"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust." (Psalm 91:1-2)
The most unlikely place that one would suspect the anti Christ to come forth from would be from the church itself. As it is written, even of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after themselves. The scriptures use the following analogy to relate the details. The farmer went out to sow the seed. As he sowed the seed (the seed being the Word of God), some seed fell by the wayside. Other seed fell on stony ground while still some more seed fell among the weeds. If we relate the seed to humans, then the scriptural message becomes clear. That is, not everyone who hears the Word of God shall enter into the kingdom of God. Indeed, only those individuals who hear the Word of God and do it are eligible to enter the Kingdom of God.
As we so often say in these postings - is the word of God coming to you or is the Word of God coming out from you? For if any one should consider themselves to be prophets or spiritual leaders, let them acknowledge that the Words spoken in the Biblical scriptures are the commandments of the Lord. Let it also be noted that the cornerstone of the church is Jesus -- the only begotten Son of the Holy Spirit of God. In Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
The words that were spoken through the mouth of the Lord Jesus were the very Words of the Spirit of God who indwelt the man Jesus, reconciling the world of Adam’s sinful race to Himself. The scriptures state that salvation cannot be achieved in any other name. Salvation can only be obtained in the name Jesus. Why? Because His name -- the name of Jesus is above every other name in heaven and earth.
These points are intended to show people what the scriptures state. At the same time, these scriptural references will (hopefully) dissuade persons who may at this time be engulfed in traditional beliefs, contrary to the doctrinal beliefs that are accurate recorded in the scriptures!. These records are not a contradiction to the Words spoken by the Lord Himself. In fact, the scriptures state -- let God be true and every other a liar -- if they teach doctrines of men that are contrary to apostolic teaching. It is in this context that we find Anti Christ’s everywhere. Remember the seed analogy. Not everyone will hear the gospel.
It is the same with particular church teachings. Was Peter ever a pope? Of course not. Was Peter a married man? Yes he was. In fact, the scriptures state that Peter wife’s mother was sick and the Lord went and healed her. Did Peter greatly err in his conduct toward gentile believers? Yes indeed. Peter was so wrong that Paul the apostle chosen by Jesus to be an apostle to the gentiles withstood Peter face to face. As the scriptures point out, Peter was causing dissension amongst the believers.(Acts 15) Was Peter a pillar in the church? Paul describes it this way. When Paul and Barnabas went up to Jerusalem, they had a meeting with Peter, James and John who seemed to be pillars in the church, adding that whatsoever they were meant nothing to him. (Galatians 1)
Further, is there such a thing as apostolic succession? Not according to the written Word. In Acts I, as a result of Judas' betrayal another had to be chosen to fill his apostleship. So the 120 prayed and cast a vote as to who should be numbered with the other eleven apostles. Mathias was chosen. Note however that the requirement that preceded the vote -- the ones to be selected must have continued with them from Jesus baptism by John the Baptist. This makes apostolic succession or being a conduct of the early Christian church contrary to scriptural teachings. As the scriptures stated earlier, the teachings are either consistent with the scriptures or the teachings are not. When the teachings are not scripturally accurate, then it is a fair assessment to allege that it is a doctrine of anti Christ.
Save yourself from this untoward generation! Besides all of these so called addendum by false apostles, the written Word of the Holy Spirit which is the Spirit of Jesus sets the order in His own body by gifting each believer as He wills, for the edification of His own body! Recognize that Jesus is the Head and in all things. Jesus shall have the preeminence.
Stand in the offering plate.
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