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MATTHIAS THE APOSTLE?

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Was Matthias a legitimate Apostle?

casting-lots “Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.  And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.  And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,  That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.  And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” Acts 1:21-26.

It has been claimed by some that the Eleven were in a hurry in the choosing of Matthias, and therefore he was not Gods choice. In other words, the Eleven should have waited until Paul was converted and he should have been numbered with the Eleven.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The Lord never rebuked them for their choice…[/perfectpullquote]

We believe this argument is absurd and based on nothing but guesswork in order to delegalize the unique apostleship of Paul. The text is clear. The apostles prayed about the matter of a replacement for Judas. It was required that the replacement should have ministered from the beginning of the ministry of the Lord and witnessed His resurrection. Furthermore, to specifically ask for God to lead in the choice. Casting lots were not uncommon in settling the unknown. The lot fell to Matthias and he was numbered with the Twelve. The Lord never rebuked them for their choice, but contrarywise blessed their ministry mightily.

The casting of lots was not only Scriptural, it was also a common practice. The first record in Scripture is in Leviticus 16:8. “And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.” There are many accounts of casting lots in Scripture. The Psalmist said, “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.” Proverbs 16:33. It was firmly believed that the providence of God ruled in the casting of lots to the degree it was never questioned.

Paul was never intended to be one of the Twelve or to have a part in their ministry. He was divinely selected to be the apostle to the Gentiles. “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:” Romans 11:13. He was also chosen to write all the church epistles. Just as many of the Jewish Christians could not reconcile Paul’s ministry, so it is today among many Gentile Christians.

HOW TO HANDLE THE BIBLE DECEITFULLY #2

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ALL THE PROMISES ARE NOT YOURS

Older Man Holding BibleBy Ken Blue
We have often heard the naive believer say, “Every promise in the Book is mine!” However, those dear souls display more zeal than knowledge, when it comes to the Book. If every promise is yours, to whom do the curses belong? We will show some of the promises in Scripture that have been “hijacked” by Christians and claimed them for themselves. They handle the Word of God deceitfully by doing this.

  1. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. 20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.” Psalms 34:19-20. The “righteous” person, whose bones are not broken, is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.
  2. “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Psalms 50:15. Verse 7 makes it clear that this promise is for Israel in the coming Tribulation. (See Joel 2:32). There is no promise to the Christian in this text.
  3. “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” Psalms 2:8. This promise is to Christ at His second advent. One wonders what missionaries must be thinking who put this promise on their prayer card! Why not put the next verse on it also?
  4. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14. This promise must be read in its context. It is a promise made to Solomon concerning the Nation of Israel and their promised land.
  5. “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 54:17. Here is a promise to Israel concerning the second advent of Christ. All nations will gather against Israel, but none will prevail. All enemies will be destroyed.
  6. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:” Acts 3:19-20. The only way to understand any passage of scripture is by its context. Notice that Peter is preaching to Jews only and if they were to be partakers of Christ’s Kingdom and have their sins “blotted out” at the Second Advent, they must repent now and be converted.
  7. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” Acts 2:38-40. Those who killed Jesus are asking what to do to be saved and be part of Christ’s kingdom at His return. This promise was to Jews in Israel and to all who were scattered through the known world. Gentiles are not considered here.
  8. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28. This may be the most abused verse in the Bible. The text does not say “all things,” without exception, work for good to every Christian. First of all, the text is for those only who love God and seek to fulfill His purpose in their lives. If a man loves God and obeys His purpose for his life, then the things that come into his life will work for his good.
  9. “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalms 37:25. This was the writer’s observation. Certainly, millions of Christians have had to, and still do, beg bread or have nothing to eat.
  10. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19. This may be the second most abused verse in Scripture. This promise is to a church that had sacrificed once and again to support Paul. The promise was for them. Again, there are countless millions who do not have all their needs supplied. They have no place to sleep, no clothing, and no food to eat. Visit India, or consider those down through the centuries that have starved, or were left to freeze to death. (See Hebrews 11 ).
  11. “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14. The context is clear. Jesus is speaking to His Disciples. This is a Kingdom of Heaven promise to the Disciples who will rule at Jerusalem during the Kingdom. Today, we have sufficient grace!

The believer needs to have strong faith in the Word of God. But it must not be misinterpreted or misapplied. Right division and the true context is the only way to keep from handling the Word of God deceitfully. There is such a thing as interpretation and application; both can be done recklessly.

MORALITY AND MORONS

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MORALITY AND MORONS

monkeysBy Ken Blue

“Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.” 2 Timothy 2:14.

Words have no meaning without a context, and the context is determined by the culture, or the text under discussion. This rule must be followed when reading any article or the Bible. There are standards in the Old Testament, and in Middle East today that would be abhorred in other cultures. The possession of multiple wives was practiced from the beginning of time, and still practiced in some parts of the world. We, in western society today, would abhor such practices. The same may be said of slavery. Our greatest error may be our interpretation based, not on Scripture, but on our own culture.

In Islam, the only acceptable dress to be worn in public is the hijab. Women of the Old Testament may have worn something similar. One could not be accused of immodesty who adhered to that custom. They were modest in dress.

Every person should be modest in appearance, and moral in behavior. We have no argument about that.  However, the only acceptable rule for this is the Bible, rightly divided.  It ought to be evident to the reader that one can make the Bible teach anything he or she likes, or dislikes, when right divisions are ignored.

It is such a weariness of the mind when we see how men ignore right division. Such words as modesty, morality, godly, standards, glorify, dress, hair, etc. must be interpreted within the context of right divisions, and the culture in question.

Every Christian makes divisions in Scripture when it suits his purpose. Right divisions may be the KEY to right understanding of Scripture, and we are commanded to do so. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.  “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:”
1 Corinthians 10:32.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Such words as modesty, morality, godly, standards, glorify, dress, hair, etc. must be interpreted within the context of right divisions, and the culture in question.[/pullquote]

We must know what is written to/for the Jew, to the Gentile, and to the Church. Some will quote, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11. True, all the Bible is written for our learning. But, not all is an ensample for us to follow. The context is about Jews in the wilderness.

The word “ashamed” in 2 Timothy 2:15 is clarified in verse 18.   Hymenaeus and Philetus were teaching that the resurrection of the Saints had past. This was an example of wrong division. If these two were saved, they, along with  all they had deceived will be ashamed at the judgment. Right division would correct this error.

One can see that the Bible is not chronological, but divided by subject matter. For example, the first five books are Law.  The next 12 are history.  The next five are poetry. The next five are major prophecy. The last 12 are Minor Prophets. The division is 5-12-5-5-12=39. In the Gospels through Acts, the five books are history in transition. They are Jewish, with the exception of the last half of Acts. Following these, you have the writings of the Apostle Paul. Paul was called and commissioned like no other man. He also wrote all the church epistles. It is from these the church receives all doctrine for itself. Doctrine from any other scripture must agree with these epistles, when we make application.

This bring us to another truth; Paul never put one day above another, neither did he dictate any dress specifics, nor any diet for the Gentiles. Paul was the Apostle of the administration of grace. This is not a license to sin, but it is liberty from the laws and commandments.

Many pastors are on a “power trip.” They act as if an infallible Bible makes them infallible. They have this need to have followers and to control of others. This is best illustrated through their mishandling of the Word of God. That is, by ignoring right divisions.

This brings us to our last point, the matter of using Scripture under the Law to tell women how to dress, while ignoring what it says in the context to men. God has made the husband the head of the wife. Thus, the husband and father should deal with these issues. It is these wrong divisions that has, and is creating division and animosity among the brethren. I have found that those with whom you don’t agree on Deut. 22:5 can’t practice 1 John 4:20. “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” 1 John 4:20. I am aware that I have taken 1 John out of context, but no one will notice.

Morality and modesty is right and expected. But, we need to stop pretending that the West is the standard. God said, concerning days and diets, “For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Romans 14:2-5 . Our misuse of Scripture, and inability to make right divisions, makes us look like morons now, and will make us ashamed at the judgment.

KEN BLUE VS. KEN BLUE’S AUTHORITY TO HEAL #2

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KEN BLUE VS. KEN BLUE’S AUTHORITY TO HEAL

Authority to healby Ken Blue

On two or three occasions I have received emails with comments about the book, Authority to Heal. I did not write the book, but was tempted to bill for it anyway. Since the author’s name is the same as mine, I decided to purchase a copy. Having pastored for over 40 years, and studying the Bible more than 58 years, I have learned to “try the spirits,” and “prove all things” by the Word of God, not by human experience.

I do not question the character or sincerity of Dr. Blue. I detect that he is a compassionate and caring person. I have no animosity toward him, and believe he is sincere in what he teaches. However, I do question his healing ministry, and his misuse of Scripture in his premise to support his Authority to Heal ministry.

There’s no shortages of testimonies from all religions concerning miracle healings. Even the Roman Catholics, who pray to idols, pray to Mary, pray for the dead, practice baby sprinkling, teach that no one is saved without Catholic baptism, or a desire for it, also profess all manner of miracles and visions. Few religion are exempt when it comes to these experiences. Medical doctors are sometimes baffled that a former diagnosis changes or disappears in those who profess no religious faith. Therefore, inductive reasoning is never proof of cause and effect.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Because of the selfish and covetous nature of man, the “prosperity and healing gospel” attracts people[/pullquote]

Because of the selfish and covetous nature of man, the “prosperity and healing gospel” attracts people, as a pool of muddy water in the desert attracts all varieties of animals. Promise people “health and wealth,” if they follow that theology, and they will respond. It should be noted that theology is the creation of men. I have watched this deception for years, and those who espouse it are deceived, and many preach that doctrine to enrich themselves.

Perhaps the most calloused and wicked aspect of the health and wealth ministry is when the infirmed are left with the feeling that they just did not have enough faith. Or, when the blame is placed on the one who prays. Regardless, in the final analysis, the failure is always laid at the feet of someone’s unbelief. The Bible is clear that people were healed who lacked faith, and prayers were answered in spite of the absence of faith.

In any debate, when the main premise is wrong, the conclusion will always be wrong. I have found, the number one reason people come to a wrong conclusion about Scriptural matters is their failure or inability to rightly divide the Word of God. Without a doubt, when it comes to biblical hermeneutics, the most important verse in the Bible is 2 Timothy 2:15. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Paul said, “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:” 1 Corinthians 10:32. Three groups are mentioned. Unless we rightly divide Scripture, we have no way of knowing to whom it is addressed. You, no doubt, have heard people say, “Every promise in the book is mine.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Also, the promise in Authority to Heal, is not given to the church today.

There are seven different baptisms in Scripture. There are also several different gospels, and dispensations. We must know the difference between the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, and the gospel of grace, which was a mystery revealed to Paul. If we fail to discern what was to the Disciples only, and that which was Kingdom of Heaven gospel, we will never rightly divide the Word. Therefore, we can make the Bible teach anything we wish.  A wrong premise will always lead to a wrong conclusion, which leads to wrong interpretation and application. This is what Dr. Blue, in Authority to Heal has done. His whole premise is wrong.

Because of his failure to rightly divide Scripture, he has embraced a hodge-podge theology on the subject of miracles and healing. He also, wrongly assumes the church possesses the promised kingdom to Israel, and now those promises belong to the church. He says,

  • “From the beginning, God intended for humanity to have dominion over the world (Gen 1:28). The lines of authority which were broken by Adam’s disobedience have now been re-established by the second Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ. As he proclaims in Matthew 28:18, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” And this authority he gives to his church: “Go and make disciples of all nations, … teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (w. 19-20). The lines of true authority were not only re-established by Christ but also extended by him into all the world through the church. The rule of God, that is to say the kingdom of God, was established by Jesus and is now expanded as we obey him.” Ken Blue. Authority to Heal.

It should be noted that Matthew 28 is incorrectly quoted. Also, there is no church on earth that obeys that commission, nor can they. It was given to the Twelve as a continuation of the Kingdom of Heaven ministry. All is in the context of the promised kingdom. The first question by the Disciples after Christ’s resurrection was, “…Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6.  The first matter of business was to fill the vacancy left by Judas. We need to ask, why? “And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” Acts 1:24-26.

The “why,” is found in the gospels. “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:28. This is the only place where apostolic succession was practiced.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]If healing and casting out of devils is in operation today, what of the other miracles?[/pullquote]

Not only does Dr. Blue believe the church is the kingdom, he thinks it was given the covenant promises to the Jews. He evidently doesn’t know the difference between a testament and a covenant. The New Covenant was made with Israel. “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34. There are no covenants made with the church of this dispensation. One may attempt to refute this by quoting the book of Hebrews. However, the book of Hebrews is not a church epistle. It was written for the Hebrews who will be in the Tribulation. Right divisions will show that Hebrews through Revelation are not church epistles, but are Jewish Tribulation epistles.

  • “As we look away from our own state of mind to God’s grace revealed in Jesus Christ, we see that just as Israel was related to God through the covenant of Sinai so we are related to God through the new covenant in Christ’s blood. As the kingdom was made known to Israel through Jesus of Nazareth, so it is now made known to the church by the pouring out of God’s Holy Spirit. Saturating our minds with the truth of God’s unconditional love will do more to create a healing environment than anything else we may do.” Ken Blue. Authority to Heal.

Another error in Authority to Heal is the absence of the other miracles promised under the Kingdom of Heaven ministry. If we accept the premise that healing and the casting out of devils resides in the church today, why ignore the other miracles? Could it be that they cannot be validated? When Mark is quoted, part of the context is conveniently ignored. We will post the complete text. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:15-18. “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14. We challenge any church to prove they experience either promise in the above text.

The argument that God does not want anyone to be sick, may be valid. However, to argue that the reason is because He so loves us is not a valid argument. We are now back to the prosperity gospel. Does God want anyone in this dispensation to be poor? Does He not love these as well? It is not a matter of what God wants, but what He allows. God cannot be inconsistent with Himself.  If we don’t understand right divisions, and understand that God administers His programs differently in different economies, we will never handle the Word of God correctly. This is the dispensation of grace, and His grace is sufficient.

If healing and casting out of devils is in operation today, what of the other miracles?

I will give a list of questions on this subject. They are simple, and the respondent should be straightforward with his or her answers. Please don’t waste my time with your beliefs or hearsay. We want the truth.

  1. Do you believe the miracle working power Jesus and the disciples had are present today? If not, why not?
  2. Do you know anyone with those powers?
  3. Do you know anyone who was dead three days or more and was raised from the dead?
  4. Do you know of any mentally retarded person who was healed by the gift of healing?
  5. Do you know anyone blind or deaf from birth, and a faith healer restored their sight or hearing?
  6. Do you know anyone who could not walk for 40 years, and was restored by a faith healer?
  7. Do you know a miracle worker who walks on water?
  8. Do you know a miracle worker who feeds thousands with a little boy’s lunch?
  9. Do you know anyone with ALS that was healed by a faith healer?
  10. Do you know anyone who had Alzheimer’s that was healed by a faith healer?

If you have positive answers to the above, please send us their name and address so we may contact them.

If you tell me that an elephant walked over your bed last night, I have no way of convincing you that it did not. Likewise, it is virtually impossible to convince one from Scripture the error of his experience. It is real to him. I have had this conversation for years with those who believe they were filled with the Spirit because they spoke in some unknown tongue. It is to no avail. They have no idea what they were saying, but they know they had an experience.

We leave the reader to his own conclusion. If you know the answer to the above questions, or if you choose to believe your experience above the Scriptures, so be it. However, you are not permitted to cherry pick the miracles you like, and ignore the others.

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT #12 – Kingdom of Heaven

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MARRIAGE, MORALITY AND DIVORCE IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

lion and lamb

27  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29  And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30  And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 31   It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32  But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. Matthew 5:27-32

This is the seventh of the Ten Commandments. It was given to Moses on stone, but Jesus reveals that adultery is a heart matter. He who has a heart of lust, will lust for another, and has already committed adultery in the heart. The believer should understand that all with God is a heart matter. We can assume that the lust is not speaking of a one-time event, but of a heart that is controlled by lust.

Since this sermon is located in Matthew, the book of the King of Israel, and Kingdom of Heaven is the subject, there is no reason one should spiritualize verses 29-30. I am aware that this is so foreign to Western thinking, that our minds have difficulty grasping it. There is no record of this practice In the Old Testament. Therefore, this must be a law for entrance into the Kingdom.  One need not spiritualize verse 29-30, while taking the other verses to be literal. As drastic as the action may be, it will be better than going to hell.

Divorce and remarriage was granted under the Law, although that was not God’s intent when Adam and Eve were created. In the beginning, God’s plan was one marriage only. Had sin not corrupted man that would still be the case, but God later allowed divorce. Paul, in the church epistles also allows divorce and remarriage. Under the Law, a bill of divorcement was sufficient to release the wife from her former husband, and she was free to marry another. (Deuteronomy 24.)

Under the Kingdom of Heaven rule, a man may not divorce his wife except she is found to be sexually impure. To do so causes her, and her new husband to committee adultery.

We are not informed of any further punishment on the two. Perhaps they will be expelled from the opportunities granted other citizens of the Kingdom. It is also possible that they are banished beyond the boundaries of the “Holy Land,” thus “cast out.” The full extent will be known in that time.