By Brother Mike Sutherland

1.	Introduction: Page 1

2.	Why Is A Study Of Doctrine Important?: Page 3

3.	Old Testament Teaching Concerning Doctrine: Page 8

4.	The Teaching Of The Lord Jesus Christ Concerning Doctrine: Page 10

5.	The Teaching Of The Apostles Concerning Doctrine: Page 20

6.	Paul's Use Of The Word Doctrine In The Book Of Acts And The Epistles To The Churches: Page 21

7.	Paul's Use Of The Word Doctrine In The Pastoral Epistles: Page 24

8.	Paul's Use Of The Word Doctrine In The Epistle To The Hebrews: Page 34

9	The Apostle John's Use Of The Word Doctrine In His General Epistles: Page 35

10.	The Application Of Doctrine And Biblical Unity In The Holy Ghost Versus Heretical Ecumenical Unity In Satanic Human Diversity: Page 37

11.	Walls Of Separation Are Commanded Between The Holy And The Profane: Between The Saved And The Unsaved: Page 41

12.	The Command To Separate Both Individually And As A Church From False Doctrine And False Prophets: Page 50

13.	Is It Scriptural To Call Apostates And Hereticks Out By Name?: Page 63

14.	Conclusion: Page 64

INTRODUCTION

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Let me state at the outset that the purpose of this series is not to bash the people who hold to the false doctrines that will be identified during this series. My problem is not with the people, but with the doctrine. As Christians, we are charged by Jude 3 to earnestly contend for the faith. The faith is that body of doctrine that was delivered unto us by the Lord Jesus Christ, the apostles, and prophets of both the Old and New Testaments as they are contained in your King James Bible.

I am an Independent Baptist because I believe that doctrinally many Independent Baptists are the closest to the Bible doctrine "which was once delivered unto the saints". I have problems with many of my Independent Baptist brethren who unscripturally preach and teach Calvinism, Amillennialism, Lordship Salvation, Easy Believeism (The 1,2,3 repeat after me prayers), Rapture doctrines other than the pretribulation Rapture, and so forth. The 1, 2, 3 repeat after me prayers are the Devil's innoculation against the gospel. I do not believe that Independent Baptists have the corner on Biblical truth because there are other Bible believing churches that are not called Baptists that are just as doctrinally sound as any Independent Baptist Church I know of. Before Independent Baptists walked away from the "old paths", or should I say ran away, it meant something to be an Independent Baptist. Since we are in an era of full blown apostasy in our Independent Baptist Churches, the name "Independent Baptist" does not mean what it once did. Gone is the preaching of hell. Gone is the preaching against sin. Gone is the exhortation to holy living. Neither will most Independent Baptists preach and teach under the anointing of the Holy Ghost because they are fearful of the condemnation of men. Most preachers and teachers today have become a bunch of politically correct menpleasers. There is no power in their pulpits and lecterns because there is no sound doctrine coming forth from them. Most preachers and teachers today would rather offend God than they would the sinful Christians and the unbelieving apostates and heretics sitting in their pews. Most preachers today who preach on sanctification and holiness just preach it, but do not enforce discipline and Biblical standards on themselves or their congregations. They honour God with the words, but deny Him in their actions. Most preachers and teachers today are delivering speeches that are laced with the enticing words of man's wisdom and do NOT go forth in the "demonstration of the Spirit and of power". Most congregations today have heaped "to themselves teachers having itching ears" who are turning them away from the truth. There is a responsibility to God for the men in our congregations to ensure that their teachers, preachers, pastors, and evangelists are not preaching and teaching heresy. The only way we can fulfill that responsibility is to rightly divide the Word of Truth and mediatate upon it. he Bible says in Acts 17:10-11:

Acts 17:10-11
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

We are to be Bereans folks. I do not believe that doctrine is the exclusive responsibility of preachers, teachers, and pastors. There is nothing that is taught in a Bible believing Bible Institute or a Bible believing Seminary that cannot be taught to the average church member if they are willing learn. If we are to discern between good and evil, we must study and sharpen our ears to receive good Biblical Doctrine and and to reject evil alse doctrine. In a passage of Scripture that will be oft repeated in this study, the Holy Ghost said in Hebrews 5:11-14:

Hebrews 5:11-14
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Our thoughts must be shaped on the pure doctrinal anvil by the hammer of God's Word. Our thoughts also must be sharpened on the hone of God's Word "for the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

This topic of doctrine could take many volumes to fully expound. That is not our objective here though some will probably think it is before we get through. If we look at the average Baptist Bible College, or any other Bible College for that matter, we will see that they divide the study of the Bible into ten major doctrines. Those ten doctrinal groups are: (1) The Doctrine of the Scriptures (Bibliology), (2) The Doctrine of God (Theology), (3) The Doctrine of Christ (Christology), (4) The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology), (5) The Doctrine of Man (Anthropology), (6) The Doctrine of Sin (Harmartiology), (7) The Doctrine of Salvation (Soteriology), (8) The Doctrine of the Church (Ecclesiology), (9) The Doctrine of Angels and Satan (Angelology), (10) The Doctrine of Last Things (Eschatology). The Baptist Doctrines course material that I have used to teach from for many years has a total of 76 lessons, many of which take more than one session for me to teach. That Baptist Doctrines course material is not mine, but I have greatly expanded upon it over the years. I have a copy of the course outline that identifies the title of each lesson. I also have a Master Heresies List that I will be referring to during this study that identifies 182 heresies held to by the heretics in so-called Christian churches. That illustrates why a study of doctrine is of the utmost importance.

WHY IS A STUDY OF DOCTRINE IMPORTANT?

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A study of Doctrine is extremely important for at least the following seven reasons:

1.	A Study Of Doctrine Is A Command Of God: 2 Timothy 2:15:

2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

What this means is that if you are going to partake of the spiritual table of God, then you are going to have to work for it. God does not approve of lazy preachers and teachers that are not workman in the Word of God. Preachers and teachers are under an obligation to God and to their congregations and classes to study. If you are not going to study, then you are going to starve your congregation and your Sunday School class. If you are not going to study, then the very best that you can offer your flock is milk and not strong meat. Preachers and teachers are not commanded to study doctrine so that they might have some great head full of knowledge to impress people with. They are commanded to study doctrine so that they might have the spiritual weapons to defend their flocks when Satan's doctrinal wolves come in. The teaching of strong Biblical doctrine erects walls of separation around God's people.

2.	A Study Of Doctrine Is Required Of Pastors, Preachers, And Teachers: Ephesians 4:14-
15, Titus 1:9, 2 Timothy 2:2-3, 2 Timothy 2:24-26:

Ephesians 4:14-15
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Titus 1:9
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

2 Timothy 2:2-3
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:24-26
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

While 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are referred to as pastoral epistles their teaching is not limited to those pastoring, preaching and teaching. If you think God has called you to preach and teach, then you must be faithful and be prepared to endure hardness because you are a soldier in God's army. You must also be prepared to commit the strong meat of the Word of God to other faithful men. That will require much study and a lot of time. According to 2 Timothy 2:24-26 one of the objectives of teaching is to give believers the tools to recover themselves from the doctrinal snares of the Devil.

3.	A Study Of Doctrine Is Required Of All Believers: Hebrews 5:11-14, 1 Peter 3:15:

Hebrews 5:11-14
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

1 Peter 3:15
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

How many of those in our modern churches, who are unlearned in doctrine, particularly in the doctrine of salvation, would find themselves stuttering if asked to give a testimony to a lost person of how and when they were saved. Most professing Christians today know very little Bible. Most Christians today cannot tell a lost person from the Bible how to get saved. Many of those who do witness have canned plans that do not rely upon the conviction of the Holy Ghost. Don't get me wrong. The Roman's Road and the John's Road are good things, but we need to be much more familiar with the Scriptures because the Devil has a wicked habit of casting stumbling blocks into the road that leads to salvation. Many objections are raised by the lost and you need to be able to answer them from the Scriptures. The Devil also has many wicked ways to reach out and turn off the light of the glorious gospel. Be prepared. Be holy and sanctified. Be prayed up. Be ready to respond to the leadership of the Holy Ghost if He is leading you away from a canned presentation to a lost sinner.

4.	A Study Of Doctrine Is A Must For The Protection Of The Church In These Days Of Apostasy: 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13,14; 4:2,3; Jude 3:

1 Timothy 4:1-2
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

2 Timothy 3:1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Those that are incontinent have no self control. They are consumed by their lusts. Those that are heady are rash in their thought processes and in their actions toward others.

2 Timothy 3:13-14
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Timothy 4:2-3
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Jude 3
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

5.	A Study Of Doctrine Produces Strong Men Of God: Joshua 24:15-16, Acts 5:27-29, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Hebrews 5:11-14:

Joshua 24:15-16
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. 16 And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;

Acts 5:27-29
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

1 Corinthians 16:13
13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Hebrews 5:11-14
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

That word "quit" in 1 Corinthians 16:13 means to set yourself aside and show yourself to be a man. Do not be a doctrinal wilting wimp that puts away his sword when challenged by the compromised and doctrinally corrupt heretics and apostates in American churches.

6.	A Study Of Doctrine Molds Character: Proverbs 23:7

Proverbs 23:7
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

If in your heart, you think, believe, and teach false doctrine then you become that. In other words, you become a false prophet and a false teacher that brings in damnable heresies.

7.	A Study Of Doctrine Is Necessary Because False Doctrine Grieves The Holy Ghost And Hinders Worship: Matthew 15:8-9, John 4:23-24, John 16:13-14.

Matthew 15:8-9
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

John 4:23-24
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

John 16:13-14
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Note from Matthew 15:8-9 that worship that does not come through a clean heart before it comes out of the mouth is vain worship. From this same passage, we are told that worship that comes through the false doctrines and commandments of men is vain worship. In John 4:23-24 we are told that if we are to worship God we are to do it in Spirit and in truth. Truth is sound, Biblical doctrine. Most of what goes on in American churches is the worship of the god of this world. Most American churches have forsaken the doctrines of the Bible for doctrines of devils and there can therefore be no worship of God. The spirit that dominates most American churches is the spirit of this age and that spirit is the spirit of Antichrist. Most Christians today are not under the anointing of the Holy Ghost of God because they have buried Him in their sin. They cannot worship because they have grieved the Holy Ghost. Oh, they can get worked up in the flesh, but that is not worship. Many times worship is manifested by a meek and quiet spirit such as that experienced during many Communion services.

To summarize, there are at least seven reasons why we should study doctrine. They are: it is a command of God; it is required of pastors, preachers, and teachers; it is required of all believers; it is a must for the protection of the church in these days of apostasy; it produces strong men of God; it molds character; false doctrine grieves the Holy Ghost and hinders worship.

OLD TESTAMENT TEACHING CONCERNING DOCTRINE

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The word "doctrine" occurs 56 times in our King James Bible. Therefore, we conclude that doctrine is very important to God. If the word doctrine had occurred only once in our King James Bibles, it should be of utmost importance to us because God said it. It does not matter whether I believe it or not. God said it and that settles it. If you do not believe it, or, are reluctant to receive it, then you have a problem with God and His word. The first appearance of the word "doctrine" in your King James Bibles occurs in Deuteronomy 32:1-2 which states:

Deuteronomy 32:1-2
1 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

So in its first appearance in our Bibles the word "doctrine" is defined in context as "the words of my (the Lord's) mouth". The doctrine from your Bibles that is most frequently perverted is the doctrine of salvation. We can be wrong about many Bible doctrines, but if we are wrong about salvation it means and eternity in an eternally burning Devil's hell. The doctrine that is most ignored by Christians today is the doctrine of sanctification and holiness. The word "doctrine" is not the only word that applies to teaching in the Bible. The words "commandment", "law", "teach", and "teaching" are also used. The word "doctrine" is the root of the word "indoctrinate". Many times the word "indoctrinate" is used in a negative sense by equating it with brainwashing. That is not the sense that it is used in your Bibles. Brainwashing is an instrument of perverting the truth whereas indoctrination is the means of instilling the truth of the Bible into Bible believers. They are enlightened and taught by the Holy Ghost from the only source of absolute truth on the face of this earth and that is your Bibles. Now, we are going to look at 36 passages of Scripture that use the word "doctrine" 52 times.

Isaiah 28:9-13 tell us how we are to teach doctrine and also tells us the consequences of refusing to receive doctrine. This passage reads:

Isaiah 28:9-13
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: 11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. 13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

According to this passage, knowledge and doctrine from the Word of the Lord gives us rest and a time of refreshing. Those who will not receive doctrine will backslide and fall into the snare of the Devil. We think that both Peter and Paul had this passage in Isaiah in mind when the Holy Ghost moved them to say in 1 Peter 2:1-2 and Hebrews 5:10-14:

1 Peter 2:1-2
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Hebrews 5:10-14
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. 11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

New born babes in the Lord Jesus Christ need the sincere milk of the Word of God that they may be established in the faith. It is obvious from the apostate state of American Christianity that many babes in Christ have not fed themselves strong meat. In fact, we would go so far as to say most American church members have not even received the milk of the Word of God which is the doctrine of salvation. Our churches are full of spiritually aborted babies and spiritually illiterate babies that are unable to discern between good and evil because their pastors and teachers will not teach the Word of God without compromise. The responsibility for this sorry state of affairs also lies at the door of lazy, sinful Christians who will not study the Word of God. Their spiritual muscles have wasted away because of a lack of exercise in the Word of God. The Word of God is the Christian's spiritual gym and gem.

If you have a church that is full of murmuring Christians who lack biblical understanding, there is a good chance that they have not been taught or learned doctrine according to Isaiah 29:24 which states:

Isaiah 29:24
24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

Isaiah also states here that those that err in spirit lack understanding. It is instructive that erring in spirit is connected to doctrine.

NEW TESTAMENT DOCTRINE

THE TEACHING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST CONCERNING DOCTRINE

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There are 50 references to doctrine in the New Testament. The Lord Jesus Christ also had much to say about doctrine. The Lord Jesus Christ is the fountainhead of all true Biblical doctrine. In its first use in the New Testament, your Bible says this about doctrine:

Matthew 7:28-29
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

The question is, what did the Lord Jesus Christ consider to be doctrine in this passage. In this passage, He rebuked and warned them : of those who judge hypocritically (Matthew 7:1-5); of those that would give that which is holy unto the heathen (Matthew 7:6); of those who would not ask of the Lord (pray) the things that they needed (Matthew 7:7-12); of those who looked for the worldly way into heaven (Matthew 7:14-15); of false prophets that would bring forth corrupt fruit (Matthew 7:15-20; of the judgment of unsaved, false religious professors (Matthew 7:21-23); of those who would build on a foundation of sand which is man's false doctrine (Matthew 7:24-27). Take a look at Matthew 7:1-27 where it is written:

Matthew 7:1-27
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? 12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

In two parallel passages, the Lord Jesus Christ also emphasized doctrine in his rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7 where He said:

Matthew 15:1-9
1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mark 7:5-13
5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

In Matthew 15 and Mark 7 the traditions and commandments of the scribes and Pharisees were putting them in the position of abusing their parents in direct contradiction of the commandments of God. Matthew 15:1-9 and Mark 7:5-13 sets up a vivid contrast between pure Biblical doctrine and the traditions and commandments of men. Matthew 15 and Mark 7 tell us that we are hypocrites if we let our traditions and commandments override the Word of God. That is exactly what many of the confessions and catechisms of the ungodly religious crowd do: they make void the Word of God. The confessions and catechisms that make void the Word of God would include the Satanic Mormon Trilogy made up of "The Book of Mormon", "The Doctrine and Covenants", and "The Pearl of Great Price" totaling 1,310 pages; the Roman Catholic Missal totaling 1,518 pages; the 1994 Roman Catholic Catechism totaling 626 pages with 2,865 canons; the Westminster Catechism (Confession) and the numerous other confessions and catechisms most of which are Calvinistic in nature. We would also put the Anglican Church's "Thirty-Nine Articles" in this group. The poem "Marmion" can be applied here and puts it so well when it says, "Oh, what a tangled web we weave. When first we practise to deceive!". When a church's official doctrine becomes to lengthy and complex for the average Christians in the pew to understand, then look out for the deception because it corrupts the Christian from the simplicity that is in Christ. In Matthew 16:1-12, the Lord Jesus Christ again warned of false doctrine when he rebuked the disciples for not discerning that false religion(ists) corrupt(s) pure Biblical doctrine when He said in verses 11 and 12:

Matthew 16:1-12
1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. 5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. 8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? 9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

In this passage, the Lord Jesus Christ is specifically warning the disciples about the wickedness and deception of seeking after a sign and generally warning about the leaven of false religion. Christians and the church of the living God are the salt of the earth. In baking, salt serves to limit the action of the leavening agent. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 3:15 that the church is the pillar and ground of the truth. The truth is the Bible and I like to think of that pillar as being a pillar of salt that limits or eliminates the leavening action of sin and false doctrine. Leaven is a type of sin. The Holy Ghost speaking through Paul in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 had this to say concerning leaven:

1 Corinthians 5:6-8
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

It only takes a little false doctrine (leaven) to leaven a whole congregation. Notice that the Holy Ghost refers to the truth as unleavened bread. A type of that unleavened bread is the Word of God which contains the pure Biblical doctrines that is the subject before us. In Matthew 22:23-33, the Lord Jesus Christ dealt with the false doctrine held by the Sadducees whereby they denied the resurrection when He stated in verses 23-33:

Matthew 22:23-33
23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, 24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 27 And last of all the woman died also. 28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

This is yet the second time that the Bible said that the crowd was astonished at the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are still dead in your trespasses and sins, as were the Sadducees, then God is not your God because He is the God of the resurrection Who has begotten us to an eternal resurrected life through the power of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ! Hallelujah!! The resurrection is a Bible doctrine. The Lord Jesus Christ told the Sadducees that the source of their misunderstanding was that they DID NOT KNOW THE SCRIPTURES. Our doctrine will always be in serious error when we do not know the Scriptures. Now lets look at Mark 1:21-27 where it is stated:

Mark 1:21-27
21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. 22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. 26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

This is the third time that we find that the people were astonished at His doctrine. Notice here that doctrine is also an action. The proof of belief in any doctrine is the action that is taken as a result of that belief. In other words, the proof is in the application to how we live what we claim to believe. This group of people here in Mark chapter 1obviously had never seen an unclean spirit cast out because it was a new doctrine to them. The parable of the sower that is recorded in Matthew 13, Luke 5, and Mark 4 is referred to as doctrine in Mark 4:2 which states:

Mark 4:2
2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

The parable of the sower is doctrine that teaches us that we must sow the seed of the gospel regardless of the results. We see four different types of individuals in these parables. Number one is the one who rejects the seed out of hand through the motivation of Satan. This is an unsaved person. Number two is the one who gladly receives the seed, but when persecution arises because of their profession of faith they recant. This is also an unsaved person. Number three is the one who receives the word, but because of the cares of this world they become unfruitful. This is an unfruitful saved person. Number four are those that receive the seed and bear much fruit. This is a fruitful saved person. We are to bear fruit by sowing the seed and expecting that God will give the increase and that it will redound to his glory.

The Lord Jesus Christ rebuked the religionists of his day for turning the house of God into a house of merchandise. In the Temple, He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of the dove salesmen and threw both groups out because they were defiling the Temple of God. This event is described in Matthew 21:12-13 and Mark 11:15-18 as follows:

Matthew 21:12-13
12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Mark 11:15-18
15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. 17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. 18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

Mark 11 refers to that which "is written" as doctrine. That which is written is the Word Of God. What this event tells us is that turning the house of God into a house of merchandise is false doctrine worthy of the righteous anger of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the fourth time that it is said that the people were astonished at the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ. We see a pattern in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ that astonishes all who hear him because he openly challenged the false doctrine of the religious elitists of his day. It was the religious crowd of His day that sought to kill him because of His uncompromising stand on doctrine. Nothing has changed between now and then. False religion has always been used as a tool of the Devil to persecute, torture, maim, and murder those who stand for pure Biblical truth. One only need look at the bloody history of false religions who have turned the world into their killing fields. Islam is at the top of the list with over 270 million murders followed by the Roman Catholics who murdered over 50 million people during the period of the Inquisition alone. There are also the untold numbers tortured and murdered by the Protestants who came out of the Roman Catholic Church. Only the Baptists, who are not Protestants, are mostly free from the taint of persecuting those who do not believe as they do.

Another doctrine that the Lord Jesus Christ taught was the doctrine of humility described in Mark 12:38-40, Matthew 23:1-12, and Luke 20:45-47. We quote the passage from Mark 12 here:

Mark 12:38-40
38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, 39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: 40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

In the 46 times that it occurs in our Bibles, the word "pride" is never used in a good sense. Pride has an "I" in the middle of it and it makes I (me) the center of attention. The cognate word "proud" occurs 48 times in your Bibles and is never used in a good sense. Proud has an "ou" in the middle of it and the people owe you their admiration. People that walk around looking down their noses at other people are not looking upward to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ had the following to say in Matthew 11:28-30:

Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

That was God in the flesh that just made the statement that he is meek and lowly! Who are we to be lifted up in the wickedness of our pride! Meekness is power in humility anointed by the Holy Ghost. Mark 12:37 issues a very telling statement at the end of the verse which says, "and the common people heard him gladly". Thank God I am a common person. A proud, status seeking person will never make a servant that is pleasing unto God. There is much pride amongst Independent Baptist preachers who occupy the chief seats in our pulpits and in our camp meetings and revivals. That is especially true amongst the once married peacocks who want every divorced man to know that they have never been divorced. They may have been guilty of serial adultery and numerous premarital sexual affairs, but at least they have never been divorced. What hypocrisy! These prideful masters teach and preach "touch not God's anointed" as if it applied to them exclusively when the passages used to preach it are obviously talking about the people being the anointed of God. If you do not believe it, go and read it in context in 1 Chronicles 16:13-21 and Psalm 105:1-15. There is a parallel established in those passages that rebukes anyone who would hurt God's people and anyone who would harm God's man (prophet, pastor, preacher). If you are in rebellion against the Scriptural exercise of pastoral authority then your rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. You need to get right with God!

Sound doctrine will go forth in the demonstration and power of the Spirit of God. Luke says this of the Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 4:31-32:

Luke 4:31-32
31 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. 32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

The word of the Lord Jesus Christ was the ultimate in the "demonstration of the Spirit and of power". Speaking of that power the Bible says, "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him" (John 3:34). The Him in John 3:34 is the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 4:32 is the fifth time that it is said that those who heard the Lord Jesus Christ were astonished at His doctrine. What doctrine was the Lord Jesus Christ teaching in Luke 4? He said in Luke 4:4 that our existence is not to be focused upon material things alone, but is rather to be focused on every word of God. In Luke 4:8, He said we are to worship the Lord our God and serve Him alone. In Luke 4:12, He rebuked Satan for tempting Him when Satan twisted Psalm 91:11-12. In verses 17-21, the Lord quoted Isaiah 58:6 and partially quoted Isaiah 61:1-2 stopping in the middle of verse 2. The reason that their eyes were fastened upon Him when He sat down after reading is because they knew he was making a declaration that He was the Messiah. That was yet another reason they were "astonished at his doctrine". In verses 23-27, He rebuked the Jewish religious leaders because they would not receive him, but the Gentiles would. He was the Prophet in His own country. The Zidonians and the Syrians were Gentiles. In verses 28-30, they once again tried to kill Him for His doctrine. Sound doctrine provokes the false religious crowd to wrath because it convicts them in their sin of denying the Word of God. There is a cost for preaching and teaching sound doctrine. You will be reviled and threatened by the religious whores that have prostituted themselves to the doctrines of devils.

The Lord Jesus Christ had this to say in John 7:16-20 concerning His doctrine:

John 7:16-20
16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me? 20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

Folks, would to God that all of our doctrine was of God and did not seek to promote our own glory! Jeremiah 9:23-24 says:

Jeremiah 9:23-24
23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

The Lord Jesus Christ said that if any man will do the will of God that he will be able to discern whether a doctrine is of God. The Lord said they rejected His doctrine for the same reason that they refused to obey the law of Moses: they were not in the will of God and they sought their own glory. They added insult to injury when they accused him of having a devil. Has anyone ever accused you of being unsaved, or having a devil, because you identified their sin or their false doctrine? If they have not, stand for the truth and wait for a little while and they will get around to it. Today's scribes and Pharisees go about seeking whom they may devour that is teaching sound doctrine and standing for Biblical holiness. Today's scribes and Pharisees go about seeking to establish their own righteousness and doctrines outside the bounds of the Word of God. One of their Satanic tactics is to call those who stand for sound doctrine and holiness legalists and Pharisees. Isn't that like the pot calling the kettle black. What hypocrites! What whited sepulchres that are full of dead men's bones and doctrines of devils!

In His final comments concerning His doctrine before He went to the cross, our Lord had this to say in John 18:19-20:

John 18:19-20
19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

The Lord Jesus Christ boldly and openly declared the doctrine that God the Father had given Him without compromise. The doctrine of God the Father became His doctrine (John 7:16-20). If you are a child of God, then your doctrine should come from God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Ghost. The Lord Jesus Christ was crucified for His doctrine. Who are we to compromise the doctrine which has been paid for by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ? Quit ye like men! Quit acting like shrinking violets. In a post resurrection appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ to the apostle John, he had this to say about doctrine in Revelation 2:6 and Revelation 2:14-24:

Revelation 2:6
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Revelation 2:14-24
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. 18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

The Nicolaitans were an antinomian sect of heretics that exercised unscriptural authority over Christians in local churches. From the Webster's 1828 dictionary we have the following definition for antinomian:

noun. One of a sect who maintain, that, under the gospel dispensation, the law is of no use or obligation; or who hold doctrines which supersede the necessity of good works and a virtuous life. This sect originated with John Agricola about the year 1538.

Nicolaitans is a transliterated word from the Greek language. The King James translators chose not to translate it. Transliteration means to write or print (a letter or word) using the closest corresponding letters of a different (foreign) alphabet or different (foreign) language. Another example of a transliteration is the English word "baptism" which was transliterated from the Greek word "baptisma". There are many transliterations in the King James Bible. Transliteration is also an attempt to make the word sound like the language it came from. The word "Nicolaitan" literally means "above the laity". The word "laity" is an unscriptural term used by those holding the unscriptural offices of father, priest, archbishop, cardinal, patriarch, pope, reverend, and such like. Do NOT call me "Reverend". That is a title that should only be applied to God and His Word. The Nicolaitan practice was also condemned by the Holy Ghost in 1 Peter 5:1-3 where He stated:

1 Peter 5:1-3
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

Antinomianism is a heresy that teaches that you are free to live in open sin because you are no longer under the law. Just because we are under grace, that does not give us the license to sin. The Holy Ghost said in Romans 6:1-4:

Romans 6:1-4
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

NEW TESTAMENT DOCTRINE

THE TEACHING OF THE APOSTLES CONCERNING DOCTRINE

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The very first verse in the New Testament that deals with the doctrine of the apostles says this in Acts 2:42:

Acts 2:42
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

This verse could not be used to describe the doctrine of most of today's apostate churches. Today, most people are doing what is right in their own eyes. There is no stedfastness of doctrine. Note from this verse that doctrine is tied to fellowship. We are not to fellowship with those who hold doctrine contrary to that which was recorded by the apostles IN THE BIBLE. There will be more on that later. Acts 5:27-29 has this to say about doctrine:

Acts 5:27-29
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

When conflict arises between the Bible and the laws of men we are to obey the Bible even if it means we must go to jail. We are also to obey the Bible rather than men when conflicts come up between Bible doctrine and the commandments and traditions of religious apostates and heretics even if they are Independent Baptists.

NEW TESTAMENT DOCTRINE

PAUL'S USE OF THE WORD DOCTRINE

IN THE BOOK OF ACTS AND THE EPISTLES TO THE CHURCHES

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The next occurrence of the word "doctrine" is in Acts 13:12 which says

Acts 13:12
12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

This is the first use of the word "doctrine" in the recorded ministry of Paul. The word "doctrine" is used of Paul's ministry twice in the book of Acts, 23 times in the Pauline Epistles, and three times in the book of Hebrews. Of the 23 occurrences in the Pauline Epistles, 17 of those are in the Pastoral Epistles. The conclusion must be that Paul was very focused upon the importance of doctrine. Note that the Holy Ghost referred to Paul's doctrine as "the doctrine of the Lord". The focus of Paul in Acts 13:1-13 is the rebuke of the false prophet and sorcerer, Elymas (also called Barjesus), who was trying to turn the deputy, Sergius Paulus, away from receiving the faith by teaching false doctrine. What Paul done here was to call Elymas out for being the devil that he was. The doctrine that was being presented to Sergius Paulus was obviously the doctrine of salvation since he had called Barnabas and Paul so that he could hear the Word of God. After the false prophet and the sorcerer was struck with blindness and rebuked for perverting the "right ways of the Lord", it is stated that Sergius Paulus believed. Paul continued to pound doctrine in the book of Acts travelling to Thessalonica, Berea, and then Athens where he continued to preach and teach in the synagogues and publickly. In Athens in Acts 17:19, the Epicurean and Stoick philosophers called him out for examination because he was preaching the "new doctrine" of Jesus and the resurrection. This passage states:

Acts 17:18-19
18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. 19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

Paul used their philosophic curiosity to rebuke them for their idolatry and present unto them "THE UNKNOWN GOD", the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. When he preached the resurrection, he was declaring unto them the gospel. Some mocked his doctrine of the resurrection of the dead and others wanted to hear more. Such is the lot of many preachers. If they preach the truth, they will be mocked, but preach the truth they must. Paul again uses the word "doctrine" in Romans 6:17 where he says:

Romans 6:17
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Throughout Romans chapter 6 Paul is focused upon the doctrine of how the resurrection ought to impact our response to the sin that is in our lives. Paul commended the church at Rome for being obedient from the HEART unto the doctrine which had been delivered unto them. Grudging obedience is not pleasing unto God. The focus of Romans chapter 6 is that the doctrine of the resurrection ought to lead us to a life that is yielded to practical righteousness and holiness for the wages of sin is death. The next subject we will deal with is Paul's use of the word "doctrine" in 1 Corinthians 14, where he is rebuking the disorder and confusion of the church services and the abuse of speaking in tongues in the church at Corinth. This is documented in verses 6 and 26 as follows:

1 Corinthians 14:6
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

1 Corinthians 14:26
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

In 1 Corinthians 14, the Holy Ghost warned us that speaking in tongues was not to be the centerpiece of the ministry. Tongues have their place, but the Holy Ghost wants prophesying to have the emphasis in churches. The prophesying here cannot be predictive prophecy because Paul said in the previous chapter (13:8) that prophecy would cease. The prophesying spoken of here is the preaching and teaching of the word of God. Prophesying is used in two senses in our Bibles: (1) foretelling which is predictive prophecy and (2) forth-telling which is the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. The tongues spoken of here is not the Satanic gibberish that goes on in the Charismatic movement. Tongues are actual foreign languages. By the way, if there is no interpreter, we need to keep our mouths shut. A church that is out of order is in doctrinal confusion. The Holy Ghost said let all things be done decently and in order for God is not the author of confusion. If confusion abounds, the Holy Ghost has left the building, or He was never in the building.

We are in a time when Christians are being tossed to and fro in a ferocious storm of false doctrine. We can hear the wolves howling through the winds of heresy and false doctrine that are blowing through apostate American churches. There has never been a time of apostasy in Christianity like we are seeing in 2016 in American churches. Most American church members have rejected the faith that was once delivered to the saints and are in full sensual fellowship with the Devil because they have not the Spirit of God. They are on the fast road to hell. Sound doctrine is being fed to ravenous wolves who seek the destruction of Bible believing Christianity and Bible believing churches. The byword in most Independent Baptist churches today is COMPROMISE. The Holy Ghost warned us of this doctrinal storm in Ephesians 4:

Ephesians 4:13-15
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Every wind of false doctrine is manifesting itself in the so-called "Emerging Church". The emerging church is an apostate church that fellowships in the denial of practically every doctrine of the Bible. The unity that is called for by today's heretics is unified in its hatred of the Lord Jesus Christ and every doctrine that He has given us through the Holy Ghost. It promotes self esteem and numerous other psycho-heresies, what I want instead of what God wants, sodomy, sodomite marriages, women church leaders, no faith, no repentance, no hell, no standards, no holiness, no holy music, no Holy Ghost, no Holy Bible, and most of all no Lord Jesus Christ. What a tragic and wicked state of affairs. What we have is a Satanic unity in a system of perverted diversity in doctrine. Ephesians chapter 4 is not about unity with people, but is about unity with the Holy Ghost in sound doctrine. If we are in unity with the Holy Ghost in sound doctrine, we will be in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our next passage is Colossians 2:20-22 which reads:

Colossians 2:20-22
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

Colossians 2:20-22 is yet another rebuke of those who would attempt to force the Jewish food laws and holy days upon the church of the living God. Much of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul was spent combating unscriptural religious commandments and ordinances that violated God's law and commandments. Much of the doctrines and commandments of men are Satanically motivated to keep men and women in bondage to the ungodly system that created them. We have known brothers and sisters in the Independent Baptist movement that really pushed the Jewish food laws. I took them to this passage of Scripture in Colossians 2 and Romans 14 to show them that they could not make obedience to the Jewish food laws a condition of fellowship. While I believe that we would all be healthier if we lived by the Jewish food laws, the truth of the matter is that many times they just do not line up with my taste buds. I like a little ham and a smoked Boston Butt every once in a while and God's Word allows me to partake of them.

NEW TESTAMENT DOCTRINE

PAUL'S USE OF THE WORD DOCTRINE

IN THE PASTORAL EPISTLES

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We are getting ready to look at six extended passages of Scripture from eight chapters in the Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus) that contain over 30% of the specific references to the word "doctrine" in the Bible. While we will make some general comments as we read through these passages, the passages themselves are self explanatory and to the point. It does not take some great Bible scholar to interpret them literally. However, it will take genuine Bible believing Christians with convictions and a Holy Ghost backbone to receive, apply, and defend what is taught in these 13 chapters. Eight of these chapters are specifically focused on doctrine. Batten down the hatches and tighten up the seat belts because here we go folks.

1 Timothy 1:3-11
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

It is obvious from the context that the church at Ephesus had a group in it that was trying to put saved folk back under the bondage of the law. After giving a long list of sins that the law was made to prosecute, Paul closed his list out by stating that those who teach anything contrary to sound doctrine were also subject to that law. Verse 11 closes the passage out by stating that the sound doctrine was according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God. The glorious gospel is a gospel of grace and not the bondage of the law. That does not give anyone the license to sin. "God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Romans 6:2). God still requires holy living for those who have been delivered from the bondage of the law. No let us read 1 Timothy 4:1-16:

1 Timothy 4:1-16
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach. 12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

This passage is both a warning and an exhortation to Timothy concerning sound doctrine. He is warning Timothy and us about those that will depart from the faith, or apostisize, by yielding to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. The seducing spirit that has taken over in our churches and our society is the spirit of Antichrist. Forbidding to marry is called a doctrine of devils because it promotes open fornication among people and a "not so celibate" celibate priesthood. The commandment to abstain from meats can be tied to the practice of not serving any meat on Fridays unless it was fish. These commandments to abstain from meats are also tied to any cult that demands that we abide by the Jewish food laws which prohibited eating certain meats. Our churches are full of modernist hypocrites that speak out of both sides of their mouths by saying that the "love Jesus" while condemning those who believe that we ought to obey the commandments and doctrines of Jesus. Talk about consciences being seared, we are living in an age when they have been fried and charred through and through. "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush" (Jeremiah 6:15). Next we will look at 1 Timothy 5:17-20 which says:

1 Timothy 5:17-20
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

The context in 1 Timothy 5:17-20 is obviously talking about pastors and the monetary support that they are entitled to. This passage says that they are worthy of double honour (monetary support). To try to keep a pastor down by refusing to pay him is ungodly. A pastor should never be required to work a secular job to support him and his family. We deal with verses 19-20 later on. Our next passage is 1 Timothy 6:1-5 which states:

1 Timothy 6:1-5
1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

This passage in 1 Timothy 6:1-5 addresses the need for Christians to be faithful employees so that the name and the doctrine of God be not blasphemed. God does not like lazy Christians who will not give their employer a full day's work for a full day's pay. If you will not give your employer a full day's work, then please do not tell him you are a Christian because in doing so you will defame the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Titus 2: 9-10 is a companion passage to 1 Timothy 6:1-5. Romans 12:11 also says that Christians are not to be slothful in business. These two passages state:

Romans 12:11
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Titus 2:9-10
9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

The phrase "not purloining" means that you are not to take something that belongs to your employer and convert it to your own use without their permission. To do so is to violate their trust (fidelity) in you. The next passage we will look at uses the word doctrine four different times . This passage reads like today's news, but comes to us from 2 Timothy 3:1-4:5 where it is written:

2 Timothy 3:1-4:5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Though written almost 2,000 years ago now, Paul could be sitting in the pews of almost any church in America and hand them a copy of this passage and say: "This describes the unholy spiritual condition of your church". Verses 1-5 of chapter 3 describe our generation in the most accurate terms. We are living in the generation of the self-esteem dream where people love themselves more than they love God. We are so proud to be humble. It is hard for us to be humble when we are so great. We are proud and boastful to be Americans. If you are a real American Christian, that one is hard to say and hard to receive anymore. America has forsaken God and I am ashamed of what America has become. The deceased self-esteem preacher, Robert Shuller, once said that his definition of hell was the loss of self esteem. To Robert Shuller, low self-esteem was one of the biggest problems in Christianity. That is heresy folks. High self-esteem is not the solution. Self-
esteem is the problem. Paul preached against self esteem in Philippians 2:3-8 where we see:

Philippians 2:3-8
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

The Lord Jesus Christ said of himself in Matthew 11:28-30:

Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Christian, break free from the yoke of self-esteem that you have taken upon yourself. It is a very rare occasion today when it can be said of a Christian that they are meek and lowly because most Christians today have yoked up with a wagon that is pulling a huge load of their self-esteem and pride with the devil having the reins in his hands. The biggest problem we have in our churches is the strife that comes about because of the pride that is rooted in high self-esteem.

There is a doctrine promoted in our society through so-called entitlement programs that has invaded the church whereby men and women think that they are entitled simply because they exist. It refuses to acknowledge that every good thing comes to us through the hand of God. The source of this problem is unthankfulness. The entitlement mentality is one of the major reasons why people are unthankful. "Thank you" is a phrase that has been aborted from Christian conversation by unholy living. Even when some people do say thank you most people in our society today do not acknowledge it, or refuse to say, "you are welcome", but instead say, "no problem". What is that supposed to mean?!?

Being "without natural affection", verse 3, is the product of a reprobate mind that has rejected God. The phrase "without natural affection" only occurs twice in our King James Bibles: here in 1 Timothy 3:3 and in Romans 1:31. In Romans 1, it is given in the context of men having an abominable, unnatural, and ungodly sexual desire for men and women having an abominable, unnatural ,and ungodly sexual desire for women. An individual that has jumped into sodomy is without natural affection. This phrase "without natural affection" also applies to those that do not love their kinfolks as they ought to. How is it that a mother can commit mass murder against her own children. How is it that sons and daughters can murder their parents in the most brutal fashion. In both cases, it is because those devils are without natural affection.

Trucebreakers are those that are implacable and refuse to be appeased. With them, it is either my way or the highway (verse 3).

Those that are incontinent exercise no control over themselves (verse 3). They are hedonistic in that the only thing they seek in life is pleasure for themselves. "Christian Hedonism" is a heresy promoted by hyper-Calvinist John Piper of Bethlehem Baptist Church. Piper is not the only one who promotes this heresy. It is woven into the fabric of the pleasure seeking, apostate, emerging church movement.

Fierceness is a product of a heart that is without natural affection (verse 3) . It is promoted in our society by video games whose theme is: Kill! Kill! Kill!. It is one of the reasons for the mass murders in our society. It is a concept that is branded into the minds of young folks by video games that desensitize the human mind to the horrors of violence and murder. Killing a person becomes no more than a game. Violence becomes a knee-jerk reaction to a visual stimulus. Video games from all sources have resulted in a generation of nominal Christians who have at best been spiritually dumbed down. Video games promote in young Christians the very things that are condemned in this passage of Scripture. Many cell phone and video games promote the occult. The focus has been taken off of God and His Word and put onto unreasoning, mindless, Godless, unholy video games. Video games and cell phones are big killers of fellowship with God , fellowship with Christians, and fellowship with our natural family members..

We are living in a generation of reprobates who despise those that are good (verse 3). Though written as a rebuke to the men of Judah, Isaiah 5:20-21 is an appropriate description of where America is today. It states:

Isaiah 5:20-21
20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

That which is looked upon as being enlightened in our society walks in the unfruitful works of Satanic darkness. That which is called enlightened in our society is demanding that Satanic spiritual darkness be put in the place of holy spiritual light. To the average so-called Christian, and the heathen also, it is prudent to be politically correct in condemning that which is contained in the Bible. We are in a generation when almost everyone is doing that which is right in their own eyes. It is a perverted generation that is as proud as a peacock. It is a filthy generation that according to Proverbs 30 does the following:

Proverbs 30:11-13
11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. 12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. 13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

Christianity in America has never been under a greater attack. There is an all out assault being marshaled by the economic system and its Antichrist businesses, the Antichrist American judicial and legal system including the Supreme Court, by the Antichrist United States Congress and Senate, and by the Antichrist United States Office of the Presidency. Its goal is the destruction of Bible believing Christianity. It is an in your face vile and violent act of hatred against everything and everybody that is good (Godly). It is using the power of government as a tool against Christians and their entire belief system. Hate speech laws and economic reprisals for your Biblical beliefs are a violation of your right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion. The Satanic and unconstitutional exercise of government power in America is being used to promote the sodomite agenda in America which includes the transgender perversion and defacto pedophilia which has now been classified by the American Psychological Association (APA) as a psychological/psychiatric disorder. The APA also put sodomy on its list of psychological/psychiatric disorders before it was legalized. Pedophilia is NOT a disorder of science falsely so called, but rather a wicked and vile sin just as sodomy is a wicked and vile sin. There are also blasphemous so-called Christians that are promoting the blasphemy that the Lord Jesus Christ and Eve are transgender persons. There was an article by Suzanne DeWitt Hall in the vile Huffington Post on May 18, 2016 that did that very thing. The unconstitutional exercise of government power in America is also being used to protect and promote Islam in America which is anathema to Bible believing Christianity. That is the ultimate exercise in putting darkness for light.

Those that are heady could be described as rash and hot tempered (2 Timothy 3:4).

Those that are highminded think that they are better than anyone else (2 Timothy 3:4).

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" is the defining characteristic of the apostate church in 2016 (2 Timothy 3:5). For the most part, today's professing Christians are a mixed multitude that is Christian in name only. They are ever learning, but never able to come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Both Paul and Jude describe these reprobates in 2 Timothy 3:8 and Jude 17-19:

2 Timothy 3:8

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

Jude 17-19
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

Note from Jude 19 that they have not the Spirit and that 2 Timothy 3:8 says they are reprobate concerning the faith. What this means is that they are not and never have been Christians. The form of godliness they have is of the spirit of Antichrist because they have rejected the Lord Jesus Christ.

Second Timothy 3:7 describes the puffed up men and women in our generation who are wise in their own conceits, but have no knowledge of God.

Second Timothy 3:13 is a perfect description of today's false professing Christians and those people who are Christians but are in open sin because they will not study. They are deceiving and being deceived because they will not study doctrine. They are members of the ICHABOD CHURCH OF THE DECEIVED. The Bible says that God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6 says:

Hosea 4:6
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

According to Hosea, it is the two fold problem of lacking knowledge and rejecting knowledge. In most American churches, Ichabod has entered in and brought the person of shame in with him because we will not teach doctrine. Ichabod has entered in and brought the spirit of Antichrist in with him.The problem is further exasperated by the fact that most American churches have rejected sound doctrine. Therefore, the glory has left the building and their churches are crypts that make their members two fold more children of hell because they have a form of godliness, but reject the power thereof. The power thereof is the Holy Ghost of God.

Second Timothy 3:15-16 emphasizes the importance of the Scriptures in teaching sound doctrine. The phrase "inspiration of God" means "God breathed". The only other place in your Bibles where the word "inspiration" is used is in Job 32:8 and it says: "But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding". In application, it is used in the same sense in Job 32:8 as it is used in 2 Timothy 3:16: The God given Scriptures give us understanding and instruction in doctrine and in Christian living. Second Timothy 3:16 does not say that only the "original" Greek New Testament or the "original" Hebrew Old Testament is inspired. It says ALL Scripture is given by inspiration. That means that a translation can be inspired. Admittedly, many translations are not inspired because they are the products of unsaved men and women with corrupt minds who do not have a clue who the Lord Jesus Christ is. It is obvious to us that since God moved holy men of God to record the Scriptures that he would move holy men of God to translate the Scriptures. No one on the face of this earth can show you a copy of the "original" Greek and Hebrew Testaments. The advocacy for only "inspired originals" is an elitist doctrine that puts Bible believers in bondage to Greek and Hebrew scholars. We call it scholarolatry. It is tantamount to saying that we cannot fully understand the Word of God without a scholar's knowledge of Greek, Hebrew, and a host of other foreign languages. We totally reject that doctrine. We are not opposed to the study of the original languages, but we do not need them to become the very best Christian that God intends for us. Consider this: if we were placed in a situation where we had nothing but a King James Bible all of our lives and knew no Greek and Hebrew, would that make us less of a Christian, or less of a preacher, or less of a teacher than say Lancelot Andrewes who spoke and wrote fluently in seventeen (17) different languages? We trow not. The King James Bible is inspired as are many other foreign language translations that are based upon the same Greek and Hebrew texts as the King James Bible. The King James Bible is the only Bible for English speaking peoples. All other English versions are perversions. The King James Bible is the whipping post for Satan and his dollar seeking scholars. As Gail Riplinger has aptly said: "The Bible is being crucified between two thieves: the dollar and the scholar." There are no errors in the 1611 Authorized King James Bible. It is a perfect translation of the Greek and Hebrew texts that it is based upon. In fact, Edward F. Hills said that the King James New Testament is an independent variety of the Greek Textus Receptus.

Timothy is given a charge in 2 Timothy 4:1-5 to preach the word and sound doctrine no matter if its received or not. Timothy's charge comes with a warning that there will come a time when people just will not endure sound doctrine. Correction, reproof, and rebuke are strong words that have no gray tones to them. Today's nominal Christians will not receive the correction, reproof, and rebuke that comes through sound doctrine. Nevertheless, Timothy is charged to preach and teach it anyhow. We are living in a time when the church has heaped false teachers upon heaps of false teachers. We are suffering greatly from ears that have become infected by scratching them with spiritual fingers that are infected with the toxins of false doctrine. We are living in a generation for whom there are no absolutes. That is not the Christianity that is taught in the King James Bible. The next doctrinal charge is given to Titus and the church at Crete in Titus 1:5 through Titus 2:11 where it is written:

Titus 1:5-2:11
5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. 1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

These twenty-three verses in Titus chapters 2 and 3 uses the word doctrine four different times. The first use of the word "doctrine" in this passage is in the context of qualifications and standards for elders. The second use of the word "doctrine" is in the context of preaching and teaching because Titus is told to "speak thou the things which become sound doctrine". The charge is to commit sound doctrine to both the older men and the older women. The third use of the word "doctrine" is in the context of committing sound doctrine to young men. Older leaders in the church are to be examples of holy living and sound doctrine to the young men about them. The fourth use of the word "doctrine" deals with the conduct of Christian workers in the workplace. Christian men and women must be above reproach in the workplace.

Most Independent Baptist preachers know a whole lot about "the husband of one wife", but know very little about the rest of the qualifications for elders, bishops, and deacons as they are given in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and here in Titus 1:5-9. Unfortunately, most pastors, preachers, and teachers today are a bunch of money grubbing opportunists. They are not interested in the spiritual well-being of their students and their sheep.

Here are the qualifications and standards given in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 for bishops, deacons, and elders: blameless, husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, patient, not a brawler, not covetous, one that ruleth well his own house, has his children in subjection, not a novice, have a good report of them which are without, not selfwilled, not soon angry, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate, and doctrinally sound. That is twenty-five (25) separate standards and qualifications from 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 and the phrase "not divorced" does not show up in the list. Are the phrases "not divorced" and husband of one wife" equivalent in meaning? Can a man who has never been married be a bishop of a church or serve as a deacon? Can a man who has lost his wife to death be a bishop of a church or serve as a deacon since death dissolved the marriage according to Romans 7:2. We realize that Romans 7:2 speaks of the wife, but under the law, the principle is the same for the man. Death dissolves the marriage.

We are going to address an issue here that has become one of the untouchables in most fundamentalist and Independent Baptist Churches. Titus chapter 2 verses 3 through 5 addresses the ministry of the older women in the church. The older women are to be examples of holiness and truthful in their dealings with people. It says that they are to teach the younger women "to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed". We can tell you that the word of God is being routinely blasphemed in most of our Independent Baptist Churches by young women working jobs outside the home when they have children at home. The usual justification for a young mother to be working outside the home is that the family states that it cannot make it financially unless both the mother and father are working a job. Folks, that ought not to be. It violates a commandment of the Scriptures. If we say we are Christians that believe the Bible and we put our young mothers out to work, then we are guilty of hypocrisy and blaspheming the Word of God. We realize that that will offend some people, but the Bible plainly teaches that the mother is to be a "keeper at home". That is God's command and NOT a doctrine or commandment of men.

NEW TESTAMENT DOCTRINE

PAUL'S USE OF THE WORD DOCTRINE

IN THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS

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We will now transition out of the Pastoral Epistles into the book of Hebrews. In my Cambridge King James Bible, the full title of the book of Hebrews is "THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE HEBREWS". It is both a warning and an exhortation to Jewish believers. One of the primary doctrines of the book of Hebrews is the eternal nature of the perfect priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Melchisedec had no beginning of days and no end of life. Amazing! The book of Hebrews condemns and destroys works as a basis for salvation in Hebrews 3:7-4:11. Starting in Hebrews 10:38 and going through Hebrews 11:31, the phrase "by faith" is used 17 times. The word "faith" occurs 32 times in the book of Hebrews. The word "works" as it relates to the salvation of individuals is only used three times in the book of Hebrews. Twice it is called "dead works" and once it is stated that if a man has entered into the Lord Jesus Christ "he has ceased from his own works". The Lord Jesus Christ is our Sabbath. He is our NEVER ENDING day of eternal rest. The book of Hebrews talks more about the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ than any other book in the New Testament. The book of Hebrews also compares and contrasts the Old Covenant, the New Covenant, and the New Testament. In the book of Hebrews, if you carefully study the context of the words "covenant" and "testament", you will find that there was a reason that the King James translators translated the same Greek word "diatheke" as "covenant" in some places and as "testament" in other places. It can be explained thusly. The Old Covenant was both with individual Jews and with Israel as a nation. The New Covenant is a national Covenant with the nation of Israel based upon the sure promises of God in Jeremiah 31:31-34. The New Testament is an everlasting covenant sealed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a covenant between God, the individual Gentile, and the individual Jew. It was the blood of Jesus that tore down the middle wall of partition between the Jew and the Gentile. It is called a New Testament because it is a covenant that required both the blood and the death of the Testator. Without the shedding of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ there is no remission for sins. It is the blood of the New Testament that saves Jew and Gentile alike. The New Covenant is based upon the sure promises of God to the re-gathered nation of Israel alone.

The book of Hebrews is the ultimate doctrinal book even though it only uses the word "doctrine" three times. We see it used twice in Hebrews 6 where it is stated:

Hebrews 6:1-3
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit.

Hebrews 6:1-3 is a continuation of the idea introduced in Hebrews 5:10-14 that rebukes believers who will not study "the word of righteousness" that they might be able "to discern both good and evil". The "word of righteousness" is the doctrine referred to in Hebrews 6 verses 1 and 2. Paul is not saying that we should forsake the foundational doctrines, but that we should use them as the basis to move on toward doctrinal completion in the Lord Jesus Christ. The word "perfection" in Hebrews 6:1 is used in the sense of completion. Nothing can become perfect until it is completed. The order given in Hebrews 6:1-2 is important. The foundation is repentance and faith FOLLOWED by baptism, the laying on of hands, the resurrection, and the judgment. Our next verse is in Hebrews 13 where it is written:

Hebrews 13:9
9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

Notice that Hebrews 13:9 is preceded by the statement "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Why is the Lord Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever? The answer is that he changes not because He IS God (Malachi 3:6). Hebrews 13: 8 is to be applied to the doctrine of verse 9 because the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ changes not. Our hearts need to be established with the doctrines of the written word and the living WORD. We must study and meditate upon the Word of God so that we will not be "carried about with divers and strange doctrines" or "carried about with every wind of doctrine".

NEW TESTAMENT DOCTRINE

THE APOSTLE JOHN'S USE OF THE WORD DOCTRINE

IN HIS GENERAL EPISTLES

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We will finish our study of the word "doctrine" with one of the most ominous warnings in Scripture concerning deceivers and those who fellowship with them. The apostle John had this to say in 2 John:

2 John 7-11
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

This passage cannot be fully understood and interpreted without including the text of 1 John 2:21-23 and 1 John 4:1-6 where it is written:

1 John 2:21-23
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

1 John 4:1-6
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

These passages are a very strong warning to those who tolerate and fellowship with those who teach false doctrine. These passages are a very strong warning to Independent Baptists, or any Bible believers for that matter, who refuse to separate from false doctrine and those who preach and teach it. The Bible says here that if you will not separate from it and them, then you are a partaker in their sin. That means that YOU have sinned against God if YOU will not separate. These passages do not just apply to those that deny that the Lord Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. Second John 9 clarifies the whole issue for us. It states: "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God". So, it is not just talking about doctrine that denies the Lord Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh. Is the whole Bible the doctrine of Christ since He is the Word Incarnate? We know that the whole Bible is absolutely the doctrine of Christ since He gave the Scriptures to man through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Now, wiggle out of that one and lock unholy hands with the compromised ecumenical crowd and God will do more than just slap you on your hands. God has left most churches in America for this very reason. Pastors, if you will not break fellowship with the apostates and hereticks of this ungodly age, then God will break fellowship with you and then you may as well write Ichabod above the doors of your church for the glory of God will have departed from your church because you have chosen to please man rather than God. Those who fellowship with those who deny any doctrine of Christ are under the influence or control of the spirit of Antichrist.

We are finished with our study of the word "doctrine". Now, let us make some more application.

THE APPLICATION OF DOCTRINE AND BIBLICAL UNITY IN THE HOLY GHOST VERSUS

HERETICAL ECUMENICAL UNITY IN SATANIC HUMAN DIVERSITY

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There is a huge problem in our Independent Baptist Churches where we fellowship with non Baptists, and even some Independent Baptists, who do not hold to sound Biblical doctrine. A little leaven has leavened almost the whole Independent Baptist lump. In fact, a little leaven has leavened almost the whole fundamental Bible believing movement whether it be called Baptist or not. It is worded something like this: IN ESSENTIALS UNITY, IN NON-ESSENTIALS DIVERSITY. We also hear phrases like "cardinal doctrines" and "secondary doctrines". The danger in this philosophy is that it makes compromised man the arbiter, or, judge of what is biblical and what is not biblical and what is essential and what is not essential instead of making the literally interpreted and rightly divided Scriptures the arbiter. Who are we to determine what is essential and what is non-essential? Who are we to determine what is cardinal and what is secondary? Who are we to determine what doctrines are and are not important from the Scriptures. We may choose to emphasize some doctrines more or less than others, but we are not free to choose what is important to God. If it is in God's word, it is of the utmost importance. Every jot and tittle is important. If you are making a judgment as to what is and is not essential in the Word of God, then you are either adding to or taking away from the Word of God in direct violation of commandments not to do so. God had this to say on the subject of adding to and taking away from His Word in Deuteronomy 4:2, Deuteronomy 12:32, Proverbs 30:5-6, Jeremiah 26:2, and Revelation 22:18-19.

Deuteronomy 4:2
2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Deuteronomy 12:32
32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Proverbs 30:5-6
5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Jeremiah 26:2
2 Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:

Revelation 22:18-19
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

That should settle the issue of what is and what is not important in the Word of God.

Before God ever calls anyone into the ministry, He knows their limitations and what they will experience at the hands of the people because of the Word of God. Yet, He has equipped them and charged them to go forth. That was the experience of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Timothy as the following Scriptures prove:

Jeremiah 1:4-9
4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

Ezekiel 2:4-10
4 For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. 5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. 6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. 7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. 8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. 9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; 10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

2 Timothy 2:2-4
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

2 Timothy 4:2-5
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Jeremiah was told not to "be afraid of their faces". Ezekiel was told "be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks". Timothy was told to "endure hardness", "preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine", and to "endure afflictions". Man of God, if you will not declare certain portions of the Word of God because you are afraid of men, then according to Ezekiel, you are in rebellion against God and His call upon your ministry. You are a compromiser and that is not one of the 16 qualifications given for the ministry in 1 Timothy chapter 3 or Titus chapter 1. This is the charge that was given to the church by the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19-20:

Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe ALL things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

King James Bible teaching is doctrine. Note that the Lord Jesus Christ said we are to teach Christians to observe ALL THINGS that He has commanded us. The choice is His and not ours. ALL THINGS includes those doctrines that compromised Christians and unsaved professing church members attack Bible believing fundamentalists for holding to. ALL THINGS is the whole Bible since the Lord Jesus Christ is THE WORD of God INCARNATE. Paul said of himself in Acts 20:18-20:

Acts 20:18-20
18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

Notice that Paul said he held back nothing even when under attack by the religionists of his day. The most vicious and vile attacks that separated, Bible believing, Christians suffer today for standing for the truth come at the hands of carnal, compromised Christians and Christ rejecting church members that have not the Spirit. Paul also said in Acts 20:27: "For I have not shunned to declare unto you ALL the counsel of God". If you declare all the counsel of God, you will be accused of creating division and destroying unity. That is a big problem.

There can be no Christian unity in diversity of doctrine or application. We have to first be in unity with the Lord Jesus Christ against our sin and our false doctrine. Then, we can take that principle and apply it to Christ like unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. What is called Christian unity today is nothing but the promotion of compromise in application, in your face heresy, outright apostasy, and sin. Here is what today's apostate Christian unity sounds like: "We can dwell together in "Christian" unity as long as you are willing to compromise Biblical standards and doctrines. If you will not compromise Biblical standards and doctrines then you are guilty of creating division in body of Christ". In order to promote a false, Satanic Christian unity, those who will not compromise Biblical doctrines and standards are constantly harangued upon as being Pharisees and legalists. These ecumenical hereticks will even try to take over fundamentalist churches and run the separated Christians off. There is a model within the Purpose Driven Church heresy that promotes exactly that. The Purpose Driven Church philosophy is the Satanic brainchild of the Southern Baptist heretick Rick Warren. Rick Warren can take his purpose driven philosophy and throw back into the pits of hell where he got it from. I do not and will not get along with the Devil's compromised crowd. Before I will live in guilt ridden compromise, I will either leave a church and start a new church or just go to the house until I can. Ephesians chapter 4 destroys the whole modernist concept of unity in diversity. Yet, it is the very chapter that this ecumenical, wicked, Satanic crowd uses to promote compromise with doctrines of devils and compromise with evil men and seducers who wax worse and worse by deceiving and being deceived.

The unity that is promoted by today's compromisers, apostates, and heretics is under the control of the spirit of Antichrist. You cannot call someone out for false doctrine and sin because "that creates division in the body of Christ". You cannot refuse to fellowship with someone because of false doctrine because "that creates division in the body of Christ". Furthermore, calling someone out for sin and false doctrine will lead to you being called a Pharisee and/or a legalist. You will also be accused of not loving the brethren. Unscriptural unity has become the justification for everyone's sin and false doctrine: all based upon a Satanic interpretation of the unity described in Ephesians 4. The theme of Ephesians chapters 4 and 5 is our unity, or oneness, with God as stated in Ephesians 4:3-6:

Ephesians 4:3-6
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

This oneness, or unity, is between God and the believer because it leads to God being "in you all" and working through all. If we are in unity with the Spirit against our sin and false doctrine, then there will be unity among the brethren. According to Ephesians 4:13-15 this unity comes about through unwavering, sound doctrine. This passage states:

Ephesians 4:13-15
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

We are not to tolerate false doctrine. We are to speak the truth in love. Unity in diversity is a cunning doctrine of devils designed to deceive through the craftiness of wicked men and women. Why can't we just love one another and gather around the campfires of hell and sing Kumbayah?!?

It is significant that this unity in sound doctrine is included in the longest passage in the New Testament dealing with the specifics of holiness. That passage includes 49 verses between Ephesians 4:11 through Ephesians 5:27. Holiness is another doctrine that those in the ecumenical unity movement do not want to hear about because it divides because their holiness is not the Bible's holiness. Therein lies the problem. You and I are not the standard. The Bible is the standard. If you are not going to receive the Scriptures, then you and I are not going to dwell together in unity. The Holy Ghost said in Psalm 133:

Psalm 133
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

The unity spoken of in Psalm 133 is a holy unity. The anointing of the high priest Aaron with precious ointment is a type of the anointing for service by the Holy Ghost that every Christian receives. If you grieve the Holy Ghost by sin and a bad attitude, then you limit what the Holy One of God can do through you and you limit what the Holy One of God can do to promote unity among the brethren. The Holy One of God is the Lord Jesus Christ our blessed Saviour and Redeemer!

WALLS OF SEPARATION ARE COMMANDED

BETWEEN THE HOLY AND THE PROFANE:

BETWEEN THE SAVED AND THE UNSAVED

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The most dangerous people in our churches today are those who want to compromise standards and doctrines so that they can draw more people in to "preach the gospel to". The question is: what gospel and at what cost?!? The gospel that compromises scriptural standards and doctrines is an unholy gospel. Are we to offer strange fire upon God's holy altars to draw the heathen in? Are we not to distinguish between the holy and the profane when we are proclaiming the gospel, teaching the doctrines of the Bible, and worshiping God? God commands us to preach and teach sound doctrine so that we might build walls of separation between that which is holy and that which is profane. God condemns the priests and people who will not establish that boundary between that which is holy and that which is profane. God had the following to say in Ezekiel 22:26, Ezekiel 23:38-39, and Ezekiel 36:20-23:

Ezekiel 22:26
26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

Ezekiel 23:38-39
38 Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths. 39 For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house.

Ezekiel 36:20-23
20 And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land. 21 But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. 22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. 23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

To profane that which is set aside to God is to take its holiness away. Most Christians today utterly profane their bodies and their testimony by what they say, what they gaze upon, what they do, who they fellowship with, and their nakedness. Folks, there is a Biblical dress standard that is guided by the holy hand of the Holy Ghost of God. Whether you are a man or woman, if the way you dress tempts another person to sin, then you are a partaker in that sin. I have even heard some women say: "well the men should not be looking". Duh! That is exactly why God tells men and women to dress right: so that you will not be tempted to gaze upon them. The Bible still requires holiness of God's children. The Holy Ghost said in 1 Peter 1:15-16:

1 Peter 1:15-16
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

The Holy Ghost also said in Psalm 101:3:

Psalm 101:3
3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Most Christians today routinely grieve the Holy Ghost of God by defiling and profaning the temple of the living God by unholy living. Ye are that Temple. The Holy Ghost said in 2 Corinthians 6:14-
7:1:

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

For most Christians today, holiness is a theological theory that has not been applied to or proved in their lives. Are you one of those Christians for whom holiness is just a theological theory? Brother Edward has rightfully put much emphasis on the need for revival. We cannot have revival without repentance that leads to holy living. Holy living will promote sound doctrine, Biblical unity, and love for the brethren. Sound doctrine is not just sound in talk. Sound doctrine is also sound in walk. If you are a Christian, your doctrine will affect your daily walk and your daily walk will become a sounding board for the lost who need to see and hear Christ in you. If you will not hold to sound doctrine inside the church, in your fellowship outside the church, and in your personal life then you are already compromised and in much danger of losing your fellowship with the Lord and grieving the Spirit of worship in the church. What follows is descriptive of the character of apostate American churches.

Most churches today are profaned with unholy books that masquerade as Holy Bibles. If you do not have a King James Bible, you need to get one. The fruits of modern, apostate translation committees is hundreds of unholy books called bibles that breed unholy churches, and unholy professing Christians. The transgender perversion and wickedness is promoted by heretical gender neutral Satanic bibles. Among its many heresies and blasphemies, the "As Good As New Bible" promotes fornication in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9 .The King James Bible reads as follows in1 Corinthians 7:8-9:

1 Corinthians 7:8-9
8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

The "As Good As New Bible" perversion reads:

If you know you have strong needs, get yourself a partner. Better than being frustrated.

The New American Standard Bible refers to the Lord Jesus Christ as a begotten god in John 1:18. The New International Version had at least two sodomites on its translation committee and omitted numerous verses in the New Testament. The New King James Version is NOT a King James Bible. There are at least 100,000 differences between the King James Bible and the New King James perversion. The so called Majority Text and the Nestle/Aland text are used in the NKJV footnotes and marginal notes to correct the King James Bible in almost 2,000 places in the New Testament. The Greek text here referred to as the Majority Text is not the Textus Receptus which is the true majority text. The Westcott and Hort Greek Text is the basis for most New Testaments published in the world today. That text has been incorporated into the Nestle/Aland 26th Edition of the Greek Text. The Westcott and Hort text is based on a minuscule portion of the available Greek manuscripts. Of the available 5,255 Greek manuscripts available, this text uses only 45 of these manuscripts while the text of the KJV uses all of the remaining 5,210 manuscripts. Of the 45 manuscripts used for the Westcott and Hort Greek text, usually only five of these are used. Of these five, three of them are used quite infrequently in comparison to the two idols of the textual critics. These two idols are Vaticanus and Sinaiticus. We do not have time to get into it here but these two idols differ from each other in thousands of places in the gospels alone. I call the Westcott and Hort text "The Less Than 1% Text". The Westcott and Hort text changed the Textus Receptus in almost 10,000 places. The Textus Receptus, sometimes called the Received Text, is the Greek text that is used as the basis for the King James Bible New Testament. Pastor Peter Ruckman had this to say about the corrupt Vaticanus text:

"The Vatican manuscript omits Genesis 1:1 through Genesis 46:28; Psalms 106 through Psalms 138; Matthew 16:2–3, Romans 16:24 the Pauline Pastoral Epistles; Revelation; and everything in Hebrews after Hebrews 9:14."

We have said enough about Bible perversions for now. Let us continue on with the description of the apostate American church.

Many churches are profaned with unholy, Satanic strobe lights and smoke out of the pits of hell. What is being offered up by these wicked practitioners of this profane and unholy god of carnality is strange fire. God said in Leviticus 10:1-11:

Leviticus 10:1-11
1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. 3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. 4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp. 5 So they went near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp; as Moses had said. 6 And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled. 7 And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses. 8 And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying, 9 Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: 10 And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; 11 And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.

Ye cannot mix the holy with the profane and please God. It is way yonder worse than trying to mix oil with water. Many churches today are profaned with unholy, Satanic moshpits that come slithering into their church youth camps out of sex driven rock and roll drugfests that come straight out of the pits of hell. They are purely pornographic in nature. John MacArthur's youth camps have used and promoted moshpits. Moshpits are ungodly because they promote nakedness. Moshpits are ungodly because they promote physical contact between half naked young people. According to the Merriam-
Webster Dictionary, a mosh pit is "an area in front of a stage where very physical and rough dancing takes place at a rock concert". Here is how Wikipedia describes moshing:

"Variations of moshing exist, and can be done alone as well as in groups. Moshing usually happens in an area called the "pit" (sometimes called a "mosh pit") near the stage. It is intended to be energetic and full of body contact."(bold and underline empasis mine)

The Holy Ghost said in 1 Corinthians 7:1-2:

1 Corinthians 7:1-2
1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

That is a straightforward command from the Holy Ghost that rules out any abomination falsely called a "Christian Moshpit" since moshpits promote body contact. The "Christian Moshpits" are also places where perverted,unholy, profane, and Satanic hard rock "Christian" music is promoted.

Folks, holy music is a Bible doctrine also. We should neither listen to Satanic, unholy music in our private lives or bring Satanic unholy music into our churches. Contemporary Christian Music is the Devil's doorway into the church. First, Satan steals the holy Christian music. Then he steals your King James Bibles. That is followed by the destruction of all Biblical standards and doctrines. Most churches today are profaned with unholy Contemporary Unchristian Music that includes the abominations of rock and roll music, country music, rhythm and blues music, rap music, jazz music, and most Southern Gospel music. There is a so called "Christian Music" genre out there for every taste. Just choose your method of profaning God's holy music and the Devil will provide it for you. God's standards for Christian music are given to us in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 which read:

Ephesians 5:19
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Colossians 3:16
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Most music that is played in churches today, including many Independent Baptist Churches, does not meet that biblical standard. Most Christian music today is dominated by strong back beats and strong rhythms supported by drums: all of which are designed to work the flesh up. [A strong back beat puts the emphasis on the second and fourth beats and is a characteristic of rock and roll music. Most rock and roll music is written in 4/4 timing.] For this reason, most Contemporary Christian music does not put the Christian in the Spirit to worship the Lord. Music that prepares the Christian to worship the Lord are spiritual songs that put melody and grace in the heart so that Christians can meet God on spiritual ground and not carnal ground. Most music services today are nothing more than rock concerts that are so loud you cannot make out the words. The Lord says we are to make a joyful and loud noise unto the Lord and not a carnal and painfully deafening noise that is accompanied by a smoke and light show. Yet these same people will tell you that it is not the music that counts, but the words. Wrong answer! Firstly, they cannot hear the words. Secondly, their musical instruments paint a much, much stronger picture than their words ever could. That is a fact of music. Most so-called Christiuan music today can best be described as dancing with devils since it promotes that which is sensual, unholy, and profane. Someone once said, if the music gets to your feet before it gets to your heart, then the music is not spiritual but carnal. You do not have to teach a child to dance. Children will automatically start dancing when the rhythm and beat move the flesh. If you find your flesh moving to a so-called Christian song, then you better beware of that song because it is either carnal or sensual, or both. Genuine Christian songs will be melodious songs that speak to things spiritual. Most Contemporary Christian Music does not meet this standard. Another danger of Contemporary Christian music is that they have accepted sodomites into their ranks. But, the problem goes much deeper than that.

There is a major doctrinal problem in that the filth of sodomy has invaded the church. Many churches openly embrace the sin of sodomy. There is a denomination called the Metropolitan Community Churches that was organized just for sodomites. Even in Bible believing churches, many pastors, preachers, and teachers make jokes about sodomy. The pastor, preacher, or teacher that does so makes a mock of sin. God does not think it is funny when pastors, teachers, and preachers make jokes about sodomy. Light heartedness about, and toleration of, sexual sin destroys families and the environment in which families can be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Toleration of sexual sin in a church will destroy a church. Today's wicked emerging church has embraced sodomy and the sanctioning of same sex "marriage". A church that embraces sexual perversion is a synagogue of Satan because they have denied the Christian faith. A church that will appoint a sodomite, or a sodomitess, to be a pastor is in bed with the Devil and will be caste into great tribulation. Christians, their pastors, and their churches that have not stood against cross dressing, sodomy, and same sex marriage have participated in the capitulation of our society to the sodomite and transgender agenda.

The transgender wickedness is nothing more than a further degeneration, a devolution, if you will, into a profligate lifestyle that is given over to perrted concupiscent licentiousness. Because America has rejected God, there is no sexual restraint. Because our society has rejected God we see the decline into the total moral depravity that is described in Romans 1:19-32 which reads:

Romans 1:19-32
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

There is a creator folks and even the lost know that He exists because of the creation. Evolution is the denial of the existence of God. Theistic Evolution is a capitulation to the evolutionary doctrine of devils. America is a cesspool of sin that resides in all the sin of Romans chapter 1. America is a reprobate nation. America has become a baby murdering Sodom and Gomorrah. Every sort of perversion has become the accepted norm. And the church has bought into it lock, stock, and barrel. The church not only will not preach and teach against sodomy, it takes pleasure in those who participate in the sin of sodomy. Notice in verse 31 that these folks are said to be implacable. That means that they are openly hostile and that is followed by being unmerciful. Crime statistics prove that the sodomites are the most violent group around.

The transgender and transvestite agenda is in your face outright rejection and hatred of God. The sexual revolution and the perversion in America are seen as the products of an enlightened society by the progressive, left-wing, antichrist liberals. America's resistance to sin has been torn down here a little and there a little. The boundaries of toleration are constantly being pushed further and further into the pits of hell. The transvestite cross dressing wickedness is a direct repudiation of God's commandment in Deuteronomy 22:5 where it is written:

Deuteronomy 22:5
5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Yet, when we start to talk about this topic so-called liberated Christians get real nervous and rebellious. For those who are in rebellion against God, it always degenerates into an argument about just what is women's clothes or, just what is men's clothes or, just what is to tight, and such like. It is not my objective here to state what an individual should and should not wear. I do know this. If God's standard were a little more exacting, I could see some Independent Baptists breaking out the tape measure. I have learned this. You cannot clean a vessel up on the outside that has a dirty heart inside. I cannot affect that which is on the outside when the heart that is inside will not yield to the Holy Ghost. I have been around long enough to know that when men and women start pushing against God's standards on personal appearance that it will start showing up in their conversation. Men will start asking how long they can grow their hair and women will start asking how short they can cut their hair. Women will want to know exactly how long their dresses should be. Men will want to know if they can run around in public with their shirts off. It is a never ending saga for a pastor of carnal saved folks. It often results in a pastor being called a Pharisee or legalist because he thinks Christians ought to dress right. Folks if you do not dress right, you do not have a problem with the pastor or the Sunday School teacher. You have a problem with the Bible and the Holy Ghost.

The clothes you wear send a loud message. I have never seen so many effeminate men and so many masculine women like we have today: women with crew cuts and men with long blonde hair. The transvestite perversion tells us exactly why God said: "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God". I repeat this passage because it should be obvious to the discerning Christian that God's objective here is to set boundaries between male and female. God's gender specific dress standards are the first boundary that is torn down when the wicked sexual revolution starts. First carnal saved men and women start to publickly reveal more and more of their nakedness not discerning that there is a sharply defined line between what the unsaved public perceives as being properly dressed and what the Bible sees as being pornographically dressed. Many will object to the use of the term "pornographically dressed", but that is the logical outcome of man's sin nature. After men and women start showing more and more of their nakedness, then they move on to open promotion of pornography; next comes the promotion of fornication; next comes the promotion of adultery and husband and wife swapping; next comes the promotion of sodomy; next comes the promotion of sex change operations; next comes the promotion of child molestation; and finally there comes the promotion of bestiality. I have told you of the animal brothels that have been established for vile human sexual perverts in Germany. Pedophilia, in other words, child molestation is now classed as a psychiatric disorder. Warning!!! That is where sodomy started on its path to legalization in America. All of this perversion is promoted in some twisted notion of Satanic sexual freedom. God said do not do it!

If you will look at the Satanic spiritual degeneration in American television and the movies you will see almost exactly the same type of pattern I have just described. When American television and movies first started out, you would never see a man and a woman holding hands or kissing. Then it moved to bedroom scenes where married couples were shown to have separate beds. Then they were shown to be in the same bed together. That was followed by open insinuation of a sexual act between married couples. Then they started promoting open fornication between unmarried couples. Then they started obsessively promoting cross dressing and sodomy. They are openly promoting sodomite shows and they want you to know it. The commercials are openly pornographic because sex sells. They have long ago forsaken any pretense of controlling their filthy language. They ostracize and threaten Bible believing Christians and yet, Christians continue to consume this sexually perverted sewage. It stinks in God's nostrils! God said in Psalm 101:3:

Psalm 101:3
3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Most Christians would be better off if they just threw their televisions out the front door because to most of them it is a wicked thing.

Next, we will deal with the commandments of God to separate from false doctrine and hereticks.

THE COMMAND TO SEPARATE BOTH INDIVIDUALLY AND AS A CHURCH

FROM FALSE DOCTRINE AND FALSE PROPHETS

(Back To Top)

False doctrine is a very serious matter to God. The Holy Ghost said in 2 Peter 2:1-2:

2 Peter 2:1-2
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

God calls false doctrine damnable heresies. There is so much wickedness going on in the churches now that the church is almost universally viewed by the unsaved as a den of iniquity. Generally speaking, there is no difference in what goes on in the churches and what goes on in secular society in general. That has been the situation for a long time now. Adultery, fornication, child abuse, child molestations, cults, and financial ripoffs by evil charlatans claiming to be men of God has led to the church and the way of the truth being evil spoken of by the unsaved. When Independent Baptist leaders and congregations will tolerate fornication, adultery, sodomy, child molestations, and child abuse in their churches they are wicked apostates and hereticks. That is a fitting description of what happened at Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida; Hyles Anderson College in Hammond, Indiana; and First Baptist Church in Hammond, Indiana. I have nothing but contempt for them and am deeply ashamed that a movement that I am a part of has tolerated the perverted conduct of those devils for it is a shame even to speak of those things which were done of them in secret. That sin also spread from First Baptist to other churches that were heavily influenced by the First Baptist/Hyles Anderson crowd and their philosophies. However, as wicked as all that is, it pales in comparison to the rampant child molestation perpetrated by Roman Catholic priests throughout the world. Folks, I hate what some leaders in some of our Independent Baptist churches have done and I hate what the Roman Catholic priests have done! None of them are above rebuke, judgment, and punishment. They are the vilest of the vile. One of the most vile things on the face of this earth is a religious child molester. What I have been talking about in the last few minutes is the face that the outside world sees when it looks at the church and it is an ugly contorted face. Its eyes are full of tombstones because there is death in the doctrinal pot. It is a two faced church that is full of hypocrisy that preaches and teaches one thing while its members live as if there is no Holy God. Many of our churches are beautiful, pristine whited sepulchres that are full of dead men's bones. Though spoken of the Pharisees, the following is a fitting description of most of today's churches:

Matthew 23:27-28
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Most churches today are embracing every false way on the broad way to destruction. There is death in the doctrinal pot. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12). The Bible says in Psalm 119:104, 128:

Psalm 119:104
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Psalm 119:128
128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

We are to hate that which God hates. It is much better to be in full fellowship with God than it is to be in guilt ridden fellowship with hereticks and apostates that promote false ways.

So what are we to do when we are faced with a situation where a brother, a sister, or a church becomes caught up in false doctrine. We must try to deliver the individuals out of the snare of the Devil as instructed in 2 Timothy 2:24-26:

2 Timothy 2:24-26
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Those that get caught up in false doctrine and heresy are opposing themselves. If they will not forsake their false doctrine after proper instruction we are to reject them according to Titus 3:10-11 which says:

Titus 3:10-11
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

What that means is that we are not to continue to fellowship with that individual that is an heretick.

Here is where we find out where the real Christians are. I did not say perfect Christians. Will you separate from a church or an erring brother or sister based upon doctrine? First of all our decision as to who we will fellowship with individually, or other churches, is not based upon the persons of men or a denominational affiliation, but rather it is based entirely upon doctrine and sin that a church or an individual will not repent of. Most Christians today ignore God's command to be separated from sin and false religious systems. The commandment for God's people to be separated goes all the way back to Exodus 23:31-33 where it is written:

Exodus 23:31-33
31 And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee. 32 Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.

The New Testament specifically addresses the issue of being separated from sin and false doctrine in at least ten passages that include Romans 16:17-18, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, 1 Corinthians 10:20-21, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, Ephesians 5:6-12, 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15, 1 Timothy 5:22, 1 Timothy 6:3-
5, 2 John 10-11, and Revelation 18:4-5. Romans 16:17-18 makes the following statement:

Romans 16:17-18
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Here is the 2016 living apostate version of those verses: "Mark them that cause divisions based upon doctrine and sin and avoid them. For they that are such are legalists and Pharisees who want to put you back under the law". Seriously, we are to separate based upon doctrine and offences. There is not a more apt description of today's apostates and hereticks that serve not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellies and are deceiving the hearts of the simple with their philosophic, self serving, self esteem heresies. Most so-called megachurches are built upon the business model promoted by the purpose driven heresy of the Southern Baptist heretick Rick Warren. Make no mistake about it. It is a business model and not a scriptural church that is built from this heresy. It is designed to take over fundamentalist churches and run the old fundamentalists off. The heretick, and ex Southern Baptist, Andy Stanley, is an unscriptural Satanic pastor over seven churches that are making money hand over fist by deceiving the hearts of the simple. Andy Stanley is the son of Charles Stanley. Andy Stanley has said that we need to take our emphasis off the Bible and put it on the resurrection. He has stated that the first eleven chapters of Genesis are myth. He does not believe that the walls of Jericho feel down. In August of 2016, this "ex" Southern Baptist heretick when speaking at the Southern Baptist Convention's "Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission" (ERLC) made the following statement: "I would ask preachers and pastors and student pastors in their communications to get the spotlight off the Bible and back on the resurrection". Folks, that is heresy. Yet, the apostate Southern Baptists invited this man to speak to them. The invitation was extended by Southern Baptist ERLC President Russell Moore who is another apostate who does not support Israel. Birds of a feather flock together and in this case, they are unclean and hateful birds.

The following passage of Scripture throws out the judge not philosophy:

1 Corinthians 5:9-13
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

This particular passage deals with personal sin and in it the Holy Ghost commands that we are not to "keep company" or even eat with individuals who are in open sin. The Holy Ghost also commands that "put away from among yourselves that wicked person". Yet, those who are in direct disobedience to the Word of God demand that we judge not when the Holy Ghost has commanded that we judge those that are guilty of open sin. That judgment is given to the church and not to individuals.

Anyone who holds doctrines contrary to the plain teaching of the Word of God is guilty of promoting doctrines of devils. In 1 Corinthians 10:20-21, the Holy Ghost had this to say about doctrinal devils:

1 Corinthians 10:20-21
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

We are not to be in fellowship with devils because we become a partaker in their evil deeds. Most professing Christians today are partaking of the cup of Babylon which is the cup of devils passed around amongst today's ungodly churches. It is interesting that this passage comes up in the context of the Lord's Supper in chapter 11 of 1 Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 11:17-20 has this to say:

1 Corinthians 11:17-20
17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.

For the ecumenical, emerging church crowd this passage destroys their whole concept that standing for doctrine cause divisions. In this passage the Holy Ghost identifies heresies as being the source of divisions in this church at Corinth. Both the divisions and heresies are given in the context of a long list of reasons why a church should not be partaking of the Lord's Supper if it is guilty of heresies. That would disqualify most churches in America from participation in the Lord's Supper. Who am I to judge? Let the Scriptures be the judge. If this ungodly compromised crowd would forsake their heresies, there would be true Holy Ghost anointed unity in the body of Christ.

What follows is probably the best passage in the New Testament on individual separation. That passage is 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 where we read:

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

This passage adds New Testament emphasis to the Old Testament question: Can two walk together, except they be agreed (Amos 3:3)? What we have in 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 is a restatement of the oft repeated Old Testament principle of God's people being separate from the heathen around them. That does not mean that Christians are to be hermits. What it means is that we are not to be friends with the world. James said: "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God (James 4:4). We see the Old Testament principle of separation in Exodus 23:31-33, Exodus 34:10-
17, Deuteronomy 12:29-32, and 2 Kings 17:9-23. We have already looked at Exodus 23:31-33, but let us read Exodus 34:10-17:

Exodus 34:10-17
10 And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee. 11 Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite. 12 Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: 13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: 14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: 15 Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; 16 And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods. 17 Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.

There are numerous spiritual Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, and such like in so-called Christianity today. It is a mixed multitude that Satan uses to hinder individual Christians and churches of the living God. The whole point is that separation and holiness are commanded under the law and under grace. God's children are to remain separated from this world. 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 applies to every aspect of your life. It applies to your marriages, your friendships, your business relationships, and yes, even to your family relationships. The Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:34-37:

Matthew 10:34-37
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

The point of Matthew 10:34-37 is not that we should forsake our families, but that the Lord Jesus Christ is to have preeminence in our lives. The Lord Jesus Christ is to be our first love. The next passage that we will look at is Ephesians 5:6-12 which says:

Ephesians 5:6-12
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

This is a powerful passage of Scripture. Our apostate churches are full of Jehudis who have taken their penknives to the Word of God and cut out the parts that they do not want applied to them. Such is the character of the "judge not" Christians in this apostate generation who have swallowed the poison of unity in diversity. When the Bible says in Ephesians 5:6, "for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience" what things is it talking about? It is talking about those sins and sinners identified in Ephesians 5:3-5 which states:

Ephesians 5:3-5
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

The Bible says we are to break fellowship with those involved in these sins. The wicked works of verses 3-5 are said to be unfruitful works of darkness in verse 11. We are not to be partakers in their sin. We are to reprove them. There is no unity in sin. There is no unity in doctrinal diversity. According to Ephesians 5:8-9, we are to walk in the light of truth and not in the darkness of diversity. According to Ephesian 5:15 we are to walk circumspectly and not as fools. We have already spoken of the shame brought upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by the secret things done at Hyles-Anderson College and First Baptist Church Hammond by men professing to be Christians who fell into the snare of the Devil. We have seen much shame come upon the church of the living God by the unfruitful works of darkness tolerated at those two institutions. The unfruitful works of darkness at those two institutions have produced many men whose sexual sins have brought reproach upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The conduct of these men have blasphemed the name of God. As Christians, and especially Christian leaders, we must take steps to ensure that our conduct does not blaspheme the doctrine of God. There is also a charge and a warning specifically given to the older women from the Word of God also. We have the following warnings from the Word of God in 2 Samuel 12:13-14, Romans 2:23-24, 1 Timothy 6:1, and Titus 2:3-5:

2 Samuel 12:13-14
13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

Romans 2:23-24
23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

1 Timothy 6:1
1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

Titus 2:3-5
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

God used Nathan to rebuke David because his conduct gave great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme. In Romans 2, the Holy Ghost rebuked the very religious Jews because their hypocrisy had caused the name of God to be blasphemed among the Gentiles. If you will substitute the name "Independent Baptist" for the name "Jew" in Romans 2:17 and the word "heathen" for the word "Gentile" in Romans 2:24 an application can be made to the Independent Baptist movement and most other churches. We are not saying to change the Word of God here. 1 Timothy 6:1 is a charge to all Christians that they must be model workers in their places of employment so that the doctrine of God is not blasphemed. You are being watched and being held to a higher standard. Before I retired, I had an unsaved man come to me and complain about the work ethic of a guy who said he was a Christian. His statement to me concerning this Christian was: "and he is supposed to be a Christian". That is like a dagger to the heart of a Christian. The Bible's message is: "you need to be an exemplary employee with high standards of performance and behaviour". The Holy Ghost makes sure in Titus chapter 2 that the women also understand that their conduct must not cause the Word of God to be blasphemed. It is the pernicious ways of many Christians and their leaders that have led to the truth being evil spoken of as stated by Peter in 2 Peter 2:1-2:

2 Peter 2:1-2
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

No one in the church of the living God should be above rebuke. How many times have we heard "touch not God's anointed" when "great men of God" have lived in open sin or have exercised an unscriptural control over a flock that God has given him charge over?!? If some "great man of God" sets himself above rebuke for his sin because of his position, then he should be called out on it. It is the spirit of pride that leads great men of God to commit great sins if they know that they are not going to be held accountable for it. Some of the passages that deal with the scriptural approach to this problem are 1 Peter 4:17, 1 Peter 5:2-3, and 1 Timothy 5:19-21 which say:

1 Peter 4:17
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

1 Peter 5:2-3
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

1 Timothy 5:19-21
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

The church must judge the sin, false doctrine, and abuse of pastoral authority of its leaders. The leaders in the churches are elders. It is time that judgment begins at the house of God. There is an vile reluctance by compromised Christian congregations to call out the sin of their leaders because they have been intimidated by the howling wolves screaming "touch not God's anointed". These are the wolves that participate in covering up the sins of "great men of God". Great men of God are elders and must not be shown partiality. The Bible says that elders that sin must be "rebuked before all, that others also may fear". If you do not like that, then take it up with God. Dave Hyles, the son of Jack Hyles, is a perfect example of a leader that should have been rebuked publickly and thrown out of the church. Dave Hyles was guilty of adultery and fornication at least 19 different times and yet both his pastor, Jack Hyles, and his church covered up for him. Dave Hyles was moved from church to church and placed in positions of leadership with the assistance of his father, Jack Hyles. That sounds very similar to what the Roman Catholics done for their child molesting priests. We should not be surprised by David Hyles conduct since he had his father, Jack Hyles, as his best example. Jack Hyles had an affair with his secretary for years. Then you have the case of Jack Schaap who is serving 12 years in prison for having sex with an underage girl. Jack Hyles was the adulterer and fornicator who followed Jack Hyles at First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana. Jack Schaap was married to Jack Hyles's daughter. There has been at least 20 separate criminal sexual cases that resulted in convictions of students of Hyles-Anderson College and First Baptist Church: both of Hammond Indiana. These 20 individuals included some pastors and teachers. Then we have the case of Bob Gray, the deceased former pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida who was guilty of multiple counts of child molestation. Most people in Independent Baptist Churches do not want to hear about these venomously wicked and vile acts by some of their pastors. They prefer to keep their deceived heads stuck in Satan's sand. There is a consequence for covering the sins of others. Numbers 32:23, Proverbs 28:13, and Ecclesiastes 8:11 have this to say:

Numbers 32:23
23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

Proverbs 28:13
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Ecclesiastes 8:11
11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Based upon a sinful interpretation of James 5:20, the leaders at First Baptist Church Hammond and Hyles Anderson College were taught and obviously believed that soul winning covers a multitude of sin. James 5:20 says:

James 5:20
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

It is obvious from the context of James 5 and the whole Bible that the multitude of sins that will be hidden is the sins of him that is converted because they will be covered (hidden) by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Only the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ covers a multitude of sins. If you have a Holy Ghost backbone, you will stand against sin in the camp especially if it is a church leader. It does not matter how many souls he claims to have "led to the Lord". There is an unscriptural mind set out there that says the following of pastors and preachers: "Since he is the man of God, if he is doing something wrong, God will chasten him". While that is true, it does not relieve the church, the congregation and its leaders of the responsibility to exercise Scriptural discipline to put such an offender out of the church, out of the ministry, and to report criminal sexual conduct to the police. The mind set I just referred also does not answer the questions of: "What if the pastor or preacher in question is an unsaved man? Will God deal with that man on this side of eternity?". That is why it is absolutely necessary for the church to publickly rebuke and put out of its membership ALL members including leaders who commit sexual offenses, especially those against children.

The next passage we will deal with concerning the command to separate is 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 where it says:

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

First and Second Thessalonians focuses on the catching up (rapture) of the saints with chapter 2 of 2 Thessalonians speaking of the revealing of the Antichrist AFTER the rapture . In verse 6, we are commanded to WITHDRAW from EVERY brother whose conduct is disorderly and who will not abide by the teaching (tradition) that Paul gave to the church at Thessalonica whose doctrine is the subject of First and Second Thessalonians. Verse 14 repeats the command to separate from those in doctrinal error and those who will not work to provide for their families. If they will not work, we are not to feed them. Speaking of the leeches that will not work, Paul said the following to Timothy:

1 Timothy 5:8
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

What this tells me is that if you will not take care of your family you are worse than a Muslim. Note from 2 Thessalonians 3:15 that when we break fellowship with an erring brother that we are not to treat them as an enemy. We kill our enemies. That is the Roman Catholic and Independent Baptist way. Many times, even if a person leaves voluntarily, because of a doctrinal issues, I have seen and heard of so many Independent Baptist churches that treat departed members as if they were enemies of the cross. They ostracize them and many times accuse them of not being saved. That is ungodly and it is not Scriptural folks. Even if a person is put on church discipline, the purpose of that discipline is restoration and not punishment. Galatians 6:1 says:

Galatians 6:1
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.

Many Christians that should be spiritual reek of a spirit of pride that promotes backbiting and gossip instead of restoration. The spirit of meekness is much in need in our churches.

Our next passage on the requirement for separation comes from 1 Timothy 5:22 where it is written:

1 Timothy 5:22
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

This verse identifies the root cause of a lot of the problems in our so-called Fundamentalist churches. We have laid hands on to many men so fast that we did not take the time to check out their backgrounds and their testimonies. Many men are put into the ministry when they are not yet ready. That applies especially to very young men. That is not to say that being young disqualifies a man from being in the ministry. The Holy Ghost said in 1 Timothy 4:12-16:

1 Timothy 4:12-16
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

We should take the time to vet ministry candidates both doctrinally and in their Christian living before we ordain them as pastors, preachers, evangelists, and deacons regardless of their ages. Many men are not qualified to be in the ministry because they are impure in their doctrine and their personal living. There is a spirit that God puts in men that will testify to a discerning congregation that is willing to wait on the Lord that those men are ready to be in the ministry. If you will wait for the movement of the hand of the Lord upon a man, you will not lay hands on a man to quickly. Look at the emphasis on purity in 1 Timothy 4:12 and 1 Timothy 5:22. A worldly individual is neither qualified or ready to be a pastor. Pastors are to both walk and talk the Christian life giving themselves over wholly to reading, exhortation, and doctrine. God does not call lazy men to the pastorate or a preaching or teaching ministry. Any man who says he has been called to the ministry would do well to make 1 Timothy 4:12-16 his life verses. In 1 Timothy 6:3-5, we have yet another commandment to separate from those that teach ungodly doctrines. This passage states:

1 Timothy 6:3-5
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

This passage is very descriptive of many Independent Baptists in 2016 who have a head full of doctrine, but a heart full of hell. They can argue doctrine with you all day long, but that doctrine has not made one jot or tittle's difference in how the live their lives. We are in a generation when men and women are ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. First Timothy 6:3-5 is a very strong passage. A man that is eat up with spiritual pride will eventually commit spiritual suicide if he does not repent. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth describes unsaved liars that do not have the mind of Christ. These men are succinctly described in Titus 1:15-16 which reads:

Titus 1:15-16
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Those described in these passages are guilty of seeking filthy lucre because they suppose that monetary gain is a gauge of godliness. The commandment is to separate from these reprobates. Titus 1:11 says that these people "must be stopped":

Titus 1:11
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Every time I hear the phrase "filthy lucre" people like Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyers, Kenneth Copeland, Rick Warren, Jimmy Swaggert, and so forth come to mind. The Bible says to rebuke them, but there's not much of that going on today because we have ordained a generation of preachers with wet noodles and jello for spiritual backbones. In our final two passages in the New Testament that deal with the command to separate we see that we are warned not to be partakers with those who hold to false doctrine. Our final two commandments to separate from false doctrine come to us from the pen of the apostle John who had this to say in 2 John:

2 John 7-11
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

The Satanic belief that the Lord Jesus Christ is not God in the flesh is a hallmark of apostate Christianity and most English Bible perversions take the word "God" out of 1 Timothy 3:16 where it is written:

1 Timothy 3:16
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

The most wicked and vile deniers of the doctrine that states that the Lord Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh is the devils of Islam. This is a doctrine that came into the Satanic mind of that vile false prophet Mohammad straight out of the pits of hell. Yet there are Christian hereticks that receive them into their vile houses of Satanic worship and falsely proclaim that the god of Islam is the God of the Bible. Islam and that doctrine that denies that the Lord Jesus Christ came in the flesh are of the Antichrist. When Christian hereticks invite those Islamic devils into THEIR houses of worship, they become two-fold partakers of the condemnation of 2 John because they invite them in and wish them God speed. Therefore, these liars are partakers in this doctrine of devils. This condemnation also applies to the Unitarians, the Jehovah Witnesses, and any other Satanic, Arian cult that denies that the Lord Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh. If you are a Bible believer, 2 John commands that you separate from ANYONE who denies that the Lord Jesus Christ came in the flesh. The wicked attempt to Christianize Islam is called Crislam. The final commandment that God's people are to separate from false religion and false doctrine comes to us from out of the Tribulation in Revelation 18:4-5 where it is commanded:

Revelation 18:4-5
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Some people will try to justify their refusal to separate based upon doctrine by stating that separating based upon doctrine is creating division. SO BE IT! You can gainsay me or my interpretation, but you cannot gainsay what the Holy Ghost says in the Scriptures. I have quoted passages of scripture and been told: "that just your opinion," or "that's just your interpretation". My response to that type of justification is: what does the bible say?. If you do not separate, you are in a direct confrontation with the commandments of the Holy Ghost.

IS IT SCRIPTURAL TO CALL APOSTATES AND HERETICKS OUT BY NAME?

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The answer to that question would be an unequivocal yes. Paul called out Phygellus and Hermogenes in 2 Timothy 1:15 for turning away from him:

2 Timothy 1:15
15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

Paul called out Hymenaeus and Philetus for their false doctrine in 2 Timothy 2:16-18:

2 Timothy 2:16-18
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

In 2 Timothy 4:10, Paul called out Demas for loving the world more than he loved the ministry.

2 Timothy 4:10
10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

Finally Paul called out Alexander the coppersmith in 2 Timothy 4:14 for having done him much wrong:

2 Timothy 4:14
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

The last individual in the New Testament that is called out by name is Diotrephes in 3 John 9-10 who had an ego problem because he desired to be number one:

3 John 9-10
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

Not counting Paul's publick rebuke of Peter, that totals up to seven different individuals who were called out by name for publick rebuke. In Acts 13:9-10 Paul sets a precedent of public rebuke for public offenses. Paul also withstood the apostle Peter publickly to his face in Galatians 2:11-21 when Peter was teaching false doctrine at Antioch. You heard that right! An apostle was publickly rebuked. What that means is that none of us, regardless of position, is supposed to be above rebuke and correction. Paul called out names and called out false doctrine. First Timothy 5:20 says: "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others may also fear". We have heard Paul preached against for his publick rebuke of false doctrine as if he sinned against the person he rebuked. That is not good preaching since it is obvious that the Holy Ghost led Paul to do it and made sure it was recorded in Scripture without a corresponding rebuke of Paul. What is the logical outcome of the command in Romans 16:17-18?:

Romans 16:17-18
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

How else are we to "mark them" and "avoid them" other than calling them out by name?

CONCLUSION

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Are you ready for the battle with the Devil and his false prophets and sinister ministers that is to come? In the battle that is before us, we must have a deep, Holy Ghost anointed, knowledge of the doctrines of the Bible. The Devil's false apostles, deceitful workers, and sinister ministers are described in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 as follows:

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Be prepared and in fellowship with God and you will not be deceived. We are not ignorant of Satan's devices. The good news for the Christian is that we have the wisdom of God dwelling in us in the person of the Holy Ghost of God who is our teacher, our discerner, and our guide into all truth. The following is our final charge from the Scriptures to every Christian as we close this study on "THE IMPORTANCE OF DOCTRINE":

1 Corinthians 16:13
13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;