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ARE YOU THE PASTOR OF A LAODICEAN CHURCH

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Laodicean church

To the Laodicean church…

“ And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22 .

When it comes to the interpretation of the book of Revelation, there’s no shortage of interpretations or opinions. The most prevalent view is that the first four chapters are symbolic of seven stages of church history. There are others who see chapter four as a type of the rapture of the church. John is supposed to be a type of the church. His rapture is preceded by the Laodicean church age, which many believe we are in today.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]There’s no shortage of views of the church.[/pullquote]

Also, there’s no shortage of views of the church. Many believe the church is general, universal and consisting of all truly saved individuals from the beginning of the church until the rapture. Others hold to a partial rapture, which means, only those who are living for Christ and looking for Him, will be raptured. Then, there are some who reject the concept of a universal church and teach that the only valid church on earth is a local Baptist Church whose lineage, like an unbroken chain, extends back to John the Baptist. They believe all the saved will be raptured, but not all will be in the “bride,” which, they say, consist of members of a select group of Baptist Churches.

For those who believe the only scriptural church is a visible local Baptist Church, and believe the teaching that there are seven periods of church history, we ask, which church age are we in? Also, if this is a Laodicean church age, and if the only church is a visible Baptist Church, would that be your church? If yours is a Laodicean church, you may be in trouble. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

Just for the record. I believe all saved people are members of the body of Christ. I do not accept that the body of Christ is the subject of any part of the book of Revelation, nor that the church is the “Bride of Christ.” However, I was graduated from a Baptist College, I pastored three Baptist Churches. One I started with “0” people and pastored it for 40 years. By God’s grace we saw people make professions of faith every Sunday. Many of these are serving God in full-time ministry. Oh, I was also saved and baptized in a Baptist Church. Has the chain been broken from John till then? Beats me.

 

PERPETUITY AND HARLOT CHURCHES #2

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(Perpetuity and Harlot Churches #1)

Can anyone seriously prove perpetuity?

broken chain

 

By Ken Blue

I have found that church history books are not reliable. It depends on who writes them. Then, there are little red books with charts and graphs, but how do we know these charts are accurate? Does it require faith in man’s theological bias? None is completely objective. If you can’t validate your baptism back to the beginning, with assurance that the chain has never been broken, how are others to know? Doesn’t it require a little Bible knowledge, a lot of history, and even more faith? I am confident if you can know, so can we.

Power intoxicates men. Catholic baptism, according to them, puts you in the church that started with Peter. Seventh Day Advantest baptism puts you in the church Jesus started. Apostolic Church Of God, baptism in the name of “Jesus only,” puts you in the church Jesus started. Charismatic baptism in the Spirit, gives you the Spirit.  And, some Baptist churches believe, if you don’t have their local church baptism, you are not in Jesus’s church or the bride. So, you see, it’s all about power. “If you don’t have ours, you don’t have it, and you are not in…” I think those who take that position are “power mongers.”

The argument is simple; first, you must have a proper candidate who is saved. Right! Secondly, you must have a proper mode, baptism by immersion. Right! Thirdly, you must have the proper church, one with perpetuity back to John the Baptist. Wrong! Fourthly, there must be proper authority to baptize. Wrong! It’s all about control and authority. Like Peter, their baptism is the KEY to the true church, and the bride. If you don’t have their approval, you’re OUT! I say  NUTS to their church bigotry and the arrogance about the administrator!

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]NUTS to their church bigotry and the arrogance about the administrator![/pullquote]

I have a list of different Baptist groups, found just in North America. I have no doubt that each one can “prove” they are the correct church with valid perpetuity.

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Alliance of Baptists-American Baptist Association-American Baptist Churches – Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America-Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists- Baptist Bible Fellowship International-Baptist General Conference-Baptist Missionary Association of America-Central Baptist Association-Christian Unity Baptist Association-Conservative Baptist Association of America-Continental Baptist Churches-Cooperative Baptist Fellowship-Enterprise Association of Regular Baptists-Evangelical Free Baptist Church-Free Will Baptist-Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship-Fundamental Baptist Fellowship Association-Fundamental Baptist Fellowship of America-General Association of Baptists-General Association of General Baptists-General Association of Regular Baptist Churches-General Conference of the Evangelical Baptist Church, Inc.-General Six-Principle Baptists-Independent Baptist Church of America-Independent Baptist Fellowship International-Independent Baptist Fellowship of North America-Institutional Missionary Baptist Conference of America-Interstate & Foreign Landmark Missionary Baptist Association-Landmark Baptists-Liberty Baptist Fellowship-Macedonia Baptist World Missions-Mainstream Baptist Network National Association of Free Will Baptists-National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.-National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.-National Baptist Evangelical Life and Soul Saving Assembly of the U.S.A.-National Missionary Baptist Convention of America-National Primitive Baptist Convention of the U.S.A.-North American Baptist Conference-Old Regular Baptist-Indian Bottom Association of Old Regular Baptists-Old Time Missionary Baptist-Original Free Will Baptist Convention-Primitive Baptists-Progressive National Baptist Convention-Reformed Baptist-Regular Baptist-Roger Williams Fellowship-Separate Baptist-Separate Baptists in Christ-Seventh Day Baptist General Conference-Southern Baptist Convention-Southwide Baptist Fellowship-Sovereign Grace Baptists-Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists-United American Free Will Baptist Church-United American Free Will Baptist Conference-United Baptists-Unregistered Baptist Fellowship-World Baptist Fellowship-Worldwide Baptist New Testament Missions. Are you serious? You know you have perpetuity, and these don’t. It looks like the Corinthian Church to me.

MUSIC AND EVANGELISM

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music and evangelismMUSIC AND EVANGELISM

By Ken Blue

“Music is never used in Scripture as a means of reaching the lost.” (quoted from a “music evangelist” ??)

The argument that music is never use in Scripture to reach the lost is a fallacious argument. Shall we use that same argument concerning musical instruments? Were they used in the early church, according to Scripture?

Evangelistic music has been used for centuries to communicate God’s salvation message. Shall we discontinue the invitation since the early churches did not give them?

All music should bring glory to God, but you don’t know what it is. Will it be liturgical, mass, anthems, motets, sequences, psalmody, antiphons, hymns, contemporary, rap, bluegrass, southern gospel, and black gospel? Or, will it be Christian lyrics set to a waltz, a march, the foxtrot, or the secular tunes as done by Martin Luther and others? All you have is preference. There is music I don’t like or approve; but that does not constitute Scripture or set the standard for you.

God looks on the heart and when the intent is to obey Him, He may cut those a break with whom others can’t find the grace to do so. However, the teaching that music should not be used to reach the lost is silly and cannot be established from Scripture.

I heard the above quote by a “music evangelist” (?) At the close of his message he said,  “let’s sing ‘just as I am'”

THE WICKEDNESS OF HARBORING RESENTMENT

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WOLF

By Ken Blue

This article is a response to self-appointed “evangelist” Jerry Kaifetz. Since he cut off my ability to respond to him in private on “messaging,” we will post my last response, which I am sure he never received. His disdain for independent fundamental churches has embittered his spirit, and he could not refrain from showing his contempt for them and me. My only reason for posting this response is because of his “hit and run” tactic after his vile attack.

Mr. Kaifetz, You demonstrated your unwillingness to face the truth when you said, “Exactly what I expected,” and then cut me off of your Facebook, so I could not respond to your vile accusations. You should have expected that response because you set the table.

Concerning you calling me a hypocrite, because I pastored, and had a son smoking pot is like the kettle calling the pot black. You never had the courtesy to ask if I was aware of it or not. I was not. You may say, “Well, you should have known.” Well, let’s see how that plays out, Mr. Kaifetz. Were the Wilsons Hypocrites for teaching Sunday school, and preaching in Junior Church while their son was smoking pot? Have you confronted them about that, or do you only target pastors?  Also, you were a member of First Baptist, and you must have known the pastor’s son was having sex with every girl he could corrupt. If you did know it, were you a hypocrite to be a part of that ministry? You boast about how heavily involved you were in the church. If you didn’t know about the immorality, why not?

Also, for you to blame me for the drinking problem of their son is a demonstration of your duplicity. You have an agenda in your attack on fallen pastors…its call ego, and money.  Perhaps if enough pastors fall, you may become famous.

Your comment “You are the one who is unquestionably incapable of receiving advice,” and “You will never understand what I have to say to you,” only reveals your pride and arrogance. What advice did you send? Your article was an attack from beginning to the end. Wisdom will not die with you, so don’t pride yourself beyond your limits.

Also, for someone to dig up an offense of over 35 years ago, demonstrates their inability to practice 1 Cor. 13.

  • “Love Does Not Keep Notes on Past Offenses

Paul tells us that love “does not take into account a wrong suffered.” I like what Morris writes on this point: “Paul’s next point is that love does not, so to speak, go around with a little black book making a note of every evil thing. ‘Love keeps no score of wrongs,’ says Paul (the NEB translation). We find it hard to forget it when people offend us, often storing up such grievances.” Some saints seem to have photographic memories when it comes to offenses against them. One little irritation brings to mind an entire file of previous offenses, carefully annotated and documented. This kind of mental bookkeeping only serves to fuel resentment and certainly does not facilitate true reconciliation.” That would be you, Mr. Kaifetz.

http://bible.org/seriespage/what-thing-called-love-1-cor-131-13

Ken Blue

WHAT DO MORMONS BELIEVE? LET THEM TELL US

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By Ken Blue

It is recorded that Smith had at least 33 wives. He said the angel of the lord promised to kill him if he did not take many wives and teach others to do likewise.  The following comes from two Mormons who responded to a previous article I posted. One has been a member of the Mormon Church for 40 years.

I WILL  MARK MY COMMENTS IN BOLD .

“1.   Polytheism:  “Mormons”… only worship one God.  Do we believe that other gods exist?  You bet we do.”

Mormons attempt to make the case that Bible believers also believe in more than one God. Since they reject the teaching of the Trinity, they assume we believe in three gods. No such luck.

In the Bible, God clearly teaches there is: “No God beside Me.”  Here are some examples:

  1. Beside Me there is no Savior (Isaiah 43:11).
  2. Beside Me there is no God (Isaiah 44:6).
  3. Is there a God beside Me? yea, there is no God; I know not any (Isaiah 44:8).
  4. There is no God beside Me (Isaiah 45:5).
  5. There is none beside Me (Isaiah 45:6).
  6. There is no God else beside Me (Isaiah 45:21).
  7. There is none beside Me (Isaiah 45:2)

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Do we Mormons believe that other gods exist?  You bet we do![/pullquote]
Four Similar Expressions Elsewhere:

  1. He is God; there is none else beside Him (Deut. 4:35; cp. Deut. 32:39).
  2. There is none beside Thee (1 Samuel 2:2).
  3. There is none like Thee, neither is there any God but Thee (2 Samuel 7:22; 1 Chron. 17:20).
  4. There is no Savior beside Me (Hosea 13:4).

2. “…multiple wives:  this is not a “teaching” or even a doctrine of our Church.  We very much believe that marriage can exist beyond this mortal life.  We also believe and acknowledge that righteous men, including prophets, were granted by God in biblical times to have more than one wife. So, if  you put the two together, I suppose I can see where some would say “Mormons believe that they can become gods and that they’ll all have multiple wives”.  If marriage does exist beyond death, what of the multiple wives? You will note that the mormon with 40 years experience says they will have their wives.

3.  “Sex in heaven.  Here’s what I do know:  resurrection is a reality.  You and I will be resurrected because of Jesus’ wonderful gift of resurrection.  That means our bodies will be restored after death just like His body was restored.  That means our entire body – why would we not have all parts  restored?  (The restored parts are the sex organs)  And add to that our belief that marriage can exist beyond this mortal life,  you could conclude that sure, husband and wife can continue to have and enjoy the God-given gift of sexual relations with each other.”  He admits that Mormons will have their wives in heaven, and the resurrected will have all parts restored. He means all reproductive parts!

4.  “Spirit babies?  I’ve never in my life heard that term or phrase in my Church. Perhaps unique to us, is that we believe that we lived with God prior to this life as well – in spirit form.  We believe that God created us as spirits prior to this life.  Then at birth, our spirits are clothed in a physical body, which at death is separated from our spirit.  I have no idea how God created us spiritually.” He admits Mormons existed in heaven and are incarnated in babies at birth. He says he does not know how God “created” these spirits. Many Mormon leaders teach that the Mormon god has these spirit babies with his many wives.

5.  “You also state that the reason the Church practiced polygamy back in the 1800’s was based on your “spiritual babies” doctrine.  That’s absolutely false.  If you heard that somewhere, it was truly false mormon doctrine.  Polygamy is not a practice of our Church and was only a practice for a small amount of time…..  But I can tell you, for certain, it had nothing to do with “spiritual babies”.  That is totally false – as is the spiritual babies thing. The doctrine of “spirit babies” is not my doctrine.” It is a doctrine of the Mormon Church, and documentation exists.

6.  “You state “most Mormons don’t want the general public to know these vital doctrines of their church”.  That’s also very false.  I have nothing to hide.  I would never hide that.  Likewise, I would never hide the fact that I believe that God loves us so much that He would make it possible for us to be together as families throughout eternity.  Those, I do believe are “vital beliefs”.  Why would I hide that?  Your other statements about “sex with multiple wives” and “spiritual babies” and “becoming gods!” – those aren’t “vital” beliefs, nor are they even “beliefs”.”

7. “Finally, why do you not share with your readers the many wonderful things our Church does and teaches that surely you would appreciate – the fact that we teach kindness, charity, love, and strong family relationships?  The fact that we teach the blessings of avoiding drugs and alcohol abuse?  The fact that we teach to do good in the community and to defend other’s beliefs, even if they are not our own? The fact that we stand for marriage between a man and a woman more so than any other faith.  I’m not asking you to promote us… I’m just asking you to be fair.  I’m asking you to help your readers to learn how to receive positive examples from any source or religion.  You don’t have to join a group to recognize the good in their organization.  I’m sure you feel justified in “helping” your readers to beware of the “evils” of “Mormonism”.  But I will tell you this – I would never blog about and tear down your beliefs.  I would only share what I believe in without harming another’ s beliefs.”

If one read my first post on Mormons, he will see that it was not an attack on any good works they may have done. “This is not intended to be an attack on the moral character of individual Mormons.” Good works are not a substitute for false doctrine. And I assure you that the teachings of Mormonism are false from beginning to end.

Another Mormon responded saying, “Haha I’m sorry, but none of this is correct. I am LDS and I’ve never heard this.  We believe in God-singular, Jesus Christ-the son, and the Spirit of God. We call it the Godhead; don’t other Christians just call it the trinity? We do not know the reasoning of the Lord and so doctrines such as polygamy were followed when given, and given up when instructed to do as such. We don’t practice polygamy and we don’t have reason why it used to be taught. We believe wives and all other people will be resurrected one day whether their spouse is “pleased” with them or not. Our church does not hide anything. All the doctrines, ordinances, and procedures can be found in the Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants…”

I know for a fact Proof is abundant. Read my other blog on Mormons.