Backsliders

Pastor Michael · Member

Backsliders

Pastor Michael · Member

We viewed in part about backsliding, which I have more later to come (Lord willing). But today we want to look at those who simply make mistakes. Can we say that whosoever makes a mistake is considered the same as those who walk away from God....to return to the beggerly elements of the world. Judge in yourselves. Lets start off with what Paul had to say.

1 Corinthians 15:31
I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Did Paul die a physical death and was ressurected everyday? No. But rather he was speaking of what he might have done not pleasing to God, and what Paul had to do to live a Christian life. We are prisoners of the Lord Jesus Christ. The things of the flesh, though we sometimes want to do, we cannot. The things of the Spirit, though we find hard to do, is what we have to do.

1 John 3:8
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

When we look at this scripture and view the word committeth, commit means to do or to perform. It also means to be dedicated, pledged, or obligated. It also means to be intentional in this state.

Matthew 5:28
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Now the scripture here doesn't say that if you simply look at a person (whether it be a him or her) but that if you look at them to LUST, which is an unrestrained act of sexual craving. This is not a simple mistake. The mind processes thoughts and feelings in miliseconds. The sensual desire of the act of committing adultery is not a simple mistake. Note the scripture again...it says to lust after (with an intense and unrestrained sexual craving) Ask yourself how can that be a simple mistake! This is a voluntary action and then it goes on to say that those that do this have committed adultery (which means pledged, obligated, and intentionally thought this out) and had already in their heart done this act. Like I said the brain in miliseconds processes thoughts of feelings and actions.....with unrestrained intentions. So consider this scripture VERY closely. This is not a mere act or mistake. It is very intentional on the persons part. Note once again it said to lust and committed themselves to the act. This is not a mistake, read it again. Some people would like to make you believe that this is a mistake, but the word of God plainly teaches us that it is an act of committal which you voluntarily do!

lust    ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (lst)
n.

Intense or unrestrained sexual craving.

Numbers 20
11   And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

In Numbers 20:8 the Lord told Moses to speak to the rock. But Moses, out of frustration, smote the rock twice. Moses, as I said, out of his frustration....never spoke to the rock but rather smote it twice. Moses made a mistake. It cost him by not being able to go in to the promised land....because of the mistake. But God still counted him as a bearer of His Word.

Luke 16:31
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

1 Timothy 2
5   For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

mediator

Me"di*a`tor, n. [L. mediator: cf. E. m['e]diateur.] One who mediates; especially, one who interposes between parties at variance for the purpose of reconciling them; hence, an intercessor.

Hebrews 8
6   But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
9   Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

Hebrews 12
24   And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Job 28
28   And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Those who make mistakes and reconsile through repentance is one of wisdom, and will continually be seperated from evil. Because this one has understanding. Contrary to a backslider who is disobedient and has dedicated their members to unrighteousness...is one lack of understanding. Therefore, the backslider is without and counted with sinners of the world.

Romans 6:13
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

It tells us here not to use any part of our bodies as we may use them sinfully. But rather to give ourselves over to God, that we are alive in Him. Not dead in sin. Because our members of our body should be used for the righteousness of God. Once again, the difference between those who make mistakes and the backslider....is that those who make mistakes can reconsile through repentance, where those who are a backslider have to be reconsiled throught the same measure as the sinner. Because as we will see....through more study....the backslider is, by all means, a sinner. It is true that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God...it is true that we all make mistakes, but the measure of mistakes and willful sinning is a far as east is from west.

1 Corinthians 6:15
Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

Now we see here once again, speaking of our body, which should be instruments of righteousness....a question was asked. Shall I take the members of Christ (or we can break this down, parts of our body) and make them the members of an harlot? Simple mistakes doesn't make us an out right sinner. But yeilding our members and pledging ourself and obligating ourself to sin...DOES. A mistake doesn't make you obligated to sin. For instance putting yourself into an adulterous situation is NOT a simple mistake, but rather an obligation to that sin. You have pledged yourself and give your members over to sinful ways. Refusing to obey and live Godly is not a mistake. This is an intentional state. Because a backslider has committed himself to the lifestyle of sin, unlike Moses....even though he made the mistake of smiting the rock instead of simply speaking to it. He never heartidly pledged himself to sin.

Romans 6:19
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Look at this verse here. He spoke to them after the manner of men, which he is speaking of the flesh. Because of their weakness. They yeilded their members or their body, as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity. But now since we are in the church, we are not to do such things. Scripture says, "shall we continue in sin, God forbid."   A backslider has yeilded their members to uncleanness and iniquity, intentionally. Someone such as Moses who simply makes a mistake that is not intentional, is not required for the same state of reconsiliation as a backslider.

in·fir·mi·ty    ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (n-fûrm-t)
n. pl. in·fir·mi·ties

A bodily ailment or weakness, especially one brought on by old age.
Frailty; feebleness.
A condition or disease producing weakness.
A failing or defect in a person's character

in·iq·ui·ty    ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (-nkw-t)
n. pl. in·iq·ui·ties

Gross immorality or injustice; wickedness.
A grossly immoral act; a sin.

Another example of a mistake was Peter.

Galatians 2:14
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Paul said he saw Peter was not walking uprightly according to the truth of the gospel. He never said that Peter was a backslider or blasphemer...he simply saw him in a mistake, according to the gospel...and rebuked him for it. Did Peter miss out on Heaven? Of course not. Did Peter go off and continue in sin? No. We can also back that up with scripture. But rather Peter made a mistake. It tells us that Peter ate with the Gentiles and when the Jews came in, he withdrew himself. The other Jews disembled likewise with him...and caused others to go away (not out of the church) because of their leaving. So then if we want to compel the world to live like the church, then why do we as the church....live like the world????? If the world or sinners has to come in the way that Jesus tells us, what makes us different if we live like the world? Absolutely nothing. A backslider is no different than a sinner. If you look in the first post, you will see that the last state of that man is worse than the first. How can we be a child of God and live like the world? How can we come to God without coming to God like the world????? Judge in yoursleves.

1 Peter 2
24   Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Jesus went to the cross for the sins of mankind. That through his crucifixion, the ressurection, the water, the blood, and His Word, we might have life and have it more abundantly. Once we have repented, have been baptized, and received the Holy Ghost, our sins have been washed away. And we walk in the newness of life. We become a new creature. The old man has passed away and all things become new. Once we leave and go back to the beggerly elements of the world, and intentionally sin, and pledge ourselves to a sinful life.....we are not alive in Him. But we are dead yet while we live. A mistake is not giving ourselves over to a sinful life...or yeilding our members in a intentional manner to live in sin.

Until the next post consider these things. Search yourself to whether you do things by mistake or intentionally. Judge in yourselves.

God bless,
Bro. Michael

P.S. More to come, Lord willing.

Pastor Michael · Member

Ok, what say ye to a little more bible study? Let's look at Gal. 5: 19 - 21

Galatians 5: 19   Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20   Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21   Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Now lets look at these things and see what each of them mean. Let's start with the first thing...the works of the flesh ( note ) are manifest or to be made known.

a·dul·ter·y ( P ) Pronunciation Key (-dlt-r, -tr)
n. pl. a·dul·ter·ies

Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a partner other than the lawful spouse.

for·ni·ca·tion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (fôrn-kshn)
n.

Sexual intercourse between partners who are not married to each other.

un·clean ( P ) Pronunciation Key (n-kln)

adj. un·clean·er, un·clean·est, dirty, filthy, foul, morally umpure, obscene which falls under the guide lines of promiscuity.

las·civ·i·ous ( P ) Pronunciation Key (l-sv-s)
adj.

Given to or expressing lust; lecherous, wanton.

Exciting sexual desires; salacious. Idolatary...to make and or serve other gods. Appealing to or stimulating sexual desire; lascivious. Lustful; bawdy.

witch·craft ( P ) Pronunciation Key (wchkrft)
n.

Magic; sorcery. To practice the power to summon evil spirits.
Wicca.
A magical or irresistible influence, attraction, or charm.

ha·tred ( P ) Pronunciation Key (htrd)
n.

Intense animosity or hostility.

strong dislike or ill will for.

var·i·ance ( P ) Pronunciation Key (vâr-ns, vr-)
n.

The act of varying.
The state or quality of being variant or variable; a variation.
A difference between what is expected and what actually occurs.

The state or fact of differing or of being in conflict. See Synonyms at discord.
Law.

A discrepancy between two statements or documents in a proceeding.
License to engage in an act contrary to a usual rule: a zoning variance.

wrath ( P ) Pronunciation Key (rth, räth)
n.
1. 1. Punishment or vengeance as a manifestation of anger. intense anger or rage, any action of vengeance or punishment.

5. em·u·la·tion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (my-lshn)
n.

Effort or ambition to equal or surpass another.
Imitation of another.

strife ( P ) Pronunciation Key (strf)
n.

Heated, often violent dissension; bitter conflict. See Synonyms at discord.
A struggle, fight, or quarrel.
Contention or competition between rivals. Contention, a fight or quarrel struggle.

se·di·tion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (s-dshn)
n.

Conduct or language inciting rebellion against the authority of a state.
Insurrection; rebellion.

her·e·sy ( P ) Pronunciation Key (hr-s)
n. pl. her·e·sies

1. An opinion or a doctrine at variance with established religious beliefs

en·vy ( P ) Pronunciation Key (nv)
n. pl. en·vies

1. A feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with desire for the possessions or qualities of another.

mur·ders ( P ) Pronunciation Key (mûrdr)
n.

The unlawful killing of one human by another, especially with premeditated malice.
To kill (another human) unlawfully.
To kill brutally or inhumanly.
To put an end to; destroy
To spoil by ineptness; mutilate

drunk·en ( P ) Pronunciation Key (drngkn)
adj.

Delirious with or as if with strong drink; intoxicated.
Habitually drunk.
Drunkenness refers more to the habit; intoxication and inebriation, to specific acts.

Drunkenness such as the fact of being rebellious to the Word, or sowing discord among the brethren. Drunkeness as the state of mind. Intoxicated in evil.

rev·el ( P ) Pronunciation Key (rvl)
intr.v. rev·eled, also rev·elled rev·el·ing, rev·el·ling rev·els, rev·els

To take great pleasure or delight: To engage in uproarious festivities; make merry.
To move playfully; to indulge without restraint.

Pastor Michael · Member

We posted about the scriptures in Galatians the 5th chapter and the works of the flesh. Here are just a few that speaks of the flesh and how it wars against the spirit. As Christians let's look at these and see which ones are easy to define or stay away from. And which ones, if we are not careful, that can carry us away and cause us trouble in our spiritual life.

Galatians 5:17
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Romans 8:9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Galatians 6:8
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Romans 8:5
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

John 6:63
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

John 3:6
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Romans 8:4
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Galatians 3:3
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Romans 8:13
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Ephesians 2:3
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Now as children of God let us not be carried away by the flesh but let us be led by the Spirit. For we know then that God will lead us in to all truth and righteousness. The flesh is of the flesh and the Spirit of the Spirit. So let's look at the works of the flesh and determine which of these two (flesh or spirit) are we led by. That way we will determine who we serve. Whether it be God or Satan. We must first examine ourselves before we look at others faults. Let us set guidelines which the word gives us to live by.

The first one seems to be a big one here (works of the flesh).

Galatians 5:19-21 - Adultery. This is the first one mentioned in the works of the flesh. Now for God fearing people who truly love God, this one is pretty much self explanatory. We should by all means have no trouble with this. And we will refuse to allow ourself to be caught up in such a thing as this and not allow it to destroy our family or spiritual life.

Matthew 5:28
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Ah, but look at this scripture. This scripture is of thought. Meaning, when I say that, that you are not physcially touching but through thought. Now as I stated before in previous posts that the brain processes thoughts and feelings in miliseconds, and something has to provoke these thoughts. Which brings us to the willingness of the mind to commit ourselves to the act of adultery.

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Now the scripture here doesn't say that if you simply look at a person (whether it be a him or her) but that if you look at them TO LUST, which is an unrestrained act of sexual craving. This is not a simple mistake. The mind processes thoughts and feelings in miliseconds. The sensual desire of the act of committing adultery is not a simple mistake. Note the scripture again...it says TO lust after (with an intense and unrestrained sexual craving) Ask yourself how can that be a simple mistake! This is a voluntary action and then it goes on to say that those that do this have committed adultery (which means pledged, obligated, and intentionally thought this out) and had already in their heart done this act. Like I said the brain in miliseconds processes thoughts of feelings and actions.....with unrestrained intentions. So consider this scripture VERY closely. This is not a mere act or mistake. It is very intentional on the persons part. Note once again it said TO lust and committed themselves to the act. This is not a mistake, read it again. Some people would like to make you believe that this is a mistake, but the word of God plainly teaches us that it is an act of committal which you voluntarily do!

lust    ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (lst)
n.

Intense or unrestrained sexual craving.

There are those who like to teach that you may look at someone just for a second and lust, and there be nothing wrong with it and they say if you don't do this that you lie. BUT if the intention or action in your heart is not to do so, then you can look at someone without lusting. And the truth be in you. Those who look upon people to lust...it is in their heart already. It is the works of the flesh manifesting itself through throughts. If not kept in check it will bring itself to physical action. But the very thought, according to the scripture, is considered the same as the action. If you cannot look at someone without a lustful desire, then there is something bad wrong in your heart and it needs to be made right. Godly people can and will look at people without lust in their heart! I believe that The bible said, "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not SIN against thee."

James 1:15
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Conceive is to form or develop in the mind; devise. Now, when lust has developed in the mind it brings forth sin. Sin when it is finished brings forth death. Do you see that word conceived? We are not talking about taking things out of context. They like to use this to get around the Word of God. When you look upon a woman TO LUST, then this is the thoughts in your mind, and when these thoughts are conceived or developed in your mind, it brings forth sin. That is why the bible spoke of it as being adultery. Because your mind sinned by lusting. Not simply because you looked at someone, but because you devised wickedness in your mind as an act of sin. You have committed yourself to the thought of lust and made yourself obligated to the intentional thought TO LUST. Not merely looking at someone.

Now using the scriptures in post number 4, let's move on.

Fornication. Now this also can be covered by the previous post. We know that we cannot join ourselves physcially to someone we are not married to. Even those who are unmarried, that are Christians, cannot join themselves to others that are unmarried.

1 Peter 2
10   Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11   Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12   Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

That should suffice. The next one is uncleanliness. adj. un·clean·er, un·clean·est, dirty, filthy, foul, morally unpure, obscene which falls under the guide lines of promiscuity. Lets look at this. This could also refer to not only your spiritual but also your physical body. Now I am a firm believer in naturally being clean (as in you should keep your body clean) and have good hygeine. There is nothing wrong with personal grooming, such as keeping your hair in order, your teeth brushed, and no offensive body odors. In saying this if we walked around with green teeth and smelled like something that was killed beside the road, I really don't feel that that would bring a good report on the church. Having that said now, let's move on.

There are people who talk anyway they want to around anyone, and they are considered a foul mouth
1 Peter 1:15
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

2 Peter 3:11
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

Morally unpure. This can fall in the category of adultery and fornicators and those that abuse themselves with mankind. This falls under the guide lines of promiscuity.

1 Corinthians 6:9
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10   Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

prom·is·cu·i·ty    ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (prm-sky-t, prm-)
n. pl. prom·is·cu·i·ties

The state or character of being promiscuous.
Promiscuous sexual relations.
: promiscuous sexual behavior

abusers of themselves with mankind ---------- Looking at all the std's and the outbreak of AIDS and the promiscuity, homosexual acts and etc...we can certainly define that as uncleaness.

Now lets move on to laciviousness.

Given to or expressing lust; lecherous, wanton.
Exciting sexual desires; salacious.
Appealing to or stimulating sexual desire; lascivious. Lustful; bawdy.
bawd·y    ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (bôd)
adj. bawd·i·er, bawd·i·est

Humorously coarse; risqué.
Vulgar; lewd.

Looking at our society today, we see an extreme growth in immorality and pornagraphy. Not only with adults but children as well. This is why it is so important that we cannot look at each other TO LUST, and commit ourselves in thought or action to do such things. For it is not a simple look, but a dedication, obligation, and committal to sin. TO harbor such thoughts in our heart, as to not be able to simply look at someone without lusting, is a spirit of Satan and not the Spirit of God. It is the works of the flesh and not the works of the spirit. If you are a person who cannot look at someone without lusting, then there is an evil spirit within that must come out. According to the meaning of this word, and looking at the verse of scripture in Matthew 5:28, exciting sexual desires would be the thought or intent of adultery or fornication, and the lewdness of the action.

Pastor Michael · Member

Idolatry

i·dol·a·try

( P ) Pronunciation Key (

-d

l

-tr

)
n. pl. i·dol·a·tries

Worship of idols.
Blind or excessive devotion to something.

idolatry

I*dol"a*try, n.; pl. Idolatries. [F. idol[^a]trie, LL. idolatria, L. idololatria, Fr. Gr. ?; ? idol + ? service.] 1. The worship of idols, images, or anything which is not God; the worship of false gods.

His eye surveyed the dark idolatries Of alienated Judah. --Milton.

2. Excessive attachment or veneration for anything; respect or love which borders on adoration. --Shak.

idolatry

n 1: religious zeal; willingness to serve God [syn: devotion, veneration, cultism] 2: the worship of idols; the worship of images that are not God [syn: idol worship]

witchcraft -

witch·craft ( P ) Pronunciation Key (wchkrft)
n.

Magic; sorcery.
Wicca.
A magical or irresistible influence, attraction, or charm.
witchcraft

Witch"craft`, n. [AS. wiccecr[ae]ft.] 1. The practices or art of witches; sorcery; enchantments; intercourse with evil spirits.

2. Power more than natural; irresistible influence.

hatred

ha·tred ( P ) Pronunciation Key (htrd)
n.

Intense animosity or hostility.

hatred

n : the emotion of hate; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action

Variance

var·i·ance ( P ) Pronunciation Key (vâr-ns, vr-)
n.

1. The act of varying.
2. The state or quality of being variant or variable; a variation.
3. A difference between what is expected and what actually occurs.
The state or fact of differing or of being in conflict. See Synonyms at discord.
Law.
1. A discrepancy between two statements or documents in a proceeding.
2. License to engage in an act contrary to a usual rule: a zoning variance.

var·i·ance (vâr-ns, vr-)
n.

The state or quality of being variant or variable; a variation.
The state or fact of differing or of being in conflict.
The square of the standard deviation.

Emulations

em·u·la·tion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (my-lshn)
n.

Effort or ambition to equal or surpass another.
Imitation of another.
Computer Science. The process or technique of emulating.
Obsolete. Jealous rivalry.

Wrath

wrath ( P ) Pronunciation Key (rth, räth)
n.

Forceful, often vindictive anger. See Synonyms at anger.
1. Punishment or vengeance as a manifestation of anger.
2. Divine retribution for sin.

wrath

Wrath (?; 277), n. [OE. wrathe, wra[thorn][thorn]e, wrethe, wr[ae][eth][eth]e, AS. wr[=ae][eth][eth]o, fr. wr[=a][eth] wroth; akin to Icel. rei[eth]i wrath. See Wroth, a.] 1. Violent anger; vehement exasperation; indignation; rage; fury; ire.

Wrath is a fire, and jealousy a weed. --Spenser.

When the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased. --Esther ii. 1.

Now smoking and frothing Its tumult and wrath in. --Southey.

2. The effects of anger or indignation; the just punishment of an offense or a crime. ``A revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.'' --Rom. xiii. 4.

strife

strife ( P ) Pronunciation Key (strf)
n.

Heated, often violent dissension; bitter conflict. See Synonyms at discord.
A struggle, fight, or quarrel.
Contention or competition between rivals.
Archaic. Earnest endeavor or striving.

strife

Strife, n. [OF. estrif. See Strive.] 1. The act of striving; earnest endeavor. [Archaic] --Shak.

2. Exertion or contention for superiority; contest of emulation, either by intellectual or physical efforts.

Doting about questions and strifes of words. --1 Tim. vi. 4.

seditions

se·di·tion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (s-dshn)
n.

Conduct or language inciting rebellion against the authority of a state.
Insurrection; rebellion.

Pastor Michael · Member

heresies

her·e·sy ( P ) Pronunciation Key (hr-s)
n. pl. her·e·sies

1. An opinion or a doctrine at variance with established religious beliefs, especially dissension from or denial of Roman Catholic dogma by a professed believer or baptized church member.
2. Adherence to such dissenting opinion or doctrine.
1. A controversial or unorthodox opinion or doctrine, as in politics, philosophy, or science.
2. Adherence to such controversial or unorthodox opinion.

heresies

Heresy Her"e*sy, n.; pl. Heresies. [OE. heresie, eresie, OF. heresie, iresie, F. h['e]r['e]sie, L. haeresis, Gr. ? a taking, a taking for one's self, choosing, a choice, a sect, a heresy, fr. ? to take, choose.]

envyings

en·vy ( P ) Pronunciation Key (nv)
n. pl. en·vies

1. A feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with desire for the possessions or qualities of another.
2. The object of such feeling: Their new pool made them the envy of their neighbors.
Obsolete. Malevolence.

tr.v. en·vied, en·vy·ing, en·vies

Murders

mur·der ( P ) Pronunciation Key (mûrdr)
n.

The unlawful killing of one human by another, especially with premeditated malice.
Slang. Something that is very uncomfortable, difficult, or hazardous: The rush hour traffic is murder.
A flock of crows. See Synonyms at flock1.

v. mur·dered, mur·der·ing, mur·ders
v. tr.

To kill (another human) unlawfully.
To kill brutally or inhumanly.
To put an end to; destroy: murdered their chances.
To spoil by ineptness; mutilate: a speech that murdered the English language.
Slang. To defeat decisively; trounce.

v. intr.

To commit murder.

To feel envy toward.
To regard with envy.

Drunkenness

drunk·en ( P ) Pronunciation Key (drngkn)
adj.

Delirious with or as if with strong drink; intoxicated.
Habitually drunk.
Of, involving, or occurring during intoxication: a drunken brawl. See Usage Note at drunk.

drunk·en·ness (drngk-ns)
n.

The condition of being delirious with or as if with alcohol; intoxicated.

drunkenness

Drunk"en*ness, n. 1. The state of being drunken with, or as with, alcoholic liquor; intoxication; inebriety; -- used of the casual state or the habit.

The Lacedemonians trained up their children to hate drunkenness by bringing a drunken man into their company. --

revellings

rev·el ( P ) Pronunciation Key (rvl)
intr.v. rev·eled, also rev·elled rev·el·ing, rev·el·ling rev·els, rev·els

To take great pleasure or delight: She reveled in her unaccustomed leisure.
To engage in uproarious festivities; make merry.

n.

A boisterous festivity or celebration; merrymaking. Often used in the plural.

To be continued

Pastor Michael · Member

In case you have lost track, and we know these are some long posts, we have been doing a bible study on backsliding, making mistakes, and blasphemy. Scriptures on blasphemy will be next to come. But for the moment let's just review the posts we have already read.

I would like to make mention again that there are folks that do not believe that backsliders are sinners. They believe that they are still saints of God. If then that be the case and we read in Galations 5:19-21 about the works of the flesh, I will have to tell you that that applies to sin. Now if people are doing this before they are coming in the church and it causes them to be lost, what about those after they came in the church? Sin is sin. Whether out of the church or in the church. Minding the things of the flesh, as Galations tells us, does not keep us in the grace of God....but rather if we follow the things of the flesh, we live in sin.

Now we read about where Moses and Peter made a mistake. And their mistake did not qualify as being committed to sin. Because they did not pledge themselves to do wrong. But rather was out of haste in their doing. When Paul spoke of dying daily, it was to keep the flesh in subjection. And not to let the flesh override the Spirit, but rather let the spirit lead. That doesn't necessarily mean that Paul was constantly sinning. He was submitting himself, his mind and body, to God. While he had to die daily concerning his fleshly ways, to live Holy, while presently in this world.

It doesn't take a genusis to figure out what we have to do to make it to heaven. The first thing we have to do, which is referred in the bible as our first works. We know that we have to have faith, which means that we have to believe. We have to put our faith to work, as in following what Jesus said to do. Faith without works is dead.

James 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James 2:26
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

So what is the first thing we have to do? Well let's look at Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. When asked, "Men and brethren what shall we do?" this was Peters response. Now we know in our spiritual walk with God that works is a must. Because we just read that faith without works is dead.

James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

So once we have the faith and beleive what the Word of God said...then we must put that faith to work. So the first thing (which would be our first works of faith) that we do is repent, and then we are baptized in Jesus name and receive the Holy Ghost...speaking in tongues as the Spirit of God gives the utterance.

To be continued

Pastor Michael · Member

So what is the first thing we have to do? Well let's look at Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. When asked, "Men and brethren what shall we do?" this was Peters response. Now we know in our spiritual walk with God that works is a must. Because we just read that faith without works is dead.

Ok, for those that believe that backsliders is not sinners, it would be hard to convince them of what it takes to reinstate them back. But I want you to consider what I say very closely. Leave yourself open to these points, before making any hasty decisions. But then when certain groups of people when a backslider comes in the church, they feel all they have to do is repent and be renewed or "pray through" to the Holy Ghost. Then they want to say that re-baptism is not necessary. Now before we break Acts 2:38 down, let me ask you then, WHY would repentance be necessary, and praying through to the Holy Ghost be necessary....and to leave out the baptism?????

I have been very curious about this question and the response I get comes from Ephesians 4: 5   One Lord, one faith, one baptism, ....We know that there is different formulas of baptism out there, such as sprinkling, spraying with a water bottle, and titles...etc etc....This is what that sripture is referring to. Not the number of times that someone is baptized. There is only one baptism and that's the way it is in Acts 2:38. It does not say One Lord, One faith, and One time to be baptized....but rather one baptism.

Now, lets break Acts 2:38 down once again. Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Here is our first works. Now after following (concerning some) the law of the OT. and after following the works of the flesh (concerning some) they said unto Peter and the rest of the Apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Now when someone asks us that is not in church what they need to do to get in the church, what is the first thing that we want to tell them? Naturally it would be Acts 2:38. Why is it that they are not in the church? Because they are SINNERS...like we were at one time. They followed the works of the flesh.  Just like Galatians 5:19-21 says. So then the first thing they have to do (concerning their first works, because they are putting their faith to use) We tell them REPENT.

Luke 24:47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Lets look at this verse very carefully. God is no respector of persons. Would you agree with that? Now look what he said...repentance and remission of sins. Now would you say there would be a difference in someone who is doing the things of the world before they came in church....than there is someone that is doing the things of the world AFTER they came in church???   Now we are looking at the backslider here. Someone that has already repented...etc etc...   But they went back to do the same things that the sinner does. To be restored again what do they have to do? Repent and receive the Holy Ghost again? Wait a minute! Something is missing. If God is no respect of person of those that commit sin..what are we leaving out??? He said repentance and remission of sins. It doesn't matter who has done it.....he never gave no exception. Peter said...Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Now I am going to ask you again...considering the works of the flesh and people backsliding from the church, to go back out in the world, do you honestly feel that they are still children of God, who need only to repent and receive the Holy Ghost again??? If they are still children of GOD in your mind...then why have them repent and tell them they need to be renewed in the Holy Ghost?

Romans 8:9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Alright, considering the train of thought that backsliders are still Gods children, then that would contradict this scripture in Romans 8:9. And by some telling a backslider they once again have to receive the Holy Ghost, but still say they are a child of God....because they were in church but backslid...it is a contradiction. Read the scripture for yourself. If you do not have the Spirit of God (which is the Holy Ghost) then you are none of His. If you are none of his then you are a SINNER. What must a sinner do to be saved? The first works in Acts 2:38! If we are a backslider and we are considered none of his because we are a sinner and NOT a child of God...we must repent and be baptized everyone of you.... in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. So if they are not baptized their sins are not washed away (or remitted).

The baptism is for the remission of sins...the CLEANSING! So if we are in a backslidden condition, then we do not have Gods Spirit...because God will not dwell in an unclean temple.

1 Corinthians 3:17
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1 Corinthians 3
16   Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

2 Corinthians 6:16
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.

Pastor Michael · Member

Ok, lets look at this again. Now it tells us in 1 Cor. 3 that we are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in us. We know then that the Spirit of God is the Holy Ghost. Now here is the part that gets real touchy. The backslider is told by the church that they need to repent. Why? Because they sinned. They went back. They left the church! They are told they need to be renewed. Which means they need to receive the Holy Ghost again. Now look for yourselves, we are talking re-repentance, we are talking renewed, refilled, or receiving the Holy Ghost again, and I said AGAIN...because the backslider has defiled the temple and the Holy Ghost will not dwell in an unclean temple. So by most understanding and use of doctrine, the backslider is commanded to re-repent, re-receive the Holy Ghost, but they are not to be re-baptized?????

How can you have your sins remitted without baptism? A backslider is a sinner. There is no two ways around it. You cannot biblically come up with a way out that a backslider is not a sinner. That is not doctrine. A backslider IS a sinner! It doesn't matter if they had repented, been baptized, got the Holy Ghost, and been in church for 50 years......IF they backslide on God and go back in to the world then they ARE a sinner. To be reinstated (if they havent blasphemed, which we will get in to later) they must do their first works OVER. That includes repentance, baptism, and Holy Ghost.

Why leave one out? If you must do that which concerns repentance and Holy Ghost....then how can you leave the cleansing part of baptism out????? You can take your garments and wear them and get them dirty and wrinkled and spotted. Take them out of the dirty clothes, starch them, and iron them and put all the creases that you would like in the garment....BUT that garment, without being washed, is still dirty and spotted. We must be without spot, blemish, or any such thing. We cannot be unless we are cleansed.

We will let you ponder on these things. Like I said, don't be closed minded. I know some of these posts are long, but to really understand we must read what the word of God says. If this is not enough to convince you that a backslider is a sinner and needs not only repentance and renewal of the Holy Ghost...but also needs to be rebaptized, then just wait for my next post. I may not convince you concerning the Word, but before I would tell someone not to have their sins washed away (even a backslider) then I just wouldn't say nothing at all. Because their soul is at stake. Because you have to take the whole book. You must do the whole thing and not just 2/3 of it.

God bless,
Michael

thephnxman · Member

Beloved, is there any pronounced difference between the BACKSLIDING, as opposed to the BACKSLIDDEN?

RJAY · Newbie

Brother ..I truly believe you have missed the whole point of water baptism to begin with when you suggest a backslider needs to do Acts 2:38 over again.

Baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ is done so that the efficacious Blood of Christ can be initially applied to the sinner's life so that their 'sin debt' from the point of conception until they are first baptized in water can be removed. Repentance and water baptism is the only way to obtain forgiveness of that sin initially.

Now..if someone becomes discouraged along the way...and fails God's grace...JESUS does not remove (or reverse) the work of the cross from out of their lives. God doesn't take back the family Name of Jesus from off of a child of God who fails Him. Do you not think His Blood is able to cover us when we fail????

Brother....No where in the Bible does it suggest a back slidden person has to be re-baptized in Jesus Name. If that were the case, the pastor's of local churches would be re-baptizing every single member who fails God every single day. Oh...and by the way...one doesn't have to 'back slide' to fail God. I could flood this page with true stories of pastors and other members of the Apostolic Church who failed God WHILE they were operating in the capacity of Christian leadership.

People have been in the Church for years while harboring hate or, being bound by habitual sins that no one new about. And God used them in spite of those problems. Does the LORD expect those people to be re-baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost for their sins as well? No. Did God cut them off from the Church and take back the Holy Ghost from them? No again.

Brother....I got to tell you, your concept of God and of His Word is somewhat distorted when it comes to sin and repentance, and I say that not to be mean. You are flooding the feed with Scriptures and with the meaning of key words from the Bible, however...the conclusions you are reaching are not supported by the Bible. Here is one example.

Romans 8:9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

You are not understanding what Paul is saying in Romans 8:9. You believe it is reaching a conclusion about backsliders. But it is not. Paul is not suggesting that backsliders lose the Holy Ghost and are no longer God's children. He did not say..."IF" the Spirit of God is in you and you sin...the Spirit of God leaves you". Paul is merely affirming a truth that 'any man' who doesn't have the Holy Ghost doesn't belong to God. Backsliders who were once filled with the Holy Ghost still have the Holy Ghost...AND...they are still children of God. They walk in error...but still His nonetheless. Wasn't Israel God's people even when they were back slidden? Is God not married to the backslider?

It would appear to me that you are desperately trying to back up your belief system that all back sliders lose everything. The Spirit...the Blood...and the family Name of Jesus.

Brother...think about it. If a member of the Body of Christ fails God after conversion, all the Christian has to do is repent for the error of their way and continue on where they left off. That is bible! And Christians do not automatically lose the Holy Ghost upon failing the LORD. Because that would mean that YOU have lost the Holy Ghost as well brother. Because...you and I have both failed God in our lives.

True Story from 30 years ago.

I know a man who came into the Church and was filled with the Holy Ghost. He loved God and still does to this day. But, he was battling depression and other emotional problems and fell back into his previous sin of drinking beer to dull his pain.

Is he a backslider? Yes.

Does he hate God? No. He just loves something more.

Is God done with him? NEVER!

This man still feels after God and God's convicting power is still upon him...still working with him.

Convicting him of what?

To stop drinking beer? No.

God is more concerned about the hurts in his life that he is not releasing unto God. That is why he drinks. The alcohol is not his problem. It's merely the symptoms of a DEEPER problem. That is why God gave us His Spirit. To help us live above those hurts......and to heal us of those hurts. So...you see...God doesn't reject or pull away from a backslider, He works all the more to reach them and change them.

I've had backsliders ask me why they can still feel God's presence and still speak in tongues when they pray. The answer is simple. Jesus said what He meant... when He said (I will never leave you or forsake you.)

The real question here is not how come they speak with tongues and feel the Holy Ghost after backsliding. The real question here is this. "Who told you that you wouldn't feel God or speak with tongues when you fail God?" I can tell you who. People say that.

Here is what Christians do with that verse whenever they try to find support for their own philosophical beliefs. The begin to add to that verse by adding 'conditions'. Here is how some people read the words of Christ.

"I will never leave you nor forsake you...UNLESS....you fall from my grace and commit sin. If you EVER fail me...JUST ONCE..I will remove my Blood from your initial experience of repentance... throw ALL of your wretched sins back upon your life from birth..AND I will take back my Holy Ghost and I will reject you."

Brother...God doesn't just fill people...then take back His Spirit the minute they fail God... and then refill them when they get right with God...and then empty them out again... etc. God is not double-minded.

Being refilled with the Holy Ghost doesn't mean you lost the Spirit of God in your life. It means, Holy Ghost refreshing. Being refreshed by the Holy Ghost is something that EVERY SINGLE CHRISTIAN is to do every day. Refreshing is NOT for the back sliders my brother. Refreshing is for every member of the Body of Christ regardless of their level of commitment to God. And why???? Simple. Because ALL OF US are still sinners my brother... but are now saved by God's GRACE by properly responding to the Gospel message found in Acts 2:38. The only time we will no longer be sinners is when we go home to be with the LORD. Until that time, we are still living in our flesh and we will SIN. How many times a day do we sin? Many times. Even seasoned veterans of the faith commit sin. If we say we have no sin....we lie. So says John the apostle. 1 John 1:8

When we give our LORD the control over our lives and commit to Him...He is working in us and through us to prefect us until the day He removes us from the earth. He who has begun a good work in you shall perform it.... That means He promises to continue working on our behalf constantly. We are a work in progress...and not a work completed. The completion of that work happens only in the rapture. But until then...the fight continues.

Brother...consider this. The minute we are converted and filled with His Spirit...we are NOT our own. We have been bought with a price and were sealed with His Spirit. God doesn't remove that seal... or... get the price of His Blood payment back at the 'customer service' counter in heaven. Moreover, to suggest a back slider must be re-baptized is to suggest that God reverses the effectual work of His Righteous Blood over that person's life at baptism... OR.... it implies that His Blood wasn't capable of removing it completely in the first place. God does not operate like that at all.

The LORD fills us with His Spirit to HELP us live for Him. That means He is in us to help us even when we FAIL Him miserably. What do you think the word 'grace' means? It means unmerited favor and mercy extended to those who don't deserve it. The Holy Ghost does NOT reduce the sinful nature that works in our flesh. We still have to live with that fallen nature and that nature WILL make us fall at times. Some who fall get back up right away, others do not get back up right away...BUT GOD IS STILL WORKING TO HELP THEM AND WOOING THEM BY THE SPIRIT HE FILLED THEM WITH.

NOW...after having said all that...I need to close with this. Am I saying that those who are back slidden from God are still saved? No. I cannot determine if they are or not. Nor should any of us bother our heads over this...but I do believe this. The spiritual condition of a person's soul WILL be determined one day. BUT...not the way a lot of Pentecostals are taught.

We've been taught that the parable of the 5 wise and 5 foolish virgins represents Christians who lose the Holy Ghost in their lives or didn't stay 'full'. I disagree with that. Brother...that is not what Jesus is saying in this parable. Allow me to explain.

The "oil" in the lamps represents the Holy Ghost as we know. The lamps 'going out' doesn't mean the foolish virgins lost the Holy Ghost. It means they never had oil to begin with. They said "our lamps have gone out", but that was merely the excuse they used with the wise virgins in hopes they could borrow oil and enter the chamber.

When the door became "SHUT"...that means the foolish virgins didn't go up in the rapture...because...the five foolish virgins represents those Christians who embraced Christ to a point spiritually...but they never saw the need to receive the 'oil' of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of tongues due to false doctrines that caused them to believe receiving the Holy Ghost with speaking in tongues isn't necessary, or...that it is of the devil etc.

Thus...they were not ready to meet Him and those who do not have the Holy Ghost will NOT go up in the rapture, because Paul said that those who ARE filled shall be quickened. ALL OF THEM. Paul didn't say only those who are living right shall go up in the rapture, he said "Everyone who has ever been filled is going up". Again...allow me to explain this as well to bring clarity.

I believe that every one who has been filled with the Holy Ghost is going up in the rapture. And we have Scripture to back this up.

God will draw up His Spirit from the earth at the sounding of the trumpet and all who were filled initially will go up. BUT...I believe it is possible that the separation of the diligent Christians from the slothful back slidden ones will happen after the rapture takes place. Consider this.

Matthew 22:1-14, starting at verse 9. This is the parable of the king who made a marriage for his son. After all those of who were bidden to come to the wedding rejected the king...the king says this...

9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, BOTH BAD AND GOOD: and the wedding was furnished with guests. (Capitol letters added)

11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Notice it says the 'bad and good' were gathered into the wedding of the son. Who are the 'bad ones and how did the bad ones get into that wedding???

I believe the bad ones are the ones who were once filled with the Holy Ghost...but they backslid and never made things right with God... when they had a chance to on earth. You see..the Holy Ghost stays with a person their whole lives once they experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost (with tongues) until God calls up His Spirit from the earth. And at the point of being raptured and entering heaven...if they do not have their wedding garments on...that means the evidence of their spiritual negligence, lethargy or rebellion will be visible due to not having on a wedding garment. At that point...God will judge them from that place and sentence them to the lake of fire. What a horrible experience that would be! You see, that explains why there were bad people at the wedding.

In closing brother...one final thought. Doing our 'first works over' is not about re-doing Acts 2:38.

Jesus said to the Church of Ephesus...you have served me but have left your first love. Meaning.....Jesus. They lost the love for Him they once had and became satisfied with religious service. Jesus is not telling the Church to go back and do Acts 2:38 over. I loved Him and was hungry to know Him before I ever heard Acts 2:38. And that is what the LORD is talking about when He said..."Do thy first works over." Return to the hunger and passion we once had for Him.

God bless you brother.

-- Edited by RJAY on Thursday 30th of October 2014 06:50:28 AM