REASONS TO REJECT THE WELSH OUTPOURING AT VICTORY CHURCH CWMBRAN

We already know that the “Welsh Outpouring” as it is called has very ambitious leaders who have stated their remit (they say vision) to plant 50 churches in ten years in Wales. Richard Taylor is also touting for churches to host the "outpouring" throughout Europe and the UK in 2014. Equip 2013 is a Church Planting Conference being held at Victory Church on the 8/9^th of November at a cost of £20. Peter Anderson, Senior Pastor of Destiny Church Edinburgh will be a guest speaker at this conference on the 9th of November. Victory Church in Cwmbran may be an entry point for Satan to further deceive many churches which are already compromising in the UK and Europe.

Taylor and his fellow apostates have already set up “campuses” at Merthyr Tydfil, The Forest of Dean, Caerphilly, Chepstow and The Rhonnda Valleys, with a further plant taking place in the near future at Blaenavon.

BIBLICAL REASONS TO REJECT THE WELSH OUTPOURING

Listed below are several biblical reasons why Christians should reject the so called Welsh Outpouring:

• Victory Church in Cwmbran is part of ecumenical Churches Together which includes the apostate Roman Catholic Church and other churches belonging to the World Council of Churches.
• The doctrine of Victory Church is unbiblical e.g. Taylor says that unbelievers receive the Holy Spirit prior to hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10/14)
• Taylor says that he has direct words from the Lord, but these are very questionable.
• The two main leaders at Victory Church; Richard Taylor and Andrew Parsons have affluent lifestyles and are not honest or open about their finances.
• Victory Church have hosted false teachers Tommy Tenney, Roy Fields, John Glass, Lou Engle and Nathan Morris.
• Taylor's known influences are Reinhart Bonnke, Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, Ed Stetzer, Mark Driscoll, Tommy Tenney and John Glass.
• Victory Church does not have a good reputation with outsiders (1 Timothy 3/7). Taylor has upset local residents by holding nightly “outpouring” meetings without planning permission.
• Victory Church has been/still is operating illegally as they only have planning permission for one assembly meeting a week. (Romans 13/1-7)
• There are reports that the residents of Victory Outreach UK are coerced into attending all the “outpouring” meetings and are suffering from abusive treatment. http://watchman4wales.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/richard-taylor-andrew-parsons-self.html#comment-form
• None of the alleged healings at Victory Church can be medically verified; in fact the medical profession have voiced concerns. (http://www.itv.com/news/wales/update/2013-08-15/cwmbran-church-under-scrutiny-over-miracle-healings/)

• Taylor and the other leaders insist that they are addressed as “Pastor” . However the role always comes after the name biblically e.g. Paul referred to himself as: Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ. In the book of Revelation John refers to himself simply as: John your brother and partner (Revelation 1/9) etc. Insistence on a title is worldly and unbiblical. 

The list continues to grow............


RICHARD TAYLOR'S FLAWED "LEADERSHIP TIP"

http://www.equip121.com/news/leadership-tip

Here is Taylor's list of qualities required for Christian leadership: humility, curiosity, optimism, vulnerability, generosity and openness.

Going on to Taylor’s short video he says: “I just had this thought about a container – there is something about a container that relates to leadership”. The three things about a container according to the gospel of Taylor are: Size, durability, what it is designed to carry or hold.

A container relates to leadership?  Taylor's leadership list differs significantly from God's list!   If they must be oversimplified, the basic qualities required for leadership are commitment, conviction, competency and character as found in the relevant Bible passages:1 Timothy 3/1-13; 2 Timothy 2/1-13; Titus 1/5-9; Acts 6/1-6 and also Exodus 18/21-22. These passages give very practical guidelines concerning the way of life and the necessary qualities of men in leadership.

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. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3/1-13)

Paul actually uses the metaphor of a container to describe the weakness/lowliness of the human body:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Corinthians 4/7) The treasure is the gospel of Jesus Christ. “But we - Not only the apostles, but all true believers. Have this treasure - Of divine light, love, glory. In earthen vessels - In frail, feeble, perishing bodies.” (Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible by John Wesley [1754-65])

Taylor gives us a symbolic model of a container which actually focuses on examination of the container rather than on God. He gives us no biblical reference to substantiate this model or anything else that he says. Vessels are also used symbolically by Paul in Romans 9/21 and 2 Timothy 2/21 where he is talking about vessels for honourable and dishonourable use; in 2 Timothy the context is about holiness. Ironically the dishonourable vessels are false teachers such as Hymenaeus and Philetus (v 17). 

How ironic also that a container (boiling pot) is a prophetic sign in the Old Testament for God's impending judgement.  Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesied about Jezebel's antitype, the end time apostate church (Revelation 2/20).  

Taylor's  “container”  is a cistern that can hold no water (Jeremiah 2/13).  I would actually go further and say that when the container itself is defiled beyond remedy, then how can it possibly hold the treasure? 

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose corrosion is in it, and whose corrosion has not gone out of it!  (Ezekiel 24/6 - see also Revelation 16/10-11)

And every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holy to the LORD of hosts, so that all who sacrifice may come and take of them and boil the meat of the sacrifice in them. (Zecharaiah 14/21)

Despite taking up a significant amount of space, Taylor does not refer to one Bible verse and says nothing at all about preaching the gospel, making disciples, teaching the Word of God and the example of leaders.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.....(Matthew 28/19)

But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. (Mark 10/43/44)

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13/7)

…..and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2/2)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2/15)

Taylor uses the wisdom of this world/worldly tactics to give people a way of achieving their own ambitions rather than the wisdom of God for His purposes. Taylor focuses on how to become a leader and how to sustain leadership; his presentation could have been given at any secular management conference. He is an eisegate who makes throw away comments which are not biblical and not helpful. Some examples:

“Leadership is not about how good we are but how good we are in recognising and realising others.”

(Taylor's definition of leadership)

…..humility can actually increase one’s influence. (is that why we should be humble?)

“Genuinely caring for and recognising the talents of others makes real leaders.” 

“Be willing to receive intelligence and wisdom from all sources in an effort to further your view of the world.” (wisdom from all sources?)

There are many forms of apostasy taking place in the majority of UK churches claiming to be Evangelical, Pentecostal and Charismatic. This is what is referred to in the Bible as the end time “falling away” (apostasia) (2 Thessalonians 2/3). If past form is anything to go by, even if these churches do not embrace the so called “Welsh Outpouring”, they will continue to open their doors to unbiblical ideas and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4/1). Many churches have gone too far and are unlikely to repent, but true believers are being called to turn their backs on the false teachers and hirelings who are propagating insidious unbiblical ideas in their so called churches.

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4/3-4)

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement. (John 7/24; 8/15)

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5/8)

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; (Revelation 18/4)

FURTHER INFORMATION:

http://watchman4wales.blogspot.co.uk/

http://eliora.hubpages.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVGAbYIgN78 Divine Tattoo Removal!

http://s4c.co.uk/clic/e_level2.shtml?series_id=510265514

Dear Reader – Do you have questions about Jesus Christ and how to be truly saved? If so, then please read my post: GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/gods-plan-of-salvation-through-jesus.html

THE LGBT DEBATE - ARCHBISHOP JUSTIN WELBY INSULTS TRUE BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby recently had the audacity to tell an audience of “traditional born-again Christians" that they “must repent" over the way gay and lesbian people have been treated in the past and said most young people viewed Christians as no better than racists on the issue. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10271438/Archbishop-urges-Christians-to-repent-over-wicked-attitude-to-homosexuality.html

Welby’s arrogance in that he has told Christians that they “must repent”  is outrageously inaccurate and highly offensive. Firstly, we need to consider exactly who are responsible for treating gay and lesbian people badly in the past.  Historically the persecution of homosexuals has been state sanctioned! Prior to the fourth century, Christianity was a minor cult with no political influence. It is very well documented that the early Christians were persecuted themselves by the Roman Empire - as such they were not responsible for persecution against gay/lesbian people.

It was in the fourth century that the emperor Constantine (280?-337) reinvented Christianity under the direction of Augustine of Hippo. This was when Roman Catholicism began to hijack Christianity and it became the state religion.  Laws against homosexuality were introduced by the emperor Constantine and later by his sons, emperors Constantius II and Constans who imposed laws against homosexuality in the year 342.  Constantine was anything but Christian.  He worshipped the pagan sun god Mithras and incorporated pagan traditions into Christianity, thus polluting the apostles teaching. He  had his first born son Crispus strangled; he had his second wife Fausta boiled alive; he assassinated friends and advisers and extended the death penalty for minor crimes. Constantine’s/Augustine's unbiblical marriage of church and state was a contradiction of Jesus Christ’s own words: My kingdom is not of this world. (John 18/36)   Augustine redefined Christianity in Platonic terms and followed the false ideas of men such as Origen, Cyprian of Carthage, Ambrose etc. In doing so he went beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4/6).

Canon law was brought in by another uniblical marriage between church and state under the unrighteous Henry VIII, who began the process of forming the Church of England after his split with the Pope in the 1530's.  Henry VIII was a murderer and adulterer who was not worthy of the title "Defender of the Faith".

In Muslim countries, from the birth of Islam in the seventh century to the present time there has been prohibition of homosexuality.  This fact is conveniently overlooked when Christians are being blamed for homophobia.

Paul the apostle stated very clearly that it is no business of the Christian to judge “outsiders”  i.e. unbelievers outside the church, in respect to anything the Bible calls sinful:

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 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. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 15/9-12)

In the above passage Paul was referring to an act of heterosexual immorality within the church at Corinth. When he says “purge”, he is talking about disfellowship.  Let him who has done this be removed from among you. (1 Corinthians 5/1)

Sodom and Gomorrah is often quoted in the Christianity v LGBT debate:

…… they called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, so that we may know (be intimate with) them.  Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, and said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.”(Genesis 19/5-8)

It should be noted that no human being lifted a finger against the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Lord Himself rained sulphur and fire out of heaven on Sodom and Gomorrah after Lot’s escape. (Genesis 19/22-24)

Homophobia is defined as: intense hatred or fear of homosexuals or homosexuality (www.thefreedictionary.com). It is inconceivable that a true born-again follower of the Lord Jesus Christ would have an attitude of hatred (Welby says malice) towards homosexuals. It is totally unchristian to do anything to harm gay people or to call them nasty names. Having said that, Christians do not have to do anything that is unbiblical and against the Lord’s will – we cannot say that something is right when the Bible says that it is sinful, but that is as far as we should go - God Himself is the Judge, not us. The fact is that God cares enough about sinners (that is everyone) that he tells Christians to warn those with any kind of sinful lifestyle to repent because they are all in danger of hell.

….. all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

…..for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers,liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine……(1 Timothy 1/9-10)

None is righteous, no, not one (Romans 3/10).

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17/9)

I do not think that the homosexual community are fooled by Welby’s hypocrisy for one minute. Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights charity Stonewall, said: "It is a tiny bit rich to say he has great sympathy for gay people when in the 10 years since the introduction of civil partnerships the Church has doggedly refused to bless people's long term partnerships even though they are happy to have services for pets and even canals.”

Welby publicly opposed the Government’s Same-sex Marriage Act earlier this year and says that his own mind is not yet “clear”on the wider issues pertaining to the subject. If he is not even clear in his own mind then why is he pontificating to the rest of us? Is he schizophrenic?

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1/8)

And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? (1 Corinthians 14/8)

Speaking about homophobia, Welby says that “we have to be really, really repentant about that because it is utterly and totally wrong.”   Welby is making wild assumptions about people’s attitudes and he demands that born again Christians repent for unchristian acts and attitudes that they are not even responsible for! Who does Welby think he is – he has clearly been spending too much time with the Pope! Perhaps he should think about repenting himself from his unbiblical and authoritative dictates.

It is not Bible believing Christians who have changed, it is society that has undergone a “revolution” in attitudes towards sexuality. Welby himself admits that the shift in public attitudes to homosexuality is one of the biggest social changes of recent history. Do Christians have to change with societal changes? We must remember that God is outside time, He is eternal. Trends and societal changes are nothing to Him – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13/8)

Your decrees are very trustworthy;
holiness befits your house,
O LORD, forevermore.  (Psalm 93/5)

Welby urges Christians to speak out about what they are in favour of rather than simply what they are against. As a committed Bible believing Christian myself, I can inform Welby that I am in favour of the Bible, God’s Word: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.  (2 Timothy 3/16)    I am not part of the World Council of Churches or any other compromising and cowardly “church”  which bows to the pressures of a fickle society and corrupt religiosity. True Christians follow the Lord Jesus Christ, a person who never conformed to the dictates of the religious leaders of His time or anyone else who thought that they were something when in fact they were nothing at all.

The Bible is very clear that homosexuality is a sin – this is not my opinion it is the Word of God. I do not hate homosexuals; I care enough about them to warn them to repent because homosexuality will lead people to eternal destruction.

Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? (Galatians 4/16)

The Lord……. is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3/9)

Wolves in sheep’s clothing are doing the LGBT community no favours at all by placating them; in doing so they are deceiving them: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5/20) Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."  (Matthew 15/14)

Welby told the General Synod in July that the strength of feeling he encountered in support prompted him to reassess his own beliefs and urged them to face up to a “revolution" in attitudes on sexuality. If Welby’s beliefs are to be reassessed by the strength of feeling of others then what sort of Christian is he? It is very fortunate that Jesus Christ did not reassess his determination to go to the cross because of the strength of feeling of his opponents! The same thing could be said of the apostles of Christ and the Christian martyrs throughout history.

Welby comes from what is termed as the evangelical wing of Anglicanism, which is said to take a more traditional interpretation of the Bible. Welby was a member of Holy Trinity Church in Brompton (HTB) in the 1980's.  He is a proponent of the much criticised Alpha Course which was pioneered by Nicky Gumbel and developed by HTB (Gumbel is now the Vicar at HTB). HTB claims to be an “evangelical” church, though many would dispute its biblical soundness and the antics that have taken place there. HTB hosted the so called “Kansas City Prophets” who falsely prophesied a massive revival in the UK. Furthermore HTB was at the forefront of promoting the disastrous “Toronto Experience" in Britain.

"In London, countless abandoned Christian churches have been turned into mosques.  And yet, about 12 years ago, the Kansas City prophets prophesied at Holy Trinity Brompton, where the Alpha Course started.....  Paul Cain prophesied a massive revival in the United Kingdom...  The revival happened, but the only problem was that he got his religions wrong - it wasn't a revival of Christianity, it was a revival of Islam!!"  http://www.africanaquatics.co.za

There is much more that could be said about Holy Trinity Brompton, but suffice it to say that the public should be aware that many true born-again Christians regard HTB as totally apostate. Welby does not represent the true church of Jesus Christ any more than Augustine of Hippo or Constantine did. These days many true bible believing born-again Christians refuse to be associated with the World Council of Churches ecumenical agenda and the ravings of people like the Kansas City Prophets and those associated with Pensacola, Toronto and more recently in the UK, the so called "Welsh Outpouring".

Whilst the LGBT community and the true church are on opposite sides of the fence, I hope at least the LGBT community will respect the honesty of people who do genuinely care about them enough to warn them rather than to accept the inane drivel and political manoeuvring of people who falter between two opinions (1 Kings 18/21).

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. (John 3/16-21)

VICTORY CHURCH CWMBRAN THE WELSH OUTPOURING DECEPTION: SUSPECT QUALIFICATIONS AND INFLATED TITLES

CALL NO MAN YOUR FATHER  - MATTHEW 23/9

“Rabbi” was a title given to eminent teachers within Judaism; the Scribes and Pharisees loved to be called by titles, but Jesus Christ condemned their hypocrisy and pride.  It is also a Roman Catholic practice to call their priests “Father”.  However the followers of Jesus Christ are not to imitate these wolves in sheep’s clothing.  Jesus Christ instructed his disciples not to seek reward or reverence for their teaching, but to seek instead to be humble servants.  In fact Christ’s apostles were simply known by their first names; any additional information about them or their function followed their name e.g Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ;  Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1/1); James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ (James 1/1). In the book of Revelation John refers to himself simply as: John your brother and partner..... (Revelation 1/9). The point is that they did not seek any glory for themselves, they always pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ. Many false ministers do the exact opposite of the clear teaching of Jesus Christ and the example of the apostles; they go beyond what is written (1 Corinthains 4/6-7).

Believers have One Teacher, One Father who is in heaven, and One instructor, the Christ.

We see many questionable ministers who like to be addressed by titles of religious authority such as Pastor, Rabbi, Teacher, Father, Evangelist, Apostle, Prophet, Bishop, Reverend etc. Jesus Christ condemned and prohibited the practice of bestowing titles of religious authority amongst His followers: 

They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honour at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23/5-12) 

Very often usurpers bestow titles upon themselves because it gives them a sense of superiority and an opportunity to Lord it over others.  The problem about being “important” is that it is based in pride and self, it is a form of self-aggrandisement and it leads to the oppression of those mere mortals underneath them.   A title presumes entitlement - a belief that one should have special honour and usually a salary to go with it.  However all believers are equal under the blood of Jesus Christ. 

Taylor, Parsons and others promote themselves under the title of “Pastor” on the Victory Church website, and they insist that their congregation address them as “Pastor” as a prefix to their names.  This is of course a way to elicit a sign of respect and set themselves apart from others as superior.  Furthermore Taylor and Parsons insist that they are addressed as “Pastor” by the residents of the Victory Outreach homes.  I notice that on the Victory Outreach Website that they do not use this title however (http://www.vouk.org.uk). Victory Outreach UK are a charitable organisation that support vulnerable adults - the homeless, ex drug addicts and those released from prison.  VO UK says nothing on their webpage about their residents being obliged to conform to religious practices and yet the residents are obliged to attend the so called Welsh Outpouring at Cwmbran five evenings a week and to address these wolves by the reverential title of “Pastor”. 

Apart from their obvious deviation from the Bible and their false humility in exalting themselves with the title of “Pastor”, Taylor's non existent theological qualifications and Parsons suspect theological qualifications make it unlikely that they have any grounds to call themselves by any kind of “clerical”  title anyway. In the UK there is nothing to stop anyone from adding fake post-nominal letters to their name, whereas in other countries it is illegal. Taylor and Parsons have taken full advantage of this loophole in UK law and awarded themselves an impressive list of qualifications:  

Rev. Richard Taylor Dip Th, HNC bus management

It is known that Taylor did not complete his course of study at the Birmingham Bible Institute.  I could find no such qualification as Dip Th on a Google search.  Whether he has a HNC in Business Management is also questionable. 

http://victory-academy.co.uk/academic-leaders/

Pastor Andrew Parsons  BA(Hon)Th, Dip AdCM, DipPCB, DipPCEd, CG Cert Ed

Parsons attended the Birmingham Bible Institute and it is reported that he did not complete his course of study. The Birmingham Bible Institute do not go up to degree level, they go up to Diploma level only. Parsons cannot even get this right - the correct way to put this is BA (Hons) in Theology, not BA(Hon)Th! The other qualifications he claims to have cannot be found on a Google search. 

https://sites.google.com/a/victory-academy.co.uk/home/lecturers

Both Taylor, Founding Pastor VC and Executive Director VOUK, and Parsons, Executive Pastor VC and Executive Officer VOUK (he must be even more important than Taylor!)  Taylor exalts himself to the lofty position of "Rev. Richard Taylor"  on his Victory Academy website and also on the home webpage of the Gateway Foundation, the charity he founded in 2007. http://gatewayfoundation.org.uk  The title “Reverend” appears only once in the Bible: He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. (Psalm 111/9 KJV) This title is related to the Name of God Himself and it means to be reverenced. Another translation is “awesome” which is related to the fear of the Lord: “to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten.” http://biblehub.com  God is the only one who is worthy to be reverenced.  Anyone using this title is usurping a title reserved for God alone and is committing an abomination.

The Teaching of The Nicolaitans

 

So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 2/15-17 also v 2)

The term "Nicolaitans" is derived from two Greek words..."Nikos" and "Laos".

Nikos is defined as: conquest; victory; triumph; to conquer; and by implication, dominancy over the defeated.

The word "nicao" literally means: to dominate-intimidate-manipulate.

The term "laos" means "the people" or the "laity".

The meaning of Nicolaitans is therefore to conquer (dominate-intimidate-manipulate-subdue) the people (laity).

The teaching of the Nicolaitans represents the hierarchy of a ruling class over the rest of the congregation, in other words a pecking order of fleshly leadership. This teaching is “hated” by Jesus Christ (v2). They are Hamans in the church, interlopers and usurpers masquerading as leaders but in reality they are enemies of God and lethal to the body of Christ, dominating through ungodly leadership.

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20/25-28)

.....whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.  (1 Peter 4/11)

http://birminghambibleinstitute.org/courses

JESUS CHRIST: I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE

AS WE REALLY BELIEVE SO WE REALLY ARE

According to Greek philosopher, Democritus, “Nothing exists except atoms and empty space; everything else is opinion.” Actually this statement itself is an opinion.

People may agree or disagree on various subjects due to their perception of reality. Whatever we believe about ourselves and the world has enormous implications for how we live our lives and the choices we make. As we really believe, so we really are. An example of this is certain radical Muslim fundamentalists who really believe that westerners are infidels. No one doubts that they really believe this, but the average westerner has a view of reality which dismisses it as untrue. Why do we believe what we believe and what is the source of our belief? Many of our beliefs are tied up with the culture we live in, where and how we were brought up, education, family, past experiences, our own individuality, biases etc. all sorts of influences have shaped our thought patterns and worldview. The big question is: What has shaped or continues to shape our view of reality which is not actually true or reliable, and how can we tell what is genuine reality? Is there a benchmark, an acid test to define and show us such a thing?

The anti-realism view states that there is no objective reality i.e. that there is no reality beyond the perceptions or beliefs we each have about reality. However the very statement that there is no absolute reality is itself an absolute ‘truth’ and therefore it is a contradiction in terms - what they call a self refuting statement.

Some claim that reality is subjective and that we can create our own reality through various reprogramming techniques to alleviate certain painful emotions. Old negative unhelpful beliefs (or feelings) like fear and guilt are substituted with new beliefs which supposedly cause new positive thinking patterns. These new patterns eventually replace the old ones so that a person will react and think positively rather than negatively when unpleasant and painful situations arise. It is all about feeling better about yourself and coping with the world around you on a subjective level. This method recognises some of the problems of the human condition and attempts to heal the brokenness many people feel, but it only deals with them at a certain level.

People seem to go round and round on the merry go round of life, trying this and that, looking for happiness, pleasure, contentment and peace. King Solomon with all his wealth and splendour tried everything he could think of - pleasure seeking, drinking wine, building houses and vineyards, making and planting gardens and parks, he had possessions, slaves, silver and gold, he concluded: And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them; I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had spent in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2/10-11)

There is a persistent emptiness that many people feel despite material wealth and situation. For some this emptiness becomes so acute that it brings on serious depression. Interestingly despite many theories about the cause of depression none have been conclusive in their findings. Major depression is the number one psychological disorder in the western world. It is a growing problem in all age groups, and it affects every community. Depression is an epidemic, it will be the second most disabling condition in the world after heart disease by 2020. There is some excellent advice out there, but we can end up looking in the wrong places for healing, a bit like the Prodigal son. We can find relief or distraction for a while which gratify to a point, but then we are missing out on the real issue behind what is really wrong. The fact is that relapse is very common and many people do revert back into depression. The unwanted thoughts and feelings return and it seems hopeless – but is it?

Anything we can say about reality is in fact opinion since it falls within the context of flawed human understanding – no one is able to encapsulate reality since no one is perfect. How we deal with what portrays itself as reality is probably more critical than any of us realise. It would be a hopeless effort to define reality if it were not for one thing, that is to see that reality must be outside the human sphere and comes from what is perfect, totally unbiased and true.

Reality refers to what is real or true rather than what is false or delusional; in other words, truth and reality are synonymous.  The extraordinary claim of the Bible is that objective truth is actually a Person - Jesus Christ:  I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  (John 14/6)

There is much more against us which prevents our apprehension of reality than we may be aware of.  The Bible says that there is a spiritual element involved.  We humans have an inbuilt resistance and hostility to God that we may not even consciously realise.  The fact that reality came to us here on earth in the Person of Jesus Christ is resisted by many due to spiritual blindness and self-deception.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?  (Jeremiah 17/9)

The human condition is all twists and turns at every level.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!  Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of his right!  (Isaiah 5/20-24)

Furthermore the Bible tells us that we have a formidable enemy - the devil, who is a liar, deceitful and evil to the very core and whose aim is to destroy human beings and keep us in unreality.  The "god of this world" i.e. the devil, is holding people captive in their minds to prevent them from knowing the truth (2 Timothy 2/6; Ephesians 2/2)

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God.(2 Corinthians 4/4) The whole world lies under the power of the evil one (1 John 5/19)

He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.  (John 8/44) 

Pilate asked Jesus - "What is truth?"  He did not get an answer.  Some people ask the question but do not want an answer.  Jesus spoke about those who ask, those who seek, and those who find.  For those who really want an answer, there is an answer and there is freedom.  It is possible to know objective reality, but more than that, it is possible to know Jesus Christ subjectively person to person.  We can apprehend the awesome concept of a personal relationship with the creator of the universe through what He has done for us at Calvary.

Jesus Christ said:  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.  (Luke 4/19)

Jesus Christ gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age. (Galatians 1/4)  

You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.  (John 8/32)

WITCHCRAFT AND THE OCCULT: THE DANGER OF DECEIVING SPIRITS

When people start to delve into spiritual things they very rarely realise that there is a danger from deceiving spirits. The world we live in is saturated by the occult from TV, films, books, media, psychic fairs and events, spiritism, fortune tellers, horoscopes etc. This leaves many who are uninformed in a very vulnerable position. From the casual participant in what appears to be harmless fun to the genuine seeker for truth, the danger cannot be exaggerated enough. People are literally entering into a minefield by dabbling in the occult and once entangled, it is extremely difficult to withdraw from the clutches of evil spirits which appear benign in the beginning.

Jesus Christ’s Own Words about His Divine Identity: 

We should not make the assumption that all spiritual entities are good. The Bible tells us that there are two kinds of spirits at work in the world, good and evil (unclean). The evil spirits are fallen angels who have fallen from grace and now serve Satan. When Lucifer fell he took a third of the angels with him (Revelation 12/4) and these are the beings encountered when people engage in occult practices. Evil spirits can imitate deceased loved ones and can give messages that people want to hear, they can give a sense of power and control, they can perform healings and miracles and manifest in all sorts of ways to give people what they want – initially at least. The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders..... (2 Thessalonians 2/9)

When God says do not in the Bible it is because we are dearly loved by Him. God wants to protect us from all evil things - His will is that we should to turn to Him. For instance only harm comes from lying, stealing, covetousness murder, things which the Bible tells us not to do (Exodus 20). The Bible says that people become defiled when they turn to mediums and spiritists etc. Jesus Christ called the demons unclean spirits and much of his ministry involved setting people free from their possession.

Do not turn to mediums or wizards; do not seek them out, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19/31)

If any turn to mediums and wizards, prostituting themselves to them, I will set my face against them, and will cut them off from the people. (Leviticus 20/6)

Although these nations that you are about to dispossess do give heed to soothsayers and diviners, as for you, the Lord your God does not permit you to do so. (Deuteronomy 18/14)

Moreover Josiah put away the mediums,wizards, teraphim,idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem…..(2 Kings 23/24)

No one shall be found among you…….who practices divination, or is a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer,or one who casts spells, or who consults ghosts or spirits, or who seeks oracles from the dead. (Deuteronomy 18/10-11)

You are wearied with your many consultations; let those who study the heavens {astrologers} stand up and save you, those who gaze at the stars, and at each new moon predict what shall befall you. (Isaiah 47/13)

Satan’s activity is not restricted to the overtly occult. He and his cohorts rule over many areas in the world such as false religions, false churches, false preachers, political institutions and business at the highest level. It is often not clear cut where and how Satan is operating because of his devious tactics.

God’s personal name as it is translated in English is I AM (Exodus 3/14). Jesus Christ uses the same expression in his seven I AM statements about Himself:

I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger. (John 6/35)

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.(John 8/12; 9/5)

I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. (John 10/9)

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for His sheep. (John 10/11)

I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies. (John 11/25)

I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me. (John 14/6)

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine-dresser. (John 15/1)

Truly, Truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am. (John 8/58)

All who came before me are thieves and robbers. (John 10/8)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10/10)

According to the Bible Jesus Christ is the Messiah and salvation is through faith in Him alone. Christ means Anointed One - all others claiming alternative doctrines are dismissed as false teachers, false prophets and false messiahs. All other religions are totally condemned without reservation in the Bible. If this is true then Universalism (the teaching that all ways lead to God) is a lie of Satan. Concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden, God said to Adam: ".....the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die." (Genesis 2/16) - Satan’s emphasised contradiction to Eve was: "You shall not surely die" (Genesis 3/4). Who would you rather believe? Those participating in occult practices are "eating" forbidden knowledge, but what will the result of this be? Those who practice sorcery will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5/20). If they will not inherit the kingdom of God then there is only one other alternative, that is condemnation and hell (2 Peter 2)

Hell is prepared for Satan and his angels {demons} but that is also the destination of unbelievers unless they repent and turn to Jesus Christ (Matthew 25/41). The Bible speaks in terms of being lost and found (Luke 15/6-32), those who are perishing and those who are saved. (2 Corinthians 2/15)

God desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2/4)

Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die.But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5/7-8)

My warning is this – do not be deceived by anything or anyone claiming to be a god, a good spirit, a deceased loved one, an angel or anything else. Put your trust in Jesus Christ alone and test everything by the Bible. If you have been involved in the occult then ask God to forgive you and set you free. The consequences for the choices we make are eternal.

Dear Reader – Do you have questions about Jesus Christ and how to be truly saved? If so, then please read my post: GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/gods-plan-of-salvation-through-jesus.html