STEVE KOZAR AND DANIEL LONG'S DERANGED RESPONSE TO RUSLAN CRITICISM

When "Discernment" is Dishonest: Is Ruslan KD Really "Evil?"

A question for Steve Kozar: What is an ad hominem attack?

Ad hominem: A criticism directed against a person rather than against what that person says.

To my knowledge, none of Ruslan KD’s critics have engaged in ad hominem attacks. The concerns have been directed at his relentless pursuit of money—identified in scripture as greed and love of money—which Ruslan himself has articulated in the most disgusting terms. (Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:10; Luke 12:15). Chris LaSala notes: "Ruslan KD has always planned to make merchandise of his followers. He has tried to monetize everything from prayer journals, Christian concerts, t shirts, therapy sessions, upper tier Patreon subscriptions, and more. This man is not a Christian, he is a lover of money and he is a friend of the world. He also promotes cigar smoking, tattoos, carnal hip hop artists, and he green lights women wearing yoga pants. He is also a free gracer disguised as a repentance preacher."1 

Kozar and Long have responded by attacking Michael Grant, Sean Christie (Revealing Truth), Jordan Riley, and others, asserting that Ruslan’s critics are "lying and taking him out of context". That is an exceptionally strong allegation and is demonstrably false. 

Ruslan's damage control: "When I came onto YouTube the objective was not to be a public Christian."2 

Anyone who chooses to operate on YouTube is functioning in a public arena. Ruslan’s claim that he was a full‑time musician who was “a rapper who was Christian, not a Christian rapper” is a distinction without substance. 

The monetisation‑focused statements now circulating online originate from Ruslan’s own recorded material, largely between 2018 and 2021, during the period in which he was advising aspiring Christian creatives on building financially viable platforms. In a recent interview he accused his critics of participating in “cancel culture” and claimed that his intent was merely to motivate Christian artists, not to address ordinary believers. The difficulty with that defence is obvious: at what point does a Christian supposedly remove the “Christian” hat and replace it with an “artist” hat? What framework of values is he communicating to Christians who identify as artists? Scripture does not permit compartmentalising the Christian life. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.. (Colossians 3:23).

Kozar and Long's claim that Ruslan has "repented" is absurd. Ruslan has recently reaffirmed his own monetisation‑focused statements: "But we went back and particularly looked at 'how do I monetize people' and 'stop pussy footing around, you want to build a business around your art  and not a ministry'. And I stand by those 100%."

Ruslan > I want.. I want.. I want .. 

"I want to be free so I got zero overhead.. I don't want no bill.. I don't got to pay mortgage.. I want to be part of a church plant and be able to give and help.. I want to live in southern California, I have to.. I am going to live in Southern California. I have to figure out how to get into a million dollar home and pay it off.. I need seven figures.. I would love to be in a position someday where I just have F.U. money." His manner of speaking aside, the substance is clear: he wants to participate in ministry while exempting himself from the ordinary responsibilities and obligations that other people must carry. He has expressed a desire for income levels far beyond what most people will ever attain. 

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.(1 Corinthians 5:11 cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:6; Romans 16:16-17).

Only blatant deceivers and narcissists would consider charging people for “meet and greet” access to so‑called "celebrity preachers". The pricing for Ruslan’s March 2026 Bless God Summit — including a $75 meet‑and‑greet ticket — speaks for itself. The broader pattern is even more egregious offering an additional $450 for a celebrity meet‑and‑greet, and children being charged $422 to meet a “celebrity preacher.” This commercialisation of alleged religious figures is indefensible.  All Christians are obligated to uphold consistent Christian values and to serve as public witnesses to Christ. No believer should even mention or be speaking about "F.U. money"  and "monetizing people" in any context. 

Ruslan's financial compromises alone warrants rejecting this ministry outright. But the wider problem is structural: the entire Bless God Summit genre is theologically unsound, commercially driven, and ecumenical in substance. It is not Christian ministry in any meaningful doctrinal sense.

Although Ruslan disputes Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox structures and practices, he still treats both traditions as doctrinally aligned with the gospel and draws no substantive line between their teaching and what he considers biblical truth. He refers to "Our respective streams of Christianity.. I love my Eastern Orthodox and Catholic brothers and sisters.. We (Protestants) believe that you have a valid church and a valid communion."4

The heart of the ecumenical heresy is soteriological. Bible believers who trust that we are saved by grace through faith alone are at complete odds with Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. The Roman Catholic/Eastern Orthodox premise is that we are saved by faith plus works. Although they share our vocabulary, they load those terms with different theological content. Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy diverge from one another in various aspects, yet they stand together in treating the sacraments as efficacious channels of grace and as necessary components of salvation. This is another gospel and is anathema biblically. (Galatians 1:8-9).

A further critical concern is that Ruslan promotes of some of the worst false teachers in the church today, including Carl Lentz, TD Jakes, Gabe Poirot, and "demon slayers" Mike Signorelli, Isaiah Salvidar, "Apostle" Alexander Pagani and Vlad Savchuck.  

I can only describe Steve Kozar and Daniel Long's response to Ruslan's critics as deranged. They fail to articulate even the most basic definitions, and the claim that Ruslan has “repented” is demonstrably false. Ruslan’s own recorded statements are sufficient to indict him without further analysis. Their reaction warrants serious scrutiny: at minimum, their discernment should be questioned, and the motives behind issuing blatantly false claims of this nature should be examined. These two self-appointed "discerners"  are already in serious error due to their Lutheran commitment to baptismal regeneration—a significant deviation from sound biblical soteriology—the pattern is predictable. (Isaiah 5:20).

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:17-21).

1. Demonic Merchandiser Ruslan KD Claims His Followers Are Not As Important To Him As His Bank Account
2. Ruslan Exposed: Addressing the "Allegations"
3. (386) THIS Famous "Christian" YouTuber Must Be AVOIDED | Ruslan KD Exposed - YouTube
4. The Real Reason I Won't Convert to Orthodox or Catholic Christianity

DANIEL LONG AND STEVE KOZAR "DISCERNERS" WITHOUT DISCERNMENT

Long & Kozar love & appreciate the Ruslan KD podcast?

These two self‑styled “discerners” appear to have abandoned all sense of humility and proportion. Steve Kozar, in his characteristic arrogance, now suggests that he and Daniel Long represent the initial “snowball” of resistance to NAR and charismatic deception, and that their influence is prompting charismatics to follow suit. This claim is baseless. The fact that many believers have discerned and exposed false teachers without any reference to Long or Kozar is attributable solely to the sanctifying work of God in their lives; the example of those two figures has no theological relevance to that outcome. (Galatians 6:3; 1 Corinthians 8:2; Proverbs 3:7).

Long and Kozar behave like superiors patronizing their inferiors. Long: "We do listen to these guys, we take what they say, we appreciate them." Do they realise how patronizing they sound? More concerning is their demonstrated lack of discernment in endorsing Ruslan KD and Mike Winger, both central figures in the so‑called “Evangelical swamp” aka the “Christian YouTube Establishment”. Kozar’s nodding and tacit approval places him at the same level. I hold no regard for either of these Lutherans, given their commitment to baptismal regeneration — a substantive deviation from sound soteriology.

Ruslan’s pursuit of “F.U. money” and his stated intent to monetize Christians should not receive approval from anyone. This pattern of conduct aligns precisely with the forms of ungodliness scripture warns against. (Matthew 6:21,24; Proverbs 23:4-5; 1 John 2:15-17). 

Ruslan quotes:

"How do I monetize these people?"
"How do I build a business?"
"What is my bank account going to look like in the next two to three years?"
"I have to make more than six figures.. I need seven figures."
"You will grow your audience, and then you've got to find a unique way to monetize them."
"I am not doing anything for less than $500 an hour."

"I love TD Jakes."

"I would love to be in a position someday where I have F.U. money."

Only blatant deceivers and narcissists would consider charging people for “meet and greet” access to so‑called "celebrity preachers". The pricing for Ruslan’s March 2026 Bless God Summit — including a $75 meet‑and‑greet ticket — speaks for itself. The broader pattern is even more egregious offering an additional $450 for a celebrity meet‑and‑greet, and children being charged $422 to meet a “celebrity preacher.” This commercialisation of alleged religious figures is indefensible.

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Paul's example for believers to imitate. 

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. (2 Thessalonians 3:6-12).

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Timothy 6:10; Matthew 6:24; Hebrews 13:5).

Ruslan's questionable list of speakers at his ecumenical summit included Mike Winger, Gavin Ortlund, Sean McDowell, Wes Huff, Michael Knowles, Lila Rose (Roman Catholic) and other dubious characters.

Although Winger has exposed various NAR figures and elements of its "cover-up culture", he nevertheless fails to address the dangers of ecumenism or the overtly worldly values embraced by Ruslan and his "Bless God Summit". His endorsement of Ruslan, his alignment with TPUSA, and his claim that false prophets can be rehabilitated into ministry are all fundamentally incompatible with any serious reading of scripture.

Ruslan refers to "Our respective streams of Christianity.. I love my Eastern Orthodox and Catholic brothers and sisters.. We (Protestants) believe that you have a valid church and a valid communion."1  

The sobering reality is that while Ruslan and his associates elevate themselves, generate substantial revenue, and engage in ecumenical theatrics at an upscale resort, their conduct ultimately undermines the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 7:20).

1. The Real Reason I Won't Convert to Orthodox or Catholic Christianity

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: BLESS GOD SUMMIT> RUSLAN / MIKE WINGER / MICHAEL GRANT

PETERS-KOZAR PREMATURE VERDICT ON STEVE LAWSON

Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. (2 Corinthians 5-11).

The recent Peters–Kozar denunciation of Steve Lawson was issued long before the evidence justified anything resembling a verdict to the point of being irresponsible. They were not grieved as they should have been; rather they relished the chance to show their underlying hostility and hatred towards Lawson. This episode has revealed them for what they are, exposing them as nasty, unforgiving, and unrestrained. They have since moved quickly to erase all record of their vicious remarks.

The suspect post from Protestia: "Lawson briefly appeared as a Conference Speaker along with various women pastors and speakers at the Contending for the Faith Expository Preaching & Teaching Conference, which is presented by the Tennessee Baptist Missionary & Educational Convention (TBMEC), a regional body of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and was subsequently purged from website."1 Specifically, Lawson was listed as having several workshops on how to prepare a sermon, both on day one and on day three of the event. This generated a spate of protests stating that he is not qualified without anyone even factchecking the source and the information. 

Protestia subsequently published a correction: "We can confirm that the conference organizers advertised Lawson’s participation without his knowledge or consent. They invited him to be a speaker, but before hearing that he intended to decline, there was an internal misunderstanding that led them to assume he would agree. As soon as he found out, he informed them that he would decline the offer, and they promptly removed him from the line-up."2 

The furor began when Justin Peters and Steve Kozar could not wait to stick their knives into Lawson. Their zealous reaction to the suspect news erupted without factchecking the information or thinking about the repercussions of their stinging condemnation of Lawson. These two "discerners" have been left with egg on their faces.. but frankly they could do with a bit of humbling!

Peter's reaction on X: "I was just sent this. Hey, see this is proof Steve Lawson never repented. I wish I could say I was surprised but I'm not."  The post has been hastily deleted.3 

Kozar reposted Peters' post and added: "Steve Lawson, the narcissist, needs to have an audience."

Kozar subsequently posted an update: "I removed my earlier post about Steve Lawson from Justin Peters."4

Comments

Steve Lawson was formally and permanently removed from ministry about eighteen months ago after the elders of Trinity Bible Church of Dallas determined he had engaged in an “inappropriate relationship” with a woman for five years. Following their decision, Lawson resigned from all roles at OnePassion Ministries.5

Various leaders were quick to issue unanimous condemnation and shock reverberated throughout the Reformed camp. Justin Peters wasted no time offering his two pennyworth and weighed in with: "In our camp, you disqualify yourself sexually as a minister, you're done. You can be forgiven, you can be restored to church, but you'll never minister on the pulpit again, ever."

Lawson’s sin was grave indeed and met the biblical threshold for disqualification. Nevertheless, he has complied with every requirement placed on him and he has maintained a low public profile for eighteen months. No one had any reason to doubt his genuine repentance.

Although they have apologised to their readers, Peters and Kozar have failed to apologise to Lawson personally. Assuming that Lawson is a true believer, I wonder how this slander and concealed hatred has affected him personally? (James 4:11; Proverbs 10:18). 

Peters-Kozar pattern of conduct is entirely predictable:

Peters' skewed teaching on repentance and his various questionable teachings. 

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Search results for justin peters

Kozar's pronounced self‑importance, his dismissive posture toward other discernment efforts, and his commitment to baptismal regeneration and other Lutheran errors. 

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Search results for steve kozar

* As a qualifier, I do not grant the legitimacy of Reformed or Lutheran theology.

1. Steve Lawson Briefly Appears As Conference Speaker, Then Is Purged From Website - Protestia
2. Steve Lawson Briefly Appears As Conference Speaker, Then Is Purged From Website - Protestia
3. Post Not Found - X | 404 Error
4. Steven Kozar on X: "I removed my earlier post about Steve Lawson from Justin Peters. Here is an update:" / X
5. Dr. Steven Lawson Resigns From All OnePassion Ministry Duties Following Moral Failure

DANIEL LONG AND STEVE KOZAR: HERESY HUNTERS

(392) Are “HERESY HUNTERS” Hurting or Helping the Body of Christ? With Kozar and Long - YouTube

Daniel Long and Steve Kozar have produced substantial historical surveys of early Pentecostalism, particularly in their treatments of figures such as John Alexander Dowie, Frank W. Sandford, Charles Fox Parham, and John G. Lake. Their material is serviceable rather than original. Even so, I hope their work provides clarity for sincere believers who may be unknowingly drawn toward NAR theology, and that their videos function as an early warning mechanism for those not yet entangled in charismania.

Steve Kozar: "I want people to trust me, but more importantly, I want people to trust the content that I am giving them."

Kozar's content is accurate as far as it goes, BUT his theology is stunted, and it is incumbent that believers should test the spirits rather than blindly trust any teacher or influencer. (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11).

While no one with a morsel of spiritual discernment would argue that the NAR is not corrupt at its foundations, Long and Kozar overlook several significant issues. They consistently elevate Mike Winger for exposing “cover‑up culture” and calling out obvious false prophets. Yes—Winger has exposed wolves like Benny Hinn, Shawn Bolz, Todd White, and Che Ahn. But at the same time it is troubling that he has publicly described Bill Johnson as “saved", “sincere” and “someone he would fellowship with.” He has also claimed that Todd White is “saved". Even after reviewing roughly sixty hours of White’s material, Winger claimed he did not see a false gospel. Winger’s underlying premise—that false prophets can be restored to ministry, and that institutions like Bethel can be reformed—is completely alien to my reading of Scripture. False prophets are predators (wolves), not candidates for restoration. Scripture instructs us to mark and avoid them, not rehabilitate them. (Romans 16:17–18).

Winger's exposure of cult leader Steven Koko, the so-called "predator of Panama", involved close collaboration with hypercharismatic false teacher Torben Sondergaard, founder of The Last Reformation.1 Sondergaard is a "thus saith the Lord" leg puller and demon slayer who hijacks people into false repentance. No bona fide Christian "influencer" should collaborate with false teachers like Sondergaard > the means do not justify the ends.

Mike Winger throws up one red flag after another!

Winger appears unable to recognise the ecumenical drift or the overtly worldly tone of the Bless God Summit and TPUSA. At the Summit, he shared a platform with Ruslan, Gavin Ortland, Wes Huff, Sean McDowell, and Roman Catholic activist Lila Rose, among other questionable teachers who are effectively reintroducing elements of the Galatian error. In addition, Ortland, Huff, McDowell, Ruslan and others have expressed sympathy toward Kirk Cameron’s heretical annihilationist position. Cameron recently convened Ortland, Dan Paterson, Chris Date and Paul Copan for ‘Hellgate’, a two‑and‑a‑half‑hour discussion centred on the nature and duration of hell.2 

Although he is praised for exposing false teachers, Winger aligns himself with individuals who are actively eroding the faith — and his own involvement contributes to that erosion.

Winger is part of a loose, self-reinforcing ecosystem of Christian YouTubers who:

• appear on each other’s channels

• endorse one another’s content

• share platforms at conferences and livestreams

• cross‑promote each other’s books, interviews, and debates

• shape what becomes “acceptable” or “mainstream” in online Christian discourse

This creates a de facto establishment — not official, but influential.

Michael Grant refers to this as "one big swamp that needs to get drained".3  

22 minutes, 26 seco @ I CAN'T BELIEVE HE SAID THAT! Bless God Summit - Day 1 Kicks Off With A Bang! (Rulsan KD / CBN)

The other person Kozar praised in this video is Justin Peters. Like Long and Kozar, Peters is accurate in his exposure of NAR false prophets. However, my huge concern is that he is a Calvinist. Limited atonement (TULIP) is unsupported by scripture and poses a spiritual danger on par with the NAR. It undermines the heart of the gospel by redefining soteriology itself. Those who promote Calvinism will be held to account for how they excluded vast numbers of people by insisting that Christ’s saving work was never intended for all who believe, but only for an exclusive elect.

Lutheran theology also retains serious doctrinal errors with profound implications for soteriology. The absence of the full counsel of God is evident in three key areas: baptismal regeneration, consubstantiation, and eschatology. (Acts 20:27). These positions remain rooted in Roman Catholic tradition rather than biblical authority. Ultimately, no defence will stand for those promoting these deviations from scripture. (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; James 3:1).

1. This Is Disgusting – Why I Expose My Friend Koko and Join Mike Winger to Uncover Church Coverup

Why Mike Winger Started Exposing Bad Christian Leaders
2. ‘Hellgate’: Kirk Cameron Says He ‘Caught Hell’ Over Eternal Conscious Torment Debate
3. I CAN'T BELIEVE HE SAID THAT! Bless God Summit - Day 1 Kicks Off With A Bang! (Rulsan KD / CBN)

Torben Sondergaard

Torben Sondergaard Confused False Teacher!
Torben Sondergaard false teacher
(778) Torben Sondergaard: The Beginning of False Testimonies - YouTube

STEVE KOZAR: HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS AND ALIENATE PEOPLE

What Did Paula White (Actually) Promise for $1,000?

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2).

Steve Kozar (The Messed Up Church) demonstrates how to lose friends and alienate people!

Kozar: "Paula White doesn't directly promise an angelic visitation (or "7 Supernatural Blessings") for a $1,000 donation. Please show where her commercial says 'If you don't send $1,000, you won't get 7 supernatural blessings,' before commenting. That's what this is about: being truthful. Truth matters. Words mean something. Please go to another more sensational channel if you don't like accurate and careful videos. This video does NOT "defend Paula White." (By the way, welcome to all of you 'Pastor Michael Grant''s viewers!)"

Once again, Steve Kozar has taken it upon himself to critique his fellow YouTube discerners and has offended many people. It appears that Kozar is actually looking for a fight with what he falsely terms as "sensational channels". Michael Grant, pastor of Moore's Corner Church, MA has come in for the brunt of Kozar's ire, which is shameful since Grant is head and shoulders above Kozar in the faith!

Kozar: "Paula White never actually said if you give her $1000 God will send you an angel."  

Paula White's actual words: "I believe that when you honour God on passover starting on April 12th at sundown to Good Friday on the 18th including on Easter Sunday, you can receive these seven supernatural blessings. For you and your house, according to Exodus 23, God will assign an angel to you; He will be an enemy to your enemies; He will give you prosperity; He will take sickness away from you; He will give you long life; He will bring increase in inheritance; and He will give a special year of blessing. You are not doing this to get something, but you are doing it in honour to God realising what you can receive." The video continues: "Don't miss your special moment to release seven supernatural blessings and provision into your life.." 

Paula White framed her scam in deceptive double talk.. "..you are not doing this to get something.. but you are doing this in honour to God realising what you will receive.."  Why is Kozar splitting hairs? I view Kozar's remarks as immature and divisive. His pettiness and sniping against his supposed "brethren" is absolutely disgusting (Matthew 7:18). Kozar promotes himself as an "expert" and the only one worthy of producing "accurate videos". Many see this as an agenda and an attempt to put himself first as the foremost discernment minister at the expense of maligning others. (3 John 1:9). This malicious and unfounded behaviour is unworthy of someone who claims to be a Christian.

As far as I am concerned, the more people calling out false teachers like Paula White, the better. Their voices add weight to the witness against her and other NAR wolves. 

This has happened before! In January 2023, Kozar took it upon himself to issue a stern rebuke to Sean Christie (Revealing Truth) when he dared criticise the Lutheran "holy grail", baptismal regeneration.

At that time, Kozar referred to "..amateur discernment bloggers who seem to have the viewpoint of 'it's me and my bible against the world, I'm just going to do this all by myself.'"1

My question to Steve Kozar is this: Who do you think you are, and who are you to judge who is qualified to produce videos exposing false teachers?

I have recommended Kozar's videos in the past but with reservations. These days, I look for different sources of information due to the elephant in the room i.e. baptismal regeneration. Baptismal regeneration is a very serious error supported by Lutherans Steve Kozar, Daniel Long, and Chris Rosebrough. This heresy alters the very core of soteriology. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.. (Ephesians 2:8). 

On this occasion, I left a message on Kozar's YouTube video, but as I expected, it was to no avail, and he has doubled down. Like many other proud people, Kozar has refused to accept correction. 

Bible believers should mark and avoid the Lutheran Mafia! 

1. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: January 2023

LUTHERAN STEVE KOZAR: THE EIGHT-HUNDRED-POUND GORILLA IN THE ROOM!

 (62) Steve Kozar and Jared Mindel Interview on "Scholastic Lutherans" YouTube Channel - YouTube

Above - Steve Kozar has posted a further video promoting Lutheranism on his channel The Wartburg Castle. While Kozar's stance against the NAR and their lunatic claims and teachings is valid, problematically, his solution is just as dangerous as Charismania. 

Kozar: "We (Lutherans) have multiple ways of being delivered from our sins; it's through baptism, it's through communion, it's through confession, it's any number of ways..  we don't have that one moment when you get saved and that's it.." (1:15:00 mark)

Kozar denies what he refers to as "a one-moment conversion experience", in other words, he denies a one-time conversion event or experience.

Kozar:  "We don't believe in a single conversion experience that Evangelicals are so familiar with .. we see that as one of the ways to express salvation but it is not the only way.. "  (1:21 mark) 

There are a number of instances in the scriptures when people believed the gospel and were saved at a particular point in time e.g. Acts 2:40-41; Acts 8:12, 35-39; Acts 14:14,30-34 etc. By contrast, I can find no instance where salvation is jettisoned into various sacraments following conversion. In all the above instances water baptism is performed subsequent to conversion! (Mark 16:16). I view Kozar's anti-conversion rhetoric as very dangerous and anti-biblical! There is only one way to be saved! (Acts 16:31). There is of course the sense that repentance and forgiveness continue throughout one's life, but continuing repentance, by necessity, follows initial salvation. 

Kozar puts the emphasis on Lutheran sacraments rather than an inner relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. The three Lutheran sacraments are the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, the Sacrament of Holy Absolution (Confession), and the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Lutheran sacraments involve the aberrant doctrines of baptismal regeneration, consubstantiation (a variant of transubstantiation), and absolution, all of which are deviant doctrines inherited from Roman Catholicism. It is critical to bear in mind that Satan's objective is to somehow displace believers from their pure devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2). Not only does Satan employ obvious deception as demonstrated by the rotten fruit of the NAR; he also employs more subtle means, such as the sacraments, as demonstrated by Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism. 

Creeds: Lutheran churches use the three Christian creeds: the Apostles' Creed (second century). the Nicene Creed (fourth century), and the Athanasian Creed (sixth century). These ancient professions of faith summarize basic Lutheran doctrine. The above creeds agree with the scriptures and are useful in that they add structure and substance to a church service. However, liturgy does not have the authority of the scriptures and it can be problematic when it becomes an end in itself. The veneration of liturgy above the scriptures undermines the believer's personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Chris Rosebrough (Fighting For The Faith): "We come to church and our sack is empty.. we hear that we are forgiven, and that is thrown into the sack, and then we have the absolution spoken over you, that's put into the sack, and then you are hearing the gospel that Christ forgave you through the Word, and that's put in the sack, and then you go and you partake of the sacrament and that's put into the sack, and then you hear the benediction spoken over you and that's put into the sack, and so you have got your sack full when you leave church.. that sack throughout the week starts to empty and you have to go back and do it again." 2

The difference between proclamation and absolution

Regarding the Lutheran throwback to the Roman Catholic deviant practice of absolution ~ Kozar: "Did you ever read what is says is John chapter 20.."  (1:21:00 mark)

Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.” When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven (ἀφέωνται); if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.” (John 20:21-23).

The NASB reflects the passive voice of "forgiven" and "retained" in the Greek. The recipients' sins will have already been forgiven or retained by God before the apostles’ recognition of the fact. NASB Lexicon: ἀφέωνται (apheōntai) [their sins] have been forgiven. 1 

The issue of forgiveness and retention of sins is related to binding and loosing in Matthew 16:18, 18:18. 

Bible Exposition Commentary: "The Roman Catholic church built its doctrine on the special priesthoods’ right of absolution of sin. This is done through the confessional. Although the church
acknowledges that God ultimately forgives sin, it nevertheless asserts that God does this through the action of the priest.
The Roman church then believes that the priest absolves but God forgives. God allows sins and judgment to remain. This is backward. God first forgives and then, on that foundation, people can proclaim forgiveness. There is a difference between absolution and proclamation. We have the right to preach forgiveness but do not have the right to absolve others of their sin.." 3

Chris Rosebrough's Influence

One of Steve Kozar's mentors is Chris Rosebrough. Rosebrough has some pretty good teaching in certain areas. However, he is compromised to a significant degree by Lutheran departures from the scriptures, not only the sacraments as mentioned above, but by flawed amillennial eschatology. 

Kozar's attitude regarding differences between Lutherans and Calvinists: "I don't get into the weeds about the differences very much.. I just don't want to be so mean about everybody.."  (20:00 mark)  We are not called to be people-pleasers! ..you put up with it readily enough. (2 Corinthians 11:4 cf. Acts 4:19-20; Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4). Kozar's idea is to contrast early Protestant beliefs from the first hundred or so years of the Reformation with the world of pop evangelicalism. My personal conviction is to go back to the scriptures themselves rather than rely on the flawed ideas of men like Luther and Calvin.

Paul advised Timothy: Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. (1 Timothy 4:16). Paul refers to all doctrine, not just the low-hanging fruit of deviant groups like the NAR. It appears that Kozar has settled for Lutheranism as a remedy for his bad experiences within evangelicalism. Very sadly he has compromised and has settled for partial reform i.e. he has settled for a system that in his view has a more acceptable level of truth! A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9 cf. 1 Corinthians 5:6; Ephesians 5:27). 

On many occasions, the nation of Israel was guilty of the particular sin of partial reform. The charge to Israel to completely (not partially) destroy God's enemies transfers into the New Testament teaching regarding doctrinal compromise. (Ephesians 5:11).  

In the second year of Joash the son of Joahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, yet not like David his father. He did in all things as Joash his father had done. But the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. (2 Kings 14:1-4 cf. 2 Kings 12:3).  

In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, Ahaz the son of Jotham, king of Judah, began to reign. Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD his God, as his father David had done, but he walked in the way of the kings of Israel. He even burned his son as an offering, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel. And he sacrificed and made offerings on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree. (2 Kings 16:1-4).

All this stands in stark contrast to King Josiah's sweeping reforms in 2 Kings 23.

So keep my charge never to practice any of these abominable customs that were practiced before you, and never to make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 18:30).  

But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. (Numbers 33:55).

If those who claim to be teachers are doctrinally unsound themselves, then how are they qualified to correct others and to be credible witnesses? Lutheranism is the eight-hundred-pound gorilla in the room which unfortunately blights the efforts of Chris Rosebrough, Steve Kozar and Daniel Long to expose error. (Matthew 7:5). Steve Kozar is neither qualified nor gifted to be a teacher! (John 3:1).

1. John 20:23 Lexicon: "If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained." (biblehub.com)
2. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: THE WARTBURG CASTLE: DANIEL LONG / STEVEN LONG'S JOURNEY INTO LUTHERANISM (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
3. John 20:23 | Bible Exposition Commentary (versebyversecommentary.com)

STEVE KOZAR + DANIEL LONG: ILLEGITIMATE BAPTISM

 (7) My Response to Sean Christie of Revealing Truth on the Topic of Baptism - YouTube 

Daniel Long and Steve Kozar's exposés of the Azusa Street "revival", John G Lake, Charles Parham, William Branham etc. are well-researched and accurate. Ironically, it is very remiss of these men not to have dug up the dirt on their own cult leader Martin Luther, and there is plenty of dirt to be had! Arguably Martin Luther's wickedness exceeds that of all the false teachers Kozar and Long have exposed!

Daniel Long on the validity of infant baptism

Long: "If you are going to say that somebody who was baptized in the Catholic Church did not have a valid baptism, then you have to say that Martin Luther didn't have a valid baptism, Calvin, any/all of the reformers, and the early church fathers were all baptized as infants. Are you saying that their baptism was an illegitimate baptism and that they all should have been rebaptised?"  YES, that it precisely what I am saying.. although I do not acknowledge the claim that Luther and Calvin were true believers. (Matthew 7:16).

The argument that believers do not need to undergo believers baptism if they have undergone infant baptism is extremely weak and is not validated by the scriptures. Luther went to extreme lengths to validate the doctrine of infant baptism. However, his arguments depend upon tradition and his appeals to the scriptures regarding the faith of infants are dubious: “Since our baptizing has been thus from the beginning of Christianity and the custom has been to baptize children, and since no one can prove with good reasons that they do not have faith, we should not make changes and build on such weak arguments.” {1} 

Thousands of believers have been denied valid baptism as a result of this demonic teaching. (1 Timothy 4:1). Baptism is the very first commandment required of those who have repented and believed the gospel. To prohibit baptism to genuine converts is a very weighty matter indeed! These teachers will have to give an account to the Lord for this wicked teaching when the time comes. (Hebrews 4:13).   

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38).

Luther - A drunkard and glutton

The widespread belief that Luther lived in poverty is easily debunked. Luther was massively obese and weighed a hefty 150kg (23st 8lb) at his death in 1546 at the age of 63. {2} Luther was a glutton and a drunkard, and by his own admission he indulged himself to excess. Apparently, he drank up to two litres of fortified wine with every meal in addition to large quantities of beer.

Luther: "What other cause do you think that I have for drinking so much strong drink, talking so freely and making merry so often, except that I wish to mock and harass the devil who is wont to mock and harass me." {3} 

"By his own admission, Luther put on a few extra pounds in his later years. During a business trip (of sorts) to Eisleben (his place of birth) several days before his death, he joked to friends that he would shortly return to Wittenberg and "give the worms a fat doctor to feast on." In actual fact he never made it back to Wittenberg. He passed away in Eisleben early in the morning on 18 February 1546." {4} 

Luther - As He Was

(Death Mask by Lucas Fortnagel - Leipzig, University Library)

Luther and the scriptures!

Luther's first German translation of the scriptures omitted 25 books (i.e., Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Esther, Job, Ecclesiastes, Jonah, Tobias, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach (i.e., Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Matthew, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, Hebrews, James, Jude and Revelation. Luther referred to the Epistle of James as "straw not worthy to be burned in my oven as tinder".  He referred to other books as "Judaizing nonsense". {5} 

Luther and the Peasants Revolt   

Beginning in 1524 and ending in its suppression in 1525, the Peasants' Revolt began as a result of abuses cited by the peasants by the government and the church. Luther is often credited with the role of encouraging the Peasants' Revolt. However, he maintained allegiance to the German Princes against the violence of the rebels. Luther openly condemned the peasants and called for their brutal suppression, arguably inciting the demise of more than 100,000 peasants and facilitating further oppression of the lower classes."(German: Wider die Mordischen und Reubischen Rotten der Bawren) Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants typifies Luther's reaction to the Peasants' War, and alludes to Luther's concern that he might be seen to be responsible for their rebellion." {6} 

Quotes from Luther:

Tract Against the Murderous and Thieving Hordes of Peasants, published in May 1525: "Therefore, let everyone who can, smite, slay, and stab, secretly or openly, remembering that nothing can be more poisonous, hurtful, or devilish than a rebel. It is just as when one must kill a mad dog; if you do not strike him, he will strike you, and a whole land with you".

“To kill a peasant is not murder; it is helping to extinguish the conflagration. Let there be no half measures! Crush them! Cut their throats! Transfix them. Leave no stone unturned! To kill a peasant is to destroy a mad dog! – If they say that I am very hard and merciless, mercy be damned. Let whoever can stab, strangle, and kill them like mad dogs”[Erlangen Vol 24"

"I have killed all the farmers in their rebellion; all their blood is on my neck.."

Luther's condemnation of the Anabaptists

The most distinctive belief of the Anabaptists was believer's baptism. The Anabaptists repudiated infant baptism as a blasphemous formality. They maintained that infants and young children are not accountable for sin until they become aware of good and evil and can exercise their own free will, repent, and accept baptism. The Anabaptists were mercilessly persecuted by the Reformers and most of the early Anabaptist leaders died in prison or were executed. Protestants were especially fond of “baptizing” Anabaptist heretics by drowning them in rivers.

Ken Rathbun: "Writing against the Anabaptists regarding the matter of faith and baptism, Luther strenuously denied that faith needed to be present in order to baptize. He even turned the argument around and stated that the 'rebaptizers' could never know for sure if anyone really had faith. Luther left open the question of whether infants could have faith in some mysterious way: 'There are Scripture passages that tell us that children may and can believe, though they do not speak or understand. . . . I grant that we do not understand how they do believe, or how faith is created. But that is not the point here.' {7}

"August 7th, 1536, a synod was convened at Hamburg to devise the best means of exterminating the Anabaptists. Not one voice among all the delegates was raised in favor of the Anabaptists. Even Melancthon voted to put all those to death who should remain, obstinate in their errors. The ministers of Ulm demanded that heresy should be extinguished by fire and sword. Those of Augsburg said: “If we have not yet sent any Anabaptists to the gibbet, we have at least branded their cheeks with red iron!? {8} 

Luther and the Jews

Luther's hate-filled vitriol against the Jews is legendary. He wrote at least five treatises on the subject of the Jews, including The Jews and Their Lies in 1543. 

Luther's seven recommendations to church and state authorities for actions concerning the Jews: 

Their synagogues and schools should be burned to the ground, their houses should be “razed and destroyed”; their “prayer books and Talmudic writings” should be confiscated; their rabbis should be “forbidden to teach henceforth on pain of loss of life and limb”; they should be denied safe-conduct on the highways; usury should be prohibited to them and their gold, silver, and cash should be taken from them; finally, they should be subjected to harsh labor.

Luther can also take responsibility for influencing Hitler and the Holocaust.

For Daniel Long to read aloud swathes of Luther's large catechism is scandalous. Luther was a gluttonous monster whose understanding of the scriptures was deeply flawed. We should mark and avoid those who promote the aberrant teachings of this imposter. (Romans 16:17).

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:1-7).

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 cf. Proverbs 23:20).

 

1. The Reformers' Defense of Infant Baptism - Faith Baptist Bible College
2. Researchers dig up the dirt on father of Protestantism | Religion | The Guardian
3. To Spite the Devil | Lapham’s Quarterly (laphamsquarterly.org)
4. Martin Luther: Fat Reformer? - Reformation 21
5. Luther's canon - Wikipedia
6. Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants - Wikipedia
7. The Reformers' Defense of Infant Baptism - Faith Baptist Bible College
8. The reformers and their uncivilized behavior against the anabaptists | Bjorkbloggen

DANIEL LONG'S DUBIOUS CASE FOR BAPTISMAL REGENERATION

 (9) My Response to Sean Christie of Revealing Truth on the Topic of Baptism - YouTube

Above, Daniel Long (LongforTruth) continues to defend the dubious Lutheran doctrine of baptismal regeneration. 

Long: "We do not believe that if a person has not been baptized, they are not saved."  Nevertheless, Long does link baptism and salvation. Long: "We do believe that baptism saves.. Baptism is a means of grace.. it is a way that God delivers His grace to us." There is a great deal of obfuscation involved in the Lutheran doctrine of baptismal regeneration. Essentially, the Lutheran doctrine of baptismal regeneration recognizes two ways of salvation. Most Christians adhere to the orthodox belief that salvation occurs by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8). However, Lutherans hold the illogical belief that salvation also, but not exclusively, occurs through baptism. This perplexing assertion compromises the doctrine of justification by faith alone (sola fide) and, as such, it is a primary issue. 

Long refers to passages (plural) that link baptism and salvation. Actually, there is only ONE passage that definitively links regeneration and baptism. Lutheran teachers make the error of taking Acts 2:38 in isolation as their proof text for baptismal regeneration at the expense of the sum of God's word. (Psalm 119:160). The passage in question (below) identifies those who received Peter's word and were subsequently baptized.

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for (εἰς) the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added about three thousand souls that day. (Acts:2:36-41).

The preposition εἰς (eis) has been translated for in verse 38 which gives the slightly confusing meaning that baptism facilitates the forgiveness of sins. εἰς is translated elsewhere as to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. {1} The Amplified Bible gives a clearer interpretation: because of the forgiveness of your sins.

Peter instructed the Jews to repent and to be baptized in order to receive the Holy Spirit. At that point in time they were deeply convicted of their sin and were asking Peter "What shall we do?". The practice of the early church was that believers repented and were baptized within a very short period of time, repentance being the necessary requirement for baptism. The norm for the early church consisted of repentance and baptism in close proximity to one another. In our time, Christians are often baptized weeks, months, or even years following conversion. The assertion that unbaptized believers have not received the Holy Spirit in the intervening period prior to baptism is false. The critical question is: When do believers receive the Holy Spirit?  The Gentile converts received the Holy Spirit prior to baptism:

>Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. (Acts 10:46-48).

Long proposes that the aorist imperative passive βαπτισθήτω (baptisthētō) (be baptized) demonstrates that the person being baptized is a passive recipient of God's grace. In this instance, the passive voice indicates nothing more than the fact that baptism is administered by another person. In the very early church, baptism appears to have been administered by apostles or elders. Paul was thankful that he baptized only Crispus and Gauius and the household of Stephanas. (1 Corinthians 1:13-17). 

> That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Ephesians 5:26).

Many commentators refer to water baptism as a sign, a representation, a symbol etc. rather than a literal cleansing. I have listed a few examples below. {2} 

Benson: "Ephesians 5:26-27. That he might sanctify and cleanse it — Might remove the guilt, power, and pollution of sin; with the washing of water — In baptism, as the sign of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, which can only renew, sanctify, and cleanse the soul. See 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; Titus 3:5. By the word — The ordinary channel by which justifying, regenerating, and sanctifying grace is communicated; (John 15:3; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; John 17:17;).." 

Matthew Henry: "..baptismal water was the outward sign."

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown: "..He speaks of baptism according to its high ideal and design, as if the inward grace accompanied the outward rite; hence he asserts of outward baptism whatever is involved in a believing appropriation of the divine truths it symbolizes, and says that Christ, by baptism, has purified the Church [Neander] (1Pe 3:21)."

Matthew Poole: "With the washing of water, viz. in baptism, in which the external washing represents seals, and exhibits the internal cleansing from both the guilt and defilement of sin by the blood of Christ, Hebrews 9:14 Revelation 1:5."

>In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses.. (Colossians 2:11-13).

The context of the above is passage adds baptism to "the circumcision without hands" i.e. baptism is performed subsequent to faith. Paul is contrasting circumcision and baptism in this passage. 

> Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4). 

Long: "You died to sin in your baptism.. The old you was killed in baptism, and the new you arose.. Paul very specifically tells us how we were placed in Christ. Paul says in Romans chapter 6 it was through our baptism." (29:00 mark)

Gill: "..because baptism is an ordinance of his; it is to submit to it with a view to his glory, to testify our affection for him, and subjection to him, without laying any stress or dependence on it for salvation; such who are thus baptized, are "baptized into his death"; they not only resemble Christ in his sufferings and death, by being immersed in water, but they declare their faith in the death of Christ, and also share in the benefits of his death; such as peace, pardon, righteousness, and atonement: now this proves, that such persons are dead to sin, who are so baptized; for by the death of Christ, into which they are baptized, they are justified from sin; by the death of Christ, their old man is crucified, and the body of sin destroyed; besides, believers in baptism profess themselves to be dead to sin and the world, and their baptism is an obligation upon them to live unto righteousness." {3}

> And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children (τέκνον) and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” (Acts 2:38-39).  

τέκνον is the Greek word for child, descendent, inhabitant. {4} Many commentators agree that the broader sense of τέκνον i.e. descendents or posterity is indicated in this verse rather than the specific children of Peter's audience. Previously these very same men had imprecated Jesus' blood upon themselves and upon their children i.e. their posterity (τέκνα): “His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25).

"..in a broader sense (like the Hebrew בָּנִים), posterity: Matthew 2:18; Matthew 3:9; Luke 3:8; Acts 2:39; Acts 13:33(32). with emphasis: genuine posterity, true offspring, John 8:39; (of women) to be regarded as children, 1 Peter 3:6. β. specifically, a male child, a son: Matthew 21:28; Acts 21:21; Revelation 12:5; in the vocative, in kindly address, Matthew 21:28; Luke 2:48; Luke 15:31.

Cambridge Bible: "39. the promise is unto you, and to your children] Just as “to Abraham and his seed were the promises made” {5}

Expositors Greek Testament: "Acts 2:39. ὑμῖν γὰρ: the promise was made to the very men who had invoked upon themselves and upon their children, St. Matthew 27:25, the blood of the Crucified." {6} 

Long's alleged evidence that infants can have faith  (1:00 mark)

> ..and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. (Luke 1:15).

The exceptional events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist were unique. John's birth was in fact miraculous (not in the same sense as Jesus' birth). John was an answer to prayer; Elizabeth was past the age of childbearing and the news was delivered to Zechariah via angelic agency (Gabriel). I am very doubtful whether this passage proves that infants in general below a certain age can have faith. (Luke 1:8-25).

Further alleged evidence

> Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust (מַ֝בְטִיחִ֗י) you at my mother’s breasts. (Psalm 22:9-10)

I am not a Hebrew expert, but in this instance, the Berean Standard Bible appears to render the best interpretation. 

Berean Standard Bible: Yet You brought me forth from the womb; You made me secure (מַ֝בְטִיחִ֗י ) at my mother’s breast.

מַ֝בְטִיחִ֗י (batach) be bold confident, secure, sure, careless one, put confidence, make to hope, put,  {7}

> Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. (Psalm 71:6) .

David did not consciously rely upon God from before his birth, rather he was sustained by God.

NASB Lexicon: "By You I have been sustained נִסְמַ֬כְתִּי (nis·mach·ti) 5564: to lean, lay, rest, support a prim. root" {8}

Barnes: "By thee have I been holden up from the womb - From the beginning of my existence. The 'idea' in all this is, that, since God had sustained him from his earliest years - since he had shown his power in keeping him, and manifested his care for him, there was ground to pray that God would keep him still, and that he would guard him as old age came on. The sentiment in this verse is substantially the same as in Psalm 22:9-10." {9}

>..when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 3:20-21). 

Barnes: "..baptism administered in connection with true repentance, and true faith in the Lord Jesus, and when it is properly a symbol of the putting away of sin, and of the renewing influences of the Holy Spirit, and an act of unreserved dedication to God - now saves us.." {10}

>So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:24-27). We symbolically put on Christ in our baptism ~ the outward act confirms the inward change.

Long's insistence that infant baptism in the Roman Catholic Church is valid is indefensible. (55:00 mark). The Roman Catholic Church is a false church and is an abomination to the Lord! Anyone who has undergone baptism in that wicked cult has undergone a false baptism and needs to be legitimately baptized. 

Chris Rosebrough's Research

Rosebrough's quotations from various Church Fathers do not match the writings of the Church Fathers that I have located. (?)

Barnabus (?): “Regarding [baptism], we have the evidence of Scripture that Israel would refuse to accept the washing which confers the remission of sins and would set up a substitution of their own instead [Ps. 1:3–6]."

Rosebrough: "Observe there how he describes both the water and the cross in the same figure. His meaning is,‘Blessed are those who go down into the water with their hopes set on the cross.' Here he is saying that after we have stepped down into the water, burdened with sin and defilement, we come up out of it bearing fruit, with reverence in our hearts and the hope of Jesus in our souls” {11} 

Barnabus: "Let us further inquire whether the Lord took any care to foreshadow the water [of baptism] and the cross. Concerning the water, indeed, it is written, in reference to the Israelites, that they should not receive that baptism which leads to the remission of sins, but should procure another for themselves.. Mark how He has described at once both the water and the cross. For these words imply, Blessed are they who, placing their trust in the cross have gone down into the water;" {12} 

Notice that Barnabus prioritizes those who place their trust in the cross and their subsequent act of baptism. Nowhere does Barnabus imply that baptism removes sins

Hermas (?): "I have heard, sir,’ said I [to the Shepherd], ‘from some teacher, that there is no other repentance except that which took place when we went down into the water and obtained the remission of our former sins.’ He said to me, ‘You have heard rightly, for so it is."

The only comparable passage I could find in Hermas is as follows:

Hermas: "Explain to me a little further, sir, I said. What is it that you desire? he asked. Why, sir, I said, did these stones ascend out of the pit, and be applied to the building of the tower, after having borne these spirits? They were obliged, he answered, to ascend through water in order that they might be made alive; for, unless they laid aside the deadness of their life, they could not in any other way enter into the kingdom of God. Accordingly, those also who fell asleep received the seal of the Son of God. For, he continued, before a man bears the name of the Son of God he is dead; but when he receives the seal he lays aside his deadness, and obtains life. The seal, then, is the water: they descend into the water dead, and they arise alive. And to them, accordingly, was this seal preached, and they made use of it that they might enter into the kingdom of God." {13} 

I find this passage so obscure that I cannot count it as being doctrinally sound or evidential to the cause of baptismal regeneration. 

Wikipedia: "For Hermas baptism is necessary to be saved and warns those who undergo baptism by the danger of postbaptismal sins. Shepherd of Hermas possibly supports delaying baptism for practical reasons which is because of the fear of post-baptismal sins. According to Hermas, those who fall into sin after baptism, have only one chance of penance" {14}

I have not researched Rosebrough's further examples of the Church Fathers, though I may do so at a later date. Anything written by the later Church Fathers such as Augustine, would, in my view, be invalid.  

Long ends his video with a fairly long quote from the Large Catechism of Martin Luther which is one the most blasphemous documents I have ever read. {15}

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

..whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. (Romans 3:25 cf. Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5).

Luther followed the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions by removing the prohibition against graven images from the ten commandments. {16} He also rejected various books of the bible; he perpetuated replacement theology and his writings had a huge influence on Hitler. It is incomprehensible that the writings of Luther should be venerated and viewed as compatible with the scriptures.

1. Acts 2:38 Lexicon: Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (biblehub.com)
2. Ephesians 5:26 Commentaries: so that He might sanctify herchaving cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, (biblehub.com)
3. Romans 6 Gill's Exposition (biblehub.com)
4. Strong's Greek: 5043. τέκνον (teknon) -- a child (of either sex) (biblehub.com)
5. (Galatians 3:16),
6. Acts 2:39 Commentaries: "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." (biblehub.com)
7. Strong's Hebrew: 982. בָּטַח (batach) -- to trust (biblehub.com)
8. Psalm 71:6 Lexicon: By You I have been sustained from my birth; You are He who took me from my mother's womb; My praise is continually of You. (biblehub.com)
9. Psalm 71:6 Commentaries: By You I have been sustained from my birth; You are He who took me from my mother's womb; My praise is continually of You. (biblehub.com)
10. 1 Peter 3:21 Commentaries: Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you-- not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience-- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (biblehub.com)
11. Baptism Texts the Earliest Christians.pdf (dropbox.com)
12. CHURCH FATHERS: Epistle of Barnabas (newadvent.org)
13. CHURCH FATHERS: The Shepherd of Hermas, Book III (newadvent.org)
14. The Shepherd of Hermas - Wikipedia
15. The Large Catechism (Infant Baptism) - Martin Luther (projectwittenberg.org)
16. Luther’s Small Catechism by Dr. Martin Luther (cph.org)

FURTHER LINKS

44) FALSE TEACHER CHRIS ROSEBROUGH-LUTHERANISM-FIGHTING FOR THE FAITH
(48) A Biblical Analysis of Infant Baptism - YouTube
(48) Controversies and Biblical Clarity on Baptism - YouTube
(48) Debate: "Is Water Baptism Required for Salvation?” Dean Meadows and Mike Winger - YouTube
(58) Water Baptism DOES NOT Save - Explaining 1 Peter 3:20-21 - YouTube
Martin Luther On Baptism-Heresy Exposed! SermonAudio - Media Player
Sola Fide Compromised? Martin Luther and the Doctrine of Baptism - The Gospel Coalition

MY QUESTION TO STEVE KOZAR: BAPTISMAL REGENERATION

 (60) Responding to Sean Christie: Part One - YouTube

I can't go any further without responding to Steve Kozar's response to Sean Christie (Revealing Truth).

Sean Christie has posted a new video (below) which will hopefully silence these troublemakers, although I will not hold my breath. Kozar and Long have gained some credibility amongst Christians due to their refutations against NAR heretics. However, I now begin to wonder if their plan was to launch a spiritual hand grenade onto the body of Christ all along. (2 Peter 2:1). I have had reservations about Kozar in particular for some time, but I put this down to personality rather than anything I could pinpoint definitively. Kozar's various slanderous responses to Christie's original video now confirm that my previous uneasiness about him was based on something other than personality. (Proverbs 8:13). 

Kozar refers to "..amateur discernment bloggers who seem to have the viewpoint of 'it's me and my bible against the world, I'm just going to do this all by myself.'" 

My question to Steve Kozar: Who are you to say who can or cannot challenge various troubling developments and doctrines within the church?  

Kozar's comment reminds me of my experience at Holy Trinity CofE Church in Leicester some years ago when I questioned the antics of the then vicar John McGinley and his promotion of various deviant teachings. I went to John McGinley's house one evening to discuss my concerns, and at one point he said to me "Who are you to question us?"  My response was that what I was observing did not line up with the scriptures, and I asked him why I should not question him. John McGinley has now morphed into an NAR "apostle" and he is an associate of Emma Stark, Rebecca King and other false teachers. {1} If we do not test the spirits, and if we allow the "experts" to instruct us unchallenged, I think that we would be in real trouble! (1 John 4:1). Kozar appears to have taken a leaf out of the false NAR teachers' book by misapplying Matthew 7:1 "judge not"!

One accusation levelled against Christie was that he did not take the time to find out what Kozar and Long really believe. If you cannot put a good case for your so-called "doctrine" in a one-hour-plus video, then there is something wrong. According to Kozar, we need to spend several hours studying the subject of infant baptism and baptismal regeneration before we can question their view. I disagree. I heard enough in their original 1.23 hour video to set alarm bells ringing. {2} 

Another accusation against Christie is, apparently, he does not have a PhD and he is not qualified to challenge those who "know what they are talking about". Christie does not mention whether he has any theological qualifications or not on his YouTube channel, but as far as I am concerned, provided his teaching is sound, this is not an issue. Whatever qualifications we have, they are not banners to be waved around to impress or intimidate others. We only have to look at Paul's boasts in the flesh to understand that on their own qualifications mean absolutely nothing. (Philippians 3:4-6).

My understanding from Kozar, without spending hours and hours reading the PhD's he recommends, is that according to Lutheran doctrine, baptism is and is not salvific.  

A bewildering number of views exist amongst those who promote baptismal regeneration. 

Jordan Cooper and Gavin Ortlund sum up the Lutheran view of baptism as "the ordinary means of regeneration.. baptism is not absolutely necessary for salvation, but it is ordinarily necessary for salvation..  there are exceptions to that."  Chris Rosebrough calls out Michael Brown as "the apostle of obfuscation", but really, you would have to go a long way to make up anything more obscure, unclear or unintelligible as the Lutheran doctrine of baptismal regeneration. What Christie noticed was that Lutherans pay a lot of attention to the Roman Catholic doctrine of baptismal regeneration and I agree with him that this is a concern.

 

1. Conversations - Episode 120 with Rebecca King, Emma Stark and John McGinley - YouTube
2. (60) Baptism Is Not A Work! A Discussion between Steve and Paulette Kozar and Dan Long - YouTube