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SHEOL, HADES & GEHENNA

titled

THE UNDERWORLD

by

EJ Hill & Friends, Private Bag X15, Suite 25, Hermanus, 7200
Phone +27 (072) 756 6606, Email ej@hermanus.cc, Visit http://ejaysweblog.blogspot.com/

Gen. 37v35, 42v37-38, 44v29-31; Num. 16v30-33; Deut. 32v17-22; 1 Sam. 2v6; 2 Sam. 22v4-6; 1 Kgs. 2v5-6, v8-9; Job 7v9-10, 11v7-9, 14v11-14, 17v11-14, v16, 21v7-15, 24v19, 26v6-7; Ps. 6v5, 16v9-10, 18v4-6, 30v3, 31v17, 37v2, v9-10, v20, v22, v28, v34, v38, 49v12-15, 55v15, 86v13, 88v1-3, 89v48, 116v3-4, 139v8, 141v7; Pr. 1v10-12, 5v3-5, 7v27, 9v16-18, 15v11, v24, 23v13-14, 27v20, 30v15-16; Ecc. 9v10, 12v7; Sos. 8v6; Is. 5v13-14, 14v9, v11, v15, 26v19, 28v15, v18, 38v10, v18, 57v9; Ez. 31v15-17, 32v21, v27; Dan. 12v2; Hos. 13v14; Am. 9v2; Jon. 2v1-2; Hab. 2v5; Mal. 4v1-2; Mt. 3v10, v12, 10v28, 12v41-42, 13v24-30, v36-51, 22v13, 25v30, v41, v46; Mk. 6v11, 9v48; Lk. 10v14, 11v31-32, 16v19-31, 23v39-43; Jn. 3v13, v16, 6v40, 11v24; Acts 2v25-27, v34, 5v9, 24v15, 26v18; Rom. 2v7, 6v23, 14v10; 1 Cor. 3v17, 5v5, 7v5, 15v35-55; 2 Cor. 2v11, 5v10, 11v14, 12v2-4, v7; Ph. 1v23, v28, 3v19; 1 Th. 2v18, 4v16-17; 2 Th. 1v9, 2v9; 1 Tim. 1v20, 5v15, 6v16; 2 Tim. 1v10, 2v18; Heb. 6v2, 9v27; Js. 1v15; 2 Pt. 1v4, 2v1, v3-4, v6, v9, v12, 3v6-7; 1 Jn. 5v16; Jude 1v6-7; Rev. 2v11, 7v15, 12v9, 14v10-11; 17v8, v11, 19v10, 20v5-6, v10, v14-15, 21v8

INTRODUCTION

Plato's Hades

English dictionaries equate hell with hades as “a nether world in which the dead continue to exist”

The concept of hell which has passed down through the ages is largely influenced by the ancient Greek belief in hades – believed to be a place of fiery torment inhabited and controlled by demonic forces.

It has been suggested that the Hellenistic influences of Greek culture played a large part in the early Church's development of doctrine, and that the Greek concept of hades took root where no parallel scriptural concept exists. Is this where the Roman Catholic Church got its concept of hell and passed it on to succeeding generations? Or is there a biblical concept that does parallel that of hades? If not, why did the writers of the New Testament use the Greek word hades to describe the nether world of which they wrote?

These questions cannot be answered in a flimsy little tract as some have attempted. It takes an exhaustive search and study of Scripture. This, in turn, requires an honest appraisal of the various Hebrew and Greek words translated “hell” in both the Old and New Testament.

THE OLD TESTAMENT "SHEOL"

The only HEBREW word often translated as “hell” in the OLD TESTAMENT is “sheol”, which are also translated “grave”, “pit”, and “it” {H7585}. Since “hell”, “grave”, and “pit” are different things, the question arises as to why the same word were translated differently.

By Hebrew understanding, “sheol” is the name of the underworld, or the place where departed spirits await the resurrection.

Is Sheol the Grave?

Jacob, when confronted with the false news of his son's death, lamented:

“And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave {sheol} unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.” (Gen. 37v35, AKJV, p.20)

In the same way, when Jacob's sons returned from Egypt telling him that Pharoah's chief had demanded that they bring Benjamin to him, Jacob referred to “sheol.” He spoke of his fear of dying in sorrow should anything evil befall Benjamin:

“And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again. And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave {sheol}.” (Gen. 42v37-38, AKJV, p.162)

In Genesis chapter 44 verses 29 to 31 Judah reiterates this fear to Joseph, in saying:

“And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave {sheol}. Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life; It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave {sheol}.” (Gen. 44v29-31, AKJV, p.24)

TRANSLITERATION

If “sheol” is not the grave, why did Bible translators often render it as such? Considering the idea of hell as a place of eternal torment where the wicked suffered at the hands of demonic beings, it would have been incorrect for them to assign the righteous there. The translators therefore considered the Hebrew authors to be in error; they must have meant the grave, not “hell.”

It is exactly here that mythology slipped in to overthrow proper exegesis. Religious leaders are often infected with tradition; in due time when they find something in Scripture that conflicts with that tradition they attempt to make things “right” by assigning their well-intentioned but erroneous understanding of the problem.

LAZARUS & THE RICH MAN

Jesus, in relating the story of the beggar Lazarus and the rich man (Lk. 16v19-31), revealed that the underworld (at least at that time) consisted of two compartments: one in which the righteous were held “in comfort” (v25), awaiting the resurrection to eternal life, and another in which the unrighteous were held “in torment” (v23-25), awaiting their resurrection to judgment (2 Pt. 2v4).

That said, if we consider that “sheol” is the place where both, the righteous (Gen. 37v35, 42v37-38, 44v29-31) and the unrighteous (1 Kgs. 2V5-9), went to await resurrection, we see that Jacob was speaking of the underworld, not the grave. He did not say that he would live in “sheol” in sorrow, but that he would go down into “sheol” mourning his son.

If we should consistently translate “sheol” (sometimes translated as “the grave”, other times as “hell” and also “the pit”) we would do well, in retaining either the Hebrew “sheol”, or English “underworld”. This would have avoided much confusion.

» Genesis chapter 37 verse 35 would read, “And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the underworld {sheol} unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.”

» Genesis chapter 42 verses 37 to 38, “And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again. And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the underworld {sheol}.”

» Genesis chapter 44 verses 29 to 31, “And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the underworld {sheol}. Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life; It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the underworld {sheol}.”

» 1 Samuel chapter 2 verse 6, “The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to the underworld {sheol}, and bringeth up.”

» 1 Kings chapter 2 verses 5 to 6, “Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the underworld {sheol} in peace.”

» 1 Kings chapter 2 verse 8 to 9, “And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the Lord, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword. Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the underworld {sheol} with blood.”

» Job chapter 7 verse 9 to 10, “As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the underworld {sheol} shall come up no more. He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.”

» Job chapter 14 verses 12 to 13, “So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. O that Thou wouldest hide me in the underworld {sheol}, that thou wouldest keep me secret”

These are just a few examples where “sheol” have been translated as “the grave”. Yet, the very same verses could just as easily have been translated as “hell”, consistent with the rest. There is no description of “sheol” in 1 Sam. 2v6, or 1 Kgs. 2V5-9, or Job 7v9-10 or Job 14v12-13 that conclusively require them to be translated as “the grave”. Sheol cannot mean both the underworld and the grave.

There exists another Hebrew word properly translated as “the grave”. That word is “qeber”, which occurs 67 times and, with few exceptions, refers specifically to the grave, tomb or sepulcher. Most correctly, “sheol” translates to the underworld (place of departed spirits), and “qeber” the grave.

Nowhere in the Old Testament is references made to an eternal, fiery state or place. Even though, the King James translators did use the term “hell” for “sheol” in several instances, none of those instances describe “hell” as it has come to be known in English usage.

Is Sheol a Place of Consciousness?

Please refer to "The State of The Dead" by EJ Hill.

Is Sheol a Place of Torment?

When looking at the OLD TESTAMENT instances where “sheol” are being translated as “hell”, we will see that it describes a place of consciousness and sorrow. But does the Old Testament say anything about “sheol” being a place of fiery torment?

Sorrow

Regardless of whether “sheol” is rendered “hell” or “the grave,” no single instance describes “hell” or what transpires there other than sorrow. When David was delivered from the hand of Saul, he sings:

“I will call on the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; The sorrows of hell {sheol} compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;...” (2 Sam. 22 v4-6, AKJV, 162)

Pain

There is also only one instance where pain is mentioned:

“The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell {sheol} gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech Thee, deliver my soul.” (Ps. 116v3-4, AKJV, p.283)

While the psalmist acknowledges pain in “sheol” he does not reveal the degree or duration of that pain. Nor does he say how that pain is inflicted, whether by fire, demonic forces, or any other means.

Worm

The prophet Isaiah says of the king of Babylon in “sheol”:

“Thy pomp is brought down to the grave {sheol}, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.” (Is. 14v11, AKJV, p.312)

Fire

There exists also only two passage of Scripture where “sheol” and fire are mentioned together. In speaking of Israel's idolatry, God said:

“They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. And when the Lord saw it, He abhorred them, because of the provoking of His sons, and of His daughters. And He said, I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked Me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell {sheol}, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.” (Deut. 32v17-22, AKJV, p.105)

Here, we find God's anger being kindled as a fire which will burn not only in “sheol”, but will eventually also consume earth. Even if we should take Deuteronomy chapter 32 verses 17 to 22 as describing fiery torment, it still doesn't describe “sheol” (or hell) as a place of eternal torment to any particular degree.

“Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave {sheol}: the coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.” (Is. 8v6, AKJV, p.307)

This is the first OLD TESTAMENT instance where “sheol” are directly linked with “the coals of fire” and “a most vehement flame”, providing at least tentative support to the traditional view of “sheol” as a place of fiery torment. However, this lack of conclusive evidence does not necessarily disown the concept.

Lacking any conclusive evidence from the OLD TESTAMENT, we are compelled to move on to the NEW TESTAMENT.

THE NEW TESTAMENT HAIDES

There are many references to “hell” in the New Testament. However, once again, we find two words translated as “hell”, causing much confusion. For the sake of clarification, we will have to look at each New Testament reference individually.

The first word translated as “hell” in the New Testament is “hades”. “Hades” is the NEW TESTAMENT equivalent to the OLD TESTAMENT “sheol”, taken from the GREEK “helan” (hidden) from which we get the English word “hell”. Instances include Mt. 11v23, 16v18; Lk. 10v15, 16v23; Acts 2v27, v31; Rev. 1v18, 6v8, and 20v13-14.

"Haides" Is "Sheol"

The synonymy of the Hebrew “sheol” and the Greek “haides” are to be found in an Old Testament prophecy and it's New Testament fulfillment.

King David prophesied in song:

“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall rest in hope. For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell {sheol}; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Ps. 16v9-10, AKJV, p.259)

We find it's fulfillment in the Book of Acts with reference to Jesus:

“For David speaketh concerning Him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because Thou wilt not leave My Soul in hell {haides}, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Acts 2v25-27, AKJV, p.481)

“He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell {haides}, neither His flesh did see corruption.” (Acts 2v31, AKJV, p.481)

Having established therefore that “sheol” and “haides” are the same, we are at liberty to ascribe the former's characteristics to the latter. Therefore “haides” is a place of departed spirits awaiting resurrection.

The following are references to “haides” as “hell”.

“And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell {haides}: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.” (Mt. 11v23-24, AKJV, p.426)

The Gates of Hell

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church; and the gates of hell {haides} shall not prevail against it.” (Mt. 16v18, AKJV, p.429)

Understanding that “haides” refer to “sheol”, or the place of departed spirits awaiting resurrection, the Lord was saying that the gates of “haides” or “sheol” would not prevail against His Church; i.e. they will not prevent us from being resurrected to eternal life. (Ps. 16v9-10; Acts 2v25-27)

Many have misunderstood Matthew chapter 16 verse 18:- The Roman Catholic Church used it to established their claim of apostolic succession. Some charismaniacs, on the other hand, have attempted to “storm the gates of hell ... tearing them down”. But Christ's words were a prophecy of the resurrection, not a command to attack demons.

The idea that demons control hell ("sheol" or "haides") is a fantasy born of Greek mythology.

Lazarus and the Rich Man

Jesus Himself describes the underworld as a place for both, the righteous and the unrighteous, awaiting final resurrection:

“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell {haides} he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” (Lk. 16v19-26, AKJV, p.461)

Notice four important things:

• Jesus Himself, in His own words, affirm that consciousness continues after death;

• The underworld had two compartments, one for the righteous, and one for the unrighteous;

• The compartment for the righteous was a place of comfortable bliss;

• The compartment for the unrighteous was a place of heated torment.

The Greek word translated “flame” in Luke chapter 16 verse 24, is phlox {G5395}, which when used apart from pur {G4442} denotes heat. Yet, when used alongside each other, as in 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 8, it indicates “flaming fire”.

The fact that the rich man could speak and reason would indicate that the heat is intense, but not so as to annihilate or incapacitate him.

It is in this description of Lazarus and the rich man that we learn for the first time that “sheol” or “hades” is, indeed, a place of torment for the lost.

Is Hades a place of Torment?

Having already established the synonymy of “sheol” and “haides” - it would be safe to conclude that what applies to the one, is also applicable to the other.

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THE COMPARTMENT OF THE UNRIGHTEOUS
The Old Testament "Sheol"	The New Testament "Haides"
Darkness »	Darkness (2 Pt. 2v4)
Fiery Torment (Deut. 32v17-22; Is. 8v6)	Fiery Torment (Mt. 5v22, 18v9; Mk. 9v48; Lk. 16v23-25, v28)
Pain (Ps. 116v3-4)	Pain (Lk. 16v23-25, v28)
Worms (Is. 14v11)	Worms (Mk. 9v48)
THE COMPARTMENT OF THE RIGHTEOUS
The Old Testament "Sheol"	The New Testament "Haides"
Comforted »	Comforted (Lk. 16v25)

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It has to be said that even though “hades” is a place of torment, not once is it said to be a place of perishing, destruction, or annihilation. Rather that itself along with its content will be "cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20v14)

The Harrowing of Haides

When Jesus died on the cross He descended into the underworld (sheol or hades). What took place in that period is described to some degree in by the following:

Preaching

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” (1 Pt. 3v18-20, AKJV, p.539)

Some have suggested, due to a misreading of First Peter chapter 3 verses 18 to 20, that while in the underworld ("sheol" or "haides"), the Lord preached to the disobedient in the days of Noah.

For a thorough exposition on First Peter chapter 3 verses 18 to 20; see, "Hill's Bible Commentary" on 1 Pt. 3v19.

Suffering

There is no indication that He suffered while in the underworld. He may just as well have preached to them from “Abraham's Bosom”, as Abraham did to the rich man.

The only suffering pertaining to Christ, is that which He suffered “in the flesh” (Heb. 2v18, 9v26, 13v12; 1 Pt. 2v21-23, 3v18, 4v1).

Captivity

“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.)” (Ep. 4v7-10, AKJV, p.)

Amongst theologians there are three views pertaining to Christ leading “captivity captive”.

• The first made popular by the “Word-Faith” movement, claiming that He destroyed the captors (Satan and his minions), leading them away into captivity.

The problem with this interpretation is that Satan is not yet bound, and therefore still free to deceive and test the hearts of man (Acts 26v18; 1 Cor. 5v5, 7v5; 2 Cor. 2v11, 11v14, 12v7; 1 Th. 2v18; 1 Tim. 1v20, 5v15; Rev. 12v9).

• The second made popular by some within the Evangelical movement, that He captivated the former captives of the underworld, leading them into the presence of His Father. They often sight Matthew chapter 27 verses 51 to 53 as supporting this view, even though it says nothing of the sort.

The problem with this interpretation is that the resurrection of the dead will include both, the just and unjust (Acts 24v15), occurring for the first time at the Great White Throne Judgment (Dan. 12v2; Jn. 6v40, 13v36, 14v3; 1 Cor. 15v35-55; 1 Th. 4V13-17; Rev. 20v5-15).

Amongst those holding to this view are Albert James Dager from Media Spotlight®.

THE NEW TESTAMENT "GEHENNA"

There is also a second Greek word translated “hell”, “ghehennah” in the New Testament. Instances include Mt. 5v22, v29-30, 10v28, 18v9, 23v15, v33; Mk. 9v43, v45, v47; Lk. 12v5; and Js. 3v6.

The Valley of Hinnom

In biblical times, Ghehenah was situated to the south of Jerusalem, in the Valley of Hinnom. It was a place where criminals were buried and where the refuse of Jerusalem were burned. In time, it came to represent the final fate of the lost.

It was in this historical context, that Jesus, Matthew, Mark, Luke and James taught.

Gehenna Is The Lake of Fire

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The New Testament "Gehenna"	The New Testament "Lake of Fire"
Second Coming Judgment (Mt. 5v22)	Second Coming Judgment (Rev. 19v20, 20v10, v14-15)
Cast Into (Mt. 5v29-30, 18v9; Mk. 9v45, v47; Lk. 12v5)	Cast Into (Rev. 19v20, 20v10, v14-15)
Second Death (Mt. 10v28)	Second Death (Rev. 20v14, 21v8)
Damnation (Mt. 23v33)
	Brimstone (Rev. 14v10, 19v20, 20v10, 21v8)
Unquenchable Fire (Mk. 9v43, v45) *	Unquenchable Fire (Rev. 20v10)

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It is safe to suggest that since both “gehenna” and “the lake of fire” references the Day of Judgment and unquenchable fire, they are one and the same.

* While speaking of “unquenchable fire”, both Mt. 3v12 and Lk. 3v17 does not in particularly reference either “gehenna” or “the lake of fire”.

Gehenna Not Hades

Hades being cast into "the lake of fire" (Gehenna):

“And death and hell {hades} were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Rev. 20v14, AKJV, p.551)

Is Gehenna a Place of Torment?

Damnation

“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell {gehenna}?” (Mt. 23v33, AKJV, p.433)

Torment

“And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell {gehenna}, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell {gehenna}, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell {gehenna} fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” (Mk. 9v43-48, AKJV, p.443)

“The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” (Rev. 14v10-11, AKJV, p.)

Destruction

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell {gehenna}.” (Mt. 10v28, AKJV, p.425)

THE HERESIES OF ROMAN CATHOLICISM

The Vicar of Christ

THE POPE is referred to as “Holy Father”, acting on behalf of God. As Mel Gibson once stated, when the Pope speaks from “the chair” it is the voice of God. The Pope also bears the title “Vicar of Christ”. Vicar meaning “substitute”. The Pope claims to be “the substitute of Jesus Christ.” Jesus Christ is the “head of the Church” (Eph. 5v23) - therefore the Catholic Catechism states:

“For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered.” [1]

Matthew chapter 23 verse 9 quickly demolishes the “Holy Father” myth, in stating:

“And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” (KJV, p.433)

And Ephesians chapter 5 verse 23 dethrones the Vicar, for “Christ is the head of the Church.” (KJV, p.520)

Salvationism

The Roman Catholic church also proclaims SALVATION THROUGH ROMAN CATHOLICISM. Catholics are saved, Protestants are lost. This Catholic-only-salvation-myth are utterly disproved through John chapter 14 verse 6 “Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”

And Acts chapter 4 verse 12 “Neither is their salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, where by we must be saved.”

Transubstantiation

The RCC teaches that salvation is in THE MASS OR HOLY EUCHARIST. In the Eucharist, through a mystic process called transubstantiation the bread is believed to literally change into the actual Body of Jesus Christ and the blood literally changed into the Blood of Christ. Without partaking of the Catholic Mass, there is no salvation.

Not surprisingly then, that Gibson and Caviezel (the actor that played Jesus in The Passion of The Christ) received Mass and Communion every morning in preparation of the filming.

Purgatory

The Catholic church teaches an intermediate place between heaven and hell, called PURGATORY. Purgatory is a place where souls are said to suffer and be tortured to purify them from sin. And, of course, in the past, if you suspected a relative of suffering in Purgatory? - simply buy a ticket out of there! These were called Indulgences. Almost as hilarious as the latest Catholic invention - The Automatic Confession Machine™

Mary As Mediatrix

The Catholic church worships Mary as THE MOTHER OF GOD. They also believe Mary to be as much of a mediatrix between God and man, as Jesus are. A very popular Catholic prayer reads: Hail Mary Hail Mary, Full of Grace The Lord is with Thee Blessed art thou amongst women And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners Now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Mel Gibson calls Mary “a tremendous co-redemptrix and mediatrix.” [2] He clearly believes that Mary is the co-redeemer and co-mediator (along with Jesus). The Bible, however, is clear that there is only “One Mediator between God and men” (1Tim.2v5) - and it ain‘t Mary. There are, of course, growing falsidity in and amongst Roman Catholic churches, including infant baptism, confession, penance, indulgences, celibacy, priests, etc. But what really gets to me, what really annoys me, are so-called Christian leaders - well-informed, highly skilled, highly educated, and well-paid - but wildly (without reservation) promoting The Passion and other such forms of error. The last-mentioned might just be the root cause “...the love of money being the root of all evil...” But I am not the only one amazed. Mel Gibson pronounced his own bit of amazement:

"I've been actually amazed at the way I would say the evangelical audience has - hands down - responded to this film more than any other Christian group.” What makes it so amazing, he says, is that “the film is so Marian (the Roman Catholic worship of Mary).” [3]

Ed: Do not be too amazed Mr. Gibson - both my hands are up!

Gibson adds,

“The way the film displays (Mary) has been kind of an eye opener for evangelicals who don't usually look at that aspect...” [3]

The actor, who played 'Jesus', Jim Caviezel, said in an interview concerning Mary's omniscience role in The Passion:

“I ask Mary to guide me and my career... This film is something that I believe was made by Mary for her Son. Because it was made by her, it will be attacked by the enemy.” [4]

Bibliography

1. The Catechism of the Catholic Church; Nr. 780, 882.

2. Zenit; 28 June 2004. http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=49259

3. Mel, Mary and Mothers; Christianity Today™; March 2004.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/commentaries/passion-melmarymothers.html

4. Jim Caviezel; In An Interview. http://www.medjugorje.hr/int%20Caviezel%20ENG.htm

I noticed an article in the Evening Post, entitled White Witch's Spell in Clergy Comes to an End.

A clergyman has spoken of his decision to resign as a Church of England priest after concerns were raised about him training to become a white witch.

The Rev Chris Horseman agreed to resign his licence to officiate at church services as an Anglican priest following a meeting on Wednesday with the Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Price.

The decision will mean that Mr Horseman will no longer be able to conduct services in any C of E church.

The Evening Post revealed in December how the 53-year-old, who ordained as a priest with the Church of England in 1982, was training online with the College of Sacred Mists in California.

Mr Horseman said: "I am saddened but not surprised this has happened. I have parted with the bishop amicably and he assured me of his every good wish for the future."

Mr Horseman used to be in charge of Holy Trinity Church in Cleeve but was forced to give up his duties seven years ago after his wife Fiona was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and he became her full-time carer.

As a result, he set up his successful Rent-a-Rev business where he hires himself out to officiate at a number of services including weddings, funerals and christenings.

Mr Horseman, who is also training to be a druid and is a Reverend in the Church of Spiritual Humanism, said despite resigning from the Church of England he would continue to build his Rent-a-Rev business.

He said: "The only difference following my resignation is that I can no longer take services in Church of England churches. However, Rent-A-Rev will continue to go from strength to strength and my services will still be called upon from other faiths and many sections of the community."

Mr Horseman is on the books of 20 local funeral directors and conducts about 250 services each year.

He added: "I am very busy and some days have three services to officiate at. It is sad that I will no longer be able to work within the Church of England, but it was a decision that had to be made. I know that my diversification will lead to many other things and I am always busy."

Once he has completed his three- year training, Mr Horseman could become a third degree white witch and high priest and lead a coven of witches.

As well as holding blessings he will be able cast spells and take a ceremonial role in rituals and lead hand fasting marriages where couples can pledge to be faithful to one another for a year and a day rather than for life.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Bath and Wells said: "Mr Horseman has agreed his activities as a ceremonialist were incompatible with his Anglican orders. He offered his resignation, which the bishop is minded to accept, though the bishop has offered him a period of grace to consider the matter. Mr Horseman has agreed to cease acting as an Anglican priest immediately."

The only former government head to be a churchman was Dr D F Malan, the first prime minister when the National Party came to power in 1948. The difference is that Malan studied for many years to be a dominee, whereas Zuma became a minister of the independent charismatic churches overnight, without having to study the Ten Commandments, and that sort of stuff.

So long as he now remembers that adultery is a non-no, and that he shouldn't covet his neighbour's house, and especially his neighbour's wife and his neighbour's maid-servant. His neighbour's ox and ass shouldn't be too much of a temptation.

The main thing is that he has seen the light, which Paul told the Ephesians they should walk in as children of light. He also told the Ephesians in the same few verses that fornication and all impurity and covetousness should not even be named among them. But I belabour the point. By now the Rev Zuma must have realised you don't invite young women into your room, even if you are not titillated by their wearing of a skirt.

Maybe we should not expect too much. Malan went on to pass laws that didn't treat everyone as children of light, and in fact made life an increasing misery for people who were darker than himself, physically speaking. His politics overrode the teachings of his religion.

But reformed sinners should always be given the benefit of the doubt. Perish the thought that Zuma was merely trying to collar (so to speak) the Christian vote. No one suggested that the Rev Kenneth Meshoe's ACDP should have the monopoly.

By now President Mbeki must be regretting that he didn't become a pastor himself. One of the first people to welcome Zuma to his church was Bishop Steven Zondo, founder of Rivers of Living Waters Ministries. Through Zuma, he urged the ANC to come back to the church "to cleanse it of all evil".

That's just what Mbeki needs to do, but he's not going to achieve it through writing long newsletters on the internet.

What Zuma, in turn, needs is a change of tune. Even at Zondo's church, the only song he could think of singing was MSHINI WAMI (itals). It's about time, now that he's an instant theologian, that he learns a proper hymn. I thought of adapting one that could incorporate his ongoing need for a machine gun. It goes like this:

"Onward Christian soldiers
Marching as to war,
With MSHINI WAMI (itals)
Going on before.

"At the name of Zuma
His enemies doth flee --
Inkatha, ID and DA --
Before the ANC.

"Hell's foundations quiver
When Zuma's men toyi-toyi,
Brothers lift your feet and knees,
Let others pay the legal fees
For Presidential VIPs,
No more a sinful boy."

THE BELMONT CONFESSION OF FAITH

by

EJ Hill & Friends, Private Bag X15, Suite 25, Hermanus, 7200
Phone +27 (072) 756 6606, Email ej@hermanus.cc, Visit http://ejaysweblog.blogspot.com/

The official Doctrinal Statement of Sovereign Grace, a Reformed Charismatic Evangelical Fellowship in Southern Africa.

Total Depravity

a.k.a Original Sin, or Original Corruption (as opposed to Moral Neutrality)

I. ORIGINS. We believe and confess that all mankind; although "originally" [1|11|19] created in the "likeness" [1|13] and "image" [1|11|13|16|18|20|25] of God (Gen. 1v27); "good" [19]; "upright" [8|9|19], "perfect" [8|9], "holy" [10], "innocent" [16], and "free from sin" [11]; "fell from that holy and happy state" [10] of "original" [7|8|14] "holiness" [11|14], "righteousness" [7|8|11|14], "innocence" [16], and "communion with God" [7|8].

II. SEDUCTION. "Our first parents" [7]; Adam and Eve [5]; "being the root of mankind" [7]; were seduced by the "subtilty", "temptations" [7|8|9], and "envy" [5] of Satan; "in eating the forbidden fruit" [7|8|9] (Gen. 3v12-13; 2 Cor. 11v3); whereby the guilt of this "voluntary" [10] "transgression" [3|5|10|11|16] and "disobedience" [5|13|20] incurred "everlasting" [3] "penalties of spiritual and physical death" [1|17|19] (Gen. 2v16-17; Rom. 5v21, 6v23; Ep. 2v1-3) - unless the Lord Jesus sets them free.

III. IMPUTATION. "This sin was imputed" [7|8|9]; conveying to all their "posterity" [7|11|14|16], being "conceived in sin" [8|9] (Ps. 51v5), and "by nature children of wrath" [8|9] (Rom. 1v18; Ep. 2v3); an "utterly defaced" [3], "inwardly depraved" [25], "sinful" [1|25], "corrupt" [8|9|11|18|21], and "wicked" [21] nature (Job 14v4; Ps. 51v5; Jer. 17v9; Jn. 3v6; Rom. 3v9-23, 5v12-19); "altogether dead in sins and trespasses" [6|8|9|13] (Rom. 5v12-14), "wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body" [7|8|9] (Gen. 6v5; Jer. 17v9; Mt. 15v19; Tit. 1v15), "wholly" [7|8|9], "radically" [25], "positively" [10] and "pervasively" [25]; "ruined" [5], "inclined to all evil" [7|8|9|10], "utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good" [7|8|9] (Jn. 6v44, 15v5; Rom. 8v7-8; 1 Cor. 2v14; 2 Cor. 3v5), "estranged from God" [5]; "enemies to God" [3|25] (Rom. 3v23, 5v10; Col. 1v21), "slaves to Satan" [3|25] (Heb. 2v14-15; 2 Tim. 3v26), "servants to sin" [3|8|9|14|25] (Rom. 6v20, 7v5; Ep. 2v1-3), "the subjects of death" [8|9|13|18] (Ez. 18v19-20; Rom. 1v32, 5v12; 1 Cor. 15v21-22; Js. 1v14-15), and all other miseries, spiritual, temporal, and eternal - unless the Lord Jesus sets them free.

IV. CONDEMNATION. Therefore, having "voluntarily" [10|19]; and "not by constraint" [10]; but free "choice" [10] (Gen. 6v12; Is. 53v6; Rom. 3v9-23); transgressed and fell, remaining under "just condemnation" [10|18] being "eternally lost" [5], in "eternal ruin" [10] (See, Annihilationism); "without defense or excuse" [10] (Rom. 1v20, 2v1-16, 3v19; Gal. 3v22) - unless the Lord Jesus sets them free.

V. PURPOSE. "This ... God was pleased, according to His wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order it to His own glory" [7|8|9] (Rom. 11v32-33).

We reject, therefore, "the Pelagians and others who deny original depravity as being sin" [2]; claiming it only as a matter of imitation [4]; and in so doing "obscure the glory of Christ's merit and benefits; arguing that man can be justified before God by his own strength and reason" [3|21].

We are, therefore, in agreement with the 1530 Augsburg Confession [2] of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America [23] (by Philipp Melanchthon); the 1560 Scots Confession [3] (by John Knox);  the 1561 Belgic Confession of the Canadian Reformed Churches [4]; the 1632 Dordrecht Confession of the Dutch Mennonite Conference, Dordrecht, Holland, April 21, 1632 [5]; the 1644 First London Baptist Confession [6]; the 1646 Westminster Assembly Confession [7]; the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession [8]; the 1742 Philadelphia Confession [9]; the 1833 New Hampshire Baptist Confession [10]; the 1858 Abstract of Principles Charter of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary [11]; the Twelfth Mennonite General Conference at Garden City, Missouri, August 24-26, 1921 [13]; the 1925/2000 Baptist Faith and Message [14|16]; Answers In Genesis [17]; Assemblies of God [19]; Campus Crusade for Christ [20]; the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry [21]; Colorado Christian University [22]; Franklin Road Baptist Church [1]; the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) [24]; and Sovereign Grace Ministries [25].

• Total Depravity, by EJ Hill
• Man's Total Depravity, by Arthur W. Pink
• Total Depravity, by Douglas Wilson
• Total Depravity, by John Piper
• The Subject of Total Depravity, by Dr. John Warwick Montgomery
• Total Depravity, by Loraine Boettner
• Theopedia

The Bondage of The Will

John Calvin; Martin Luther; Walter J. Chantry

Unconditional Election

See also Doug Ledbetter; Frank B. Beck; Herman Henco; Loraine Boettner; Got Questions; Wikipedia

Limited Atonement

a.k.a Particular Atonement

See also Charles Spurgeon; John Hendryx; Loraine Boettner

Irresistible Grace

a.k.a Effectual Calling

See also Frank Beck; George Swinnock; John Murray

Second Birth

a.k.a Rebirth, or Conversion

Jn. 3v5

Perseverance of the Saints

a.k.a Once Saved Always Saved (as opposed to Conditional Security)

See also Gise J van Baren; John F. MacArthur, Jr; Loraine Boettner; R.B.C. Howell

Believers' Baptism

See also Charles Spurgeon; John Carlos Bailey; John F. MacArthur, Jr; Rick DeMichele

The Intermediate State

Lk. 16v22-28; Jn. 6v39-40; 1 Cor. 15v20-24; Rev. 6v9-11

The Visible Return of Christ

a.k.a The Second Coming, The Epiphany, The Parousia, or Second Advent

I. CONSUMMATION. Once more; at the end, or "consummation" [2] of the World (Jn. 6v39-40); the exact date being "unknown to all creatures" [4] (Mt. 24v36, 25v13; 1 Th. 5v1-2); Christ will appear "visibly" [4] (Rev. 1v7), "as He ascended" [4] (Acts 1v11); like "a thief in the night" to those in darkness, but, as expected by those of the light (1 Th. 5v2-8; Lk. 17v24-37); with "power" (Mt. 24v30), "lightning" (Mt. 24v27; Lk. 17v24), "glory" [4] (Mt. 24v30, 25v31; 2 Pt. 4v13), "majesty" [4], and "brightness" (2 Th. 2v8); accompanied by His "holy angels" (Mt. 25v31).

II. PURPOSE. The purpose of this resurrection, being, a "day of wrath" (Rom. 2v5), the revealing of the "righteous judgment of God" [2] (Acts 10v42, 17v32; Rom. 2v5; 1 Cor. 4v5; 2 Tim. 4v1; 2 Th. 1v5); before Whom will appear "in person" [4]; "all people, men, women, and children, who ever lived, from the beginning of the world to the end" [4] - both Jew and Gentile, both Lost and Found (Deut. 7v9-11; Rom. 2v5-16, 14v10; 2 Cor. 5v10; 2 Th. 2v1; Rev. 20v11-13).

III. SUMMONED. All "will be summoned with the archangel's call and with the sound of the trumpet of God" [4] (1 Th. 4v16); the dead in Christ rising first (Dan. 12v2; Jn. 5v28-29, 6v39-40; Acts 17v32; Heb. 9v27; 1 Th. 4v16); afterwards, those that are alive and remain being "changed" [4] (Philip. 3v20-21), "in a moment", "in the twinkling of an eye" [2] (1 Cor. 15v51-55); "at the last trumpet" (1 Cor. 15v51-55), being "caught up together with them in the clouds" (1 Th. 4v17); to meet the Lord in the air. (1 Th. 4v17)

IV. JUDGEMENT. Then the books will be opened and the living dead will be judged (Rev. 20v12) according to "what they have done in this world" [4] (Rom. 2v6; Rev. 20v12-13), "whether good or bad" [4] (2 Cor. 5v10) - manifesting (Rev. 15v4) "every careless word" [4] (Mt. 12v36).

V. REWARD. The faithful, the "wise" (Dan. 12v3), the "godly" [2], the "elect" [2]; with "boldness" (1 Jn. 4v17), as being "counted worthy of the kingdom of God" (2 Th. 1v5); have, through "hope" (Tit. 2v13) and "patience" (1 Pt. 5v7); receive as "recompense" (Lk. 14v14), a "great" (Mt. 5v12) and "inconceivable" (1 Cor. 2v9) reward: "a crown of righteousness" (2 Tim. 4v8) [4],  of "glory" (Rom. 2v10), "honour" (Rom. 2v10), and "peace" (Rom. 2v10); clothed with "incorruption" and "immortality" (1 Cor. 15v51-55); unto "eternal life and everlasting joys" [2] (See, Eternal Life); entering "new heavens and a new earth" (2 Pt. 3v10-13). And they "will shine like the brightness of the firmament" and "stars" (Mt. 13v43; Dan. 12v3); for God shall "wipe away all tears from their eyes" (Is. 25v8; Rev. 7v17, 21v4); and there shall be "no more death" (Rev. 21v4), neither sorrow (Rev. 21v4), nor crying (Rev. 21v4), neither shall there be any more pain (Rev. 21v4); for "the former things are passed away" (Rev. 21v4).

VI. PENALTY. The "unrighteous" (Rom. 2v8), "unbelieving" (Rev. 21v8), "impenitent" (Rom. 2v5), "disobedient" (Rom. 2v8; 2 Th. 1v8), "contentious" (Rom. 2v8), "abominable" (Rev. 21v8), "murderers" (Rev. 21v8), "whoremongers" (Rev. 21v8), "sorcerers" (Rev. 21v8), "idolaters" (Rev. 21v8), and "liars" (Rev. 21v8); will face the inescapable (Mt. 23v33) "indignation" (Rom. 2v8), "wrath" (Rom. 2v5, v8), and "vengeance" (2 Th. 1v8; Rev. 18v20) of God; receiving as "recompense" (2 Th. 1v6): "damnation" to hell (Mt. 23v33; 2 Th. 2v12); with intolerable (Mt. 11v22) "anguish" (Rom. 2v9), in a "flaming" (2 Th. 1v8), and "unquenchable" (Mk. 9v48), "furnace of fire" (Mt. 13v42) geared towards "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power" (2 Th. 1v9). (See, Annihilationism)

We reject, therefore, those who teach that only the unregenerate will appear before the Judgement Seat of Christ.

The Mortality of The Soul 

a.k.a Conditional Immortality (as opposed to Unconditional Immortality)

See also George Florovsky; Hatford Bible Students; St. Cyprian

Eternal Life

Rom. 2v7; 1 Th. 4v16-17

Annihilationism

a.k.a Eternal Destruction (as opposed to Eternal Torment)

Ps. 49v8; Jn. 3v15-16, v36; Rom. 2v12; 1 Th. 5v2-3; 2 Th. 1v9, 2v10; Heb. 10v27; 2 Pt. 3v16; Jude 1v5

I.

We reject therefore, those who teach "torment without end" [2].

We are, therefore, in agreement with the Anabaptists [2]; Edward William Fudge; and John R.W. Stott.

• A Very Surprising Quiz, by Edward William Fudge
• Hell Hath No Fury? Annihilationism Considered, by Thought Reform

The Divinity of Christ

See also J. Ligon Duncan; Jude Walker; Peter Kreeft; Robert L. Dabney

The Trinity

See also Andrew Corbett; Andrew Fruchtenbaum; Francis J. Beckwith

The Gifts of The Spirit

a.k.a Continuationism

See also Craig Simonian; Jon Ruthven

The Israel of God

a.k.a Replacementism (as opposed to Dispensationalism)

Is. 54v1; Jn. 4v21-24; Gal. 2, 3v7, v28-29, 4v4-5, v30-31

See also Charles D. Alexander; Robin A. Brace

Similitudes of God

a.k.a Iconoclasm (as opposed to Iconography)

Is. 40v18; Jn. 4v24; Rom. 1v21-25; 2 Cor. 5v16

See also Brian Schwertley; David Orton; EJ Hill; Richard Bennett

Christian Marriage

Mt. 19v6; Gal. 3v28

See also Wikipedia

No Secret Rapture

See also Andrew Corbett; Brian M. Schwertley; Cecil Maranville; Ernest L. Martin; L. Ray Smith

Creationism

See also Ken Ham (Answers In Genesis); Kent Hovind (Creation Science Evangelism)

Intelligent Design

See also Intelligent Design Network

Bibliography

1. The Doctrinal Statement of Franklin Road Baptist Church. (11/03/2008) http://www.frbaptist.org/bin/view/Home/DoctrinalStatement

2. Philipp Melanchthon; The 1530 Lutheran Augsburg Confession. (11/03/2008) http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Augsburg_Confession

3. John Knox; The 1560 Scots Confession. (11/03/2008) http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Scots_Confession

4. The 1561 Belgic Confession of Faith. (11/03/2008) http://www.canrc.org/resources/bop/belgic/

5. The 1632 Dordrecht Confession; Dutch Mennonite Conference; Dordrecht, Holland. (12/03/2008) http://www.bibleviews.com/Dordrecht.html

6. The 1644 First London Baptist Confession of Faith. (11/03/2008) http://www.spurgeon.org/%7Ephil/creeds/bc1644.htm

7. The 1646 Westminster Confession of Faith. (11/03/2008) http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Westminster_Confession_of_Faith

8. The 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith. (11/03/2008) http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1689_Baptist_Confession_of_Faith

9. The 1742 Philadelphia Confession of Faith; The Philadelphia Association. (12/03/2008) http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/creeds/phila.htm#6

10. The 1833 New Hampshire Baptist Confession. (12/03/2008) http://www.spurgeon.org/%7Ephil/creeds/nh_conf.htm

11. The 1858 Southern Baptist Abstract of Principles. (12/03/2008) http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Transwiki:Abstract_of_Principles

12. The 1919 Fraternal Address of Southern Baptists. (12/03/2008) http://www.mtsbc.org/Communications/PDF/Baptist%20Docs/Fraternal%20Address%20by%20E%20Y%20Mullins.htm

13. The 1921 Garden City Mennonite Confession of Faith. (12/03/2008) http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Garden_City_Confession_of_Faith

14. The 1925 Baptist Faith and Message. (12/03/2008) http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Baptist_Faith_and_Message/1925

15. The 1963 Baptist Faith and Message; Southern Baptist Convention. (12/03/2008) http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Baptist_Faith_and_Message/1963

16. The 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. (12/03/2008) http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Baptist_Faith_and_Message/2000

17. The AiG Statement of Faith; Answers In Genesis. (12/03/2008) http://www.answersingenesis.org/about/faith

18. Our Statement of Faith; Apologetics Index. (12/03/2008) http://www.apologeticsindex.org/about04.html

19. Statement of Fundamental Truths; The General Council of the Assemblies of God. (12/03/2008) http://www.ag.org/top/Beliefs/Statement_of_Fundamental_Truths/sft_short.cfm

20. Statement of Faith; Campus Crusade for Christ. (12/03/2008) http://www.ccci.org/about-us/ministry-profile/statement-of-faith.aspx

21. Statement of Faith; Christian Apologetic and Research Ministry. (12/03/2008) http://www.carm.org/index/statement.htm

22. What We Believe; Colorado Christian University. (12/03/2008) http://www.ccu.edu/welcome/webelieve.asp

23. Confession of Faith of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. (12/03/2008) http://www.elca.org/communication/faith.html

24. Statement of Faith; National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). (12/03/2008) http://www.nae.net/index.cfm?FUSEACTION=nae.statement_of_faith

25. Statement of Faith; Sovereign Grace Ministries. (12/03/2008) http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/About/StatementOfFaith/Overview.aspx

CHRISTIAN BIRTHRIGHT: SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT

by

EJ Hill & Friends, Private Bag X15, Suite 25, Hermanus, 7200
Phone +27 (072) 756 6606, Email ej@hermanus.cc, Visit http://ejaysweblog.blogspot.com/

Is. 8v20; Mt. 4v24, 7v7-11; Lk. 8v18, 11v9-13; Jn. 7v17, 14v17, v26, 16v13-14; 1 Cor. 2v14; Js. 1v5; 2 Pt. 3v16

Introduction

What we must understand as Christians, is that at Rebirth we have been spiritually empowered, enlightened, activated, or "switched on" to understanding God's Word. While in our B.C. days (before Christ) we could only read, but not understand Scripture - now we can both read AND understand.

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor. 2v14, AKJV, p.505)

"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him, but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (Jn. 14v17, AKJV, p.476)

The Promise of Scripture

Of Divine Guidance

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (Jn. 14v26, AKJV, p.476)

"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself: but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you." (Jn. 16v13-14, AKJV, p.477)

THE 1646 WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH

"V. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverent esteem of the holy Scripture; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet, notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts." [1]

"VI. The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheless we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word;..." [1]

THE 1689 SECOND BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH

"5. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church of God to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, and the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, and many other incomparable excellencies, and entire perfections thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts. (John 16:13,14; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12; 1 John 2:20, 27)" [2]

"6. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word, ..." [2]

Of Opened Doors

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" (Mt. 7v7-11, AKJV, p.424)

"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" (Lk. 11v9-13, AKJV, p.457)

Of Answered Prayers

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" (Mt. 7v7-11, AKJV, p.424)

"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" (Lk. 11v9-13, AKJV, p.457)

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." (Js. 1v5-7, AKJV, p.536)

Of Discovery

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" (Mt. 7v7-11, AKJV, p.424)

"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" (Lk. 11v9-13, AKJV, p.457)

The Perspicuity of Scripture

The Bible, by and large is clear. This has been the fundamental belief of Christians throughout history. Yes, there are some things hard to understand (2 Pt. 3v16), but only some and not all, and only hard not impossible.

Frequently Asked Questions

- 1st OBJECTION -
What if one 'spiritually enlightened' person's answer is different from that of another? How do we know which one is correct? For example, on the question of communion (the Lord's Supper), we have Luther's view, Calvin's view, and Zwingli's view. All claiming to come from Scripture exclusively.

I cannot speak on behalf of Luther, Calvin, or Zwingli, but of one thing I am sure - God never contradicts Himself. One of them might be right; at least two must be wrong.

Firstly - regarding 'Sola Scriptura' - these claims are not necessarily factual. I can 'claim' to be an astronaut, that doesn't make me one. Likewise, in reality, most doctrine are (more often than not) constructed, not only from Scripture, but from the most prominent and most popular opinions; of 'church fathers'; of both ancient and modern philosophy; of psychology; of science; of tradition; and, of course, that of society.

There are more at work in this world, than most people would like to acknowledge. Even amongst, the seemingly innocent (Mt. 7v15), we readily discover corruption "not so much as named amongst the gentiles" (1 Cor. 5v1). Never underestimate the power of politics; the love of money; and that of social acceptance - even, or rather, especially, amongst the most prominent of theologians.

Secondly, the Scriptures, by and of itself, can not be interpreted; apart from the express guidance of the Holy Spirit. (Jn. 14v26, 16v13-14) Therefore, any doctrine said to be derived from "Scripture exclusively", are, more often than not, as reliable as that of any other intellectual enterprise: often futile, and destitute of truth.

We should learn from the most noble Bereans, to question whatever we hear -  to sift: Fact from fiction; Proof from assumption; and Scripture from commentary.

"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 11v17, AKJV, p.491)

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (Mt. 10v16, AKJV, p.425)

"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. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears." (Acts 20v29-31, AKJV, p.493)

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (1 Th. 5v21, AKJV, p.525)

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." (1 Jn. 4v1, AKJV, p.542)

- 2nd OBJECTION -
Why then, do some people lack understanding?

It could be any of the following.

Since God promised that we would "find" and that He would "answer and open" (Mt. 7v7-11; Lk. 11v9-13), and since God cannot lie (), the problem has to be with us.

I. We have to conclude, therefore, that it is most likely we who DO NOT ASK, or SEEK, or KNOCK.

II. Alternatively, it might be that we ASK, but we ASK WAVERING.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." (Js. 1v5-7, AKJV, p.536)

III. Since God's Revelation is Proportional to our hearing, it might also be our DISOBEDIENCE TO WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW that's tripping us up.

"And He said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given." (Mk. 4v24, AKJV, p.440)

"Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have." (Lk. 8v18, AKJV, p.454)

"If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." (Jn. 7v17, AKJV, p.471)

IV. Ultimately, it might also be that they, have NEVER REPENTED, have NEVER BEEN BORN AGAIN, and therefore, NEVER ENLIGHTENED.

"To the law and to the testimony: if we speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them." (Is. 8v20, AKJV, p.310)

Bibliography

1. The 1646 Westminster Confession of Faith; Wikisource.
(07/03/2008) http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Westminster_Confession_of_Faith

Taken from Sydney Watson's 'In The Twinkling of an Eye'

Not all the blood of beasts
On Jewish altars slain
Could give the guilty conscience peace,
Or wash away our stain.

But Christ the Heavenly Lamb,
Takes all our sins away;
A sacrifice of nobler name,
And richer Blood than they.

My faith would lay her hand
On that meek head of Thine,
While as a penitent I stand,
And here confess my sin.

My soul looks back to see
The burden Thou didst bear
When hanging on the accursed tree,
And knows her guilt was there.

Believing we rejoice
To feel the curse remove;
We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice,
And trust His bleeding love.