Mercy Walked In – Another False Gospel

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Eternal Life Blog

Mercy Walked In is a gospel song, which has been heard by millions over the years. That, nevertheless, is not good because the song lyrics do not pass the scriptural test (1 Thess. 5:21). Mercy Walked In includes biblical terms and concepts mixed in with partial truths, but they have been disjointed from their context and are, therefore, highly misleading and spiritually poisonous.mercy of God

Because people are not reading their Bibles, and because so many false teachers are in high and influential places, multitudes of susceptible victims are just gullibly trusting the spiritual message of the beautifully sung, popular songs. That is also the pitfall here, especially when sung from a reputable platform.

To evaluate Mercy Walked In with God’s word yields very disturbing findings, especially when one realizes that multitudes of souls have been exposed to such dangerous lyrics. The one and only plan of salvation (the gospel), which yields life-giving results, salvation mercy and forgiveness of sins, includes a different message!

The Biblical message contains the vital necessity of repentance and a submissive faith in the Lord Jesus to follow him – doing God’s will (Acts 20:21; 26:20; Lk. 9:23; 1 Thess. 1:9; Mt. 10:37,38; Lk. 8:21; etc.). Such, however, is certainly NOT the teaching of Mercy Walked In; the message of the song is terribly devoid of repentance and doesn’t even mention the PRECIOUS Lord Jesus Christ at all. The gist of Mercy Walked In is summarized here:

A defenseless and sinfully guilty person stands before the judge. Then, out of nowhere, mercy walks in the court room and rescues him with the help of saving grace. Consequently, his sins are forgiven and he becomes born again.

Here are the actual lyrics with further important comments to follow:

Mercy Walked In  Deadly Lyrics

I stood in the court room the judge turn my way
It looks like you’re guilty now what do you sayforgive others
I spoke up your honor I have no defense
But that’s when mercy walked in

Mercy walked in and pleaded my case
Called to the stand God’s saving grace
The blood was presented that covered my sin
Forgiven when mercy walked in

I stood there and wondered how could this be
That someone so guilty had just been set free
My chains were broken I felt born again
The moment that mercy walked in

Mercy walked in and pleaded my case
Called to the stand God’s saving grace
The blood was presented that covered my sin
Forgiven when mercy walked in

The blood was presented that covered my sin forgiven when mercy walked in.

Song Summary:

Mercy and forgiveness were just granted to a person without that person being “worthy” of Jesus, in contrast to God’s requirements for salvation (Mt. 10:37,38). Mercy Walked In, therefore, is a different gospel message – a false hope and a dangerous religious myth.

God’s Truth About Mercy, Forgiveness and Salvation

The real scriptural truth is: to be forgiven of sins (to be saved) one must repent (turn away from) his sins. People who die sinful, without a PURE HEART, will not be shown mercy unto salvation afterwards. Here is proof:

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person–such a man is an idolater–has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. (Eph 5:5-7)worthy of salvation

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, (Acts 3:19)

Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. (Isa 55:7)

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. (2 Cor 7:10)

I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. (Luke 13:3)

I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. (Luke 13:5)

I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. (Acts 20:21)

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Pet 3:9)

KEY: one absolutely must repent in order to be saved and set free from his sin addictions (Rom. 6:6,7), but that is never the impression one will get by listening to Mercy Walked In.

Furthermore, Jesus taught it was only the sincere and humble man who personally asked God for mercy because of his sins, who was justified, unlike the other one who was likewise guilty, but who did not do the same to receive get God’s mercy (Lk. 18:9-14). Besides that, “Judgment WITHOUT mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful…” (James 2:13). Both of those points are totally unlike the Mercy Walked In song.

Jesus also taught, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Mt 5:7). It doesn’t just happen. God’s mercy is extended to those who fear him (Luke 1:50), but many do not. Some will hear the “judge of the living and dead” (2 Tim. 4:1) say to them: “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mat 25:41). That is spiritual reality, in contrast to the deceptive Mercy Walked In song.

Without question, it takes an obedient faith in the Lord Jesus to be forgiven:

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, (Gal 3:26)

The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap ETERNAL LIFE. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal 6:8,9)

All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him [Jesus] receives forgiveness of sins through his name. (Acts 10:43)

…he [Jesus] became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him (Heb 5:9)

I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me [Jesus].’ (Acts 26:17,18)

Whoever believes in him [Jesus] is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:18)

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. (Rom 5:1,2)

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1 John 2:3,4)

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars–their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. (Rev 21:8)

Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil… (1 John 3:7,8).

He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” (Luke 8:21)

How Not to be Forgiven (and Not Receive Mercy)

Jesus even taught, how not to be forgiven, which again shows that not everyone will be getting salvation mercy:

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Mat 6:14,15)

Having read those relevant scriptures, carefully listen to Mercy Walked In being beautifully sung on a very powerful platform.

The blind Gordon Mote was the singer. Though we all desire to show kindness to people who are handicapped, including Gordon Mote, God’s vital salvation truth must be defended because eternal SOULS are hanging in the balance. Certainly people are imperiled by anyone (blind or not; rich or dirt poor), who distorts the gospel.

If Gordon Mote was doing something less critical then handling the word of God in song form, it would not be so serious, but such is not the case.  Therefore, as with anyone else who clashes with the one and only salvation message, we Christians are all commanded to expose the unfruitful deeds of darkness (Eph. 5:11). That is true even when it is inconvenient and highly possible to be misunderstood as with this article here. A blind viper is just as DEADLY as one that is not!

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)

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More Problems For Catholics: The Misuse of God’s Name and Idol Making

Posted on December 6, 2019 by Eternal Life Blog

The Third of the Ten Commandments is Related to God’s Most Holy Name Alone:

You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (Exo 20:7)

Elsewhere we read of God’s unique and most high name:misuse of God's name

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. (Psa 148:13)

…you have exalted above all things your name and your word. (Psa 138:2)

…your name alone do we honor. (Isa 26:13)

No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. (Jer 10:6)

…your adversaries misuse your name. (Psa 139:20)

Some believe those truths are under severe attack. How? The Catholic Magisterium teaches to misuse Mary’s name violates the command to not misuse God’s name!

2146 The second commandment forbids the abuse of God’s name, i.e., every improper use of the names of God, Jesus Christ, but also of the Virgin Mary and all the saints. (CCC 2146)

FYI, What the Catholic church calls the ‘second commandment’ there is actually the third commandment. The Catholic church ignores the real second commandment for obvious reasons:

You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not BOW DOWN to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exo 20:4-6)

“The Likeness of Male or Female” OMITTED

Shocking but true – note the following quote and especially the three dots (ellipsis), which indicates missing words in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2129 The divine injunction included the prohibition of every representation of God by the hand of man. Deuteronomy explains: “Since you saw no form on the day that the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, beware lest you act corruptly by making a graven image for yourselves, in the form of any figure. . . . “ It is the absolutely transcendent God who revealed himself to Israel. “He is the all,” but at the same time “he is greater than all his works.” He is “the author of beauty.” (CCC 2129)

The footnote attached to that ellipsis, as just mentioned, is Deut. 4:15-16 and that passage reads:

Therefore watch yourselves very carefully. Since you saw no form on the day that the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, beware lest you act corruptly by making a carved image for yourselves, in the form of any figure, THE LIKENESS OF MALE OR FEMALE.

The Catholic magisterium wants to conceal those 6 words, the likeness of male or female, because they themselves continue to violate that command with their millions of images in the form of male and female.

Getting back to God’s name being misused, the third of the Ten commandments (not the second one) is the one related to God’s holy name. Here it is again:

You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (Exo 20:7)

Had God wanted to include sinful man’s name to an equal importance with his own sacred name it would state so, but it surely does not. Just the thought of sinful people being elevated to the unique importance of God’s most high and exalted name is disturbing. Again, scripture says:

…you have exalted above all things your name and your word. (Psa 138:2)

The compound problem there is: the Catholic teaching not only lowers and devaluates Almighty God’s name to the level of Mary and the names of Catholic saints, but lethally elevates their names to be on a par with God’s most high name to not be misused. That too has led people into an idolatrous view of his sinful creation, including Mary.

Mary is “the All-Holy One” in Catholicism

BTW, Catholicism also wrongly teaches Mary was sinless and is the All-Holy One:

493 The Fathers of the Eastern tradition call the Mother of God “the All-Holy” (Panagia), and celebrate her as “free from any stain of sin, as though fashioned by the Holy Spirit and formed as a new creature”. By the grace of God Mary remained free of every personal sin her whole life long. (CCC 493)

2677 Holy Mary, Mother of God: With Elizabeth we marvel, “And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Because she gives us Jesus, her son, Mary is Mother of God and our mother; we can entrust all our cares and petitions to her: she prays for us as she prayed for herself: “Let it be to me according to your word.” By entrusting ourselves to her prayer, we abandon ourselves to the will of God together with her: “Thy will be done.”

Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death: By asking Mary to pray for us, we acknowledge ourselves to be poor sinners and we address ourselves to the “Mother of Mercy,” the All-Holy One. We give ourselves over to her now, in the Today of our lives. And our trust broadens further, already at the present moment, to surrender “the hour of our death” wholly to her care. May she be there as she was at her son’s death on the cross. May she welcome us as our mother at the hour of our passing to lead us to her son, Jesus, in paradise. (CCC 2677)

The exaltation of Mary, as demonstrated above, is in direct opposition to God’s word, for God alone is the Holy One (Isa. 1:4; Ezek. 39:7; Hos. 11:9; etc.), and we should never pray to Mary. Scripture also states the following attribute about God:

Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For YOU ALONE ARE HOLY. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed. (Rev 15:4)

Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD– that YOU ALONE ARE THE MOST HIGH over all the earth. (Psa 83:18)

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name ALONE is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. (Psa 148:13)

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Rom 3:23)

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1:10)

For the Catholic magisterium to claim Mary has never sinned is to call God a liar and to show his word has no place in their lives, based on 1 John 1:10. Mary was not sinless and our trust and hope must not be in her for anything, especially our soul’s salvation. We must have a trusting and submitting faith in the PRECIOUS Lord Jesus, the Savior. That means 100% trust and submissive faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and 0% in Mary, the sacraments and being a Catholic. Get more here https://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/catholic.htm

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How to Break Out of Prison

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Eternal Life Blog

If you or someone you know is in prison and want to break free, here is a surefire way to escape that will ALWAYS work, regardless of the obstacles; but, they must sincerely be willing to escape. Don’t waste your time with razor blades, files, hacksaws, bribery or even dynamite. (Shortly I’ll tell you about a special type of dynamite.) Don’t even think about getting hostages or doing a helicopter land in the prison yard, as some have done in the past. Those methods are all ineffective and completely useless in this prison system, compared to the real way to escape! The remedy I have for you is much more powerful, quicker and quieter too, but to help other prisoners escape too, you’ll need something sharper than a sword! (More about that and how to get one shortly.)
reprobate
This remedy will work even in the toughest maximum security prisons, under the heaviest armed guard in solitary confinement and even for those people on death row. Such circumstances are really not a problem at all. In fact, what I’m about to divulge has already gotten many prisoners free over the years, though this knowledge is heavily suppressed by the authorities. Surely you can understand why this knowledge (in its pure form) is not commonly known, though there are many cheap counterfeits which don’t work at all. Again, freedom must be in its pure form, without adding to or taking away from it. Be aware: the evil principalities want the prisoners confined behind their bars and to stay there for life, but they can’t stop you from breaking free, if you truly act upon the pure remedy.

How To Change Your Identity

This is not guess work, but an absolute guarantee, and no one will have to smuggle anything into your jail cell! The chains and cuffs will soon come off without any metal key, as soon as you’re ready. It’s up to you to decide the timing. You will not need any accomplice or getaway vehicle to flee from prison to safety to go into hiding until things cool down. You can break free today, right after you read this and learn how. In fact, the sooner the better – do NOT delay!

Be sure to read this out loud and don’t worry if the prison guards, chaplains, spiritual leaders, police, judges, lawyers or even the prison warden himself learn the way too. In most cases, they need this information too, though they are not behind the kind of prison bars you are. Hopefully, it will not fall on deaf ears. So don’t be quiet about this. Be as loud and vocal as you can. If you can somehow get up to the prison housetop, shout it from roof tops to the people. Even the armed guards in the watchtowers need it too. If you can’t get to the house top, spread it all around the prison yard and don’t hesitate – get the Word out ASAP. The need is so great. The prisoners need to be freed regardless of their sentence and how many times they were denied a retrial. Let’s take a brief look at the past.

The Once Saved Always Saved Demonic Prison Environment

Famous Prison Breaks

Let’s reminisce for a minute or two. Some of the most noteworthy prison escapes by prisoners who were never recaptured again are from:

  • Alcatraz (the Rock) in June 1962 amidst the waters of the San Francisco Bay by escapees Frank Morris, Allen West, and brothers Clarence and John Anglin.
  • Waterloo Prison Camp, Michigan in 1969 by Jerry Bergevin.
  • Clinton Correctional Facility for Women, New Jersey by Joanne Chesimard in 1978.

Oh prisoners, listen to me. Their ingenious plans to escape to freedom are nothing compared to the one I know that will absolutely work for you. Note, I said “ONE”, for there is only one way to escape the horrible confinement of your personal prison house to get real freedom. All prisoners everywhere – worldwide – should be set free, and this WILL work for them too regardless of their crimes and religious background.

Did you notice the above listing cites both male and female prisoners who have escaped man’s prison house and cleverly eluded recapture to the attention and amazement of the authorities? Those escapees I just mentioned were not really free though. So don’t envy them. They were still in a type of prison and terribly bound by their chains and addictions, although they got out. Their horrible slavery and invisible chains remained until their death, unless somehow they learned of “the way” I want you to know about. This is so powerful, believe it or not, even a hardened jailer from centuries ago learned of the same way, and he and his whole house became filled with joy afterwards! Yes, it is true.

The way to escape is not actually knowledge itself, but sort of. “The way” is actually a person. In fact, he’s the King, who after being sentenced to death, died in shame like a criminal between two others. One criminal who died by the King found freedom as he was dying, and the King himself told him he was going to Paradise, which is in the third heaven! The King not only knows how to get there, he himself is THE WAY in (Jn. 14:6); he even came from Paradise to help us get there too, but we must follow the King’s directives closely. A man named Paul summed up this good news in these words:

I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus (Acts 20:21).

Paul himself spent much time in man’s prison house for proclaiming and defending that same vital message. Imagine that! Oh how our arch enemy, the devil, hates that good news (gospel), and he has offered many worthless counterfeits to deceive people who want to go to Paradise, but are on the wrong road. So, be alert to the devil’s counterfeits. The King and PRECIOUS Lord Jesus said:

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:23-26).

Jesus also told people he had a spiritual yoke for us to wear much like oxen, or other animals in the natural have, that would be working in a field and pulling a burden:

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matt. 11:29-30).

People who have repented (and become Christians) are described as follows:

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires (Gal. 5:24).

To turn from your wickedness, which is dragging you to a fiery hell, and to wisely choose to submissively place Jesus’ yoke upon yourself to follow and serve him is equated to believing on Jesus. Cry out to God humbly for mercy and forgiveness. This way is also the same as getting born again. When a person is born again, he is also forgiven of all of his sins and set free from the sin addictions he was a slave to (John 8:34-36; Rom. 6:22). In particular, it is contact with Jesus’ cleansing, precious blood (Rev. 1:5; 1 Pet. 1:19; 1 John 1:7) that brings this new creation (2 Cor. 5:17) miracle about.

NOTE: You will never find rest for your soul until you come to Jesus on his terms. But there is another part to the question, what is the gospel of Jesus Christ: Jesus taught that you must turn from sin (repent) or you will perish in hell’s fire:

But unless you repent, you too will all perish (Luke 13:3).

Getting born again occurs at the point of a trusting-and-submitting faith in Jesus for personal salvation, which includes repentance. All 100% of our trust must be in mankind’s only Savior, who is Jesus, in order to have salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; etc.). (The Gospel is the power of God, the dynamite – dunamis, Greek. – of God, Rom. 1:16.) Again, Jesus must be the sole focus of our faith. Many have, unfortunately, been deceived into lethally trusting church membership, water baptism, Mary, Saturday Sabbath keeping, Lodge membership, wearing the brown scapular, etc., for salvation. Others are trusting partly in Jesus and partly in something or someone else for their salvation. These people have also been dangerously misled. If you are a backslider, repent to reverse your spiritually dead and lost condition (Lk. 15:24 cf. James 5:19-20; Rom. 11:20-23). Examples of final salvation verses are shown here:

Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed (Rom. 13:11).

All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved (Matt. 10:22).

Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to” (Luke 13:23, 24).

Remember 2 Cor. 4:16-18. The word of God is sharper than any double-edge sword (Heb. 4:12). See also Eph. 6:17.  Share this message with others. God bless you.

Print Out How To Break Out of Prison (pdf)

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Can a Reprobate Be Saved?

Posted on May 12, 2019 by Eternal Life Blog

“Reprobate” is a KJV term which, like many other KJV terms, conjures up misleading ideas.reprobate Too often, it has even been preached or inferred that (1) a “reprobate” cannot get saved OR (2) that if one backslides after many years of serving God – having much knowledge of the Word beforehand – then he becomes a “reprobate” and can never return to salvation again. Neither one of these scenarios is true. Note the following verse where “reprobate” is used:

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a REPROBATE mind, to do those things which are not convenient (Rom 1:28, KJV).

The context of Romans 1:28 refers to homosexuality, showing homosexuals have a “reprobate mind” (KJV). The NIV says a “depraved mind”. So, can homosexuals get saved? The answer is a definite, unequivocal and absolute YES!

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor HOMOSEXUALS, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such WERE some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:9-11, NASB)

So again, the “depraved” (NIV) or “reprobates” can indeed get forgiven, based on a comparison of scripture with scripture. But what about 1 Cor. 9:27, where the same Greek word translated “castaway” has elsewhere been inconsistently translated “reprobate” in the KJV?

But I [Paul] keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a CASTAWAY (1 Cor. 9:27, KJV).

The point Paul is making in 1 Cor. 9:27 is: though he himself has preached the Word to others, he also MUST crucify the flesh (“die daily” – 1 Cor. 15:31) and walk holy OR he too will be a “castaway” (KJV), that is, “rejected” by God for salvation. Hence, Paul ‘kept his body in subjection’ in order to avoid losing his salvation.

Similarly Paul taught, if he himself preached “another gospel“, that is, a different gospel other than the one and only true gospel, he would be “anathema” (CONDEMNED) just for preaching that false plan of salvation (Gal. 1:8,9). Preachers, YOU get no spiritual “brownie points” just because you are a preacher, except you will be given a MORE STRICT JUDGMENT (James 3:1), and you have a chance for the “crown of glory,” if you qualify (1 Pet. 5:4). IF preachers don’t live HOLY, they too will be DAMNED to eternal torment! Remember, the Apostle Judas Iscariot was a preacher, and he ended up going to HELL (Mk. 14:21; Jn. 17:12).

Remember the following truth about backsliding; Peter was an APOSTLE (one of the elite “TWELVE”) – a preacher – yet he returned to salvation after he lost his salvation by disowning Jesus three times, he returned to salvation (Mt. 26:34 cf. Mt. 10:33; Lk. 22:32b). ALL backsliders can return to salvation, unless they commit eternal sin (Mark 3:22-30 cf. Heb. 6:4-6), commit suicide (1 John 3:15b; Rev. 21:8) or take the mark of the beast (Rev. 14:9-12), which is not out yet.

Finally, in Calvinism, a “reprobate” is, according to their FLAWED theology, simply a non-elect person – one doomed to be thrown into eternal fire with no free will and no chance of ever being saved! Such a repulsive concept smears Almighty God as an unloving, spiritually diabolical maniac, who has created some people only to be ETERNALLY TORTURED IN FIRE FOREVER!

The true God does not want any to perish (2 Pet. 3:9); commands all to repent (Acts 17:30); draws all to Jesus (Jn. 12:32); and wants all to come to the knowledge of salvation (1 Tim. 2:4); etc. God has given us free will, and he wants us to voluntarily choose to love him (obey him). He does not force us to love him.

All five points of Calvinism are DOCTRINES OF DEMONS, with the last point being the most dangerous of all. To read scripture refuting the HERESY OF ETERNAL SECURITY see https://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/eternal-security.htm

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A Possible Scenario 2,000 Years Ago

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Eternal Life Blog

Little boy said to his mother:

“Mommy, I saw several men walking along DRESSED IN RAGS. The leader was all scarred up on his body, and even his face was scarred. I even heard him say he had been in chains in prison. mother and sonHe was also deeply weeping and praying to God, as they walked along. I think they are all here to tell others about someone named Jesus, who they reverently called their Lord, instead of Caesar. People around were screaming at him, and it seemed like a riot was beginning. They want him to leave the region. Do you know who that leader and ex prisoner was, Mommy?”

The mother told  her son the following:

“It sound like it was the Apostle Paul and his godly co-laborers, son (1 Thess. 2:10). For our own sake, we better go and hear what they have to say.”

Scriptural Backing

To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, WE ARE IN RAGS, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. (1 Cor. 4:11)Apostle Paul

For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and WITH MANY TEARS, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you. (2 Cor. 2:4)

For, as I have often told you before and now say again EVEN WITH TEARS, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. (Phil. 3:18)

Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. THEY STONED PAUL AND DRAGGED HIM OUTSIDE THE CITY, THINKING HE WAS DEAD. (Acts 14:19)

I [Paul] have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea (2 Cor. 11:23-25).

At least 9 times Paul shed his blood serving the PRECIOUS Lord Jesus and that was EARLY in his ministry.

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and RIOTS; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. (2 Cor. 6:4-10)

Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the MARKS of Jesus (Gal. 6:17).

The Greek word for “marks” in Gal. 6:17 can be translated SCARS and fits Paul’s many beatings and being stoned. The stoning at Lystra certainly left Paul with FACIAL SCARS.

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Did Jesus Condemn Homosexuality?

Posted on April 22, 2019 by Eternal Life Blog

What did Jesus teach about homosexuality? Was the PRECIOUS Savior silent about same sex relations? In our day of rampant open parading homosexuality and gay marriages, some have endeavored to reject the whole Bible, except the four Gospels. Why? Because they think the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels do not oppose homosexuality. Is such a notion true or false?

homosexual parade

Recently, I had an encounter at a grocery store where an aggressive female advocate of that position confronted me, probably because of my bright colored gospel hoodie and vehemently argued that:

  • (1) Jesus never opposed homosexuality;
  • (2) Paul only did so due to the patriarchal nature of society of biblical times and
  • (3) Those times are no longer relevant for us today.

I had never heard such an unusual argument before – and from such a passionate and determined woman; in fact, she got very loud and belligerent (borderline screaming) when I opposed her statements with scripture.

Although I didn’t quote the following passage verbatim nor did I open a Bible to have her read the scripture for herself, I nonetheless managed to refuted her with the essence of the biblical message. I firmly believe it was the Spirit of God that brought this passage to mind – a passage I had never even connected with homosexuality before that point. When I returned home, I verified the passage:homosexual

He (PRECIOUS Jesus) went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, SEXUAL IMMORALITY, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.'” (Mark 7:20-23)

The Greek term translated “sexual immorality” in that translation is porneia and is also found here referring to homosexuality:

They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips (Rom. 1:29).

Again, the context of Romans 1:29 is homosexuality and lesbianism as proved by the immediate context:

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion (Rom. 1:26,27).

Accordingly, the aforementioned completely demolishes the primary argument advanced by the irate, pro-homosexual woman from the grocery store. She was clearly wrong, as Jesus did indeed condemn homosexuality (as well as all other forms of sexual sin); it is also noteworthy that the Lord Jesus placed all forms of sexual immorality alongside murder and theft in his listing of damnable sins.

Paul Magnified Jesus’ Teaching and Opposed Homosexuality

Furthermore, not only did Jesus condemn all form of sexual sin, including homosexuality, the Apostle Paul confirmed and amplified Jesus’ teachings:

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God (Col. 3:16).

drag queen
Throughout the entirety of both the Old and New Testaments alike, homosexuality is vehemently condemned as an abomination and wickedness (Gen. 19:5 cf. Jude 7; Lev. 18:22-24; 20:13; Deut. 23:17; Judges 19:22,23; 1 Cor. 6:9,10; 1 Tim. 1:9,10) that must be repented of if one wishes to escape the lake of fire and inherit God’s kingdom. That is not homophobic, but God’s eternal truth:

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:9-11, NASB)

The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mat. 13:41,42).

Again, there is forgiveness in the Lord Jesus Christ for all those types who repent to obediently and unashamedly follow the Lord Jesus in this sinful world until the very end of their lives:

…Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I [Jesus] will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death (Rev. 2:10,11).

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord (Acts 3:19).

All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name (Acts 10:43).

I [Jesus] tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death (John 8:51).

Dear sinner, God can forgive you and set you free from your sin addictions (Jn. 8:34-36; Rom. 6:22; etc.) and give you peaceful rest for your soul (Mt. 11:28,29; Rom. 8:6b; etc.) through a submissive faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Lk. 9;23; Eph. 5:24a; John 2:3,4; etc.). In fact, the Lord Jesus is the only way to get forgiven and enter God’s PARADISE kingdom (Jn. 14:6; 10:7-9; Acts 4;12; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Jn. 5:12). Don’t follow the crowd to the lake of fire, follow the Lord Jesus till the end for salvation’s sake (Mt. 10:22; 7:13,14 cf. 7:21; Rev. 21:8).

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The Dangerous Divine Mercy Image of Saint Faustina Kowalska

Posted on April 2, 2019 by Eternal Life Blog

Faustina Kowalska was a Polish Roman Catholic nun (1905-1938), who has since been canonized to sainthood. She claimed to have had visions of Jesus Christ, which have subsequently led to the famous Roman Catholic Divine Mercy image.

The Catholic belief is: on February 22, 1931, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Faustina Kowalska with a message of mercy for all mankind. Saint Faustina recorded in her diary the following about the Divine Mercy image, as she believed was given by the Lord Jesus himself:

divine mercy faustina kowalska

Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and throughout the world. (Diary 47)

I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over its enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I myself will defend it as My own glory. (Diary 48)

That has a double message to note:

  • veneration
  • salvation

Because Christians are commanded to test everything and everyone (1 Thess. 5:21; 1 Jn. 4:1), we must, therefore, look to the scriptures for answers. We must not be gullible but instead cautiously examine the evidence. Never forget: it is the Bible that is the written word of God and the basis of all Christian doctrine (2 Tim. 3:16,17). Here is the evidence:

First, we must recognize the term “venerate” as a synonym for worship. Accordingly, the Divine Mercy message is saying to worship Jesus through that image. Could this Divine Mercy message parallel God’s truth – the truth that is written in the Bible or does such a message constitute a serious and deadly violation of Holy Writ?

“You saw no form of any kind the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman, or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air, or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below”. (Deut. 4:15-18)

“…true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth”. (John 4:23,24)

It is absolutely foreign to God’s word for his worshipers to use an image to worship him. That abominable practice is essentially how the Israelites tried to worship God through Aaron’s golden calf (Ex. 32:4,5), thereby committing idolatry and becoming corrupted (Ex. 32:7).

Furthermore, there is absolutely no hint of any usage of any kind of image mentioned among the Christians throughout the whole New Testament. They were able to worship God without any image of any type, just as we are today. Friend, to attempt to worship (or venerate) Jesus through an image is idolatry and must be avoided for all idolaters will go to the lake of fire, unless they turn away from such and are forgiven.

Secondly, the salvation message of the Divine Mercy image is itself untrue as well as idolatrous; it states, “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish”. If that message were true, then we would not only have an alternative plan of salvation (way to not perish) since the 1930’s – but even more striking – Jesus would be contradicting scripture and promoting the damnable sin of idolatry, all of which is impossible for Jesus to do. The Divine Mercy message is surely not what the PRECIOUS Lord Jesus taught 2,000 years ago about not perishing.

The Real Teaching of the Lord Jesus about Not Perishing

I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish (Luke 13:3).

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son (John 3:18).

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death (Rev. 2:10,11).

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25,26)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Mt. 11:28-30).

The true salvation that God wants us to know about is not associated with any image, object or the like. In reality, to enter God’s kingdom, it takes a heart-felt, submissive and trusting faith in the King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ – one which will unashamedly follow him. Such a submissive faith in the PRECIOUS Lord Jesus Christ includes repentance (which means to turn from your evil ways), serving God, and putting into practice God’s word (Acts 20:21; 26:20; 1 Thess. 1:9b; Lk. 8:21; 9:23; 11:28; 1 John 2:3,4; etc.). In clear contrast, the Divine Mercy image leads people to “venerate” an image in order to not perish. Shocking!

A Vital Word of Caution for All

Our age is a world of religious deception, with the deceitful devil prowling around trying to mislead even sincere people (1 Pet. 5:8). When we learn that the devil can produce visions (2 Cor. 11:14), all of a sudden we get a clear picture of what has happened with this Divine Mercy image and its message. It was not the Lord Jesus who appeared to Faustina Kowalska, but it was our common enemy the devil who came to her to deceive sincere people, if possible. Sadly, his plan has worked all too well.

Without question, the Lord Jesus Christ is merciful, but we must meet his conditions in order to receive the mercy needed for salvation. The repentant thief, Zacchaeus and others did meet the conditions and, therefore, did receive Christ’s mercy (Lk. 23:42,43; 19:5-10; etc.); however, many still are not doing what the Lord Jesus told them to do and are, therefore, in dire need of his true mercy so that they will not perish.

In 2000 Faustina Kowalska was canonized by Pope John Paul II and, of course, this canonization has, in turn, helped to spread idolatry as well as a false gospel (plan of salvation) through the Divine Mercy image.

One critical question: dear reader, what are you going to believe now? The evidence shows that the biblical message discredits the Divine Mercy image, and it further reveals the Catholic Magisterium is not a reliable source for spiritual leadership. Again, the Magisterium is not trustworthy. Go by the Bible alone for all of your teachings and beliefs as instructed (2 Tim. 3:16,17), and you will be safe from deceptive messages such as with the Divine Mercy image. On the other hand, if you deviate from the Bible and wander off into some tradition, popular belief, or creed, etc., you will be jeopardizing your eternal soul in so doing. Don’t take a chance.

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The Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God Holy Day Of Obligation Is Idolatrous

Posted on February 12, 2019 by Eternal Life Blog

“As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, ‘Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.’ He [Jesus] replied, ‘Blessed RATHER are those who hear the word of God and obey it’ ” (Luke 11:27,28).

The New Testament Christians knew nothing about any holy day of obligation – especially one honoring Mary as the “Mother of God”. Be assured, the Lord’s disciples never specially honored or exalted Mary in scripture, even in the Upper Room (Acts 1). Never is Mary mentioned in any salvation sermon scattered throughout the book of Acts. Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God Holy Day Of Obligation Such is the eternal record God has provided for mankind to know and draw from. Scripture alone is final spiritual authority and is to be the only source of Christian teachings (2 Tim. 3:16,17).

For Catholics to believe Mary is the Mother of God is also logically impossible since God is eternal and could have no mother. If Mary really was the Mother of God, then Mary preexisted before God, which is impossible. The real Mary of the bible was a mere creature, chosen and blessed to bear the Messiah, but that is where it ends. Mary’s special importance ceased. That is crystal clear, as the Lord Jesus himself openly corrected a Catholic-like woman, who tried to exalt Mary because she bore Jesus and nursed him as shown in Lk. 11:27,27.

The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God holy day of obligation on January 1 is one of the three of six ‘holy days of obligation’ honoring Mary in the Roman Catholic Church in the USA. So how serious is it to miss a Catholic holy day of obligation with its participation in the Eucharist?

“…Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2181).

That means a “mortal” sin is committed and the seriousness of that is shown here:

“Mortal sin is a radical possibility of human freedom, as is love itself. It results in the loss of charity and the privation of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace. If it is not redeemed by repentance and God’s forgiveness, it causes exclusion from Christ’s kingdom and the eternal death of hell.” (CCC, 1861)

The conclusion to that is: Mary is to be honored by Catholics on holy days of obligation or deliberate offenders commit mortal sin, which will send them to hell unless repented of. Dear Catholics, please know that is a violent and idolatrous contradiction to God’s word.

In heaven there are 25 thrones – God’s and 24 other thrones occupied by the 24 elders (Rev. 4:4), which are all male, thereby excluding Mary from having any of those 25 thrones. Furthermore, there are 24 names on New Jerusalem: 12 on the foundations with the names of the twelve apostles (Rev. 21:14) and 12 on the gates with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel (Rev. 21:12). Again, a mention of Mary is excluded. Over and over, Mary is shown to have no preeminence or exaltation in Paradise. Mary was not the greatest born of woman (Mt. 11:11), nor was she uniquely full of grace (Acts 6:8). She is not even specifically mentioned in heaven and there is no Queen of Heaven. Sincere Catholics have been taught a mythical non-existent Mary, not the real Mary of the bible. To deify Mary as Catholicism has done is to commit idolatry – a soul-damning sin (Rev. 21:8). That is the real sin that needs to be repented of.

True salvation is obtained by a trusting and submitting faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Acts 10:43; Gal. 3:26; etc.), one which unashamedly follows and obeys Jesus here and now (Heb. 5:9; 1 Jn. 2:3,4; 3:7,8; etc.). That includes repentance (2 Pet. 3:9; 2 Cor. 7:10; etc.). Catholics need to know a saving faith in Jesus excludes Mary, as being the object of their faith too. We are also to go to Jesus directly for salvation (Mt. 11:28-30; Jn. 5:40; 6:35; 7:37,38; etc.). The Christian’s devotion is focused on the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 7:34,35; 2 Cor. 11:3,4) and never on Mary too. It was the PRECIOUS Lord Jesus, who alone paid for our redemption (1 Pet. 1:18,19; 2:24; Rev. 5:9,10; etc.). Mary is not co-redemptrix, nor do we go to her to get to Jesus or trust in her in the slightest way for anything, especially our salvation, according to the Lord Jesus Christ and his apostles. If the most sincere Catholic departs from scripture for his beliefs, he will surely be lethally deceived. To draw only from God’s written word is be 100% safe in your beliefs and practices (2 Tim. 3:16,17). Take these truths to heart and pass them on to others you care about.

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Catholic Infant Baptism Vs Scripture

Posted on February 6, 2019 by Eternal Life Blog

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

“...Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: ‘Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.’ ” (CCC 1213).

catholic infant baptism“The practice of infant Baptism is an immemorial tradition of the Church. There is explicit testimony to this practice from the second century on, and it is quite possible that, from the beginning of the apostolic preaching, when whole “households” received baptism, infants may also have been baptized.” (CCC 1252)

“By Baptism all sins are forgiven, the original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin.” (CCC 1263)

The Catholic Church has made water baptism a salvation issue, thereby elevating it to the pinnacle of importance, even including infants as participants. Throughout the New Testament, Christians have baptized by immersion only those who have a submissive faith in the PRECIOUS Lord Jesus Christ and who have put to death their sinful nature. These Christian (New Testament) prerequisites for baptism are in opposition to Roman Catholicism and its traditions of men.

There is not a single example of an infant being baptized anywhere in scripture. The Catholic Church has departed from God’s word for its teaching, thereby violating scripture with that too (2 Tim. 3:16,17). Such a departure from Holy Writ immediately disqualifies all infants from baptism, thereby indicting the Catholic magisterium as teaching salvation error, but there are other doctrinal problems as well.

The Roman Catholic Church believes “household” baptism, as found in scripture, ‘may’ include infants. Such Catholic conjecture does not meet the burden of proof and does not constitute evidence of infant baptism. On the contrary, scriptural evidence shows that “household” includes people old enough to be believer’s in Jesus Christ, excluding all infants:

Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and all his household believed (John 4:53).

Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8).

These examples are consistent with the Lord’s standard criteria: first become a disciple and then be baptized (Mt. 28:18-20). Therefore, it is impossible for any infant to qualify for Christian baptism.

Again, to teach one is ‘reborn’ or ‘regenerated’ at baptism is salvation falsehood of the gravest kind. A prime biblical example disproving baptismal regeneration is Cornelius and his “household” (Acts 11:14). When they heard Peter speak out, “All the prophets testify about him [the Lord Jesus Christ] that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43), they believed, were forgiven and filled with the Holy Spirit instantly. Since God would never fill a child of the devil with his Holy Spirit, then we know they were forgiven and saved, which occurred before and without their water baptism (Acts 10:43-48).

The repentant thief, who qualified for Paradise, is another clear example of someone being forgiven without water baptism (Lk. 23:42,43). That same repentant thief through his faith in the PRECIOUS Lord Jesus met the John 3:5 “born of water and the Spirit” requirement to enter God’s kingdom, and without water baptism.

Paul spiritually begat all at Corinth through his gospel preaching (1 Cor. 4:15), but he did not baptize all at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:14-16). That would have been impossible if baptism were a requirement for salvation. 1 Cor. 1:17 shows Paul was “sent” to preach the gospel, but not to baptize. By that he told his listeners that forgiveness of sins comes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 26:17,18; 16:31; etc.). These bible truths do not, however, negate the believer’s baptism. Christian baptism is to be done very soon after salvation for the pledge of a clear conscience toward God (1 Pet. 3:21).

Because of the RCC “paedobaptism” (infant or pediatric baptism) error, Catholicism has its dearest people thinking they were ‘born again’, without faith in Jesus, at infant baptism. This Catholic practice is completely foreign to God’s written word, yet all who believe scripture are anathemized by the Catholic Council of Trent (Session Seven).

Never forget that, in order to be completely 100% safe from all religious deception, you must rely solely on God’s written word as it is the only true source of all Christian teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. The man of God is thoroughly furnished or fully equipped with scripture alone (2 Tim. 3:16,17). To depart to any other source, which contradicts God’s word, will surely lead to error. Such departure from Holy Writ, on the part of Catholic tradition, has resulted in serious, deadly error as it clashes with the Word of God and, therefore, it cannot be God’s life-giving truth.

True biblical salvation occurs at the point of a trusting and submitting faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, which includes turning away from all idols (1 Thess. 1:9b; Acts 20:21; 26:20; etc.). Our personal need for the Lord Jesus is universal and could not be more urgent and dire: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:9-11, NASB).

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The Martyr Stephen and His Example

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Eternal Life Blog

Stephen is a powerful example of what a real, zealous and overcoming Christian is. His faith was firmly built upon scripture, which is apparent as he cited God’s written word ten times as he summarized the Old Testament directing his audience to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 7:2-53). Stephen scathingly corrected and rebuked the same religious leaders who opposed and condemned the Lord Jesus to crucifixion.stephen the martyr
Stephen boldly told them to their face that they betrayed and murdered the Righteous One, which infuriated and incited their wicked hearts to murder him with a false charge of blasphemy.

Because Scripture declares that Stephen was also full of grace (Acts 6:8), the Roman Catholics have a serious problem with their doctrine. We can infer that the Catholic teaching of a sinless Mary originates from their belief that Mary was full of grace. Hence, if being “full of grace” implies that one is sinless, then Stephen was sinless too. Such a conclusion, however, is not true for scripture states “all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23), which includes the martyr Stephen as well as Mary, who acknowledged her savior was God (Lk. 1:47). In truth, the PRECIOUS Lord Jesus Christ was the only sinless one. (Heb. 4:15; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18; etc.) Such can also be inferred by Stephen calling him the “Righteous One” (Acts 7:52). If Mary were sinless too (which she was not), then Jesus could not be the “righteous ONE” for there would be two.

Stephen based his teaching upon God’s word alone, which is exactly the way Paul directed Timothy to preach (2 Tim. 4:2) and how he himself reasoned (Acts 17:2 cf. 17:11). Why should Christians preach and reason from God’s written word alone? Because scripture is final spiritual authority and to be our standard of truth (2 Tim. 3:16,17). All Christian teachings are to be based upon scripture alone in order to be valid, excluding any and all other sources which conflict with it, even if labeled “sacred tradition”.

At the “hour of his death,” Stephen prayed to Jesus (Acts 7:59). That point is crucial for multitudes of sincere Catholics who have wrongly been taught that they should call on Mary at the “hour of their death,” unlike the Christian way exemplified by the martyr Stephen. The truth is Mary is not a mediatrix between us and God. Jesus alone is the one and only mediator (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24; etc.) and our advocate (1 John 2:1).

Stephen was also a glowing example of fearlessness in the face of ominous death. His mind was locked on God and eternal truth and he did not love his life so much as to shrink from death. As he was being bludgeoned to death with large rocks, he followed the example of his Lord and prayed that God would forgive his killers (Acts 7:60 cf. Lk.23:34). The only time scripture mentions Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father was at the end of Stephen’s life (Acts 7:55), perhaps indicating how pleased he was with him.

If Catholics carefully read the New Testament and go by God’s written word alone for their beliefs and practices, they will surely be 100% safe. The Christian life begins with a humble heart-felt repentance before God and a commitment of faith to the Lord Jesus Christ to follow him as we put God’s word into practice (2 Cor. 7:10; Acts 20:21; Lk. 8:21; Gal. 3:26; 6:8,9; etc.). False teaching can interfere with and distort what saving gospel is as well as the genuine Christian life to the place of producing lethal consequences (2 Tim. 2:18; Rev. 2:20; Titus 1:9-11 cf. Titus 2:1).

Please know the sacraments, Mary and being a Catholic have never saved anyone and never will. Jesus is the one and only Savior and the way to the Father (Acts 4:11,12; Jn. 14:6; etc.), who doesn’t share his glory with another (Isa. 42:8) and to whom every knee, including Mary’s, will bow and confess as Lord (Phil. 2:10,11). Jesus taught:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Mt. 11:28-30).

Catholic friend, will you try to forget these truths or will you wisely change for your soul’s sake?

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