Yet what do the scriptures say?
1 Peter 2:9
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light"
>compare: Exodus 19:5-7 (God called his people a kingdom of priests and a holy nation)
1 John 2:11
"But he that hates his brother is in darkness, and walks in darkness, and knows not where he goes, because that darkness has blinded his eyes."
The Jehovah's Witnesses are told to 'hate anyone who disagrees with their peculiar teachings.
Remember, it was the Jewish religious leaders who hated Christians. Why? Because they followed Christ and not them.
After making Christ your own, you finally made the decision to no longer follow religious leaders as did the Apostles when they begin to follow Christ. How were they viewed by the religious Jewish leaders in their day?
Those Scribes and Pharisees cast many out of their synagogues! Do we see
this sort of thing happening today? Yes we do!
Posted by gatekeeper at 2:41 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: called out of darkness
LET THE WORD ABIDE IN YOU
Psalm 68:11
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. compare Acts 13:48
(John 5:24)
"verily, I say to you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
(1 John 2:24)
Let that therefore abide in you, which you have heard from the beginning. (The WORD) If that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, you also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
(John 8:31)
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed;
The Watchtower still teaches it's members that Christ came invisibly in 1914 and that in the year 1919 he chose the Watchtower leaders because they were the only ones on the earth at the time of his inspection who taught true doctrine and were spiritually clean compared to all the other religions. And since they believe the 144,000 number in the book of Revelation is a literal number, the Watchtower Society decided that those who joined after their numbers reached over 144,000 these others must have been of a different class. Hence, it was decided the other members who joined beyond that number were of the 'great crowd' class. These would be God's people who were meant to live forever upon the earth. But the other group of 144,000 would live in heaven with Christ. (This is how a man made doctrine is formed)
These 144,000 are those who belong to Christ and so they make up the 'bride class'.
Yet, is this scriptural?
Christ rewards those who belong to him
( John 17:2-3)
"These things spoke Jesus; and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, Father, the hour is come; glorify your Son, that the son may glorify you even as you gave him authority over all flesh, that to all whom you have given him, he should give eternal life.
And this is life eternal, that they should know you the only true God, and him whom you did send, even Jesus Christ. "
Yet, God gives all things into his beloved Son's hand.
John 3:34-36
"For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.
He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him." see also John 1:12-34
Posted by gatekeeper at 10:30 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: THE WORD is Truth, The Word of God in you
FALSE DOCTRINE EXPOSED
Today, false doctrine is being exposed by those interested in Truth. More and more people are examining the doctrines they are taught in their church and taking the step of examining one's own religion, the first of many steps associated with finding the Truth which can only be found in the teachings of Christ.
After finding error, then many take the time to warn others as they expose the erroneous doctrines which do not come from Christ's teachings.
Ephesians 5:11
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."
Christ is the LIGHT. It is due time to expose darkness and help others to Come to the true light of 'The Word of God.
(John 8:12)
"Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
It is apparent that false shepherds can keep one from following the true shepherd.
compare:
1 John 1:5
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."
The Spirit of God in Christ has taught us who we should listen to.
( Mark 9:7 )
"And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him."
(2 Timothy 2:24-26)
"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." see also 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Acts 18:6, 1 Timothy 6:20
Ephesians 1:16-20
Apostle Paul wrote, " I Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places",Ephesians 4:4
"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;"
Yes, all who believe are called into One Hope!
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