 “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”

Dear brother Tom, do you realize that when you wish someone a “MERRY CHRISTMAS!!” that you are rebelling against the verse above which tells us to put away lying and speak truth with our neighbors?

The very term christmass itself is a lie. The word comes from christ and mass. The true Christ cannot be the false christ of the mass. To wish someone a “MERRY CHRISTMAS!!” is an offense to the truth itself.

Now dear brother Tom, I am going to ask you to do something that may be very hard and painful for you to do. I believe you knew from previous post of mine that I consider the very term “MERRY CHRISTMAS!!” used as you used it toward me to be offensive. In light of this I have to ask who is fostering needless divisions with other Brothers and Sisters in Christ? Did you know before you wrote this in big red bold letters that I would not accept this greeting and consider it offensive? If so, why are you treating me in such a manner, and more importantly is it righteous? You accused me of fostering needless divisions with other Brothers and Sisters in Christ, how is this any different? Why would it be wrong for me, yet okay for you?

I ask these things not to cause you grief, but because I really do care for you and count you as a friend. It seems to me you have a very hard time dealing with this matter honestly and in the spirit of a truth seeker. On other issues your understanding and discernment are very Sharpe and you use it skillfully as a mature Christian brother. On the issue of christmass it seems to me you do not apply the same skills and maturity of an older brother in examining this issue. It seems as if there are other extra Biblical reasons that get in the way of your discernment on this issue, perhaps family, friends, church traditions or maybe just a love for these traditions regardless the right or wrong of it. One thing you have convince me of though is that you will not listen to sound reason on this issue and it will take a work of the Lord to convince you. In the mean time when I post on the topic don’t get all worked up over it as is you are the one I am trying to reach. There are others out there who want to know the truth and will honestly examine the issue in the light of God’s Word and who will want to consider what I have to say on the subject. Yet, the majority will continue to follow the pied piper where ever he lead. God bless

In Christ,
pilgrim     

Not mine...its a Christian!     



So is mine ......

Reminds me of the man who wanted some christian beer, christian cigarettes and christian wild women.

http://www.nlbchapel.org/Power.htm

In the Image of Christ
Colossians 3:8-11

“The Power of God?”

        “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."  1Cor.1:17-24

                Nowadays it is common to hear people talk about the power of God. Many people testify of how the power of God has healed them of some sickness or blessed them with financial wealth, or caused them to speak in tongues. Today many so-called faith healers boldly proclaim that they have been anointed with power from on high. They display so-called healings and other signs and (lying) wonders to make people believe they’ve been anointed by God’s mighty power. Many of them claim that Jesus manifests Himself bodily in their presence and instructs them of His will. It is amazing the stunts that these charlatans come up with to deceive people into believing that they are anointed with the power of God. In fact, like showmen or entertainers, they keep trying to outdo each other in their rise to fame and power. One man blows his breath at people and they fall over backwards as if knocked out by some power or force. They call this stunt being slain in the Spirit, which by the way, is something you never see in the Scriptures. Is this man really anointed with the power of God, or does he just have a case of really bad breath? Another man claims it was a 900-foot tall Jesus that spoke with him, apparently the manifestation of a normal size Jesus was too common and unspectacular. It doesn’t take long nowadays for a new signs and wonders fad to come along and take the spotlight and center stage, and as time goes on they are getting stranger and stranger.

        Dear friends, the power of God is not a circus sideshow as it is so commonly portrayed today. It is not signs and wonders as many of today’s swindlers want you to believe. The true power of God is displayed in the preaching of the cross and seeing lost souls saved from the wrath of God and inheriting eternal life, as the above texts points out. I’m amazed when I watch some of the signs and wonders performers today; their focus is on health, wealth and the signs and wonders that they claim God does through them, and yet you hardly ever see them focus on the gospel. They have huge audiences coming to them seeking a sign, or healing, or to watch them perform their tricks. It has become a form of “Christian entertainment.” Jesus Himself warned against such things in the book of Matthew:

        “Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of  the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth”    (Matt. 12:38-40).

        Jesus said it was an evil and adulterous generation, not a righteous and godly one that sought after signs. What’s so amazing in this verse is that the only sign that Jesus was going to give them was the sign of Jonas who was in the belly of a great fish for three days and nights, which was a figure of the Lord’s burial in the heart of the earth. Jesus was pointing them to His sacrificial death, burial and resurrection by this figure. The only sign Jesus was going to give them was the gospel. Our passage from 1 Cor. 1 above says that the Jews require a sign and that the cross was a stumbling block for them. How sad it is that these people missed out on the gospel that could save their souls because their focus was on signs and wonders instead of Jesus Christ and the cross.

        Those who are seeking after signs thinking that the signs are the power of God are deceiving themselves. The Bible warns about a man that will deceive most of the world by his power, signs and lying wonders, in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2:

        “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved”    (2 Thess. 2:8-10).

        This man will be the antichrist, and he will use signs and wonders to deceive the people of the world. Those who think that signs and wonders are the way God manifest His power will easily be deceived by the antichrist who is possessed by Satan himself. In fact, the antichrist will proclaim himself to be God, and most of the world will worship him as such. It’s no wonder then that Jesus said it was an evil and adulterous generation that sought after a sign.

        Remember, the true display of God’s power is the preaching of the gospel which has the power to save those who believe. The apostle Paul knew the true power of God and made it clear in 1 Cor. 1:17-24. He wrote the same thing to the Romans:

        “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”    (Rom. 1:16).

        Dear friend, the only way to experience the true power of God in your life is by repenting of your sins and believing the gospel. Even if these so-called faith healers could make you healthy and wealthy someday, you are still going to die and meet your Creator, who will judge you (Heb. 9:27).  If you have repented of your old sinful ways of life and believed the preaching of the cross of Jesus, you will inherit eternal life. If the cross is a stumbling block to you and your life has never been transformed by the saving power of the cross of Jesus Christ, you will be damned and experience the second death, which is to be thrown into the lake of fire, where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth for all eternity (Rev. 20:11-15).  Allow me to give you some sound advice, call on the Name of the Lord Jesus while there’s still time to be saved (Rom. 10:9-13). Don’t put it off another day, by then it might be to late (2 Cor. 6:2).

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From "Truth"   http://www.nlbchapel.org/truth.htm

        “Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell [you] the truth, ye believe me not.”  John 8:44-45

        One might wonder who these wicked children of the devil were? Surly, they must have been the very scum of the earth, those who practiced every vice and evil imaginable to man. Surly, Jesus must of been speaking to those who were like Hitler and Stalin, Jeffery Dahmer and Ted Bundy, Anton Szandor La Vey and Marlin Manson etc. Although people like these are excellent candidates, they are not the type of people the Lord Jesus was speaking to. Believe it or not, Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders of His day. Those who were suppose to be defenders and champions of the truth. Those who were charged with teaching the truth to the children of Israel. The very ones who should have been the first to recognize that Jesus was the Christ their long awaited Messiah. Yet according to Jesus these religious leaders were Satan’s children.
        Stop and think about this for a minute. Satan’s most successful attacks against Jesus came from the religious leaders of His day. From those who held sway over the masses by their religious lies and religious rituals who all the time thought that they were serving the true God of Israel. Those who persuaded Pilot to kill the Lord Jesus Christ. If Satan was so effective in infiltrating Israel’s religious leadership in those days do you think that maybe he might be doing the same with the church today? God’s Word says that he is:

        “For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”   2 Cor. 11:13-15

        Some good questions to ask yourselves are, who are these people today? How can I recognize them? What do they teach? How can I protect myself from their deceptive lies? How do I stand against them seeing that they are in places of leadership? All good questions that need to be answered.
        The Lord Jesus recognized them because they had much in common with their true spiritual father, Satan! Satan is the father of lies, therefore his children will be those who promote lies, not just any lie but religious lies. Lies about salvation, lies about God, lies about the Lord Jesus, lies about religion, lies on how to worship and please God. The lies that Satan uses to deceive Christians are sugar coated with the truth, lies that are pleasant to the taste and appealing to human reasoning. Satan knows that in order to get Christians off the path of righteousness he must be clever in his lies and make them appear as good and righteous, if he has to sprinkle his lies with truth so that Christians will eat of his fruit he will do it. Satan will use as much truth as necessary just so long as he can get Christians to eat his spiritual poison. He knows it is the poison in his mix that really counts and he doesn’t care how much healthy spiritual food one has to eat just as long as they eat the poison with it. We need to remember that Satan is not out to help us in our walk with God, but to kill, steal and destroy.
        "Makers of rat poison do the same. They take food that appeals to the taste of rats, food that under different circumstances would make rats healthy and strong. They take this food and lace it with a little bit of poison, not much, just enough to kill the rats who eat of it. The makers of rat poison use the healthy good tasting food to lure rats into eating the poison that is laced in it. It’s a very clever technique that gets very good results.
        Satan gets very good results with this technique also. One of the best religious lies that Satan and his helpers use today is Christmas. Many will be shocked at this statement, saying “Christmas! Dear brother, have you gone mad!” No! I haven’t gone mad. If Christmas is of God it surly would past the test of truth which it does not. Christmas involves worship and Jesus said that God MUST be worshiped in spirit and TRUTH. Let’s take a close look at Christmas and see if it can hold up to the test of truth.
        The term “Christmas” itself is an unholy mixture and an abomination before God when used in reference to the real Lord Jesus Christ. Here we plainly see Satan’s cleverness, he takes the term “Christ” which is holy and good and combines it with the term “mass” which is an unholy religious lie. Satan mixes the holy with the unholy knowing that  it will be harder for the non-discerning Christian to reject. The Catholic mass is a denial of the Scriptures. The Word of God teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ suffered one time for sins and then sat down at the right hand of God."

Read the full article here http://www.nlbchapel.org/truth.htm

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