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"Have you Been Born Again?"

Click the link to view the related article.

http://arcstudies.org/bornagain.html

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 Jesus Never Heard the Name "Jesus" - Articles related to the letter "J"

(NOTE: - The inclusion of the following links does not constitute an endorsement by ARC.)

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The Letter "J" Part Two - http://www.aarons-advocates.org/acl-letter-J-pt2.html 

Origins of the Letter "J" - http://hometown.aol.com/prophetnick77/page72.html

How did the Letter "J" Originate? - http://www.plim.org/JesusOrigin.htm

Photocopy of the Gospel of Iohn (John) in the 1611 version of the KJV - http://dewey.library.upenn.edu/sceti/printedbooksNew/printableformat.cfm?coll=printedbooks&subcoll=kjbible&filename=kjbible_body1241.sid&pagePosition=1317 - (The letter "J" didn't exist when this translation first came out. Jesus was spelled Iesus)

The "Sacred Name" Movement - http://www.plim.org/Sacred%20Names%20Article.html

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 Articles concerning Christian Baptism and the Jewish "Mikveh"

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Mikveh-Ancient Water Baptism - http://jesus-messiah.com/html/mikveh.html

Mystical Miveh Immersion - http://www.essene.com/B'nai-Amen/MysticalImmersion.htm

The Doctrine of Baptisms - http://sites.silaspartners.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID315486%7CCHID610400%7CCIID2269026,00.html

The Jewish Background of Christian Baptism - http://www.bebaptized.org/Jewishroots.htm

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 The History of "Jesus Name" Baptism

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Must Baptism be in "Jesus' Name?" - http://www.carm.org/oneness/inJesusname.htm

John G. Scheppe (American Religious Leader) - http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-527262/John-G-Scheppe

Oneness Pentecostalism is Heresy - http://home1.gte.net/thetruth77/onenesspentecost.html

The "Jesus Only" or "Oneness" Pentecostal Movement - http://biblefacts.org/cult/oneness.html

Great Falling Away

Monday, June 16, 2008

7:03 PM

Repeatedly when individuals are warned that false teachings CAN, WILL, and in fact ARE infiltrating the Christian Church, the prevailing attitude is that God will root these perversions out himself, or that the Holy Spirit won't allow his people to be deceived. This notion is patently false! The scriptures are consistent in their revelation that as we get ever closer to the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, instead of experiencing great revival, the Christian Church WILL BE infiltrated, and many WILL fall away from the faith. It is equally clear that we, as God's people, have a divine mandate to do battle to stand and defend the integrity of God's Word in the marketplace of ideas during this time of increasing spiritual darkness. Examples of this reality can be found in:

Amos 8:11,12: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord God, That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, but shall not find it."

John 16:1,2: "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service."

Acts 20:28-31: "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears."

II Thessalonians 2:1-3a: "Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first..."

I Timothy 4:1,2: "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron..."

II Timothy 3:1-8: "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

II Timothy 4:1-4: "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not put up with sound doctrine, but according to their own lusts, because they have itching ears, they will gather themselves a number of teachers who will turn their ears away from the truth, and towards made up stories."

II Peter 2:1-3: "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves impending destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, by whom the way of truth will be spoken of contemptuously.  In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber."

  It is clear when reading these passages, that far from the rallying cries of "revival," and claims of "fresh words from the Lord" often heard from pulpits worldwide today, the scriptures provide an ominous warning for believers to be on their guard. The Coming Apostasy HAS arrived!! To meet this challenge, The APOLOGETIC RESEARCH CENTER is ever "Set for the Defense of the Gospel!"

REBBELION OF GREED

Friday, September 12, 2008

6:05 PM

In the 12th chapter of the book of Luke, in the midst of a sermon by Jesus in preparation for the difficultys that his followers will encounter after his departure, Jesus is called upon to settle a dispute between two brothers concerning the division of an inheritance. (verse 13) Jesus response to this petition is revealing in its implications as to the level of importance the persuit of worldly gain should play in the lives of his followers:

"Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you? Take heed

and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the

abundance of the things he possesses." (Luke 12:14,15, NKJV)

   Contrary to what you hear today preached from pulpits televised and otherwise, that Christ's primary role on behalf of his followers is to ensure their financial prosperity; when directly called upon to intervene in a financial dispute concerning the acquisition and distribution of wealth between two of his followers, He responds by declaring: "Who has made me an arbiter, (divider of wealth), over you?" (parentheses mine)

   Further, He goes on to warn them to ever be on their guard against greed (covetousness) in all of its forms. Why? Because the value and/or success of our Christian life and walk are not seen in creature comforts.

   In spite of injunctions like this in scripture, Positive Confession proponents, like the Pharisees of old, have made the commands of our Lord and Savior null and void by their traditions. (Mk 7:6-13) By using the Word of God deceitfully, they call what Christ declared evil, good, a practice that is condemned in scripture.

Isaiah 5:20 - "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for

light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

This they do in order to justify the extravagant lifestyles they enjoy, and which they have strapped to the backs of sincere Christians who have flocked to them seeking a "fresh word from the Lord." As teachers of God's Word:

2 Corinthians 4:2 - "But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling  the word

of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."

This is the Rebellion of Greed.

   In the book of Jude, while identifying character traits common amongst false teachers, Jude identifies 3 types of rebellion in verse 11: Self-Righteousness, Insubordination, and Greed  These three rebellions are typified by Jude, in three persons: Cain, Korah, and Ba'laam.

Cain – "The Rebellion of Self-Righteousness" - Cain rejected God's methodology

Genesis 4

 1.  Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have gotten a man from the Lord.''

 2.  Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

 3.  And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord.

 4.  Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,

 5.  but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

   Cain and Abel had been taught by their parents the principle that "without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin." (Heb 9:22) This is shown in that while Adam and Eve had sewn fig leaves together as a covering for their nakedness after they sinned, (Gen 3:7), this covering wasn't sufficient in the sight of God. So, for the first time ever, something had to die to provide a covering for them. (verse 21) The Hebrew word used here (hor) denotes animal skins. This principle was obviously passed on to their children in that knowledge of the need for the sacrifice was practiced by them. Abel chose to obey the principle exactly, Cain chose to bring his own best instead of what God required.

   Positive Confession adherents are guilty of Cain's rebellion in that they wantonly reject God's clearly recorded way of  accomplishing what his followers are to accomplish, and have chosen instead to follow their own avarice. The injunction to "take up your cross" and follow the true Christ is considered to be negative.  Instead, they redefine Christ to be as money hungry and materialistic as they are.

Korah – "The Rebellion of Insubordination" - Korah rejected God's Hierarchy

Numbers 16

 1.  Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men;

 2.  and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown.

 3.  They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?''

 4.  So when Moses heard it, he fell on his face;

 5.  and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, "Tomorrow morning the Lord will show who is His and who is holy, and will cause him to come near to Him; that one whom He chooses He will cause to come near to Him.

 6.  "Do this: Take censers, Korah and all your company;

 7.  "put fire in them and put incense in them before the Lord tomorrow, and it shall be that the man whom the Lord chooses shall be the holy one. You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi!''

 8.  Then Moses said to Korah, "Hear now, you sons of Levi:

 9.  "Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to serve them;

 10.  "and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking the priesthood also?

 11.  "Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the Lord. And what is Aaron that you murmur against him?''

 12.  And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, but they said, "We will not come up!

 13.  "Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, that you should keep acting like a prince over us?

 14.  "Moreover you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up!''

 15.  Then Moses was very angry, and said to the Lord, "Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I hurt one of them.''

 16.  And Moses said to Korah, "Tomorrow, you and all your company be present before the Lord you and they, as well as Aaron.

 17.  "Each of you take his censer and put incense in it, and each of you bring his censer before the Lord, two hundred and fifty censers; you also, and Aaron, each of you with his censer.''

 18.  So every man took his censer, put fire in it, laid incense on it, and stood at the door of the tabernacle of meeting with Moses and Aaron.

 19.  And Korah gathered all the congregation against them at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the congregation.

 20.  And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,

 21.  "Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.''

 22.  Then they fell on their faces, and said, "O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and You be angry with all the congregation?''

 23.  So the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

 24.  "Speak to the congregation, saying, `Get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.' ''

 25.  Then Moses rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him.

 26.  And he spoke to the congregation, saying, "Depart now from the tents of these wicked men! Touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins.''

 27.  So they got away from around the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the door of their tents, with their wives, their sons, and their little children.

 28.  Then Moses said: "By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own will.

 29.  "If these men die naturally like all men, or if they are visited by the common fate of all men, then the Lord has not sent me.

 30.  "But if the Lord creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the Lord.''

 31.  Then it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them,

 32.  and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods.

 33.  So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the congregation.

   During the giving of the Law to Moses, and by extension, to the people of Israel, and just prior to the Israelite's being given the Promised Land, the Levite Korah attempted to carve himself out a position of authority in the soon to be possessed land.  In an attempt to cover up his dire motives, Korah tried to sell Moses on the idea that he just wanted to help; just wanted to ease he and Aaron's workload. He rejected God's established authority structure as outlined in the Law.

   Like Korah, Positive Confession peddlers exhibit an utter disdain for God's established authority structure; and this in spite of the fact that scripture is clear in it's instruction as to how the structure of the church is to be maintained. Paul instructed Timothy; "the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (II Tim 2:2) He instructed Titus, when choosing those for leadership, to choose men who were;  "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught", (Tit 1:9).

   Positive Confession teachers reject adhering to the biblical method of discipleship, referring to it as "your tradition," and this after centuries of believers suffering, and even dying to uphold this truth. As with Korah, there is no respect for biblical leadership, or for the word of God it upholds.

Ba'laam – "The Rebellion of Greed" - Ba'laam sold God out for wealth, (Num 31:16)

Numbers 31:16 - "Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.

   During the time that Israel trekked through the wilderness to the Promised Land, and after the destruction of Korah for his rebellion; Israel encountered Ba'laam.  Ba'laam was a false prophet whom God chose to speak through. God chose to do this because Israel was passing near the Moabite kingdom, and their king, Balaak, wanted to attack them, (22:1). Before he would do that, and because he feared Israel's God and their military prowess, he sought to enlist the aid of Ba'laam. He did this to have a curse placed on Israel to tip the balance in his favor. (22:2-6)

   Knowing this, God told Ba'laam not to curse them, but rather, to bless them, (22:12; 23:20).  Even though Ba'laam wasn't one of God's prophets, he knew that to confront God's people was fruitless. Instead, Ba'laam, for a price, taught Balaak and his people to infiltrate God's people, and then destroy them from the inside by gradually leading to other gods. (25:1-18; 31:16; Rev 2:14)

   Like Ba'laam, the modern Profits of Got are the end result of a massive infiltration effort by "he" who wants to stop us from accomplishing God's will, but knows frontal confrontation is fruitless. The Father of lies first tried to peddle the lie of godhood and a warped sense of self-empowerment in the Garden of Eden. Since that time he has at many times and in many ways sought to peddle these same lies. We are repeatedly warned in scripture to watch for the infiltration of his subtle agents. (Matt 7:15; 11:12-15) It is only with the current disdain for self-sacrifice, and the justification of greed that he has gained a measure of success in the camp. Believer's would do well to heed the words of the Apostle Peter, (as recorded in II Peter 2:1-3a), when he warned:

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.  They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves.  Many shall follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up."