"What is Basic Christian Theology?"

Basic Christian Doctrine

1. There is only one God - Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8; John 17:3; 1 Cor. 8:5-6; Gal. 4:8-9
2. God is a Trinity - 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2
3. There are no Gods before or after God - Isaiah 43:10
4. God knows all things - 1 John 3:20
5. God is all powerful - Psalm 115:3
6. God is everywhere - Jer. 23:23,24
7. God is sovereign - Zech. 9:14; 1 Tim. 6:15-16
8. God is spirit - John 4:24
9. God created all that exists - Gen. 1:1; Isaiah 44:24
10. Spirit does not have a body of flesh and bones - Luke 24:39
11. God has always been God - Psalm 90:2
12. Jesus is God - John 1:1,14; 10:30-33; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:8
13. Jesus became a man - Phil. 2:5-8
14. Jesus has two natures: divine and human - Col. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:5
15. Jesus was sinless - 1 Pet. 2:22
16. Jesus is the only way to God the Father - John 14:6; Matt. 11:27; Luke 10:22
17. The Holy Spirit is God - Acts 5:3-4
18. The Holy Spirit is not a force. He is alive - Acts 13:2
19. The Bible is inspired by God - 2 Tim. 3:16
20. All people have sinned - Rom. 3:23, 5:12
21. Man did not evolve, he was created - Gen. 1:26
22. Adam and Eve were real people - Gen. 3:20; 5:1; 1 Tim. 2:13
23. Death entered the world because of Adam's sin - Rom. 5:12-15
24. Sin separates us from God - Isaiah 59:2
25. Jesus died for all our sins - 1 John 2:2; 2 Cor. 5:14; 1 Pet. 2:24
26. Jesus' sacrifice was a substitution, for us - 1 Pet. 2:24
27. Jesus rose from the dead in His physical body - John 2:19-21
28. Those who reject Jesus will go to Hell - Rev. 20:11-15
29. Hell is a place of fiery punishment - Matt. 25:41; Rev. 19:20
30. Hell is eternal - Matt. 25:46
31. The unsaved go to hell forever - Rev. 21:8
32. Salvation is a free gift of God - Rom. 4:5; 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9
33. The Bible is the Word of God - 2 Tim. 3:16
34. Jesus will return visibly to earth - Acts 1:11
35. Christians will be raised from the dead when Jesus returns - 1 Thess. 4:14-17
36. There will be a rapture (being caught up into the clouds with Jesus) -
1 Thess. 4:14-17
37. There will be a final judgment - 2 Pet. 3:7
38. The damned will be thrown into a lake of fire - Rev. 20:15
39. Satan will be cast into the lake of fire - Rev. 20:10
40. There will be a new heavens and a new earth - 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1
The gospel is the singularly most important communication of God to man. In Jesus, who is God the Son, we have the revelation of God’s love and sacrifice that saves us from God's righteous judgment upon sinners.
If you are not a Christian and want to know how to be forgiven of your sins and follow Christ, or are just curious to know what the Christian gospel is, then this is for you.
The Bible tells us what the gospel is in 1 Cor. 15:1-4,
Now I make known to you brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures..."
The Bible says that we are all sinners (Rom. 3:23). This means that we have all offended God. We have all broken His law. Therefore, we are guilty of having sinned. Because of this, we are separated from God (Isaiah 59:2), are dead in our sins (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:3), cannot please God (Rom. 3:10-11), and will suffer damnation (2 Thess. 1:9). The only way to escape this judgment is by receiving Christ, by trusting in what Jesus did on the cross (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Pet. 2:24).
Since we are sinners, we are incapable of removing the guilt of our sinfulness through our own efforts. Gal. 2:21 says, "...if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." The Law is the do’s and don’t’s of moral behavior. In other words, we can’t become righteous by what we do. Why? Because we are dead in our sins (Eph. 2:3).
This means that since we cannot remove our own sins, God must do it.
Jesus, who is God in flesh (John 1:1,14; 8:58; Col. 2:9), bore our sins in His body on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24). He died in our place. He paid the penalty of breaking the Law of God which should that should have fallen upon us. He satisfied the law of God the Father by dying on the cross.
It is only through Jesus that we can escape the penalty that God will execute upon all who have broken his holy and perfect law. Do you want to be saved from the righteous judgment of God? If so, if you want to become a Christian and follow God, then you must realize that you have sinned against God, and are under his judgment. You must look to Jesus who died on the cross and trust what he did in order to be forgiven of your sentence and be saved from the judgment of God. This is accomplished by faith alone in what Jesus has done. You cannot add your sincerity nor can you add any human works to add to what Jesus is done.
First, count the cost
Jesus said, "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?" (Luke 14:28). Jesus tells us to count the cost. The cost of becoming a Christian can be quite high sometimes. In some parts of the world it can cost you your life. Here in America, it is not nearly as dangerous. Nevertheless, if you become a Christian God will take it very seriously. he will work in your heart and in your life to change you and make you more like him. Sometimes this is an easy journey and other times it can be difficult. But, this is what it means to become a Christian to have God work in your life and to continue to work in your life after you have been saved.
Receive Christ
If you desire to receive Christ we offer the following prayer is an example. It is not a formula, but it is a representation of what it means to trust in Christ.
"Lord Jesus. I come to you and confess that I am a sinner, that I have lied, thought evil in my heart, and broken your word. Please forgive me of my sins. I trust in what you have done on the cross and I receive you. Please cleanse me of my sin and be the Lord of my life. I trust you completely for the forgiveness of my sins and put no trust in my own efforts of righteousness. Lord Jesus, please save me."
Tell others about your commitment to Jesus. The Bible says, "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; 10for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation" (Rom. 10:9-10).
In Jesus,
________________________
List all the scriptures referenced above.
• Isaiah 59:2, "Your sins have caused a separation between you and your God...."
• John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
• John 1:14, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."
• John 8:58, "Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am."
• John 14:6, "Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me."
• Acts 4:12, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved."
• Romans 3:10-11, "as it is written,’ There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God...’"
• Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"
• Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
• Romans 10:9-10, "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; 10 for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."
• Ephesians 2:3, "Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest."
• Colossians 2:9, "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,"
• 2 Thess. 1:9, "And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,"
• 1 Pet. 2:24, "and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed."

Why is Pornography so Bad?

Even though the Bible does not say anything about pornography, specifically, pornography is still wrong. Pornography deals with photography and/or illicit paintings and/or cartoons that are designed to arouse sexual passions in the viewer. It is certainly possible that at the time when the Bible was written that there were various art forms that depicted sexually explicit things. But apparently this phenomenon was not sufficiently prevalent enough for the subject to be addressed in the Bible. Nevertheless, we can derive an accurate conclusion from scriptures that deal with other issues and apply them to the issue of pornography.

Matt. 5:27, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; 28 but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart."
1 Cor. 6:18, "Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body."
Col. 3:5, "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry."
As you can see the Bible tells us to be sexually pure. This is why Jesus even tells us to guard our minds. Note that He said in Matt. 5:27 that to even look on a woman lustfully is to commit adultery with her. In viewing pornography, nakedness, and explicit sexual displays lust is not only given the opportunity to rise (thereby enticing since) but most often lustful passions and thoughts are triggered in the heart and mind. This is obviously sinful and clearly demonstrates that pornography is sinful. Add to this that oftentimes pornography involves viewing sexual intercourse between unmarried people, and or homosexual and lesbian activities, and we have a very clear case of it being sinful. Even if the pornography does not involve viewing sexual intercourse between two people, it involves the viewing of naked individuals which is properly reserved for a husband and a wife.
Now someone may ask "What about art? It often portrays the nakedness of men and women? Why isn't that pornographic?" The difference between art and pornography is the difference between beauty and lust. In art the nakedness is intended to be a display of beauty and wonder. Pornography does no such thing. It's intent is to entice a person by arousing the person's lust. But then, someone may say that they view pornography as an art form and that it is beautiful. But this is nothing more than an attempt to justify sin.

A Biblical Look at Church Growth

God's Church Growth Plan



An email excerpt comparing the modern ideas of marketing for church growth with what God actually did in the first century to launch the body of Christ into its initial explosive growth period.

Acts 5:14 (NKJ) And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.
Ah, the banner verse of the church-growth movement.
Taking an Acts 17:11 approach, let us look to the context and series of events to see what God actually did to precipitate the explosive church growth mentioned above.

Everyone should know the story of Ananias and Sapphira from Acts 5. While this grim episode is oft glossed over, it underscores the seriousness of the New Covenant teaching of giving:


2 Cor 9:7 (NIV) Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
But, as you can read in Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira lied. They sold their property and gave most of it to the church, but held back some in secret. If this magnanimous gesture were done in most modern churches we would name a building after the benefactor and swoon in admiration and appreciation. God killed them both on the spot, in front of everyone.
How is that for a "church growth program" initiation?

Imagine the foolishness of God. He initiates the birth of the church by supernaturally striking dead two generous, if dishonest, contributors right in front of everyone. We tend to stylize and flannelgraph this situation in our minds. But imagine you had really been there and this had happened to someone you knew in the fellowship. Imagine the practical problems of having a couple of corpses on your hands, the general mood, the thought of how you were going to explain this to the authorities, the appreciation of how serious and intense it is to really be in God's presence, and the deep sense of the fear of God that would naturally be the result.

Word spread: "That is not the place to go if you are playing around. God is there." Among the Christians, duplicitous people were struck dead, after all. Not a place to trifle with religion, that is for sure.

Let us jump into the text now, after this rather "negative" miracle and see what God did by and through it.


Acts 5:11,13-14 (NIV) Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events... No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.

There is our "church growth" verse, in context.
The pattern of fear before wisdom, revelation, and salvation is an oft repeated theme of God's. Just 3 chapters earlier in Acts we see the same order and familiar pattern.


Acts 2:43,47 (KJV) And fear came upon every soul... And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
To be sure, the fear of the Lord is all through the Old Testament as a harbinger of the manifest presence of God. And so it is... not only at the beginning of the New Covenant, but also through the history of the early church as well.

Acts 9:31 (NIV) ...The churches... were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Acts 19:17 (NIV) ...Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.


Do we want to build churches on human flesh and technique? Or are we serious about inviting God to our services? If we do, and He really shows up, then it might well be said of us that "no one dared join them" yet at the same time "the Lord added to their number". "Multitudes", even. And it would be a church built by God, not by fleshly marketing techniques aimed at pleasing men.
There you have it: God's "church growth program" for the first century church. It was certainly not man's idea--then or now--but it worked.


Rom 15:4 (KJV) For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning.
Now let us take a little imaginary sidetrack here; suppose God had asked (He didn't) for committee approval for such an episode to launch His "church growth program" from an august body of church marketing consultants beforehand. Do you think they would have approved?
Of course, this is just a quaint, old-fashioned Bible story, and has little to do with us now. The current fashion is that God has changed His patterns and wisdom to match our modern sensibilities, especially since we have learned the lesson of Ananias and Sapphira so well. Haven't we?

We've come a long way, baby...

Perhaps it is time to get back to spiritual reality.


Prov 1:7a (NIV) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
1 Cor 3:18-19 (NIV) Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness".

1 Cor 1:25 (NIV) For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

Rom 11:22a (Jer) Do not forget that God can be severe as well as kind.

4 Keys to Hearing God in Your Dreams

Key #1 - God's voice in our hearts sounds like a flow of spontaneous
thoughts. Therefore, when I tune to God, I tune to spontaneity.

The Bible says that the Lord answered me and said...(Hab. 2:2).
Habakkuk knew the sound of God's voice. Elijah described it as a
still, small voice. I had always listened for an inner audible voice,
and surely God can and does speak that way at times. However, I have
found that for most of us, most of the time, God's inner voice comes
to us as spontaneous thoughts, visions, feelings, or impressions. For
example, haven't each of us had the experience of driving down the
road and having a thought come to us to pray for a certain person? We
generally acknowledge this to be the voice of God callus to pray for
that individual. My question to you is, "What did God's voice sound
like as you drove in your car? Was it an inner, audible voice, or was
it a spontaneous thought that lit upon your mind?" Most of you would
say that God's voice came to you as a spontaneous thought.

So I thought to myself, "Maybe when I listen for God's voice, I
should be listening for a flow of spontaneous thoughts. Maybe spirit-
level communication is received as spontaneous thoughts, impressions,
feelings, and visions." Through experimentation and feedback from
thousands of others, I am now convinced that this is so.

The Bible confirms this in many ways. The definition of paga, the
Hebrew word for intercession, is "a chance encounter or an accidental
intersecting." When God lays people on our hearts for intercession,
He does it through paga, a chance encounter thought, accidentally
intersecting our thought processes. Therefore, when I tune to God, I
tune to chance encounter thoughts or spontaneous thoughts. When I am
poised quietly before God in prayer, I have found that the flow of
spontaneous thoughts that comes is quite definitely from God.

Key #2 - I must learn to still my own thoughts and emotions, so that
I can sense God's flow of thoughts and emotions within me.

Habakkuk said, "I will stand on my guard post and station myself on
the rampart..." (Hab. 2:1). Habakkuk knew that in order to hear God's
quiet, inner, spontaneous thoughts, he had to first go to a quiet
place and still his own thoughts and emotions. Psalm 46:10 encourages
us to be still, and know that He is God. There is a deep inner
knowing (spontaneous flow) in our spirit that each of us can
experience when we quiet our flesh and our minds.

I have found several simple ways to quiet myself so that I can more
readily pick up God's spontaneous flow. Loving God through a quiet
worship song is a most effective means for me (note II Kings 3:15).
It is as I become still (thoughts, will, and emotions) and am poised
before God that the divine flow is realized. Therefore, after I
worship quietly and then become still, I open myself for that
spontaneous flow. If thoughts come to me of things I have forgotten
to do, I write them down and then dismiss them. If thoughts of guilt
or unworthiness come to my mind, I repent thoroughly, receive the
washing of the blood of the Lamb, and put on His robe of
righteousness, seeing myself spotless before the presence of God.

As I fix my gaze upon Jesus (Heb. 12:2), becoming quiet in His
presence, and sharing with Him what is on my heart, I find that two-
way dialogue begins to flow. Spontaneous thoughts flow from the
throne of God to me, and I find that I am actually conversing with
the King of Kings.

It is very important that you become still and properly focused if
you are going to receive the pure word of God. If you are not still,
you will simply be receiving your own thoughts. If you are not
properly focused on Jesus, you will receive an impure flow, because
the intuitive flow comes out of that upon which you have fixed your
eyes. Therefore, if you fix your eyes upon Jesus, the intuitive flow
comes from Jesus. If you fix your gaze upon some desire of your
heart, the intuitive flow comes out of that desire of your heart. To
have a pure flow you must first of all become still, and secondly,
you must carefully fix your eyes upon Jesus. Again I will say, this
is quite easily accomplished by quietly worshiping the King, and then
receiving out of the stillness that follows.

Key #3 - As I pray, I fix the eyes of my heart upon Jesus, seeing in
the spirit the dreams and visions of Almighty God.

We have already alluded to this principle in the previous paragraphs;
however, we need to develop it a bit further. Habakkuk said, "I will
keep watch to see," and God said, "Record the vision" (Hab. 2:1,2).
It is very interesting that Habakkuk was going to actually start
looking for vision as he prayed. He was going to open the eyes of his
heart, and look into the spirit world to see what God wanted to show
him. This is an intriguing idea.

I had never thought of opening the eyes of my heart and looking for
vision. However, the more I thought of it, the more I realized this
was exactly what God intends me to do. He gave me eyes in my heart.
They are to be used to see in the spirit world the vision and
movement of Almighty God. I believe there is an active spirit world
functioning all around me. This world is full of angels, demons, the
Holy Spirit, the omnipresent God, and His omnipresent Son, Jesus.
There is no reason for me not to see it, other than my rational
culture, which tells me not to believe it is even there and provides
no instructions on how to become open to seeing this spirit world.

The most obvious prerequisite to seeing is that we need to look.
Daniel was seeing a vision in his mind and he said, "I was
looking...I kept looking...I kept looking" (Dan. 7:1,9,13). Now as I
pray, I look for Jesus present with me, and I watch Him as He speaks
to me, doing and saying the things that are on His heart. Many
Christians will find that if they will only look, they will see.
Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. It is as simple as that. You will see
a spontaneous inner vision in a manner similar to receiving
spontaneous inner thoughts. You can see Christ present with you in a
comfortable setting, because Christ is present with you in a
comfortable setting. Actually, you will probably discover that inner
vision comes so easily you will have a tendency to reject it,
thinking that it is just you. (Doubt is satan's most effective weapon
against the Church.) However, if you will persist in recording these
visions, your doubt will soon be overcome by faith as you recognize
that the content of them could only be birthed in Almighty God.

God continually revealed Himself to His covenant people using dream
and vision. He did so from Genesis to Revelation and said that, since
the Holy Spirit was poured out in Acts 2, we should expect to receive
a continuing flow of dreams and visions (Acts 2:1-4). Jesus, our
perfect example, demonstrated this ability of living out of ongoing
contact with Almighty God. He said that He did nothing on His own
initiative, but only that which he saw the Father doing, and heard
the Father saying (Jn. 5:19,20,30). What an incredible way to live!

Is it actually possible for us to live out of the divine initiative
as Jesus did? A major purpose of Jesus' death and resurrection was
that the veil be torn from top to bottom, giving us access into the
immediate presence of God, and we are commanded to draw near (Heb.
l0:19-22). Therefore, even though what I am describing seems a bit
unusual to a rational twentieth century culture, it is demonstrated
and described as being a central biblical teaching and experience. It
is time to restore to the Church all that belongs to the Church.

Because of their intensely rational nature and existence in an overly
rational culture, some will need more assistance and understanding of
these truths before they can move into them. They will find this help
in the book How to Hear God's Voice by the same author.

Key #4 - Journaling, the writing out of our prayers and God's
answers, provides a great new freedom in hearing God's voice.

God told Habakkuk to record the vision and inscribe it on tablets...
(Hab. 2:2). It had never crossed my mind to write out my prayers and
God's answers as Habakkuk did at God's command. If you begin to
search Scripture for this idea, you will find hundreds of chapters
demonstrating it (Psalms, many of the prophets, Revelation). Why then
hadn't I ever thought of it?

I called the process "journaling," and I began experimenting with it.
I discovered it to be a fabulous facilitator to clearly discerning
God's inner, spontaneous flow, because as I journaled I was able to
write in faith for long periods of time, simply believing it was God.
I did not have to test it as I was receiving it, (which jams one's
receiver), because I knew that when the flow was over I could go back
and test and examine it carefully, making sure that it lined up with
Scripture.

You will be amazed when you attempt journaling. Doubt may hinder you
at first, but throw it off, reminding yourself that it is a biblical
concept, and that God is present, speaking to His children. Don't
take yourself too seriously. When you do, you become tense and get in
the way of the Holy Spirit's movement. It is when we cease our labors
and enter His rest that God is free to flow (Heb. 4:10). Therefore,
put a smile on your face, sit back comfortably, get out your pen and
paper, and turn your attention toward God in praise and worship,
seeking His face. As you write out your question to God and become
still, fixing your gaze on Jesus, who is present with you, you will
suddenly have a very good thought in response to your question. Don't
doubt it, simply write it down. Later, as you read your journaling,
you, too, will be amazed to discover that you are indeed dialoguing
with God.


Some final notes: No one should attempt this without having first
read through at least the New Testament (preferably, the entire
Bible), nor should one attempt this unless he is submitted to solid,
spiritual leadership. All major directional moves that come through
journaling should be submitted before being acted upon.

"Is Christianity Logical?"

Logic is typically very important in apologetics. To defend the faith, the Christian must use truth, facts, and reason appropriately and prayerfully. The Christian should listen to objections and make cogent and rational comments in direct response to the issues raised.
Logic is simply a tool in the arsenal of Christian apologetics. Logic is a system of reasoning. It is the principles of proper thinking used to arrive at correct conclusions. Of course, some people are better at thinking logically than others and there is no guarantee that using logic to the best of one's ability will bring conversion of anyone. After all, logic is not what saves a person. Jesus does that and we are justified by faith (Rom. 5:1).
Therefore, the proper use of logic in apologetics is to remove intellectual barriers that hinder a person from accepting Jesus as Savior. Logic is not to be looked at as the answer to every problem facing Christianity or every objection raised. Logic has its limits. It cannot guarantee wisdom. It cannot prove or disprove inspiration or love. It cannot replace the intuition gained through experience, the prompting of the Holy Spirit, nor the clear truth of God's word. Nevertheless, logic is still very valuable and can be quite powerfully used by people both the saved and unsaved.
Opponents of Christianity use logic
Sometimes, an opponent of Christianity might use logic problems as a type of evidence against God’s existence. Consider this rather basic objection:
• Proposition: God can do all things.
• Statement: Can God make something so big he cannot pick it up? If He can, then he cannot do all things because he could not pick up the rock. If He cannot, then He cannot do all things because he cannot make a rock so big He can’t pick it up.
• Conclusion: Since God can do all things and we have shown that there are things he cannot do, therefore, God does not exist.
On the surface, this logic could be difficult to answer. But, all we have to do is think a bit more and we can see that the problem asserted above is not logical to begin with. Here's the answer:
• Proposition: God cannot violate His own nature; that is, He cannot go against what He naturally is.
• Statement: God's nature does not permit Him to lie, to not be God, etc.
• Conclusion: Therefore, the statement that God can do all things, is not true and the conclusion raised against God is also not true.
Logic is a valuable tool in witnessing, particularly when using proofs of God's existence. Consider the following basic approach using logic:
1. The universe exists
2. The universe cannot be infinitely old because if it were, it would have entered into a state of entropy long ago.
A. Entropy is the second Law of thermodynamics that states that all things are moving toward chaos and no-usable energy. In other words, everything is running down.
3. The universe is not in a state of entropy, therefore it is not infinitely old.
4. Since the universe is not infinitely old, it had a beginning.
5. The universe could not have brought itself into existence.
6. Something before the universe and greater than the universe had to bring the universe into existence.
7. That something is God.
All logical proofs for God have strengths and weaknesses. But, the Christian should not be afraid to use logic, reason, and evidence when defending the faith.
I suggest getting books on introduction to logic and go through what you can. Absorb as much as possible. Also, learn to ask questions in discussions. Learn to think about what the ramifications are of what people are saying. Look for logic flaws in their speech and your own. If it helps to learn from actual dialogues, go to the Apologetics Dialogues page and read some of the actual dialogues I've had with unbelievers. They should help to see how to "do apologetics," though I have much to learn in this area.
Is logic a common ground between the believer and the unbeliever?
Some state that there is no common ground between the believer and the unbeliever, that the unbeliever's initial presuppositions against the Christian God do not allow him to accurately reason concerning God, the world, truth, or themselves. Therefore, some Christian theologians conclude, there can be no ultimate common ground because the unsaved are unregenerate and their presuppositions are opposed to true rationality.
I believe that logic is indeed a type of common ground. But I do not believe that it possess some innate quality that renders it above human capacity or limitations, nor is it possessing of any ethereal, mystic qualities that somehow transcends the blinding influence of sin. I think that logic, used properly, always vindicates the truths found in the Bible and point to God – whether or not an unbeliever acknowledges it.
Logic belongs to God. This is so because God has invented the universe, the physical laws, mathematics, and all other natural and true phenomenon in it. Existence has an order because God gave it order. Logic is true, not because it is logical, but because it is a reflection of God's nature which is order and truth. Therefore, logic, ultimately, belongs only to God and can only properly be used by Him and, in matters pertaining to God, by the Christian.
This is not to say that an unbeliever cannot master the logic, say of mathematics, better than an unbeliever. There are areas of knowledge common to both and God has given some people abilities not possessed by others. However, this not an assertion that all Christians, when speaking of God, does so flawlessly. Many Christians are very illogical when they try and defend God.
The fact is that no one can claim to have ultimately mastered logic. In a perfect world with unfallen people, reasoning would be a marvelous adventure that would lead us to more of God's revelation and truth. But, we don't live in a perfect world. We live in a fallen world where sin has influence not only our bodies, emotions, and wills, but also our minds.
Is logic enough?
Is logic enough for the Christian? No, it isn't. Logic has two major flaws: First, it is only as good as the one who is using it (though that really isn’t a flaw in logic). Second, logic doesn't save. Jesus does. We cannot reason someone into the kingdom of God. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts of sin and righteousness and who opens the heart to understand the truth (John 16:8).
But if that is true, then should we even bother to try and reason with unbelievers? Absolutely yes. For several reasons:
• We are commanded by God to give an answer to unbelievers (1 Pet. 3:15) and to reason (Isaiah 1:18).
• God can, in His sovereignty, use our witness and reasoning to bring someone into the Kingdom. He is not limited by our inadequacies.
• Answers that are in agreement with God's word, given to unbelievers, even if they are rejected, are still true answers. The unbeliever will be held accountable on judgment day for rejecting those truths.
Conclusion
Logic is a tool for the Christian. It is nothing to be afraid of. In fact, if you accept the truth that logic "belongs" to God, then you should be encouraged to use it. But, don’t let it become an idol; that is, it is not the answer to problem. As Christians, we need to use logic, as well as evidence, prayer, God's word, love, kindness, etc., in our efforts to win people to Jesus. Reasoning has a valuable place in apologetics and with the believer. It is worth doing well. But, use it with love, prayer, and patience.

"Why Haven't I Been Healed Yet?"

If you are a Christian and you are suffering with an illness (Mental or Physical) of some kind be encouraged. God has not forsaken you. I know it may feel like it but He hasn’t. I have received great comfort from Psalm 13, a Psalm of David. This Psalm has taught me that one of the major problems with suffering is dealing with anger and bitter feelings towards God Himself. We have been taught the new wave message of “positive confession”, but what God really desires from us is an honest confession. Out of all the books in the Bible, the one that has delivered me the most is the Psalms. To many believers Psalms is just a collection of praise song. Many theologians look at Psalms, Proverbs, and especially Ecclesiastes as books without much doctrinal weight or value. How wrong they are! Through all of my trials and tribulations, I have been able to find a point of contact and understanding by reading Psalms. My favorite Psalm is Psalm 13.

After you read it you may wonder, “How can this depressing psalm be someone’s favorite?” This is the most honest prayer in the scriptures. David asked God a question, “How long will you forget me Lord?” This honesty in prayer helped me realize that God wants to hear everything we have to say, the good and the bad. David felt abandoned by God. I can identify with this feeling. For the last three years I have been battling sickness. I have been poked, prodded, and examined. I have had Scarlet Fever. I have been misdiagnosed with Osteomylitis (bone infection). I was on an IV for 8 weeks; my lungs were scanned and X-rayed to find growths. I have granulomas (lesions) in different parts of my body that causes severe pain in my joints and my eyes, and the cause of all of this is an incurable illness called Sarcoidosis. I began to recite Psalm 13 as though I wrote it. The good news is found in the 5th and 6th verses. David obviously recalled how the Lord had been merciful and kind to him in the past. David’s was to continue to trust in the mercy of God and hope in the loving-kindness of the Lord. I feel that many of our prayers go unanswered because we are not honest with God. However David felt, that what he expressed to the Master. This is one of the keys to being a man after God’s own heart.”



13:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? (David felt like the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had forsaken him. At times if we are honest, we feel the same way.)
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? (David was going through extreme emotional distress. Chronic illness can cause this kind of emotional trauma in ones life.)
3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; (David is not afraid to let the Lord know how distraught he is, and at the same time he makes his supplications known to God. I believe God honors an honest confession more than a positive one.)
4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. (David was able to trust in the Lord’s mercy because he had a relationship with Him. David although discouraged was able to rebound because of his love for the Lord)
2 I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. (One of the keys to getting through a stressful season is to give God praise through it all)

This Psalm has helped me get through my most painful moments because it reminds me that God has and will continue to deliver me. We must trust in God’s sovereignty as well as His power. Trusting in His ability to know what is best for us takes more faith than running around “naming and claiming” everything. I was at a revival and someone asked me, “Have I claimed my healing yet?” I was really disturbed at this question; I realized that this person really did not know the Lord or me very well. If they knew me they would know I love the Lord with all my heart and whether I am healed or not I still love Him. If they really knew me they would know that I believe in the healing power of God but I also trust in His timetable and sovereignty. Don’t be discouraged saints of God; the Lord is on your case. The grace of God can keep us through all of our trials and tribulations no matter how severe they might be. One of the beautiful things about the Bible is that the characters were just like us. Men and women in the Bible suffered sickness, loss of life, and abuses. I believe God allowed every story in the Bible to be graphic and uncut because we need to see the hand of God in every situation, both good and bad. I love the rawness of the Old Testament, people were not all good and everyone wasn’t blessed all the time. People that were good suffered and people that were bad received mercy. God is sovereign and in control even when it looks like He isn’t.


9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (II Cor.12)


About five years I visited a woman from my church in the hospital, she suffered from Lupus and Cancer. Just one of these diseases is enough to destroy someone’s life. I asked her how she was feeling and the usual small talk. Before I left she looked at me and said something that made me well up with tears. She said, “The thing that hurts to most is that the saints of God think I did something wrong because of my condition.” This is what I call the “Spirit of Job’s Friends”; it is wrecking havoc in the Body of Christ. It is causing those that need love, a hug, and understanding to be shunned by the ones that should minister to them. The only time Job’s friends did any good was when they silently sat with him while he suffered. As soon as they opened their mouth, they hurt him. Telling someone that is sick things like, “You need faith!”, “Repent”, or “Stop claiming the sickness” is cold and insensitive. There are times when God renders His judgment on sinful ways, but in many cases the illness has nothing to do with sin. Let’s examine the Word.

15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
12 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him. (Luke 18)

This woman was identified as a daughter of Abraham, meaning she was a believer! Jesus did not mention any of her sins. Was she sinless? Is anyone? Of course not, Jesus healed this woman for two reasons, 1. She was a daughter of Abraham 2. That He might be glorified. What does this mean? If you are a child of God suffering, Jesus sees your pain and will do something about it. Jesus understands pain because he felt it too!


2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
3 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9)

The disciples were just as dense as we are today! They ask the question, “Who sinned?” Well if he was born blind, what sin did he commit? Did he kick his mother in the womb? Truthfully all of us are born sinners! (Psalm 51). Why would God punish him for his parent’s sin? I’m glad Jesus answered their question. Jesus said “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents.” I am a firm believer that many today are not healed because those that minister forget that the glory belongs to the Lord of Host. If you watch the so-called great men and women of God today, they act like they are the healers and not Christ alone. God was very angry with Job’s friends! Why? Because they falsely accused Job and misrepresented God, They were also self-righteous as they bombarded Job with innuendo and accusation. The best thing you can do for someone that suffering is pray for them and keep you mouth shut. A hug goes a lot further in most cases than a lecture.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. (Romans 12)

These two verses say it all! But focus on verse 16, “condescend to men of low estate.” This means stay meek and humble in your character, because the same calamity could happen to you.

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
22 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (Heb.10)

6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
“Even Jesus got depressed!”

Is Sex Before Marriage OK?

Is sex before marriage okay if you love each other?


No, sex before marriage is sinful even if you love each other. Being in love doesn't alter the reality that the sexual act is outside of marriage, marriage being the ceremonial union of a man and woman in matrimony. Sex outside of marriage is called fornication and the Bible definitely condemns it.

Matt. 15:19-20, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. 20 “These are the things which defile the man."

Acts 15:29, "...that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well."

1 Cor. 6:9-10, "Or 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, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God."
Heb. 13:4, "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge."

So, very clearly fornication is condemned in scripture and there is no provision for it being acceptable just because someone loves each other. Besides if this couple is so much in love, then why don't they carry out what true love is and marry each other? True love is when you put another person first, not when you take from them. For a man and woman to engage in fornication is to declare that such love for the other person is more self centered, than other centered.

What did Jesus come to do?

To reveal the Father (Matt. 11:27)
"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
To be a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28)
"just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
To serve (Matt. 20:28)
"just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
To save the world (John 3:17; Luke 19:10)
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
To preach the good news of the kingdom of God (Luke 4:43)
"But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."
To bring division (Luke 12:51)
"Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division."
To do the will of the Father (John 6:38)
"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."
To give the Father's words (John 17:8)
"For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me."
To testify to the truth (John 18:37)
"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
To die and destroy Satan's power (Heb. 2:14)
"Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -- that is, the devil."
To destroy the devil's works (1 John 3:8)
"He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work."
To fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 5:17)
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
To give life (John 10:10,28)
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full...I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
To taste death for everyone (Heb. 2:9)
"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone."
To become a high priest (Heb. 2:17)
"For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people."
To atone for sin (Heb. 2:17)
"For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people."
To proclaim freedom for believers (Luke 4:18)
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed."
To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor (Luke 4:19)
"to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
To bring judgment (John 9:39)
"Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."
To take away sin (1 John 3:5)
"But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin."
To preach (Mark 1:38)
"Jesus replied, 'Let us go somewhere else -- to the nearby villages -- so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.'"
To call sinners (Mark 2:17)
"On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'"
To know who is true (1 John 5:20)
"We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true -- even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life."

Why Does God Fill us With His Spirit?

. The reason we are Spirit-filled is for SERVICE! (Acts 1:8) In the Old Testament when the Lord anointed someone it was time to get busy! Gideon was anointed to go to war, Samson was anointed to kill Philistines, and we are anointed to win souls and cast out devils in Jesus name. The power of the Holy Ghost is for all that call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

14 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)

19 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Eph. 5)

9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
10 And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. (Acts 13)

15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. (Luke 1)

John the Baptizer had to be Spirit-filled before Pentecost ever happened because he was called to proclaim Christ and repentance, two things you need the Holy Spirit to assist you in doing.

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
16:1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. (John 15)

If you call yourself “Spirit-filled” and you don’t obey God’s Word and witness to the lost, you are fooling yourself. I don’t care if you speak in tongues and dance in church every Sunday. Anointed people are often misunderstood, even hated.

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

So often I hear Christian’s say they want to be like Paul, Peter, or some other early church father. Could we really bear what they bore? Could we sacrifice as much as they did? I’ll give you two examples of modern day saints that had to endure hardness like good soldiers. While stationed in Turkey during Desert Storm I had the blessed pleasure of leading 2 Turkish Moslems to Christ. I was excited and on fire about this experience, until I found out what happens to Christian converts in Islamic countries. Usually they lose their jobs, their family, and in some instances their very lives. People had to be baptized in bathtubs for fear of their faith being discovered. To this day I wonder and worry about my two brothers in Turkey. You see how trivial the message of prosperity sounds in light of people who count it a blessing just to live another day in the faith.

Another example I know of is a friend and professor of mine named Mitch Triestman. He is a teacher at Philadelphia Biblical Universities Institute of Jewish Studies. Mitch is Jewish believer in Jesus Christ. He shared his testimony with our class and it made me realize how much salvation cost. His father disowned him and treated him like he was dead, because he accepted Christ. When you make Jesus Lord of your life someone will be upset, that someone is Satan! The enemy will rise up in the ones that you love the most and make your life hell. Do we have the victory? Yes we do, but! Let us examine scripture and get an understanding about the warfare we are involved in:

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8)

Let’s break this verse down to its common understanding: It is WRITTEN throughout scripture, not just in Romans but it is WRITTEN, that for the sake of Christ we are accounted as SHEEP for the slaughter. We are the Lord’s sheep. We are defenseless creatures without the blood of Jesus covering us. Staying in constant fellowship with the Master is essential for our personal survival. We are more than conquerors because he led captivity captive and defeated the powers of darkness. However the enemy still exists and desires to “sift us as wheat”. The ultimate aspect of our victory is the fact that we are saved from eternal damnation.

We are in a battle in the “hear and now”, don’t fool yourself; the devil still launches attacks on the saints of God. How does he attack? 1. Death 2. The suffering of life 3. Angels (fallen ones) principalities and powers (regional demons) 4. Everyday struggles 5. The unknown future. The comfort is found in verse 39; none of these things can separate us from the love of Christ Jesus. We are sealed until the day of redemption. The devil cannot steal our salvation. This assurance is what Stephen, James, and Paul had that made them fearless in the face of death. I feel that today’s saints are so earthly minded from prosperity teaching that they are not looking toward heaven and the fact that nothing down here is worth holding on to.

I have a chronic illness that reminds me everyday to redeem the time I have on this earth. I am beyond panicking over whether Jesus is going to heal me or not. I am concerned about teaching His Word to a lost world. I want to lead as many people to Jesus as I can with the time I have left. We must have 3 Hebrew Boy Faith. This is the kind of faith that trusts in the sovereignty of God. They understood that God is able to do anything, including deliver them from the fire of the enemy. The Hebrew boys realized that God was in control of the situation that they were in, regardless of how bad it looked. Whether in the fire of suffering or outside of it, you must know God is with you.

10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. (Psalm 66)




I know from personal experience there are backlashes involved in spiritual warfare. Let’s look at the scriptures:
If you think just quoting the right verse over a time of suffering and trial will deliver you think again. The key to “going through” is in the relationship you have with the Lord. He is the True Vine, we are His branches. We must stay connected to Him in order to make it. Remember Jesus did not run from Calvary, He ran towards it. Just like David ran towards Goliath. We will wrestle with the powers of darkness. Early I my ministry I had frequent encounters with demon possessed and oppressed individuals. I recall one incident when I was ministering to a woman under attack in Trenton, NJ. After she received her deliverance I became ill. My wife had to pray with me all the way back to the car. Demons hate being cast out!
22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

"Why was David Considered a Man After God's Heart?"

A Man after the Heart of God


4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. (Psalm 27)

David in my opinion was the most God centered man in scripture. David was not perfect mind you, in fact he sinned greatly. But David had a relationship with God at a young age. David faced adversity at a younger age than most individuals. I believe that those closest to God will face the most adversity. Show me an individual serving the Lord and I’ll show you a target for the devil. But remember Job! Every challenge isn’t always just devil generated, some are God allowed. David like Job was up to the challenge of facing the onslaught of Satan because of his hunger for God. David didn’t do everything right, but he did love God like no one else.

When David faced Goliath he boldly proclaimed, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that challenges the Army of God.” David focused on his relationship with God by acknowledging that Goliath did not know God. When will we get it through our thick religious heads, that our relationship with God is the most precious thing we have? It tears my heart apart when I hear these preachers of prosperity treat God like He is some cosmic ATM machine. Yes God blesses us materially…but! The real blessing is in knowing Him. Do you recall when the 12 disciples ran to Jesus all excited because they could cast out demons in His name? Jesus reply to them was, (paraphrased) don’t get excited because demons are subject to you in my name, rejoice because your name is in the Lamb’s book of life. I am sad to see so many Christians that their happiness is based on material blessings. In reality the spirit realm we are awaiting is more “real” than the here and now because the here and now is going to fade away. Only what we do for Christ will last. Paul said he wanted to know Christ in the fellowship of His suffering. Let’s examine Christ suffering:

26:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.

If you preach the truth of Jesus Christ you will face persecution. No one will persecute you for preaching a prosperity gospel, which tickles the hearer’s ears. Preach repentance and salvation by grace through faith and watch the devil attack. I personally am not a very popular preacher. Why? I primarily preach repentance and salvation messages. When I preach to a saved crowd I try to preach what the Lord gives me for them. Sometimes it can cause me angst but like Paul said “woe unto me If I preach not the gospel.” I have been criticized for preaching against homosexuality in the church, pre-marital sex, and the traditions of men in the church. I have been called "too hard”. Please read some of Paul’s sermons! I’m a cream puff compared to him. Paul was so adamant about the truth being preached he publicly rebuked Peter for straying away from the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith. Truth has to be more important than our feelings. Paul never apologized to Peter either.

11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them that were of the circumcision.
13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
15 we who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

Salvation by grace is one the enemies’ main doctrine he attacks. Why? It infuriates Satan that man; a creature of dust can receive not only redemption but also an inheritance from the Lord. We don’t deserve eternal life in glory, but because of GRACE! Oh I love the sound of that word…GRACE! It almost brings tears to my eyes when I hear it because I know how wretched I am. I know how capable I am to commit some of the most evil of sins, yet God extended to me His grace. The enemy for preaching the gospel will attack you. But don’t be afraid; be encouraged in the Word of God:

17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. (Isa. 54)

18 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun? When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. (Isa. 59)

29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
31 For who is God save the LORD? Or who is a rock save our God?
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

Because we are emissaries for the Lord, He will protect us from the enemies’ onslaught. The righteous WILL be attacked! The Word tells us many are the afflictions of the righteous, BUT the Lord will deliver us from them all. We may not want to deal with the issue, but suffering is very real scenario for the people of God. Something many Christians fail to remember is that the rain falls on the just and the unjust.

Hab 1:1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! Even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
3 Why dost thou show me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? For spoiling and violence are before me: and there are those raise up strife and contention.

13:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? Forever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 how long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

The testimony of David and Habakkuk both prove that godly men are not exempt from stressful moments. God’s answer to Habakkuk was simple; “The just shall live by their faith.” Our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is what sustains us, just as His relationship with His Father kept Him through His trials. The spirit of the martyrs is long gone in our society. We want prosperity and power, but no cross. We must be willing to bear our cross daily.

If the disciples had the attitude of today’s believers the Gospel of Jesus Christ would have never been spread. Peter was crucified upside down for the Gospel sake. John was boiled in oil and banished to the Isle of Patmos. James was beheaded and Stephen stoned to death. Horses dragged Mark till he died. Nero beheaded Paul. What is my point? These men were all devoted and sold out for the cause of Christ and they paid the price for it…their lives. Can we do any less?

10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
10 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. (Jas. 5)

22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (Acts 14)

People with a heart after God cannot avoid trouble because they have become public enemy number ones for the enemy. Look at David again; he received an anointing from God, and WHAM! Here comes a Goliath. Anointed people will always have to face the enemy. We aren’t anointed to sit still; we are anointed for battle. David had a relationship with the Lord at an early age. I believe we are sadly mistaken if we think God fills us with the Holy Ghost just so we can go to church and brag about being “spirit-filled”. We are filled to fight! The church has established a “Members Only Club”; we asked each other questions like “are you Spirit-filled?” “Do you speak in tongues?” or “Are you Full-Gospel?” And if you don’t answer the question right you are not really saved or you are lacking spiritually. The reason we are Spirit-filled is for SERVICE! (Acts 1:8) In the Old Testament when the Lord anointed someone it was time to get busy! Gideon was anointed to go to war, Samson was anointed to kill Philistines, and we are anointed to win souls and cast out devils in Jesus name. The power of the Holy Ghost is for all that call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

14 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)

19 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Eph. 5)

9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
10 And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. (Acts 13)

15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. (Luke 1)

"Do Faith Healers Get Sick?"

Below is a list of false faith healers that are either dying, or have died of disease.

A.A. ALLEN

An acknowledged divine healer and exorcist died from alcohol abuse.

At the entrance to Miracle Valley (A.A.Allen's 1,280 acre community) was a huge sign that made it plain just what was going on in that neck of the desert. In red and gold, it proclaimed: A.A.ALLEN REVIVALS, INC., MIRACLE VALLEY, ARIZONA. The Blind to See. The Deaf to Hear. The Lame To Walk. SIGNS. GIFTS. WONDERS. (James Randi, The Faith Healers, 1989, p.83-85)

Interestingly enough, A. A. Allen claimed thousands upon thousands of healings, and himself died of sclerosis of the liver in 1967, having secretly been involved with alcohol for many years while supposedly being able to heal everybody else. (John McArthur, Does God Still Heal, Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, transcribed from the tape, GC 90-60, titled "Charismatic Chaos" Part 9)

In 1970 Allen died from what "news accounts report [as] sclerosis of the liver." (Reported in "New Revival Tent Dedicated in Philadelphia," Miracle Magazine, September 1967, 15; quoted in Harrell, 202) One writer describes Allen's cause of death as "cirrhosis" of the liver (see Gary L. Ward, "Allen, Asa Alonzo," in J. Gordon Melton, Religious Leaders of America [Detroit: Gale Research, 1991], 9)

JAMIE BUCKINGHAM

Discipleship Movement & charismatic author - died of cancer.

WILLLIAM BRANHAM

Died in 1965 at age 56, after suffering for six days from injuries received in an automobile accident. His theology was unbiblical and heretical, and of course when applied to himself his theology of healing had no effect whatsoever, though his followers right to the end, were confident God was going to raise him up. And even after he died they believed that God would raise him from the dead. (John McArthur, Does God Still Heal, Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, transcribed from the tape, GC 90-60, titled "Charismatic Chaos" Part 9)

CHARLES CAPPS

Word of Faith teacher, teaches power of our words to create reality - his wife contracted cancer and was medically treated.

I don't deny the existence of disease. I deny the right of that disease to exist in this body, because I'm the Body of Christ." (Capps, The Tongue, pg. 43)

JACK COE

An acknowledged divine healer died from polio.

(Coe) warned followers "that the day would come when those who consulted physicians would have to take the mark of the beast." Coe (subsequently) became critically ill with bulbar polio ... (and) took the "mark of the beast" (as he dfeined it) and was admitted to the hospital. (Hank Hanegraaff, Counterfeit Revival, 1997, pg. 137 citing Harrell, All Things Are Possible, 101)

Want info on the REAL mark of the beast?

DR. HOBART FREEMAN

Word of Faith teacher & pastor of Faith Assembly - over 90 people died in his church following his teaching and then Hobart died due to a medically treatable disease.

After a 15 year old girl whose parents belong to Faith Assembly, died of a medically treatable malady, the parents were convicted of negligent homicide and sentenced to ten years in prison. Freeman himself was charged with aiding and inducing reckless homicide in the case. Shortly afterward, on December 8, 1984, Freeman himself died, interestingly enough of pneumonia and heart failure complicated by a severely ulcerated leg.

Hobart Freeman's theology did not allow him to acknowledge that Polio had left one of his legs disfigured and lame. Quote, he said, "I have my healing." And that is all he would say when anyone pointed out the rather conspicuous inconsistency between his physical disabilities and his theology. Ultimately, his refusal to acknowledge his infirmities cost him his life. He had dutifully, according to his own theology, refused all medical treatment for the maladies that were killing him, and medical science could easily have prolonged his life, but in the end he was a victim of his own teaching. (John McArthur, Does God Still Heal, Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, transcribed from the tape, GC 90-60, titled "Charismatic Chaos" Part 9)

KEITH GRAYTON

Died of the complications of AIDS. He spoke at a Church in Detroit, and declared he was totally healed. He died a year or so later.

BUDDY HARRISON

Kenneth E. Hagin’s son-in-law, died of cancer Dec. 1999. Dad Hagin’s "special healing anointing" (read I Believe In Visions by Hagin) could not help his own family member.

Kenneth Hagin's sister died of cancer as well.

RUTH WARD HEFLIN

A self-proclaimed power preacher and healer, Heflin's untimely death of cancer made more news. A Religious News Service story reported: "Revivalist Ruth Ward Heflin Dead at 60. -- Revivalist Ruth Ward Heflin, known for her role in the so-called "gold dust" revival involving churches across the globe, died Friday (9/15/00) at a Richmond, VA hospital. Heflin, who had suffered from cancer for several months was 60. ... She directed the Calvary Pentecostal Campground in Ashland, VA which was founded by her parents in the 1050s and later led by her brother, Wallace, who died in 1997. (The Christian News, 9/25/00, pg. 10 as cited in "The Life And Times Of Golden Girl And Globetrotter Ruth Ward Heflin, by G. Richard Fisher, Personal Freedom Outreach, The Quarterly Journal, January-March, 2001, pg. 5)

Heflin suffered a broken ankle in an automobile accident last year. In April, doctors diagnosed her with breast cancer that already had spread to her bones. Heflin underwent a mastectomy on April 25, but refused chemotherapy or further cancer treatment because she said the Lord told her to refuse, according to Connie Wilson, her personal assistant. (Renee DeLoriea, "Ruth Ward Heflin, Revivalist and Prayer Minister, Dies At Age 60.", Charisma Magazine, November 2000, pg. 21)

E.W. KENYON

E.W. Kenyon studied at the Emerson College of Oratory in Boston which was a hotbed at the time for the emerging New age thought. They imagined they have discovered laws of faith, promoting a Christianized version of occultism. Kenyon had divorced his wife even when he taught that what one speaks they will possess. E.W Kenyon who is certainly the Father of the Word of Faith Movement taught divine healing and that it was always God's will to heal. But he died in a coma, brought on by a malignant tumor. He died from disease. (Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, Death By Faith, http://www.letusreason.org/Wf25.htm)

KATHRYN KUHLMAN

An acknowledged divine healer died from heart disease in Ann Arbor Michigan.

Kathryn Kuhlman died of heart failure in 1976, curiously enough. She had battled heart disease for nearly twenty years, and that statement is made by Jamie Buckingham who would have been one of her disciples. (John McArthur, Does God Still Heal, Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, transcribed from the tape, GC 90-60, titled "Charismatic Chaos" Part 9)

AIMEE SEMPLE MCPHERSON

An acknowledge divine healer - died of a barbiturate overdose.

Sister Aimee died of a barbiturate overdose in 1944. (The Interactive Bible, 1998)

While the Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements deals with the controversial aspects of "Sister Aimee's" life -- her mysterious disappearances and alleged affairs, multiple marriages (two of which ended in divorce), and death from an apparent drug overdose -- it is strangely silent about her theatrical preoccupation with the slain in the spirit phenomenon. (Hank Hanegraaff, Counterfeit Revival, 1997, 168)

JOYCE MEYERS

Almost the majority of the known healers went for some kind of treatment from medical professionals. This was in spite of all their claims of miracles and the practice of their "positive confession" faith. Even Joyce Meyers did, and she was honest to admit that she had breast cancer and was medically treated. One of the few honest admissions. (Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, Death By Faith, http://www.letusreason.org/Wf25.htm)

DAISY OSBORN

T.L. Osborn's wife also, regrettably died of cancer several years ago.

JOHN OSTEEN

Word of Faith mega-church pastor in Houston - his wife, Dodie had liver cancer and through the mercy of God and medical attention survived.

John Osteen himself passed away a little over a year ago due to several medical conditions. His church "confessed" his healing and he himself had stated that God told him he would be preaching in the pulpit in his 90's. Osteen died in his 70's.

One of the more recent sad stories was John Osteen who was a pastor in Houston of a mega-church, who had kidney dialysis in late 1998. He also had a heart catheterization in August that determined all was well with his heart at that time. Later on doctors performed surgery to put in a pacemaker for his heart. Pastor Osteen knew "he was in need of a miracle." He claimed God had given him Psalm 27:14. Requests went out to his friends to wait on the Lord with him, and agree with him for a creative miracle for his kidneys and his heart. They agreed with the Psalmist in Psalm 41of the Lords deliverance and protection to keep him alive. He will transform his illness. He will raise him up! The "Lord" gave him a vision that he would be preaching into his 90's. Osteen "confessed," his healing and 20,000 members in his church stood in "agreement" with him for his recovery. They believed he would have his miracle just like his wife Dodie received her miracle But unfortunately did not happen. (Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, Death By Faith, http://www.letusreason.org/Wf25.htm)

ROD PARSLEY

Added to that is the fact that as much as Parsley rants about God's Kingdom come in our body, he still has a deaf section and a signer in his church. As kindly as we can, we say, physician heal thyself. (Personal Freedom Outreach, Rod Parsley - The Raging Prophet", 1999)

Parsley, in his book, Renamed and Redeemed, states that: “Jesus is not sick - I don't have to be sick!” (Rod Parsley, Renamed and Redeemed. Columbus, Ohio: Results Publishing, 1991, pg. 15)

BISHOP EARL PAULK

"We have received the earnest of the EXPECTATION through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but we must move on to the POSSESSION, which is overcoming the last enemy, death. Sometimes the interpretation has been made that Jesus Christ conquered death, but if that were so, why would Paul's epistle to the Corinthians, written at least ninety years later, say that the last enemy that SHALL be destroyed is death (I Corinthians 15:26)? JESUS CHRIST CONQUERED DEATH INDIVIDUALLY, BUT IT IS LEFT TO THE CHURCH TO CONQUER DEATH ON A CORPORATE BASIS.. " (Earl Paulk, "The Proper Function of the Church" (Atlanta: K Dimension Publishers, undated), p.13, emphasis in the original)

FREDRICK K. PRICE

Word of Faith mega-church pastor in Los Angeles - his wife, Betty got cancer and was medically treated (chemo-therapy) and by the mercy of God was patched up.

"If you need a crutch upon or something to help you get along, then praise God, hobble along until you get your faith moving to the point that you don't need a crutch." (Price, How Faith Works pg. 92)

" ... how can you glorify God in your body, when it doesn't function right? How can you glorify God? How can He get glory when your body doesn't even work? ... What makes you think the Holy Ghost wants to live inside a body where He can't see out through the windows and He can't hear with the ears? What makes you think the Holy Spirit wants to live inside of a physical body where the limbs and the organs and the cells do not function right? ... And what makes you think He wants to live in a temple where He can't see out of the eyes, and He can't walk with the feet, and He can't move with the hand? ... The only eyes that he has that are in the earth realm are the eyes that are in the body. If He can't see out of them then God's gonna be limited ..." (Frederick K.C. Price, "Is God Glorified Through Sickness?" (Los Angeles: Crenshaw Christian Center, n.d.), audiotape #FP605)

ORAL ROBERTS

Oral Roberts was on Paul Crouch's "Praise the Lord" show on TBN (October 6, 1992). Crouch was asked to lay hands on Oral Roberts to minister to his chest pains, Roberts exclaimed, "I feel the healing power of Jesus!" and said it felt like an "electric current go through him." Paul you are anointed. Oral Roberts was pronounced healed on TBN. But was he really?

It was reported less than four hours later, while visiting a home in Newport Beach, Roberts felt more pains and was hospitalized at Hoag Presbyterian Memorial Hospital (also in Newport Beach), shortly after midnight. Subsequent articles report that Roberts' heart attack was "near fatal." ("Evangelist Has Tests," The Orange County [CA] Register [Dec.16 1992], A-7) the healing evangelist now has a pacemaker ("Roberts Out of Hospital," The Orange County [CA] Register (2l December 1992), A-30).

R.W. SCHAMBACH

Faith Healer - got a quadruple heart bypass.

"You don't have any problems, all you need is faith in God." (R.W. Schambach, TBN)

RUTH CARTER STAPLETON

Another one that comes to mind, Ruth Carter Stapleton, was the Faith Healing sister of former United States President Jimmie Carter. [She] refused medical treatment for cancer because of her belief in faith healing. She died of the disease in 1983. (John McArthur, Does God Still Heal, Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, transcribed from the tape, GC 90-60, titled "Charismatic Chaos" Part 9)

MACK TIMBERLAKE

Word of Faith pastor - suffering from throat cancer, getting medical attention.

JOHN WIMBER

Signs & Wonders Movement, author of "Power Healing"

Wimber claimed, "It's God's nature to heal not to teach us through sickness. Sickness is generally not beneficial." (Benn and Burkill, p. 102 as cited by Paul G. Heibert in Healing And The Kingdom)

"I had what doctors later suspected were a series of coronary attacks. When we returned home a series of medical tests confirmed my worst fears, I had a damaged heart, possibly seriously damaged. Tests indicated that my heart was not functioning properly, a condition complicated and possibly caused by high blood pressure. These problems combined with my being overweight and overworked meant that I could die at any time." (John McArthur, Does God Still Heal, Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, transcribed from the tape, GC 90-60, titled "Charismatic Chaos" Part 9)

Wimber ultimately died from a hemorrhage as a result of a long battle with cancer.

What Does The BIBLE Say About Prosperity?

Some Prosperity teachers equate wealth with godliness and faith. The Bible says otherwise.

"This is what the wicked are like-- always carefree, they increase in wealth." (Psalm 73:12)

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Matt. 6:24)

"He said to them, 'You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight." (Luke 16:15)

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Matt.19:23-24) Note: It is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.

"Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days." (James 5:1-3)

"But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape." (Mal. 3:15)

"They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be an unclean thing. Their silver and gold will not be able to save them in the day of the LORD's wrath. They will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it, for it has made them stumble into sin." (Ezk. 7:19)

"But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business." (James 1:10-11)

"You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." (Rev. 3:17)

Most Prosperity teachers boast about their wealth saying that God has blessed them. Their wealth usually comes from donations.

"For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world." (1 John 2:16)

"As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." (James 4:16-17)

Prosperity teachers will tell you that you can expect a BIG return on your "donation". They create greed and discontent by saying that God wants you to be wealthy and that you will become wealthy if you give to them and have faith. The Bible teaches the opposite.

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Col. 3:2)

"Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things." (Phil. 3:19)

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Tim. 6:6-10)

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Heb. 13:5)

"A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him." (Prov. 28:22)

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matt. 6:19-20)

"Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, 'Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay." (Luke 3:14)

"Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread." (Prov. 30:8)

Giving to Get is Unbiblical and can result in the opposite happening.

"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." (James 4:3)

"So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be." (1 Kings 3:11-12)

The Prosperity doctrine teaches that God wants you to be wealthy and have big houses, cars, etc. They teach that if you lead a godly life, you will get these things. Again, the Bible teaches different.

"If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain." (1 Tim. 6:3-5)

Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money." 1 Tim. 3:2-3)

"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers, not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve..." (1 Peter 5:2)

"You are always righteous, O LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts." (Jer. 12:1-2)

"Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." (Mark 4:18-19)

NOTE: Read the parable of the Sower. (Mark 4:3-20)

Many Prosperity teachers will tell you that prosperity is a part of salvation.

Lazarus the beggar went to heaven. (Luke 16:22)

"Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?" (James 2:5)

"Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15)

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers..." (1 Peter 1:18)

"Looking at his disciples, he said: 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." (Luke 6:20-21)


Prosperity teachers often wear expensive clothes, gold, and jewelry. Here's what the Bible says about this.

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." (1 Peter 3:3-4)

"I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." (1 Tim. 2:9-10)

"Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long...Woe to you..." (Matt. 23:5, 13)

The Prosperity Doctrine teaches that you will be rewarded now while you are living for your giving. It teaches that you will get a "100 fold" return on your donations. The Bible differs.

"For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done." (Matt. 16:27)

But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luke 14:13-14)

"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven..." (Luke 6:23) (See also: Luke 12:33 Matt. 5:12 Matt. 6:20 Matt. 19:21 )

"Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." (Matt. 6:1)

"Jesus said to them, 'I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life." (Matt. 19:28-29)

"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done." (Rev. 22:12)


Here's some verses that Prosperity teachers use:

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)

"You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." (2 Cor. 9:11)

This verse is self-explanatory. The key words are: "so that you can be generous on every occasion". God gives so we can give. If we give because we think our own pocketbook will grow, that’s being greedy. As we found out (James 4:3), selfish motives will get you nowhere. Also the use of the word "rich" is only referring to needs, not wants. (See verses 8 and 12)

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (2 Cor. 8:9)

This verse is only referring to a spiritual or heavenly "rich" not an earthly rich. Jesus had a spiritual "rich" in heaven and became earthly poor so that we can become spiritually "rich" in heaven. You can find a good example of this spiritual "rich" in 2 Cor. 6:10. "...sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." Notice also that the disciples didn't hoard, they gave everything away. (See 2 Cor. 8:3)

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matt. 6:33)

The key words here are "these things". Prosperity teachers never tell you what "these things" are. Basic needs only, food, drink, clothing. Not wealth and riches. (See verse 31) Posted by Chaplain M.H. Stevens,M.Min