The Role of Obedience (Works) In Salvation

It is important for us to remember that the early Christians shared the same language, customs, and culture as that of the apostles. It is also important for us to remember that the early Christians were taught directly by one or more of the apostles, or one or more of the disciples of the apostles, who were taught directly by the Holy Spirit. So if we are going to claim that the Holy Spirit is leading us into all truth, then we need to remember that He also led the early Christians of the 2nd and 3rd centuries into all truth as well. In other words, our truth should be exactly the same as theirs. If it is not the same, then one of us has not been following the Spirit's guidance. Would you care to venture a guess as to who that is logically likely to be?

What the apostles taught the early Church by word (orally) or by letter is probably about 90-10. (Realistically, it is probably more like 99-1.) In other words, 10% of what they taught the early Church is contained in their letters. So when you see teachings from AD 90 that you think are "heresy," stop and consider the 90%. Also consider the fact that the theology you believe was likely taught in error via proof text methodology and eisegesis. Paul spent 4 to 18 months with each congregation he planted and only wrote them a letter (from another location) when problems had risen. For those who think that the early Church became corrupted early on within 50 years, I will provide the words of Tertullian as a refutation:

"It is absurd to claim that the apostles either were ignorant of the whole scope of the message they were given to declare or that they failed to teach the entire rule of faith. Let us see if perhaps the churches, through their own fault, altered the faith delivered to them by the apostles.... Suppose, then, that all of the churches have erred and that the Holy Spirit did not have enough concern for even one church to lead it into truth, even though that is the reason Christ sent Him to us.... Suppose, too, that the Holy Spirit, the Steward of God and Vicar of Christ, neglected His office and permitted the churches to understand incorrectly and to teach differently than what He Himself was teaching through the apostles. If that is the case, is it likely that so many churches would have gone astray and all still end up with one and the same faith? No random deviation by so many people could result in all of them coming to the same conclusion. If the churches had fallen into doctrinal errors, they would have certainly ended up with varying teachings. [As we have seen to be the case ever since the Reformation.] However, when that which was deposited [i.e., the Christian faith] among many is still found to be one and the same, it is not the result of error, but of long established custom." —Tertullian

"I say that my gospel is the true one. Marcion [a leading Gnostic teacher] says that his is. I say that Marcion's gospel is adulterated. He says mine is. Now, how can we settle this stand-off, unless we use the Principle of Time. According to this principle, authority lies with the one who is prior in time. It's based on the elemental truth that corruption (of doctrine) lies with the one who is shown to have originated later in time. Since error is falsification of truth, truth must necessarily precede error." —Tertullian

As you can see, only an ignorant fool would believe that the early Church became corrupted early on within 50 years. This is how your "leaders" attempt to explain away the teachings and traditions the early Church received from the apostles that rub against their particular flavour of theology, taught 1,500 years later! They never stop to consider the fact that they may have it wrong.

Christianity is an Eastern religion. Until we recognize this, we will never be able to get into the mindset of the apostles and New Testament Christians. Next to the Bible, the writings of the early Christians are the most valuable documents in Christianity. Who better understands the apostles? Those who were directly taught by one or more of the apostles, or by one or more of the disciples of the apostles? Or us, who are removed from those teachings, the language, customs, and culture by 1,900 years? If the Christianity of the first three centuries seems distant, foreign, and strange to us, guess who has moved away from first century biblical New Testament Christianity (as taught by Jesus and His apostles)?

We label as heresy many of the doctrines the early Christians taught. They labeled as heresy many of the doctrines we teach. So who are the real heretics? 300 years after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, orthodox Christians were still one united Body. 300 years after the Reformation, evangelical Christianity had splintered into thousands of denominations, groups, and sects. If your theology disagrees with the teachings of the early Church, those who were taught directly by the apostles, who were guided and taught directly by the Holy Spirit, then YOU ARE WRONG! Period.

"Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." Matt. 7:21

"Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able." Luke 13:24

"Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death." John 8:51

"Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel . . . by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain." 1 Cor. 15:1-2

"For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words." Eph. 5:5-6

"Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." 1 Tim. 4:16

"Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience." Heb. 4:11

"You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only." James 2:24; see also Matt. 25:33-35; John 8:31; 15:10; Acts 24:15-16; Rom. 2:6-7

As if Scripture could not be more clear on this issue, let us examine the course of performance of the early Christians.

"The way of light, then, is as follows. If anyone desires to travel to the appointed place, he must be zealous in his works." Barnabas, 1.148

"He who keeps them will be glorified in the kingdom of God. However, he who chooses other things will be destroyed with his works." Barnabas, 1.149

"We are justified by our works, and not our words." Clement of Rome, 1.13

"Take heed, beloved, lest His many kindnesses lead to the condemnation of us all [For thus it must be] unless we walk worthy of Him, and with one mind do those things which are good and well-pleasing in His sight." Clement of Rome, 1.11

"Let us therefore earnestly strive to be found in the number of those that wait for Him, in order that we may share in His promised gifts. But how, beloved, will this be done? If will be done only by the following things: If our understanding is fixed by faith towards God. If we earnestly seek the things that are pleasing and acceptable to Him. If we do the things that are in harmony with His blameless will. And if we follow the way of truth, casting away from us all unrighteousness and iniquity." Clement of Rome, 1.14

". . . that He may both hear you, and perceive by your works that you are indeed the members of His Son." Ignatius, 1.51

"Faith cannot do the works of unbelief, nor unbelief the works of faith." Ignatius, 1.53

"The tree is made manifest by its fruit. So those who profess themselves to be Christians will be recognized by their conduct. . . . It is better for a man to be silent and be [a Christian], than to talk and not be one." Ignatius, 1.55

"This, then, is our reward if we will confess Him by whom we have been saved. But in what way will we confess Him? We confess Him by doing what He says, not transgressing His commandments, and by honoring Him not only with our lips, but with all our heart and all our mind. . . . Let us, then, not only call Him Lord, for that will not save us. For He says, "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will be saved, but he that works righteousness." For that reason, brethren, let us confess Him by our works, by loving one another." Second Clement, 7.519

"Therefore, brethren, by doing the will of the Father, and keeping the flesh holy, and observing the commandments of the Lord, we will obtain eternal life." Second Clement, 7.519

"He will bestow on them the blessing which He has promised them, with much glory and joy, if only they will keep the commandments of God, which they have received in great faith." Hermas, 2.10

"The first of them, who is clasping her hands, is called Faith. Through her, the elect of God are saved. . . . Self-restraint is the daughter of Faith. Whoever then follows Self-restraint will become happy in his life, because he will restrain himself from all evil works, believing that, if he restrains himself from all evil desire, he will inherit eternal life." Hermas, 2.15

"And he said to me, "You will live if you keep my commandments, and walk in them; and whoever will hear and keep these commandments, will live to God."" Hermas, 2.22

"Only those who fear the Lord and keep His commandments have life with God; but as for those who do not keep His commandments, there is no life in them." Hermas, 2.25

"Life is the possessing of all who keep the commandments of the Lord." Hermas, 2.42

"We . . . hasten to confess our faith, persuaded and convinced as we are that those who have proved to God by their works that they followed Him, and loved to abide with Him where there is no sin to cause disturbance, can obtain these things." Justin Martyr, 1.165

"If men by their works show themselves worthy of His design, they are deemed worthy of reigning in company with Him, being delivered from corruption and suffering. This is what we have received. . . . Those who choose what is pleasing to Him are, on account of their choice, deemed worthy of incorruption and of fellowship with Him." Justin Martyr, 1.165

"Each man goes to everlasting punishment or salvation according to the value of his actions." Justin Martyr, 1.166

"Let those who are not found living as He taught, be understood not to be Christians, even though they profess with the lips the teachings of Christ. For it is not those who make profession, but those who do the works, who will be saved." Justin Martyr, 1.168

"The Son of God has promised again to deliver us and invest us with prepared garments—if we do His commandments. And He has undertaken to provide an eternal kingdom." Justin Martyr, 1.257

"The matters of our religion lie in works, not in words." Justin Martyr, 1.288

"He has set before you all these things, and shows you that, if you follow after evil, you will be condemned for your evil deeds. But, if you follow goodness, you will receive from Him abundant good, together with immortal life forever." Melito, 8.754

"To those who by patient continuance in well-doing seek immortality, He will give life everlasting." Theophilus, 2.93

"That, then, which man brought upon himself through carelessness and disobedience, God now vouchsafes to him as a gift through His own philanthropy and pity, when men obey Him. For man drew death upon himself by disobeying. So, by obeying the will of God, he who wants to can procure for himself life everlasting. For God has given us a law and holy commandments. And everyone who keeps them can be saved. And, obtaining the resurrection, he can inherit incorruption." Theophilus, 2.105

"To believe in Him is to do His will." Irenaeus, 1.468

"The Lord did not abrogate the natural teachings of the Law, by which man is justified. For those who were justified by faith, and who pleased God, observed those teachings previous to the giving of the Law." Irenaeus, 1.477

"We will give account to God not only of deeds (as slaves), but even of words and thoughts (as being those who have truly received the power of liberty). For under liberty, a man is more severely tested as to whether he will reverence, fear, and love the Lord. . . . God desires obedience, which renders [His worshippers]secure—rather than sacrifices and burnt-offerings, which avail men nothing towards righteousness." Irenaeus, 1.482

"Those who believe God and follow His word receive that salvation that flows from him. On that other hand, those who depart from him, and despise His teachings, and by their deeds bring dishonor on Him who made them . . . heap up against themselves most righteous judgment." Irenaeus, 1.511

"With respect to obedience and doctrine, we are not all the sons of God. Rather, it is only those who truly believe in Him and do His will. now, those who do not believe, and do not obey His will, are sons and angels of the devil. . . . Those who do not obey Him, being disinherited by Him, have ceased to be His sons." Irenaeus, 1.525

Before we continue, it is important that we say a few words concerning Clement of Alexandria. After his conversion, Clement traveled throughout the ancient world to learn Christianity firsthand from the most respected teachers of his age—men who taught by deeds, not just by words. He eventually settled in Alexandria, Egypt, where he was appointed to mentor new Christians.

"All of humanity stands in needs of Jesus, so that we may not continue intractable and remain sinners to the end—and thus fall into condemnation." Clement of Alexandria, 2.230

"To obey the Word, whom we call the Instructor, is to believe Him, going against him in nothing." Clement of Alexandria, 2.350

""Now the just will live by faith," which is according to the covenant and the commandments." Clement of Alexandria, 2.354

"It is the will of God that he who repents of his sins and is obedient to the commandments should be saved." Clement of Alexandria, 2.363

"Salvation is from a change due to obedience; it is not from nature." Clement of Alexandria, 2.372

"To keep from wrong is the beginning of salvation." Clement of Alexandria, 2.410

"He who does not believe god is cheated of his own hope. And he does not believe God, who does not do what God has commanded." Clement of Alexandria, 2.416

"He says, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do the things that I say?" For "the people who love with their lips, but have their heart far away from the Lord" are another people. They trust in another god and have willingly sold themselves to another. But those who perform the commandments of the Lord, in every action "testify" by doing what He wishes, and consistently naming the Lord's name. They testify by deed to Him in whom they trust." Clement of Alexandria, 2.417

"Sinners are called enemies of God—enemies, that is, of the commandments that they do not obey. In contrast, those who obey become friends. The one group [of friends] are named so from their fellowship; the others from their estrangement, which is the result of free choice." Clement of Alexandria, 2.426

"When we hear, "Your faith has saved you," we do not understand Him to say absolutely that those who have believe in any way whatever will be saved. For works must also follow. But it was to the Jews alone that He spoke this utterance. Those persons were Jews who kept the Law and lived blamelessly. All they lacked was faith in the Lord. No one, then, can be a believer and at the same time be licentious." Clement of Alexandria, 2.505

"It is well-pleasing to Him that we should be saved. And salvation is effected through both well-doing and knowledge." Clement of Alexandria, 2.508

"He who obtains the mastery in these struggles [against fleshly desires], and overthrows the tempter, . . . wins immortality. . . . The one who has obeyed the directions of the trainer wins the day. . . . We are born to obey the commandments, if we choose to be willing to be saved. Such is the nemesis, through which there is no escaping from God. Man's duty, then, is obedience to God. For He has proclaimed salvation manifold by the commandments." Clement of Alexandria, 2.528

"God ministers eternal salvation to those who cooperate for the attainment of knowledge and good conduct. Since what the commandments command are in our own power, along with the performance of them, the promise is accomplished." Clement of Alexandria, 2.536

"Such is the reward of knowledge . . . abstinence from what is evil, activity in doing good, by which salvation is acquired." Clement of Alexandria, 2.543

"Whoever obtains this and distinguishes himself in good works will gain the prize of everlasting life. . . . Others, attaching slight importance to the works that tend to salvation, do not make the necessary preparation for attaining to the objects of their hope." Clement of Alexandria, 2.591

"Salvation does not depend on external things—whether they are many or few, small or great, illustrious or obscure, esteemed or not esteemed. Rather, it depends on the virtue of the soul—on faith, hope, love, brotherliness, knowledge, meekness, humility, and truth, the reward for which is salvation." Clement of Alexandria, 2.596

With the exception of Tertullian, that ends the 2nd century. Let's embark through the 3rd century, shall we?

"It is for this reason that [the Gnostics] neither regard works as necessary for themselves, nor do they observe any of the calls of duty, eluding even the necessity of martyrdom on any pretense that may suit their pleasure." Tertullian, 3.517

"This shows that transgressions are blotted out and that reconciliation is made for sins. But who are the ones who have reconciliation made for their sins—except those who believe on His name and propitiate His countenance by good works?" Hippolytus, 5.181

"It is to His saints who fear Him—and to them alone—that He reveals himself. For if anyone seems to be living now in the congregation and yet does not have the fear of God, his companionship with the saints will avail him nothing. "Your words were heard." See how much the piety of a righteous man avails! For to him alone (as to one worthy) things are revealed that are not yet to be manifested in the world." Hippolytus, 5.190

"Who are they who are chosen, but those who believe the word of truth? For they are to be made white thereby, to cast off the filth of sin, and to put on the heavenly, pure, and glorious Holy Spirit. In this manner, when the Bridegroom comes, they may go in straightway with Him." Hippolytus, 5.191

"You will resemble Him—provided you obey His solemn injunctions and become a faithful follower of Him who is good." Hippolytus, 5.153

"The apostolic teaching is that the soul, . . . after its departure from this world, will be recompensed according to its deserts. It is destined to obtain either an inheritance of eternal life and blessedness (if its actions will have procured this for it) or to be delivered up to eternal fire and punishments—if the guilt of its crimes will have brought it down to this." Origen, 4.240

"The Son of God, . . . taking the form of a servant, was made obedient unto death so that He might teach obedience to those who could not obtain salvation other than by obedience." Origen, 4.343

"We might interpret the saying [of Jesus] as follows: "If anyone who has grasped what salvation really is, and wishes to procure the salvation of his own life, let him do this: Bid farewell to this life, deny himself, take up his own cross, follow me, and lose his own life to the world." . . . If, then, we wish our life to be saved, let us lose it to the world. Let us be as one of those who have been crucified with Christ . . . so that we may gain our end—even the salvation of our lives. For such salvation begins from the time when we lose our life for the sake of the Word. . . . Therefore, let each one lose his own sinning life, that having lost that which is sinful, he may receive that which is saved by right actions." Origen, 9.465

"The conclusion of the parable, however, is adapted also to the simpler. For all of us who have obtained the forgiveness of our own sins, but have not forgiven our brethren, are taught at once that we will suffer the lot of the servant who was forgiven, but did not forgive his fellow servant." Origen, 9.504

"It is those who not only believe, but also enter upon the life that Jesus taught. This life elevates everyone who lives according to the commandments of Jesus. it elevates them to friendship with God and communion with Him." Origen, 4.475

"We do not teach concerning the unrighteous man that it is sufficient for him to humble himself on account of his wickedness. Rather, God will accept him only if—after passing condemnation upon himself for his past conduct—he walks humbly on account of it and in a righteous manner for his remaining days." Origen, 4.489

"We entertain the hope that by a virtuous life, and by acting agreeably to reason in all things, we may rise to a likeness with all these persons." Origen, 4.509

"It is the Son alone who leads to God whose who are striving to come near to God—by the purity of their thoughts, words, and deeds." Origen, 4.641

"Our bodies are the temples of God. If anyone by lust or sin defiles the temple of God, he will himself be destroyed for acting impiously towards the true temple." Origen, 4.646

"Whoever was willing to follow Him and to be His disciple would obtain the reward of being able to see the Father." Novatian, 5.639

"Place, occasion, and person are now given to you; but only if you believe. . . . Bring yourself into obedience; go to Christ and place your neck under Him." Commodianus, 4.209

"If you wish to live, surrender yourselves to the second law. . . . Turn yourselves to Christ, and you will be co-workers with God." Commodianus, 4.210

"I designate you as barren Christians. In the Word of the Lord, the fig tree without fruit was cursed. And immediately it withered away. You do not works! You prepare no gift for the treasury! And yet you vainly think you will deserve well of the Lord!" Commodianus, 4.213

"Why, then, has the law itself gone forth with so much pains? You abuse the commandments of the Lord and yet you call yourself His sons. . . . The Almighty seeks the meek to be his sons, those who are upright with a good heart—those who are devoted to the divine law." Commodianus, 4.214

"Abraham believed in God and it was accounted to him as righteousness. Assuredly, then, whoever believes in God and lives in faith is found righteous and is already blessed in faithful Abraham." Cyprian, 5.359

"How can a man say that he believes in Christ, if he does not do what Christ commanded him to do? From where will he attain the reward of faith, if he will not keep the faith of the commandment? . . . He will make no advancement in his walk toward salvation, for he does not keep the truth of the way of salvation." Cyprian, 5.422

"To prophesy, to cast out devils, and to do great acts upon the earth—these are all certainly a sublime and an admirable thing. however, one does not attain the kingdom of heaven even though he is found in all these things, unless he walks in the observance of the right and just way." Cyprian, 5.426

""Depart from me, you workers of iniquity." There is need of righteousness, that one may deserve well of God the Judge. We must obey His teachings and warnings, so that our merits may receive their reward." Cyprian, 5.426

"He that is freed owes obedience to his deliverer." Cyprian, 5.432

"By enduring suffering and by going forward to Christ by the narrow way that Christ trod, we may receive the reward of His life." Cyprian, 5.472

"He who has not been merciful will not be able to deserve the mercy of the Lord." Cyprian, 5.477

"When the servant does not do what is commanded, the Lord will do what he threatens. . . . "I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirst, and you gave me nothing to drink. . . . And these will go away into everlasting burning."" Cyprian, 5.483

"He follows Christ who stands in His commandments, who walks in the way of His teachings, who follows His footsteps and His ways, who imitates that which Christ both did and taught. . . . To put on the name of Christ, and yet not to go in the way of Christ—what else is this but a mockery of the divine name! It is a desertion of the way of salvation. For He Himself teaches and says that the persons who keep His commandments will come into life." Cyprian, 5.494

Remember, the early Christians were taught directly by one or more of the apostles, or by one or more of the disciples of the apostles, who were taught directly by the Holy Spirit. The Reformers were 1,500 years removed from their language, customs, and culture. We are removed by 1,900 years from their language, customs, and culture. The idea that the early Christians had "undeveloped" theology because they did not have a complete Bible is fallacious and nonsensical. They were taught directly by the apostles, who were guided and taught directly by the Holy Spirit! They were privy to the oral teachings and traditions of the apostles, while we are not. (You do realize that everything the apostles had to say is not contained in the New Testament letters, right?) They maintained these same beliefs and practices for 300 years! If there is any deviation from biblical truth, it has occurred with us—not with them!

"Let us do all those things which pertain to holiness . . . being justified by our works, and not our words." —Clement of Rome

In case you are wondering, yes, this Clement is he who was discipled by, and a fellow labourer with, the apostle Paul. (Phil. 4:3)

The Rule of Faith

When the Bible talks about "tradition," it has a very specific type of tradition in mind. Which tradition is it speaking of? Is it speaking of the tradition of the Orthodox Church? Is it speaking of the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church? Is it speaking of the tradition of the Lutherans, Reformed, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Episcopalians, Methodists, Pentecostals, etc.? No, of course it is not. The tradition of the early congregations was not the tradition of a particular "church" or a set of "churches"; it was the tradition of the apostles!

The tradition that carried authority was that body of tradition given by the apostles through the Holy Spirit. The early congregations believed it was their job (specifically the job of elders) to preserve that tradition unchanged. Irenaeus explained the process:

We refer them to that tradition which originates from the apostles, which is preserved by means of the succession of elders in the congregations. (Against Heresies III:2:2)

This is entirely biblical. Paul had said, "Stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us" (2 Thess. 2:15; cf. 1 Cor. 11:2). In his letter to Timothy, he had added, "The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). Jude likewise had said, "Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints" (1:3). This was apostolic tradition, also referred to as the rule, rule of faith, or rule of truth.

Prior to the Council of Nicea, each congregation had their own rule of faith (though they were all very similar), which contained the central tenets (the essentials) of Christianity that were memorized at baptism by all new Christians.

Let us give up purposeless and fruitless cares and approach the holy and venerable rule of our calling. Let us attend to what is good, pleasing, and acceptable in the sight of him who formed us. Let us look steadfastly to the blood of Christ and see how precious that blood is to God, which has set the grace of repentance before the whole world. Let us turn to every age that has passed and learn that ... the Lord has granted a place of repentance to all that would be converted to him. Noah preached repentance, and as many as listened to him were saved. (Clement of Rome, AD 95-96, First Clement 7)

The one who retains the rule of the truth received through baptism unchangeable in his heart will surely recognize the names, the expressions, and the parables taken from the Scriptures [by the gnostics] but will by no means acknowledge the blasphemous use which these men make of them. (Irenaeus, AD 183-186, Against Heresies I:9:4)

The Congregation, though dispersed throughout the whole world, even to the ends of the earth, has received from the apostles and their disciples this faith in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven, earth, and the sea and everything in them; and in one Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who became incarnate for our salvation; and in the Holy Spirit, who proclaimed through the prophets the dispensations, the advents, the birth from a virgin, the suffering, the resurrection from the dead, and the ascension into heaven in the flesh of the beloved Christ Jesus, our Lord, and his appearance from heaven in the glory of the Father to gather all things into one and to raise up anew all flesh of the whole human race, in order that every knee should bow—of things in heaven, things in earth, and things under the earth—and that every tongue should confess to him, and that he should execute just judgment towards everyone; that he may send spiritual wickednesses and the angels who transgressed and became apostates together with the ungodly, unrighteous, wicked, and profane among men into everlasting fire, but may, in the exercise of his grace, confer immortality on the righteous, holy, and those who have kept his commandments and persevered in his love—some from the beginning of their course and others from their repentance—and may surround them with everlasting glory. (Irenaeus, Against Heresies I:10:1)

Such spirits as are commanded by [the gnostic heretics] and speak when they desire it, are earthly and weak ... sent forth by satan for the seduction and perdition of those who do not hold fast that well-compacted faith which they received at first through the Congregation. (Irenaeus, Against Heresies I:13:4)

The rule of truth which we hold is that there is one God Almighty who made all things by his Word and fashioned and formed—out of that which had no existence—all things which exist. ... Holding this rule we shall easily show that [the gnostics] have deviated from the truth, no matter how many opinions they have nor how much they vary. For almost all the different sects of the heretics admit there is one God, but then, by their pernicious doctrines, they shift, just like the Gentiles do through idolatry. (Irenaeus, Against Heresies I:22:1)

A sound mind—one which does not expose its possessor to danger and is devoted to piety and the love of truth—will eagerly meditate on those things which God has placed within the power of mankind and has subjected to our knowledge ... which makes knowing those things easy by mean of daily study. These things are those that can be seen by us and are clearly, unambiguously, and directly set forth in the Scriptures. However, if you use expressions which are not clear and evident in the interpretations of the parables, the kind everyone finds as their fancy leads them, then no one will have the rule of truth. Instead, however many people explain the parables will be how many differing systems of truth there are! They will be opposed to each other and teaching competing doctrines, such as is typical among the Gentile philosophers. (Irenaeus, Against Heresies II:27:1)

Since we have the truth itself, set plainly in front of us, as our rule and testimony concerning God, we ought not to cast away the firm and true knowledge of God and run after numerous and various answers to questions. (Irenaeus, Against Heresies II:28:1)

The disciple of the Lord [the apostle John] wanted to put an end to all [the gnostic] doctrines and to establish the rule of truth in the Congregation: namely, that there is one Almighty God, who created all things by his Word ... by the Word he also bestowed salvation on the men included in the creation. To establish this, he began his teaching in the Gospel with: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (Irenaeus, Against Heresies III:11:1)

Some of these [gnostics] impudently assert that the apostles, when preaching to the Jews, could not declare another god to them except the one in whom they believed. We tell them that if the apostles used to speak to people in line with the opinions instilled in those people in the past, then no one learned the truth from them. And before them no one learned the truth from the Lord, for they say he spoke the same way. In fact, these men can't know the truth, either. The opinion they have now is simply the teaching they received as they were able to hear it. If all this is true, then the rule of truth is with no one. ... The coming of the Lord was apparently useless and unnecessary if he came just to tolerate and preserve each person's idea about God that they had received in the past. (Irenaeus, Against Heresies III:12:6)

We follow the one and only true God as our Teacher. We possess his words as the rule of truth. We all speak alike and about the same things. We know but one God, the Creator of this universe, who sent the prophets, led forth the people from the land of Egypt, and who in these last times has manifested his own Son so that he might put unbelievers to confusion and search out the fruit of righteousness. (Irenaeus, Against Heresies IV:35:4)

Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God; that is, what you are commanded to do by the rule of faith. (Clement of Alexandria, AD 190, Miscellanies IV:15)
[Here Clement is not speaking of a statement of faith or any doctrines; he means your deeds as "ruled" or "measured" by faith in Christ. The "rule of faith" is not always a set of doctrines learned at baptism.]

"All things are right," says the Scripture, "to those who understand." That is, those who receive and observe, according to the rule of the Congregation, the exposition of the Scripture explained by [Jesus]. And the rule of the Congregation is the concord and harmony of the Law and the Prophets in the covenant delivered at the coming of the Lord. (Clement of Alexandria, Miscellanies VI:15)

Further, Isaiah the prophet is ordered to take a new book and write in it certain things. The Spirit of God was prophesying that through the Scriptures there would later come the sacred knowledge, which was at that time still unwritten, because it was not yet known. For it was spoken in the beginning only to those who understand. Now it has been handed down to us that the Saviour taught the apostles the unwritten rendering of the written Scriptures, inscribed by the power of God on new hearts, as the new book indicates. (Clement of Alexandria, Miscellanies VI:15)

When we are going to enter the water, but a little before, in the presence of the congregation and under the hand of the president, we solemnly profess that we disown the devil, and his pomp, and his angels. Hereupon we are thrice immersed, making a somewhat ampler pledge than the Lord has appointed in the Gospel. (Tertullian, AD 200, De Corona 3)

That this rule of faith has come down to us from the beginning of the Gospel, even before any of the older heretics, much more before Praxeas, a pretender of yesterday, will be apparent both from the lateness of date which marks all heresies, and also from the absolutely novel character of our new-fangled Praxeas. In this principle also we must henceforth find a presumption of equal force against all heresies whatsoever: that whatever is first is true, whereas that is spurious which is later in date. (Tertullian, Against Praxeas 2)

All the Scriptures attest the clear existence of, and distinction in, (the Persons of) the Trinity, and indeed furnish us with our Rule of faith. (Tertullian, Against Praxeas 11)

No man receives illumination from an area where all is darkness. Let our seeking, therefore, be in that which is our own, from those who are our own, and concerning that which is our own—that, and only that, which can become an object of inquiry without impairing the rule of faith. (Tertullian, Prescription Against Heretics 12)

Now, with regard to this rule of faith, so that we may acknowledge from this point on what it is we defend, it is, you must know, that which prescribes the belief that there is one only God, and that He is none other than the Creator of the world, who produced all things out of nothing through His own Word, first of all sent forth; that this Word is called His Son, and, under the name of God, was seen in diverse manners by the patriarchs, heard at all times in the prophets, at last brought down by the Spirit and Power of the Father into the Virgin Mary, was made flesh in her womb, and, being born of her, went forth as Jesus Christ; thenceforth He preached the new law and the new promise of the kingdom of heaven, worked miracles; having been crucified, He rose again the third day; (then) having ascended into the heavens, He sat at the right hand of the Father; sent instead of Himself the Power of the Holy Ghost to lead such as believe; will come with glory to take the saints to the enjoyment of everlasting life and of the heavenly promises, and to condemn the wicked to everlasting fire, after the resurrection of both these classes shall have happened, together with the restoration of their flesh. This rule, as it will be proved, was taught by Christ and raises among ourselves no other questions than those which heresies introduce and which make men heretics. (Tertullian, Prescription Against Heretics 13)

So long ... as the form [of the rule of faith] exists in its proper order, you may seek and discuss as much as you please. [You may] give full reign to your curiosity in whatever seems to hang in doubt or to be shrouded in obscurity. (Tertullian, Prescription Against Heretics 14)

Surely you have a teacher around that is gifted with the grace of knowledge. [You have] someone of the experienced class, someone you're closely acquainted with who is curious like yourself. Although he is a seeker like you, he will be quite aware, you newest of novices, that it is better for you to remain in ignorance, lest you should come to know that which you ought not. For you have already acquired the knowledge of what you ought to know [i.e., in the rule of faith].
"Your faith," he says, "has saved you," not your skill in the Scriptures. Now, faith has been deposited in the rule [of faith]. It has a law, and—in the observance of it—salvation.
Skill [in the Scriptures] consists in curious art. Its glory is simply the readiness that comes from study. Let such curious art give place to faith, and let such glory yield to salvation. (Tertullian, Prescription Against Heretics 14 & 15)

From what and through whom and from when and to whom has been handed down that rule by which men become Christians? For wherever it is apparent that the true Christian rule and faith shall be, there will likewise be the true Scriptures and expositions thereof and all the Christian traditions. (Tertullian, Prescription Against Heretics 19)

From this, therefore, do we draw up our rule. Since the Lord Jesus Christ sent the apostles to preach, no others ought to be received as preachers than those whom Christ appointed ... Nor does the Son seem to have revealed [the Father] to any other than the apostles, whom he sent forth to preach ... What that was which they preached ... can ... properly be proven in no other way than by those very congregations which the apostles founded in person, by declaring the Gospel directly to them themselves, both viva voce, as the phrase is, and afterwards by their letters.
If, then, these things are so, it is equally apparent that all doctrine which agrees with the apostolic congregations, those molds and original sources of the faith, must be reckoned for truth, as undoubtedly containing that which the congregations received from the apostles, the apostles from Christ, and Christ from God. In the same way, all doctrine must be prejudged as false which savors of disagreement with the truth of the Congregation and apostles of Christ and God. ...
We have fellowship with the apostolic congregations because our doctrine is not in any way different from theirs. This is our witness of truth. (Tertullian, Prescription Against Heretics 21)

The rule of faith had remained rooted in Scripture until the Council of Nicea. The Nicean Creed is merely Caesarea's rule of faith with small changes added by the Council. We know this from a letter written by Eusebius where he explained why he assented to the creed as given at Nicea. The watchmen and elders present at this Council, however, were on a slippery slope that would lead to the downfall of the Lord's Congregation. Because Emperor Constantine had delivered them from persecution and made Christianity the favoured religion of the empire, these men had stars in their eyes when they looked upon him. These men knew very well that it was difficult to add non-Scriptural terminology to the rule of faith, even if it were not necessarily unscriptural.

Until the Council of Nicea, the rule of faith had always used only scriptural terminology. Constantine—not the watchmen or elders—had suggested the insertion of the word homoousios. Eusebius displayed his adoration and idolatry of Constantine by referring to him as "the most pious emperor" and "our most wise and pious sovereign." From this point forward, the gates of Hell would prevail against the Lord's Congregation.

Re-post from 2013

Dear Reader,

My friend, Jerry Sheppard, and I have been conversing for several months with a Jewish homosexual named Alex Haiken, who erroneously considers himself to be a Christian. Apparently Alex failed to read where Jesus says "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12) and where it testifies that "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we [are liars] and do not practice the truth" (1 John 1:6) and where it states that "Everyone who names the name of the Lord must depart from wickedness" (2 Timothy 2:19). Alex constantly and consistently laces his writings with error, misinformation, inferences, presumptions, assumptions, conclusions drawn on assumptions, pretext, front-loading, and eisegetical interpretations based on his feelings and opinions.

Alex fails to "Study to show [himself] approved, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). Instead, Alex relies on the unscholarly works of such homosexual/homosexual advocating authors such as John Boswell, Jack Rogers, Dale Martin, and Justin R. Cannon (to name a few). These men have absolutely no credibility whatsoever, and, like Alex, their works have been exposed to be filled with sloppy and dishonest scholarship, blatant plagiarism, copy errors, selective citations, truncated quotations of text, and creative editing. Alex delights in ripping verses and passages from their context and habitually neglects to apply the rules of hermeneutics (the science and art of biblical interpretation) and engage in honest, responsible, sound biblical exegesis. Alex talks a good game concerning exegesis, plagiarizing the definitions from authors who have spoken on the subject without giving them due credit, but constantly fails to actually practice responsible exegesis. We are now going to engage in honest, responsible, sound biblical exegesis in determining what Leviticus chapters 18 and 20 are dealing with.  

Alex attempts to tell us that Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 condemn homosexuality for "religious" purposes but not for "moral" purposes. He claims the context of these passages has to do with religious idolatry and cult prostitution. But is this a truthful assessment of the context?  No, it is not.

First, let us address Leviticus 18. You, the intelligent and educated reader, are wise enough to know that Alex's argument is both outrageously bogus and laughably fallacious. Does Alex honestly expect us to believe that uncovering the nakedness of your father or your mother (18:7), of your father's wife (18:8), of your sister (18:9), of your son's daughter (18:10), of your father's wife's daughter (18:11), of your father's sister (18:12), of your mother's sister (18:13), of your father's brother (18:14), of your daughter-in-law (18:15), of your brother's wife (18:16), or any other blood relatives (18:17) has anything to do with cult prostitution? Alex would do well to try and retain the context. Does Alex honestly expect us to believe that having intimacy with a woman during her menstrual cycle (18:19) or having sex with your neighbour's wife (18:20) has anything to do with cult prostitution? The only verse that has anything to do with the practices of religious idolatry is verse 21, which is borne out through the entirety of Scripture. The heathen nations would sacrifice their children to their various gods. Nothing else in this chapter has to do with idolatrous practices, nor with cult prostitution.

By what great exegetical miracle does Alex expect to convince us that having sex with animals was religious idolatry (18:23)? People were doing it when God decided to flood the world, and they are doing it today without the slightest trace of religion attached to it. The passage does not connect it with idolatrous practice whatsoever. It condemns it entirely, just as it does with homosexual behaviour (18:22). Honestly, Alex needs to go back to school and educate himself as to what "context" actually is. If he paid close attention to verse 21, he would notice that "nor shall you profane the name of your God" has nothing to do with practices of religious idolatry. This is the third commandment reiterated. It is not connected with the first half of verse 21. Alex would do well to be reminded that the chapter and verse divisions did not exist in the original Hebrew and Greek. He should try and remember that when considering what context truly is and what it consists of.

Second, let us address Leviticus 20. If Alex paid attention to the context, he would see that the verses speaking of the practices of religious idolatry again address child sacrifice (20:2-5). None of the rest of this chapter has anything to do with religious idolatry. A person could try and argue that verse 6 does, but he/she would be in error. Does Alex honestly expect us to believe that cursing one's father or mother (20:9), or committing adultery with another man's wife (20:10), or lying with one's father's wife (20:11), or lying with one's daughter-in-law (20:12), or marrying a woman and her mother (20:14), or having sex with an animal (20:15-16), or discovering one's sister's nakedness (20:17), or having sex with a woman during her menstrual cycle (20:18), etc., etc., etc., has anything to do with religious idolatry? Alex is reaching yet again, as all the evidence is against him. Let's observe further:

Leviticus 18:22 says, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination."
In the Hebrew, it reads: "ואת‾וכר לא תשׁכּב משׁבּבי אשׁה תוצבההוא"
In the Greek Septuagint, it reads: "και μετα αρσενος ου κοιμηθηση κοιτην γυναικος βδελυγμα γαρ εστιν"
In the Latin Vulgate, it reads: "cum masculo non commisceberis coitu femineo quia abominatio est."

Leviticus 20:13 says, "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them."
In the Hebrew, it reads: "ואישׁ אשׁר ישׁכּב את‾וכר משׁבּבי אשׁה תּוצבה צשׂו שׁניהם מות יומתו"
In the Greek Septuagint, it reads: "και ος αν κοιμηθη μετα αρσενος κοιτην γυναικος βδελυγμα εποιησαν αμφοτεροι θανατουσθωσαν ενοχοι εισιν"
In the Latin Vulgate, it reads: "qui dormierit cum masculo coitu femineo uterque operati sunt nefas morte moriantur sit sanguis eorum super eos."

וכר = "a male, man, mankind (as opposed to womankind)"
אישׁ = "man, male, husband"
אשׁה = "woman, female, wife"
ישׁכּב ,תשׁכּב = "a primitive root; to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)"
משׁבּבי = "a bed; abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse"
תּוצבה ,תוצבה = "properly, something disgusting (morally): detestable; abomination"
αρσενος = “male, man, husband”
γυναικος = “female, woman, wife”
κοιτην = “a bed; spoken of the marriage bed, metaphorically for marriage (Heb. 13:4)”
κοιμηθη, κοιμηθηση = “to sleep”
βδελυγμα = “that which is detestable; abomination”

Notice the word "coitu" in Latin for both verses? It means "coupling;" i.e., coitus, copulation, or sexual intercourse. In Leviticus 22:13, we also have the word "dormierit," which means "sleeps." What do you call "a man who lies with a male as one lies with a woman"? What is this describing? For anyone who is honest and truthful in the least, their answer will be, "A homosexual." The immediate surrounding context around these verses is in regard to immoralities and vile behaviours that are extremely prohibited by God , as we have seen above, and are labeled as detestable abominations. The words, grammar, and context of these passages are as crystal clear as the sun is bright. The person who denies this is not being honest. The description in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and English (as well as every other language) is that of homosexuality.

Alex tries to argue that the word αρσενοκοιτες did not exist in the Roman world outside Paul’s usage of it in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10. However, this is false. While it may not have been used as a compound word the way Paul used it, nevertheless the above two passages make use of both root words: αρσεν (male) and κοιτε (bed). Leviticus 22:13 uses them side-by-side. We know that there is nothing in these passages about an actual, literal bed, so why did the Hebrew scholars who translated the Hebrew Scriptures into the Greek Septuagint use the word κοιτε? Well, κοιτε is used in Hebrews 13:4 to speak of the marriage bed, metaphorically of marriage itself. The fact both words are used in these passages illustrates that, while perhaps not compounded, the term was used in other literature (and prior to Paul’s usage thereof). Also, it shows us that Paul had these passages in mind when he penned 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10. The Greek translation of these verses weighs in heavily against the false arguments raised by Alex.

You see, dear Reader, Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 have nothing to do with religious idolatry or cult prostitution. Alex is reading this into the text, which is called eisegesis. Everything in these chapters are prohibitions set by God. The behaviour of homosexuality is prohibited by God and condemned as an abominable perversion. So as you can see, dear Reader, Alex manipulates, maligns, and twists these passages to say what he wants them to say, when a clear study of the context reveals otherwise.

It does not matter whether it is homosexual gang rape, homosexual prostitution, pederasty; whether there is a significant age difference or the ages are relatively the same; whether it is a boy kept for homosexual relations with a man or it is a "committed, faithful and loving monogamous partnership;" or whatever other brush one wants to attempt to paint the picture with, homosexuality is still homosexuality. Homosexuality is a moral perversion and bankruptcy of human nature and sexuality that is condemned by God because it is unnatural and goes against His created order and what is to be expected. All nature, biology, science, and logic prove that homosexuality is an unnatural perversion of both human and sexual nature. There is no issue regarding homosexuals who want to marry because such a union does not constitute marriage and it never will. A marriage constitute one man and one woman. Period.

[Originally written in 2013]

Zoophilia/Bestiality

[Originally written in 2016. Re-posted because of Google's pandering to perverted NPC trolls.]

"You shall not have intercourse with any animal to be defiled with it, nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it; it is a perversion." Leviticus 18:23

That verse is pretty straight forward, is it not? It says what it means and means what it says. (Much like its preceding verse.) It has nothing to do with idolatrous practices; sex with animals is condemned altogether. There are various terms and names for such things, but the most common ones are bestiality and zoophilia. Some individuals and researchers attempt to draw a line between zoophilia and bestiality, claiming that zoophilia is merely sexual attraction while bestiality is the sexual act. However, there is no distinction. The two are one in the same. They are interchangeable. Someone who commits bestiality/zoophilia is called a zoophile or a zoophiliac. Here are some other passages relating to this sexual deviancy:

"Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death." Exodus 22:19

"If there is a man who lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death; you shall also kill the animal. If there is a woman who approaches any animal to mate with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them." Leviticus 20:15-16

"'Cursed is he who lies with any animal.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'" Deuteronomy 27:21

Lost souls will read the above verses and immediately become irate, especially those similarly associated to such sins. Mainly because they love darkness rather than the Light. They do not understand that the Old Covenant was an outward expression of what God desired internally. It expressed how much God hates sin. Those types of penalties for sin changed with the New Covenant. Why do we no longer stone adulterers, homosexuals, and zoophiliacs to death? Because they would be unable to repent of their sins. They would be unable to be part of Paul's "And such were some of you" (1 Cor. 6:11).

The passage is quite clear: "Do you not know that the unrighteous shall 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, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And 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). Here are some similar passages:

"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Gal. 5:19-23).

"For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God" (Eph. 5:5).

There are no exceptions. There is no such thing as a "zoophiliac Christian," just as there is no such thing as a "homosexual Christian." God cannot be near sin. If we have not repented of our sinful ways and trusted in the person and work of Christ Jesus on the cross at Calvary on our behalf, then we are dead in our sins and will spend eternity in Hell as just punishment for our sins against God the Father. We were created in His image and likeness, and every time we sin we are telling the universe "That is what God is like." Because we sin against an infinitely holy God, an infinite punishment is just reward. Sin is missing the mark. The mark is holiness and Christ-likeness.

Having an attraction to anything except the opposite sex is a mental disorder. It is a mental disease; a mental health issue. Not only is there something wrong with your dark and wicked heart, but there is something wrong with your mind. You may be plagued by strong and/or frequent thoughts and/or temptations toward such things, but that in no way indicates who or what you are. All mankind is tempted by various thoughts and/or temptations. It does not mean we need to entertain them or give in to them.

Zoophilia, pedophilia, necrophilia, homosexuality, etc., are not sexual "orientations." They are all a sexual deviancy. No one is oriented that way. They are sexual disorientations, and these individuals need the proper mental help to get them reoriented. There is something seriously broken in the minds of modern society for us to cater to, excuse, accept, and support such acts of sexual deviancy. Every single one of us knows deep down in our hearts that attraction to anything except the opposite sex is immoral and wrong. For whatever reason, we deceive ourselves and convince ourselves that they are fine as long as "love" is in the mix. Love knows little to nothing of these things and is far removed from them. There is no love in their committal. What most of modern society calls "love" these days is a counterfeit for the real thing. They do not know what love is because they do not have love. Love comes from the Father (1 John 4:7), and if you do not have the Father, you do not have love (1 John 4:8). They think that if enough "love" exists, then that makes everything perfectly fine. In other words, if I "love" my consenting family member enough (son, daughter, brother, sister, father, mother, nephew, niece, uncle, aunt, grandfather, grandmother), then it is okay to have a sexual relationship with them (contrary to the prohibitions of Leviticus 18:6-18). If I "love" the person enough whom I am about to rape, then it is all good and I have not committed any wrong. Society will try to justify certain acts of sexual deviancy while condemning others. Anything outside of one man and one woman united in holy matrimony is immoral and wrong. Period!

Pay attention to the waves homosexuality is kicking up, because very soon intelligent, discerning individuals who take a stand against the sexual deviancy of zoophilia/bestiality will be called "zoophobes," much the same way intelligent, discerning individuals who take a stand against the sexual deviancy of homosexuality are called "homophobes." There is no such thing in either case. Nobody is scared of homosexuals or zoophiliacs (or their perverse acts). These are terms created by those who should feel shame for their indecent acts as a means to attempt to shame those who have a conscience and a correct understanding of morality. Society is starting to excuse a great many sexual deviances. It is beginning to call bad good and good bad. Anything decent and good is now appalling, while anything wicked is celebrated and applauded.

While I fear for the direction our societies are headed, at the same time it lets me know that the Lord's coming is near. "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus" (Rev. 22:20).

Remove Tax Exempt Status From Churches!

Remove tax exempt status from so-called "churches"! When you use tax-exempt forms and apply for bank loans, you are literally and legally considered organizations—businesses!

Biblical congregations are already tax exempt. They do not need the government's approval, nor do they need to file tax returns. Money that is received through giving to a biblical congregation will be redistributed to widows, orphans, poor, sick, and imprisoned the way Jesus commanded. Not hoarded by the "church." Giving is not meant for a "church budget," to support a building, or to pay a preacher or other "staff." These are businesses, and not "churches"!

Nowhere does the Bible, or even the early Church (AD 90-300), teach you to do what modern organized religious institutions are doing. The Bible tells us that when we give, we are to look after the widows, orphans, poor, sick, and imprisoned.

"Tithing" is an Old Testament practice and has nothing to do with money. It was basically their taxation system. Every preacher engages in proof text methodology and eisegesis by twisting random isolated verses they have ripped from their immediate context to fleece the flock and claim you are "supposed to" give to support a "church budget," the building costs, or paying the preacher or other "staff."

Read 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 in context and see for yourself what it actually says. It does not say the collection was money. If you ass-u-me it was, it was not going to Paul's pocket, not going to a preacher's pocket, and not going to the local congregation! So where was it going?

It was being sent to the congregation in Jerusalem who were suffering through a famine and enduring through the persecution of the Jews! Your New Testament giving is to support widows, orphans, poor, sick, and imprisoned! Not a building nor a preacher! The early Church (AD 90-300) considered it HERESY for someone to be paid for the Gospel!

Learn the truth: https://getbook.at/TruthAboutTithing

Start obeying Jesus' commands!

The Secret Demonic Creed Against Humanity

Some people attribute this text to John D. Rockefeller and a Masonic Creed. However, while it sounds like something he would mutter (and some of the things he actually did), the text mentions things that were not in existence during his lifetime, such as video games. Other people attribute it to a sect of elite Jews, of which the Masons belong, because a good deal of it does seem to describe these people (controlling the money, owning the media, thinking themselves "pure blood"). Still others attribute it to the Illuminati. Regardless, read it and tell me if it does not sound familiar to what has been happening for the past 100 years or so, despite first appearing in 2002, and especially everything that we have been witnessing occur since 2020.

We will keep their lives short and their minds weak while pretending to do the opposite. We will use our knowledge of science and technology in subtle ways so that they never see what is happening. We will use soft metals, aging accelerators and sedatives in food and water as well as in the air. They will be covered in poisons wherever they turn.

The soft metals will make them lose their minds. We will promise to find a cure from our many funds, and yet we will give them more poison. Chemical poisons will be absorbed through the skin of idiots who believe that certain hygiene and beauty products presented by great actors and musicians, will bring eternal youth to their faces and bodies, and through their thirsty and hungry mouths, we will destroy their minds and systems of internal organs. reproduction. However, their children will be born as disabled and deformed and we will hide this information.

The poisons will be hidden in everything around them, in what they drink, eat, breathe and wear. We have to be ingenious in distributing the poisons because they can see far. We'll teach them that poisons are good - with funny pictures and musical tones on TV. Those who are looking for them will be helpful. We'll enroll them to push our poisons.

They will see that our products are used in film and they will get used to them and will never know their true effect. When they give birth, we will inject poisons into the blood of their children and convince them that we are helping them! We will start earlier, when their minds are young, we will target their children with what children love most, sweet things.

When their teeth decay, we will fill them with metals that will kill their minds and steal their future. When their ability to learn has been affected, we have created drugs that will make them sicker and cause them other illnesses, for which we will create even more drugs. We will make them docile and weak before us, by our power. They will grow depressed, slow and obese, and when they come to us for help, we will give them more poison.

We will focus our attention on money and material goods so that they never connect with their inner self. We will distract them with fornication, external pleasures and video games, so that they are never one with the unity of all. Their minds will belong to us, and they will do as we say. If they refuse, we will find ways to implement technology that alters the mind in their lives.

We will use fear as our weapon. We will establish their governments and we will establish opposition within them. We will own both sides. We will always hide our goal, but we will continue our plan. They will do the work for us, and we will prosper from their toil.

Our families will never mix with theirs. Our blood must be pure (because it is). We will make them kill each other when they oppose us.

We will keep them separate from unity through dogma and religion. We will control all aspects of their lives and tell them what to think and how. We will guide them kindly and let them believe that they are guiding themselves.

We will instigate animosity among them through our factions. When a light shines among them, we will extinguish it by mockery or death, which suits us best. We will make them tear their hearts apart and kill their own children. We will accomplish this using hatred as our ally, anger as our friend. Hatred will completely blind them and they will never see that in their conflicts we will be their leaders.

They will be busy killing each other. They will bathe in their own blood and kill their neighbors, as long as we see that they are against us.

We will benefit greatly from this, for they will not see us, for they cannot see us. We will continue to prosper from their wars and their deaths. We will repeat this until our ultimate goal is achieved. We will continue to make them live in fear and anger, we will give them images and sounds. We will use all the tools we have to achieve this.

The tools will be provided by their work. We will make them hate themselves and their neighbors.

We will always hide the divine truth from them, that we are all one. That he must never know! They must never know that color is an illusion, they must always believe that they are not equal. Drop by drop, drop by drop we will advance our goal. We will take over their lands, resources and wealth to exercise control over them. We will trick them into accepting laws that will steal the little freedom they have. We will set up a money system that will shut them down forever, keeping them and their children in debt.

When we ban them together, we will accuse them of murder and present a different story to the world because we will own all the media. We will use the media to control the flow of information and their feelings in our favor. When they rise up against us, we will crush them like insects, because they are less than that. They will be helpless to do anything about it.

Now go read this interview: The Harold Wallace Rosenthal Interview 1976. With everything said in this interview, it is not difficult to consider that perhaps this creed does originate from those elite Jews.