The Teachings of the Apostolic Signs Teacher

THE TEACHINGS…

OF THE APOSTOLIC SIGNS TEACHER

     The man stands on a stage in front of thousands of followers; he brings up a person who is hobbled or dying of a serious sickness then he places his hand on him and pushes him down and proclaims the person is healed.  Time and again, this kind of false teaching is presented to the blind sheep that follow after him.  At times he speaks an utterance that is indiscernible to anyone listening, but that is okay, because he is speaking in his “tongues language.”  The people will flock to him because “HE HAS THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!”

     The problem is – this is not biblical in today’s time period that we live in.  In each chapter of “When Is It Time To Change Churches?” there will be people who will mock, deride and condemn this book because they want so much to hold fast to the false teachings that they have followed for so many years.  Even though Scripture is used to prove the contents of this book, they will still cling to that which is false.  Why?  It has to do with pride.  They have thought they were doing the Lord’s work for all these years and they do not want to admit they were led astray.  It is more important for them to continue the charade than to humble themselves and ask God to lead and direct them appropriately.   Take time now to ask God to speak to you.  Ask Him to open Scripture up to you so you can understand His Word better.  You do not need to have a seminary degree, in fact, a seminary degree is no guarantee that a person has been properly trained as many seminary professors are wolves in sheep’s clothing.  Many seminaries are guilty of teaching false doctrine.  Many professors within those schools are false teachers that have perverted the Word of God by inputting their own opinions into Scripture.   Westcott and Hort (NIV authors), did not believe that Jesus was God.  Westcott believed in Mary worship.  Hort believed in keeping Roman Catholic sacraments.  He also rejected the infallibility of Scripture.  Hort also took great interest in the works of Charles Darwin while both he and Westcott rejected the literal account of Creation.  Westcott did not believe in the Second Coming of Christ, the Millennium, or a literal Heaven.  They both rejected the doctrine of a literal Hell and they supported prayers for the dead in purgatory.  Hort did not believe in the Trinity or in Angels.  Westcott was known as a communist and was also known to be a beer drinker.  The two of them kept company with “seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.”  They started the Hermes Club in 1845, and the Ghostly Guild in 1851.  They also started the Eranus Club in 1872,  these were spiritualist groups which believed in such unscriptural practices as communicating with the dead.

     The NIV and all of the other perverted translations of the bible have gotten their birth as a result of Westcott and Hort.  They all teach a gospel different than that of the KJV Bible.  They all compare themselves with the KJV and they all fall terribly short.  Anytime Christ is taken out of the bible, it is time to go back to the KJV.  With that being stated, take a look at what Scripture has to say about apostolic signs for today.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; 
they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink 
any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, 
and they shall recover.  So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, 
he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.  
 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], 
and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.  Mark 16:15-20

     Remember what 2 Timothy 2:15 says?

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

     Would everyone agree that Mark 16:17 says “these signs?”  It is right there in front of the readers whose eyes are open.  THESE SIGNS…

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

     The signs were for Israel.  Plain and simple.  Signs were given to Israel, they lived by signs and they demanded signs.   How many times have you heard someone say, “If only God would give me a sign, I would believe in Him.”?   (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)    2 Corinthians 5:7

     It is common for people to quote the above scripture, but at the same time, they do not actually believe that statement.   They require a sign just as Mark 16:17 says.  Those who do not believe require a sign in order for them to believe.   So then, there are many who profess to have the ability to “heal” people.  Ever wonder why those people do not walk into every hospital in the world and heal all the people?  Ever wonder why those who speak in “their” tongues, never do it outside of church?  Ever wonder why you don’t see anyone holding venomous snakes and allowing themselves to be bitten?  Ever wonder why you do not see people drinking poison in the name of the Lord?  It is all because they are not of the Lord.  The so called power that they have does not come from God but from a different source.  Watch the next time you are channel surfing and you see a group of people in church speaking in tongues.  Watch and see the people rolling around on the floor like they are crazy or crazed.  They are possessed, but it is not of the Holy Spirit that they are possessed. The bible tells us that everything in church is to be done properly.

     Let all things be done decently and in order.             1 Corinthians 14:40

     Church is not to be a time or place of confusion, as God is not the author of confusion.  It is not to be a time of reckless abandon.  To have several people trying to talk at the same time is to have no sense of order in church.  This is going against God’s Word and His design for what a church service is to be like.  If Satan were to lead a church service, he would make it out of sync from what a true church would be.  He would take God’s Word and twist it to mean what it does not mean.  The Greek word of “tongues” found in the bible is “Glossa” which means:   the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations.  No where in the bible is glossa meant to be an unknown tongue that is nothing more than babbling.  And especially, no where in the bible is there a sign of rolling on the floor uncontrollably laughing.  Satan has control of these churches and the eyes of the believers are blinded to the truth.
 

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:  So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.  Romans 12:4-5

     While watching some big name television evangelist (that term is being used very “loosely” here), it is amazing to see how they condone behavior that has people laughing, acting like animals, barking, and even acting drunk all in the name of Jesus.  Here is the scripture that they use to justify their satanic behavior.

And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 
 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.  Acts 2:12-13

     While watching a Word of Faith preacher on television, he mentioned this verse of scripture and all of a sudden everyone in the church started acting like they were drunk.  They were all laughing, rolling on the floor, and claiming to be drunk in the spirit.  Yes, they were drunk in the spirit; but not of the Spirit of God.  It was demon possession that caused this to happen.  It is important to show the verses that this so-called pastor neglected to mention to the congregation.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  Acts 2:1-4

     They have no problem with these verses…

     It’s the ones that follow that condemn them!

And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. VERSE 5

     Who was it that was dwelling at Jerusalem?  It was the Jews.  And what kind of people were they?  They were devout men.  They were people who would strive to please God.  They just didn’t know the one true God.  They are being taught about Jesus at this time.  Where did they all come from?  They came out of every nation under heaven.  It would be like people coming to Chicago, Illinois.  There would be people from Canada, Mexico, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Russia and Japan.  They all spoke different languages.  They all wanted to serve God and they all desired to honor God.  But there needed to be a way for them to learn about the one true God of the Bible; to learn about Jesus Christ.  

Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, 
because that every man heard them speak in his own language. VERSE 6

     The multitude of people came together.  A large crowd ensued.  While gathered together, they were confounded.  Imagine if you will; the apostles were all speaking in a language that each man could understand.  They were in a foreign land, they each spoke a foreign language and yet, they were hearing these men speak in a language that they could understand.  They were confounded.  How could this be?  How in the world could these men speak in our language? They must have thought to themselves that this was amazing.  They were not hearing men speaking babble. Now, these would have been Jews that would have expected to hear the Apostles speaking Aramaic or even Greek; but most definitely, they did not expect to hear these men speaking to them in the language of the lands they represented.  They were literally confounded.  The apostles were not rolling on the floor barking like a dog or laughing uncontrollably.  The apostles were proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ in a language that each of them could understand.

And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another,
 Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? VERSE 7

     They “did” think it was amazing and “why” did they think it was amazing?  Was it because these so called drunk men were babbling nonsense? No.  It was because they were speaking to them in their own language.  The apostles were not native to those other lands.  This was truly an act of God that allowed them to speak in the way that they could understand.

     Be prepared for what is about to follow in scripture.  If you or someone you know is involved in the following, may God open your eyes.

Rhēgnymi

     Remember the above word.  Learn what it means.  It is pronounced: rhā'g-nü-mē.  It is found in Strong’s G4486 out of the Greek language found in bible.  Here is what it means.

1.      to rend, burst or break asunder, break up, break through

a.      to tear in pieces

b.      to break forth

c.       to distort, convulse

1.      of a demon causing convulsions

2.      to dash down, hurl to the ground (a common occurrence in cases of demon possession and epilepsy)

     Now look at what God’s Word says.  This will be used in Mark 9:17-18.

And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;  And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.  

 Take note of the word “pineth” in the above verse.  It will be mentioned later.  In the days when Jesus and the disciples walked the earth, there were people who were possessed of devils.  Even today there are many who are possessed of devils (many are in so called churches).  First off, these churches have people speaking in babbling tongues (not foreign languages but only with unknown utterances), next these churches have people who roll on the floor behaving very erratically.  They bounce around on the floor rolling and bobbling up and down and then come to a point of stiffness.  The people in the church claim that they are filled with the Holy Spirit of God.  Look again at what Mark 9 says.  The devil teareth him.  In fact, the word used is  Rhēgnymi.  Which in this particular usage means:  to distort, convulse.  Taken even further it means:  to dash down, hurl to the ground (a common occurrence in cases of demon possession and epilepsy).  So when people are throwing themselves down on the ground (all in the name of the Holy Spirit), what is happening is they are possessed of a devil.  How can we tell it is of the devil?  Take a closer look at the word “pineth.” 

Xērainō

     This word is pronounced as:  ksā-rī'-nō.  It is used to mean “withered.”  It is a sense of drying up.  It becomes rigid.  The body that was convulsing has now become rigid.  This was the effect of one who was demon possessed.  And yet, in churches today, we have people behaving like this and they call it possessed of the Holy Spirit.  False teachings abound and it is causing too many people to never truly know God.  They are desiring the ability to “prove” how spiritual they are but in reality, they expose themselves as being of the devil. 

     Have you sat under this kind of teaching?  Do not dismiss what Scripture says.  For those who are able to discern the Word of God, it is frightening to see how God’s Word has been manipulated to mean what it does not mean.  It is no wonder considering these churches all read out of the perverted translations of the bible, which deny that Jesus is, in fact, God. 

     Still have doubts about this?  There are so many verses that have been changed or removed completely by the perverted versions that it should cast no doubts whatsoever.  Look at Acts 8:37.

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

     This whole verse is missing from the NIV, NLT, ESV.  Even in the NKJV it casts doubts over the authenticity of this verse.  But again, it must be understood that these false versions came out of Alexandria and not Antioch.  Which leads to the next chapter…

ALEXANDRIA OR ANTIOCH

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

When is it...Time to Change Churches? End of Part 1

END OF PART 1

THE PASTOR

Pastors come in many different sizes and shapes. The pastors have many different types of personalities. Some pastors have a desire to do home visitations; others have a strong desire to do a prison ministry. God can and does use many different types of men in the role of pastor. An effective pastor, who is truly preaching the whole counsel of God’s Word, is one who will be effective in reaching the lost person. That does not necessarily mean he will have the largest church and be on TV. What it does mean is that the people within his church will have a burning desire to be in God’s House every time the doors are open. The people will want to hear God’s Word spoken and taught properly. They will not go for the sake of being entertained, told jokes, and made to cry. They will go because they have a true love for God. They will go even though sin is preached and the call for repentance is demanded of all true followers of Christ. God’s love is preached but so is His Wrath. It is not a one-sided message. It is the whole counsel of God’s Word.

The message taught in this book will be consistent. DISCERNMENT!

Without discernment by the pastor, he will teach false doctrine. Without discernment by the congregation, they will fall for anything the pastor teachings.

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

When studying the word of God, are you rightly dividing the word of truth? Or are you only taking the scriptures you agree with and disregarding the ones you do not like? Again, if you say that the bible is the inspired, inerrant and infallible word of God, then don’t eliminate any part of the bible. Take everything in context to the rest of the chapter as well as the bible as a whole.

For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 4:33

One final comment in regards to pastors.

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 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; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:2-4

When is it...Time to Change Churches? Chapter 8

THE PASTOR AS…

THE WOMAN IN CHARGE

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 1 Timothy 2:12

The above scripture was written by the Apostle Paul. And yet, women and men, will deny that this scripture has any relevance for us today. They will say to you that Paul was an arrogant, woman hating, discriminating and culturally suppressive apostle of Christ and that not all of what he says can be taken literally for us today.

And what is it that these men and women are declaring?

ONLY THEIR OPINION

It is not based on fact. It is not based on anything scriptural. It is not based on God-given revelation. It is all based on personal opinion. No where in Scripture is a woman given an authoritative position over a man, especially within the church. Nowhere! Sure there are instances of prophetesses, and even deaconesses, but no place in scripture does it have a woman in the leadership role of a church as an elder or as a bishop. In fact, the Apostle Paul tells us that the Corinthian church was basically the only church that was allowing women to lead services and he says that it should not be like this. In fact, look at how he is writing to them…

What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 1 Corinthians 14:36

The Corinthian Church had done many things in a disorderly fashion. Several people were up standing and talking at the same time, many people were speaking in tongues (languages) without an interpreter, women were speaking, teaching and leading and Paul had to remind the church of the ways of God. He reminded them that it was he (Paul) who brought the Word of God to them. It was he that told them how to conduct a service. Paul was disappointed at how far the Corinthian church had fallen. So, in the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 14, Paul is teaching the people, once again on how to conduct a service. As you read the following verses, keep all of this in mind how Paul is redirecting their focus and attention on doing things the Lord’s way.

For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. V. 33

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law. V. 34

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire [shall be] to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. Genesis 3:16

From the very beginning, God had ordained that the man was to be over the woman. This counts for the home as well as in the churches. And yet, many women and men, will make the excuse that this is Old Testament and the law went out when Jesus came. The only problem with that argument is that the Apostle Paul who was ordained of God (in the New Testament era), is the one who continued the tradition set forth by God after Jesus ascended up to heaven. The Apostle Paul taught in all of the churches that he was responsible for, that the women were not to be in a leadership role. The other churches had no problem obeying this command, and if they had, the Apostle Paul would have dealt with them on this issue as well.

And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. V. 35

On the same note as it is a shame for women to speak in the church (in a leadership role over men), it is also shameful if the man is not taking the leadership role over the women in the church as well as in the home. Any man who is subservient to his wife in church, or any man who is subservient to a women in church, is going against the Word of God and following after the lie (created by the devil). The man is to be the spiritual leader in the home as well as in the church. The above verse does not deny that women were used as prophetesses, or as deaconesses, but rather denies the woman the right to have a leadership role (pastor or bishop) of a church.

What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? V. 36

The Corinthian Church was in disarray. Things were not being done in an orderly fashion. Confusion was rampant in the early Corinthian Church. Paul is mocking them to the point of – “you are not doing the things I taught you in the beginning. The other churches are orderly, but you are not. You have people speaking in different languages with no interpretation; you have women all leading services, which ought not to be. Did God give you a different revelation that what I had given you from God?” The answer is NO! Remember, God is not the author of confusion.

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. V. 37

And yet, many women and men, will deny the very things that Paul is writing here. For those people – DO NOT GO AROUND SAYING YOU BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS THE INSPIRED, INERRANT WORD OF GOD. DO NOT GO AROUND SAYING YOU BELIEVE IT IS GOD BREATHED. Because to do so and yet deny that the words Paul is teaching here is biblical, is to call God a liar. The Word of God is not in you. You would rather follow after a man than follow after the true words of God. If Paul wanted to please the desires of man’s heart, he could have let the women preach in church. But to do so, would have been to go against the Word of God. The Apostle Paul was a man of God. And yet, many people who have grown up with the lie, are not willing to give up the lie in order to be right with God. They have lived their whole life following after the deceitfulness of the devil and they are not willing to give it up. This is how the churches become corrupt in the eyes of God. This is how deceit, contempt and outright disobedience infiltrate the churches today. When people ignore scripture, when they ignore God’s Holy Word and decide to follow the teachings of man, they will inevitably fall to the wayside (as in the parable of the sower).

In 1 Corinthians 4:1-21, the Apostle Paul is speaking about himself and his fellow servant, Sosthenes. Compare how the apostles are viewed by the world in comparison to how the Corinthian Church is view. When you read the “we” it is talking about Paul and Sosthenes; when you read the “ye” it is talking about the Corinthian Church.

Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We [are] fools for Christ's sake, but ye [are] wise in Christ; we [are] weak, but ye [are] strong; ye [are] honourable, but we [are] despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, [and are] the offscouring of all things unto this day. 1 Corinthians 4:8-13.

The Corinthian Church had brought in pagan activities as part of their church service. Paul is using irony as a way of pointing out how different they are to the apostles. Everything that Paul is pointing out is a sign that the Corinthians were accepted by the world and not in any way different than the world. God has standards that the church must uphold. Now, as the comparisons between Paul and Sosthenes to the Corinthians church is exposed, it is obvious there is something wrong. As a Christian, you WILL be persecuted. The devil will attack you as he does not want anyone to be faithful to God. Take a look at what Paul says in verse 14.

I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn [you]. Verse 14

Do you still want to ignore the Apostle Paul as being a person who discriminates against women? As a person who hated women so much that “he” would not allow them to preach in church? The Corinthian Church had fallen prey to the deceitfulness of the devil. Paul was trying to correct the errors of their ways.

For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet [have ye] not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Verse 15

The church was following after so many different types of teachings that it had caused them to go away from the truth of God’s Word. Paul is desiring that they get back to the way he had taught them in the beginning.

Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. Verse 16

People will quote the above verse over and over again and yet, when push comes to shove, they will deny the very words they speak. They will deny the words spoken of by the Apostle Paul.

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 1 Timothy 2:12

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law. V. 34

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire [shall be] to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. Genesis 3:16

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. V. 37

The same scriptures are quoted that this chapter began with. Are you prepared to deny the Apostle Paul’s words and teachings as not being biblical? Will you say that the very man that Jesus Christ himself set apart as an apostle to reach the Gentiles; the very man responsible for starting the churches in all of the outlying areas as being a man “not” ordained by God? He was persecuted for his faith and he showed boldness beyond measure (by man’s standards). This is not about personal opinion. This is about the Word of God. It takes discernment when it comes to God’s Word. Many people will be angry and will be prepared to fight over this chapter. The biggest problem is, they will have no weapons or ammunition to use to back up their claims. Why? Because it is…

ONLY THEIR OPINION

When is it...Time to Change Churches? Chapter 7

THE PASTOR AS…

ONLY ONE SIDE OF MESSAGE GIVEN HERE

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

John 3:16 is an old standby for many pastors who have forgotten about the rest of the bible and God’s Word. Their sermons begin and end with God loves you. Is this bad? No, not in the basic sense, but here is the problem with only hearing this one message…

Matthew 4:17 speaks about Jesus as He was beginning his earthly ministry.

“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Jesus did not begin his ministry by saying, “I love you, come follow Me.” No, actually it was started out by a warning and a cry that said, REPENT, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. When the disciples went out preaching the gospel message, did they say to the lost people, “Jesus loves you, come follow Him like we do?” No. They were commanded to preach that men should repent.

And he called [unto him] the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; Mark 6:7

And they went out, and preached that men should repent. Mark 6:12

The disciples did not ignore the real message of Jesus, that He came into the world with a message of repentance of sins. People were to turn to God, repent of their sins, put their faith and trust in Jesus and obey His words and teachings.

And we have many pastors, or so-called pastors, preaching every Sunday from behind the pulpit only giving half of the message of God. They completely neglect the need to repent of sins. Why? Is it because it might offend the listener? It might cause them to feel uncomfortable? Kind of like the pastor who tells jokes to the congregation because he feels that God’s Word can get kind of heavy and convicting and he does not want anyone to leave church with a downcast look on their face. The truth of the matter is that God’s Word can be heavy and convicting, but that is a good thing, not something to be shunned. It is meant to convict us of our sins. Why? So we will realize the need for a Saviour and will repent of our sins. We will have a better understanding of how God loves us. He sent His Son to die in our place. Those who keep God’s command have the love of the Father in them. Those who do not keep His commands do not have the love of the Father. If you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.

Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15

Many pastors and people in general will cite John 15:9 as Jesus declaring his love for the people.

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

At first glance, this looks to be true. But do not take scripture out of context. The pastor who will tell you this verse, will ignore the very next verse in his preaching.

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. John 15:10

“IF” ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love…

Pastors today are so scared, and probably not scared so much as ignorant, of what scripture truly says. They have been brought up in the lie that the only message we are to give is God’s grace. They will tell you that since Jesus came, we live in a time of God’s grace. The truth of the matter is, we have always, since creation, been living in a time of God’s grace. God could have destroyed Adam and Eve when they first sinned. When He flooded the earth and only saved the eight on the ark, He could have destroyed them shortly after they landed on dry ground. Noah got drunk and from there on, sin reared its ugly head again and forever more (in an earthly sense).

Yes, God’s grace is extremely awesome and we are definitely not worthy on our own to receive His grace and His mercy. But to only give one side of the whole gospel message is wrong. Read the Book of Acts again. Look at what Paul said in Acts 20:20,

“[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,”

Paul held nothing back. He preached the whole gospel of Christ. Not just the things that “feel good” to the listener, not just the things that will tickle the ears of the congregation. No. He preached it all, he held nothing back. Look at verse 26.

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I [am] pure from the blood of all [men].

He is pure from the blood of all men. How can he say this and why does he say this. First off, the “why” he says this, is found in Ezekiel 33.

Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take [any] person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked [man], thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins [be] upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? Say unto them, [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his [righteousness] in the day that he sinneth. When I shall say to the righteous, [that] he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; [If] the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live. Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal. When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways. Ezekiel 33:1-20

Paul, taking the role of a watchman, sees it as his duty (and it is everyone’s duty) to warn the people of God’s wrath that is to come upon all who are disobedient to His Word. He is confident that he has fulfilled that duty. His hands are clean, as is his conscience, that he has proclaimed the whole gospel of Christ to the people.

As for the “how” can he say this (about his hands being clean)? Look at what verse 27 says in Acts 20.

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Paul had not shunned his duty to declare the whole gospel message of God. He was faithful in his duty as a follower of Christ. How many pastors of today can make the same claim? Not very many pastors overall, considering that most pastors only feed the congregation half of the counsel of God. The end result is seen in the following passages in Acts 20.

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:28-30

Look at the pastor of today. He speaks and acts in a way to be accepted by the world. He entertains, he jokes, he cries, he false for every false teaching and he only gives half of God’s Word and half of God’s character to the congregation. People are made to feel good about themselves. So long as they leave church feeling good and smiling, then the pastor has done his job. No conviction of sins, no call for repentance, no mention of the wrath of God, no mention that Jesus said that not all who think they are saved, shall be saved.

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. 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 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: Matthew 7:21-24

Many pastors are negligent in their duty as pastor. They have neglected the meat of the Word of God. People no longer fear God, they no longer feel obligated to repent of their sins, in fact, they expect the church to accept them just the way they are and they want to be included in all levels of leadership within the church. We are all sinners, but the person who lives in their sins, the person who makes provision to sin is the one that Jesus will say, Depart from me you worker of iniquity, I never knew you.

God loves you! He loves you so much he sent his only Begotten Son to die on the cross for your sins. If you forget everything else in the book, remember this one thing…

The first words Jesus spoke in ministry were, Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Is your pastor only giving you half of God’s Word? If so, you need to leave that church. You need to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, put it to prayer and listen to God directing you. Just because a church is considered a mega-church, is no reason to belong to it. Just because everyone else goes to that church does not mean it is blessed by God. Large numbers of people followed Jesus and when He required them to repent of their sins, they all left. If you are in a church that does not require you to repent of your sins, then you are being misled. Run, don’t walk, get away from that pastor (and I use the term loosely) and that church. It is time to change churches!