Monotheists vs. Trinitarians? (Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14; Heb. 7:25; I Jn. 2:1; Jn 1:1-2, 14; Jn. 17:1, 24; Gal. 4:4-5; Eph. 1:3-12; Mk. 1:9-11; II T8hess. 2:13-14; I Pet. 1:2; Acts 10:38; Titus 3:4-6; rom. 15:13; Jude 20-21; Eph. 4:4-6; Gal. 4:6)

             And the list goes on. Yesterday we had our weekly bible study at our home. We studied Genesis 13 and then moved to studying the biblical teaching on the trinity. We are going to spend the next six or so weeks studying a chapter out of the Old Testament and finish with more biblical texts about the Trinity. I am attempting to show those attending how utterly dependent each of the testaments is on the other. I am weary of hearing those who call the church the New Testament Church, as if it had some standing that would make any sense at all apart from the Old Testament. Even John MacArthur, one of my favorite pastors of all time, has spent the last 40 years in his church preaching from the New Testament almost exclusively. Just recently, some of my Face Book acquaintances have attacked a group called Hebrew Roots, suggesting they are a legalistic group of heretics because they insist one must know and understand the Old Testament before he can have a thorough understanding of the New. They also teach we are still under obligation to keep the non-sacrificial laws of the Mosaic Covenant, even keeping the seventh day as the Sabbath. They further suggest we should still be celebrating the holy days as prescribed in several places in the Mosaic Law.

            As far as I have been able to determine, they make no claim anyone is saved by doing so, but that doing so is the demonstration that one is indeed part of the covenant kingdom with God. I strongly suspect, one of the major problems many protestants have with this group is that the protestant church has been observing pagan holidays and practicing pagan traditions for nearly two thousand years. I often say, "I do not adhere to the traditional church order of today because it does not begin to resemble the traditional church order of Paul's time." The tragic and pathetic cry, "If it was good enough for our church fathers, it's good enough for me," rings loud and muddled to my aching ears every time I teach on the subject. for those of you who don't know, the first century church rested on the seventh day, observed the Old Testament holy days, and adhered to the Mosaic laws, statutes, and instruction. Two pagan emperors of Rome, Nero (100 A.D. and Constantine (386 A.D.), were responsible for the traditional church of Paul's day becoming the traditional church of today.

             We began the a biblical search on its teaching about the trinity, as I already indicated. What amazed me, in my preparation for this study, is the number of verses that insist the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three distinct persons, co-equal and co-existent, but one in essence. As I was preparing the first week's lesson, it occurred to me that every single false religion in the world messes up on this topic. Of course, poly-theistic religions miss the mark so far that they don't fool even the least prepared New Covenant believer. Islam, Judaism, Mormonism, Modelists, Seventh Day Adventists, Christian Scientists, Jehovah's Witnesses, the New World Wide Church of Christ, Catholicism, and the New Apostolic Reformation all mess up on their theology about the Trinity. But their clever use of terms and misuse of their definitions makes it extremely difficult for any new believer to realize how heretical and dangerous they are. These groups of people and their teachers are the wolves in sheep's clothing referred to often in scripture. Most of them are speaking in pulpits across America, pretending to be followers of the true Christ of the New Testament scriptures. It seems then, if one has a proper biblical view of the Trinity, he will be able to spot false teachers quickly, and thus rebuke them gently, using God's word as the sword it is intended to be. But, lest one thinks the task will be pleasant, allow me to witness to Jesus' own words, "If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." and Paul's warning, "Those who desire to live Godly, in Christ Jesus, will be persecuted." You will not make many friends correcting any who deny the biblical teaching on the trinity.

             I also suspect few pastors make much of an attempt to teach about the triune nature of our God because it is a difficult topic to address in any less than three or four long teachings on the topic. We spent nearly two hours on it last evening and only got about 1/3 of the way through my notes on the first session of four intended. I have a mp3 formatted series of three fifteen minute lectures by R.W. Glenn and Todd Friel that I use to introduce our weekly study. R.W. Glenn is young, but probably one of the most articulate lecturers on systematic theology I know. He is to systematic theology what Ravi Zecharias is to apologetics. I urge you to consider ordering a series called "Drive by Theology" put out by Wretched TV (hosted by Todd Friel). I believe the 48 15 minute lectures costs less than $20. The time spent listening to them and reviewing their content using the notes one can also purchase from them will possibly be the best time most will spend in their entire Christian experience. Coupled with a significant personal commitment to the daily reading and study of scriptures, one can get the equivalent of a BS in systematic theology in less than 6 months. That preparation has enabled me to address dozens of heresies while discussing various cults with friends and complete strangers for the past 4 or 5 years since I first began listening to that lecture series and teaching it at our home bible studies.

             I believe it is vitally important for all true followers of Christ understand the biblical teaching on the Trinity well enough to be able to publicly refute any false teaching on that topic. Correct theology cries out for a correct biblical view of the triune God. The failure of the contemporary church in America to deal with it thoroughly may be the single most significant reason that church is so incredibly inept at rebuking false teaching and the teachers who preach it. As always, if I can answer any questions or respond to any objections to anything I write, please feel free to comment on this post or send me a personal message. Shalom alechem!

Prophet or Profit? (Matt. 16:26)

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

            There's an interesting story in II Kings 5 about Elisha, his attendant Gehazi, and a Syrian (specifically from Aram) military captain called Naaman. One of the major reasons this story is so good for us to know about is that it reveals to us how to recognize a false prophet instantly. Even Naaman, the man who was cured of leprosy, thought he was obliged to pay for the services of one of God's true prophets. He came to Elisha, on the advice of a Jewish servant girl he had captured earlier who told him there was a prophet in Israel who could cure him of his leprosy. Of course, Naaman's first mistake was his failure to listen to the servant girl. He expected the king of Israel would be the one who would be great enough to cure him, so he went to the king with his bountiful gift for his expected services. The king of Israel became quite frightened and thought the king of Aram must be trying to incite a war against him for suggesting he should be able to cure one of his captains of leprosy. Somehow Elisha found out about it and sent word to the king of Israel to send Naaman to him.

            Naaman came to Elisha, and, to make a long story short, Elisha cured him of his leprosy. Upon being cured Naaman offered Elisha quite a bountiful treasure as payment for his cure. Elisha refused the payment and sent Naaman on his way. The story continues; Gehazi, Elisha's servant, was shocked and disappointed that Elisha did not take any of the bounty Naaman had offered him. He chased after Naaman and made up a story to get at least some of the treasure Naaman had intended to give to Elisha. Of course, being a prophet, Elisha knew what Gehazi did and, upon his return, pronounced the curse of leprosy to come upon him for his greed and lying acts. It's an interesting story the point of which is twofold. God heals anyway He wants; and His servants the prophets must not take payment for simply pronouncing His will upon anyone. As His prophet, all Elisha did was to direct Naaman to go the Jordan river and wash seven times to be healed.  

            It is crucial we not miss the point of this story. It does not suggest we should not support with our finances God's prophets, apostles, evangelists, and pastor/teachers. The New Testament teaches the opposite is true (I Tim. 5:7); however, it does teach us that our prophets, apostles, evangelists, and pastor/teachers should not be seeking payment for specific acts or specific things they teach or inform us about. A true prophet should not be out to make a profit for being one. The reason this is so very crucial to know today is that, probably more than any other time in the history of this planet, the airwaves are filled with false prophets making huge profits peddling the word of God as if it were a cheap dime novel. And the truly incredible thing is that millions of people are swallowing their phony gospel message and don't hesitate to send in money to help pay for their multi-million dollar estates and private jets. Every single solitary one of those jetsetter preachers are wolves, and they aren't even dressed in sheep's clothing. They're wolves dressed as wolves and the masses love them so. They make no pretense to be humble servants of the living God. II Timothy 3:1-8 is upon us,

¹ But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. ² For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal,^]haters of good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. ⁶ For among them are those who enter into households and captivate^]weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

It is not surprise that so many are so easily duped by them because God's word warns us over and again that this would be happening in the final hours of history as we know it. 2 Thessalonians 2:10, for example, tells us, ". . . and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved." The masses are being easily deceived because it is not the truth they seek. They are willing to forfeit their soul to gain the riches they so desperately desire. Their prophets seek only profit and they love it so.

            If you've been duped by one of these fools, count your blessings if you now at last have had your eyes opened. Fall on your knees, believe the true gospel, confess Jesus as Lord, believe God raised Him from the dead, get baptized by immersion, repent of your sin, bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance, and take up your cross daily to follow Jesus (Matt. and Luke 3; Rom. 10:9; Acts 2:38; Luke 9:23). Finally, please contact me if I can be of further service to help you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I have dozens of topical studies and free resources that will grow you in Christ quickly and ground you solidly in His word. Shalom!