THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 339

In the last days, according to the scriptures, some shall depart from this faith. We refer here to the faith that was once delivered to JESUS' people, and the same faith whereby doctrinal faith emanated from Jerusalem. Indeed, many shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Some of the demonic teaching that follows will include mantra such as forbidding to marry, or, conversely commanding people to abstain from meat. These are in complete contrast to the scriptures.

What the scriptures do declare is that every creature of God is good and nothing should be refused if it is eaten with thanksgiving. For all things affirmed by God from a scriptural perspective are sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.

It is within this same context that we examine what the recorded scriptures state pertaining to Peter an apostle of JESUS the Christ. Peter’s lifestyle has been totally thwarted by the self appointed church fathers of 300/400 AD. These religious people had/have presented a message under the guise of scripture, which is in reality a message foreign to the gospel that went out from Jerusalem -- and indeed, the same gospel that was confirmed of God to be His good news message of the kingdom.

For example, Peter had a wife. How do we know this? In the scriptures, it states that JESUS healed Peter's mother in law. In fact, Peter on some of His mission tours was accompanied with his wife. So why are teachings propagated that suggest otherwise by a church rooted in traditions from 300/400 AD? Why not read I Corinthians chapter 7 - a message that is directed to one and all including single, engaged and married individuals and preachers/priests - who upon reading this passage can become confident in the fact that the scriptures are Holy Spirit instructions. The Bible provides a detailed account of what we should believe so that we are able to escape from the strong delusions of the erroneous doctrinal teaching of 300/ 400 AD -- teachings that are similarly foreign to God’s written Word.

Put another way, we can look to the time when Paul, an apostle chosen by JESUS and the appointed messenger of His gospel to the Gentiles, left Timothy at one place and Titus at another location. Paul’s instructions to both Timothy and Titus was to appoint elders in both locations. In so doing, they impressed upon these newly appointed elders that they were not to teach any other doctrinal teaching than the gospel preached by Jesus. In other words, the elders were not to present teachings that might deter or vary from the disciplinary foundational teaching of JESUS as delivered by the Holy Spirit to His chosen apostles.

As such, the instructions are further written in Timothy and Titus that they instruct believers to teach no other doctrine. Reading further in Titus, we read: "For this cause I left you so that you could set in order the things that are lacking and while there you should ordain and appoint elders even as I have appointed you." But there was also a criteria for pointing elders. It was not just about random selection.

For example, the Bible states that elders must be blameless, the husband of one wife having faithful children and not being accused of being riotous. For a bishop / elder must be blameless and living as the steward of God. He must be cool and disciplined and not addicted to wine or money! He ought to be a hospitable person applauding deeds of good men. Most of all, he ought to be sober, just, subject to clean living and temperate.

Peace to all who are in JESUS!