NAMIBIA EARTH QUAKE prophetess runs for cover…T B Joshua gets concerned
Prophetess Elizabeth Sacharias, who last week took out a full-page advertisement in a newspaper claiming that Namibia would be hit by an earthquake yesterday, is running for cover.
This follows her prediction proving false and being widely ridiculed across social networks by ordinary Namibians and calls for a law to control the public utterances that might cause panic and riots.
A State geophysicist also dismissed the prophetess’s claim of a pending earthquake.
However, she has received some support from controversial Nigerian pastor TB Joshua on his ministry’s Facebook page, where he wrote: “The prophetess in Namibia may have dreamt but the translation is wrong. There is nothing like that. But it is an opportunity to live as if today is your last day on earth.”
The post received more than 21 000 “likes”, 744 “shares” and 1 015 comments as of yesterday.
Prophetess Elizabeth’s church yesterday banned the media from attending a get-together at Groot Aub settlement near Windhoek.
Upon arrival at the church Namibian Sun was greeted by a fleet of luxury vehicles with Windhoek, Swakopmund and Tsumeb number plates.
A row of tents were erected around the brick church structure in which some of the congregants had been sleeping since their arrival at Groot Aub last Thursday.
Prophetess Elizabeth predicted that the earthquake would be of “a high magnitude and will be felt in the entire country”.
She continued: “It will impact our infrastructure. It will cause a lot of destruction. Fire will erupt from beneath the ground while clouds of smoke will be seen coming from the mountains.”
When this did not happen by 15:00 yesterday, Prophetess Elizabeth, who spoke in Oshiwambo, urged those who had come to not question why the earthquake had not struck yet.
“Do not ask why it has not happened yet. Believe in God that it will happen,” she said in a message that was translated in English, Damara-Nama and Afrikaans.
Immediately after asking to speak to her, members of her Ministry of Reconciliation Church became agitated, watching every move of the reporters.
A senior pastor who was called to speak to the media blatantly refused to allow any communication between the reporters and congregants, or for any pictures to be taken.
“She said she does not want to speak to any newspapers and now you have to leave the premises,” he said after spending a couple of minutes within the crowded building.
While the reporters were driving away, ushers rushed the vehicle and demanded that any pictures taken should be deleted from the cameras, after which reporters were allowed to leave.
The embargo on the media yesterday is contrary to claims by Prophetess Elizabeth that she has tried to publicise her message on the earthquake and media houses were not willing to listen.
Meanwhile, it was life as usual for the residents of Groot Aub who could be seen going about their daily business, evidently not minding the earthquake hype going on in their area.
“I went to clear my erf because if this should happen then it happens,” said one resident who added that he was sent away from the church for not wearing the right clothes – a white shirt and black trousers.
The resident said the people from the area are members of other churches but no activities were scheduled by those denominations in view of the earthquake prophecy. According to him, most of the people attending the services that were going on a few metres from his house were outsiders and not residents of Groot Aub.
Law needed
A member of parliament and chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Evelyn Nawases-Taeyele, said although Namibia has a constitution which gives people freedom of expression, a law is need to limit statements that could throw the nation into a state of panic.
“For the protection of all citizens we need to limit things that can put them in an insecure, uncomfortable and unsafe atmosphere,” Nawases-Taeyele said yesterday.
She further criticised the mushrooming of churches and said a regulatory framework should be considered.
Not possible
According to Ivo Kahimise, a geophysicist in the Ministry of Mines and Energy, it is geographically impossible for Namibia to experience an earthquake of the magnitude predicted by Prophetess Elizabeth.
“Namibia is not on an earthquake plate where you can expect an earthquake of a high magnitude,” Kahimise explained.
“The last earthquake in Namibia had a 4.5 magnitude in 2012 and the other was in 2009 with a magnitude of 5.6. This [type of] earthquake can only be felt by a few people who are in the area, not the whole country.”
AFRICA THISDAY 
April 21, 2014 at 12:30 pm
RE: The earthquake that never was.
Kindly give me the opportunity to respond to the above matter and hopefully clarify some misunderstandings and ignorance about prophecies.
Prophecy is a key component of the composition of the Bible. There are many verses throughout the entire Bible that warn or encourage those who heard its message to turn to God. In order to understand what biblical prophecy is at a fundamental level, I will focus on two categories, Prophecy and Prophets. I will detail what the word prophecy means, its ultimate purpose, and the basic nature of how it is used. Concerning the prophet, I hope to clarify how he/she receives the gift, the distinction between the gift and office of prophecy, and how to avoid false prophets.
PROPHECY
The word “prophecy” holds one basic meaning but serves in various modes. At its core, prophecy’s use is to communicate on Gods behalf through two basic means; warning and encouragement. The goal of prophecy is for people to conform to Gods plan so that Yahshua is accurately clarified in their own life and in the world around them.
Prophecy will always serve in calling men and women to lay down their life for God’s plan which can only be realized in/through His Son, Yahshua.
“Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven…”
This passage is referring to prophecy that is recorded in the Old Testament for the purpose of the gospel of Jesus that would be shared. Whether God was speaking through a prophet to a nation (Jewish or Gentile) or an individual, the central theme was Jesus Christ so that the recipients might understand how they fit into Gods plan and why their need of Him was so great.
The New Testament further reveals the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Excluding OT end-time prophecy pertaining to Jesus’ second coming. However, OT prophesies pertaining to the end times are supported by coinciding NT end time prophecies.
PROPHETS
Prophecy is a gift given by the Holy Spirit] and should be desired. However, concerning this desire there seems to be a distinction between being used in the gift of prophecy and being a prophet. The following passage taken from Foundations of Pentecostal Theology is helpful in bringing clarification concerning the operation of prophecy:
“In the Early Church, there were two classifications of prophets. Any member of the general body of believers who ministered edification, exhortation, and comfort through the gift of prophecy was called a prophet (1 Cor. 14:24, 31). Another group, consisting of such men as Barnabas, Silas, Judas, Agabus, and others mentioned in Acts 13:1, were spiritual leaders of the Church (Acts 21:22). This prophetic gift is referred to by Paul in Ephesians 4:11 as among the ministry gifts to the Church. Those of the latter group, although they exercised the same gift of prophecy, possessed an additional charisma of leadership.”
The distinction within scripture between one who is being used in gift of prophecy and a prophet seems to be their position within the church body. A prophet is one who is in leadership, helping to oversee the body of believers, and providing protection for the flock. A person who is used in the gift of prophecy is equally important as the prophet but may not be divinely placed in the office of prophet.
In Matthew 7 Jesus warns believers to be aware of false prophets, those who would enter the fold and sound as if they carried the message of God, but inwardly desired to do harm to the body. Jesus’ advice concerning the issue of false prophets is to examine their conduct and see if it aligns with their word and His Word. Concerning prophecy the body of Christ should be careful and reverent, always mindful that its use is determined by God. Believers should also be appreciative of Gods prophetic messages, as it is yet one more way that He has chosen to reveal Himself to mankind.
God has always used men and women to communicate on His behalf messages of warning and encouragement so that mankind could be drawn back to His plan. God’s desire for His Son Jesus to be known among mankind is evident by His use of prophecy. Prophecy is a gift that He chooses to use through humanity, and the Bible encourages every person to desire to be used in this way. However, because of the divine nature of prophecy one should respectfully weigh their words realizing that in its essence, prophecy is speaking on Gods behalf.
Another important aspect of prophecy is that it is written and spoken in a symbolic language. Therefore, firstly it needs to be interpreted in its surface meaning and secondly we need to consider the deeper more biblically message: the symbolic nature.
Now, let us consider “prophetess” Elizabeth Sacharias prophecy as per your story reported by Alvine Kapitako.
“On this day, 14 April 2014, [yesterday] God revealed to me that the earthquake with a high magnitude will be felt in the entire country. It will impact our infrastructure. It will cause a lot of destruction. God says Namibia will be struck worse than Sodom and Gomorrah. Fire will erupt from beneath the ground while clouds of smoke will be seen coming from the mountains. This will be a scary day, a dark day that will bring about disruption. There will be a commotion and people will be terrified, crying, screaming and running about. Some people will die. God said we are expecting a devastation that has never occurred before in Namibia.”
Elizabeth Sacharias in her vision saw and experience only the “surface meaning” of her prophecy and that she reported. But, now we have to take in consideration the deeper more biblically message and we have to find the symbolic nature of her prophecy. Let’s look at the meaning of key words and phrases in her prophecy.
Earthquake – normally an earthquake will shake the foundations of the earth. In a symbolic nature we have to consider our spiritual (faith) foundation.
It will impact our infrastructure – an earthquake will have an impact on our roads, buildings, etc. In a symbolic nature we have to consider the current church/religious infrastructure.
It will cause a lot of destruction, disruption – (people will be terrified, crying, screaming and running about). In a symbolic nature people will certainly be asking questions about their faith, church affiliation, traditions and theologies.
Some people will die – In a symbolic nature people will defend their church affiliation, traditions and theologies and will certainly die a spiritual death.
…devastation that has never occurred before in Namibia – did we ever before experience a challenge like this one on our faith, church affiliation, traditions and theologies?
Last week Thursday I made a request to two Namibian newspapers to publish the following letter to the Nation of Namibia during these days before Passover- weekend (14-17 April 2014). They still consider it. What will be your response????
Request to publish the following document in your newspaper.
(Denominationalism: prophetic word)
Globalization and the impact that the various world cultures and religions have on our Nation ask for continues revisiting of the origin of our faith. We are living in a religious era where Christianity, in its various denominational structures and theological viewpoints, is responsible for the birth of Secularism. Divisions in the church of today weaken the power of unity within the Church. Divisions are a curse upon mankind as it undermines our inner honesty and intellectual integrity. It also lays the basis for moral anarchy and thus becomes a curse against man’s social relationships. The different forms of presenting the gospel left us without any standard or guide by which moral values are determined and judgments made. It is spiritually defiant and thus undermines one’s relationship to God. From there the moral decay in our country. It has thus become imperative to restore the New Testament order of Church design. We need to re-orient our minds and do not go weary in striving to lead our friends out of denominational error with its contradictions into the consistency of Truth. If we are ever to destroy denominationalism in the Body of Christ, we must begin by destroying its spirit within the church.
It is with this in mind that I humble request you to publish the attached document as a letter to the Nation in your newspaper.
If approved publishing needs to take place during the days before the Passover-weekend (14-17 April 2014).
Your Servant in Christ
Brian Losper
081 667 8458
JOHN 17 CRUSADES
ONENESS
THE PRAYER OF ONE MAN THE VISION OF A NATION
BRIAN S.F LOSPER*** +26481 667 8458*** oneness577@gmail.com
PROPHETIC VOICE
ABOLISH THE DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH STRUCTURE AND PREPARE YOURSELF FOR A WEDDING FEAST:
THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING!!!
Hear the Lord your God speaking:
I am proclaiming a prophecy of warning and encouragement to the quelled Nation of Namibia celebrating their 24th year of independence as a secular state.
The objective of this prophecy is to call upon My people to conform to My plan so that My Son, your Lord Yahshua can be glorified in your lifes and in the world around you.
I am the ONE that delivered you from the hands of your oppressors, from the chains of apartheid. Hear O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Namibia, does not know, my people do not understand. Why do you found yourselves in the grip of evil? How did you end up in the quicksand of sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, corruption, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness and orgies; passion killing and road carnage; ill disciplined children.
† Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Namibia their sins. For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for Me to come near them. Why have we fasted, they say, and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed? Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?
† Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to lose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
† Where are your spiritual leaders? This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I have it against the shepherds of this Nation who only take care of themselves! Should not they take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered because there were no shepherds, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. Therefore, you shepherds, hear the words of the Lord: As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because my flock lacks shepherds and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.
† For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so I will look after my sheep. The mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and people will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.’
† I have it against the denominational church structure. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You scattered My flock and did not take care of them. You supply neither healing for the spiritually sick nor refreshment for the spiritually weary. Your divisive minds and theologies have turned my people in a religious, pointless lukewarm Nation. Your moral condition is evident of this and there is nothing to commend in this structure. You are neither cold nor hot; you have no zeal for God or absolute denial of the Lord. You applause your humanitarian and cultural projects without preaching the saving grace of the gospel. The denominational church structure claims it has need of nothing; it is self-satisfied and self-complacent. Boasting of wealth and methods of organization, you fail to realize the absence of spiritual life in your midst. You are an organizational religion in its purest form. Your trouble is that you had never really seen yourself as sinners in need of a Savior. You have built on the traditions of your theological heroes, without engaging in a personal relationship with my Son, Jesus Christ. You gathered members for your various kingdoms who think that they are saved because they are good people. They go to church occasionally falsely believing this is the key to heaven. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
† I urge you to resolve your theological and doctrinal issues and to accept that your small little denominational kingdoms will never be part of my Kingdom. I will write My name on the hearts of My people, guaranteeing them an everlasting relationship with Me.
† The denominational church structure is not my mouthpiece anymore, because you had rejected My Word and establish your own small little kingdoms bases on your own theologies and traditions. You do not have My mandate and you are not My representative anymore.
† Church leaders of the various denominational kingdoms: go back to your brothers and sisters and make peace, resolve your differences. Close your doors and remove your nametags. I had founded only ONE CHURCH on the day of Pentecost. You are called as messengers of peace and instruments of My grace into the divine ministry of reconciliation. I urge you not to receive my grace in vain.
† I called upon you to rekindle your relationship with Me over the next 40 days. Pray and fast and look for My face; I urge you to acknowledge My Son as your Lord and Savior. All realms of this Nation must submit to My Kingdom Rule. Fathers gather your sons and bring them before Me; take up your responsibility as king, priest and prophet in your house. Mothers teach your daughters to be obedient and to follow My instructions. Children do not ignore My guidance and do not fall pry of the evil one.
† Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves.
† Close your doors, denominational church, and take off your name tags. Listen to Me; I am your Sovereign God speaking. I appointed my Son, as Head of the Church. The Church of Believers belongs to Him and Him alone. My Son petitioned before me for the oneness of the Church, based on Our harmonious relationship and I granted Him the wish. Paul, My Apostle, teaches you to keep the unity of the Church as did My other appointed church fathers. Empowered by the prayer of My Son, they issued a stern warning to those who dare to work against this command. You have ignored the instructions of the Holy Spirit whom I had sent to teach you about these issues. The Roman Catholic Church leaders were blinded by their pride and selfishness as I directed them back to My Word; they still continue without consulting me. They had missed out on a divine intervention of the Holy Spirit. That same attitude of pride and selfishness clouded the minds of the Reformed churches as they had rejected the Pentecostal Movement that was meant to bring to oneness the Reformation under the rule and protection of the Holy Spirit and to stop further division in the church. Daily, more divisions are added to this structure. The Charismatic intervention was to prepare the members of the Body of Christ to use their Holy Spirit inspired gifts to evangelize the ever changing world system. Holy Spirit filled believers and dynamic demonstrations of the Gospel are of great need in your prevailing times of secularism. In all four movements (Roman Catholic, Reformation, Pentecostal and Charismatic) pride and selfishness hindered you to recognize the divine intervention of the Holy Spirit to bring about oneness to the Body of Christ. Your divisive theologies and doctrinal traditions developed unacceptable divisions among My people.
† You did the same as your forefathers did:
I have spoken everything into creation preparing a life of abundance for you, but you rejected My presence in the Garden of Eden choosing the destructed road of sin; I delivered you from the oppression of Egypt to take you into the Promised Land, but
you rejected My provision choosing 40 years in the wilderness. I send my Son to die for you on the gross, but
you rejected my gift of grace, choosing life under the law. I give you My Word of Wisdom to life by, but you chose to die by the words of your own theologies. I gave you the freedom to worship Me, but you choose the bondage of your own traditions.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and him with me.
He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Release My people, My Daughter; for I am ready to send My Son to take His Bride.
Denominationalism as a World Religion.
The purpose of this communication is intended for those believers of the Body of Christ who wish to gain a basic understanding of the true teachings and practices of the Church. If you are a member of a church in the denominational structure please feel free to study these lessons as well. Seeing oneself through the eyes of others can be enlightening. It is not our intention to judge or bring judgment; rather, our only purpose is to witness about the Truth. If you feel we have done so, please let us know (you can e-mail us at oneness577@gmail.com).
Our objectives in introducing these teachings are fourfold:
1. To better equip ourselves to defend the faith and share the gospel with others.
2. To maintain ourselves against false teaching.
3. To test beliefs and teachings in light of the Scriptures.
4. To take a Biblical approach to exposing religious church error.
May God bless every seeker of the Truth with the finding of theTruth?
And Yahshua asks:
”Who do they say I AM?” He answered:”I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
The denominational church structure currently consists of hundreds of fragmented spiritual branches that all claims that each and everyone pro-claim the truth based on their doctrinal intelligence. To them, doctrinal intelligence is more important than the oneness that we find in Yahshua. Rightly so, we have to asks:”What is truth”
What we mean by truth and how we analyze truth is actually man’s interpretation of the Bible. Man’s doctrinal fuse: THEOLOGY.
But Yahshua said:”I am the TRUTH.”
TRUTH is not a teaching or doctrine. TRUTH is a Person, Yahshua. And if you have the Person, you have the TRUTH, and in the Person there is oneness.
If we put our interpretation/ understanding of the Scripture higher than the Person Yahshua, with all due respect to our denominational church leaders, we in fact have become idol worshippers. Anything that we put above Yahshua is an idol. The denominational church structures with its divisive doctrinal truths have become an idol.
Although the denominational structures acknowledge the different “arenas of biblical truth” they at the same time confirm the limitations of their diverse theological teachings in spite of the Divine Light of Scripture.
But they have to realize that the TRUTH is not found in their theological teachings, the TRUTH is the Person, Yahshua. Oneness cannot be found in the teachings of doctrinal issues, oneness can only be found in the TRUTH, Yahshua.
The Biblical mandate for studying
& exposing false teachings.
The very idea of entering a study immediately raises questions. What are our motives? Why should we care what others believe if we are happy with what we believe? Are we like the closed-minded Pharisees who trusted that they had cornered the market on truth and therefore everyone else must be wrong? Shouldn’t we be focusing our study on the text of the Bible alone and not on the beliefs of others? These questions need to be dealt with up front so that our minds may be clear and committed to our study.
Only the Truth will set us free, so we want to share Him.
As Christians, we should all recognize that differences in belief and teaching can have eternal consequences (cf. 2 John 9; 1 Timothy 4:1-3). If we are right in our beliefs and practices, those who differ stand in danger of losing their souls. If we are wrong, we may discover it by examining what others say in light of the Scriptures.
We have a duty to share and defend our faith. Peter charges us to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). There is no doubt that we can do a better job of this if we have a good understanding of the conceptions and misconceptions of others. The apostle Paul’s defense of Christianity before the idolaters of Athens was masterful; this was due in part to Paul’s observation and understanding of the Athenians’ “superstitious” beliefs and practices (Acts 17:16, 22-31).
We must beware of false teaching.
Christians also have an obligation to maintain unity with one another based on truth (Ephesians 4:1-3). Divergent doctrines are obviously the enemy of unity (Ephesians 4:14). We should “not be carried about with various and strange doctrines” (Hebrews 13:9).
One of the best safe guards against false teaching is a thorough awareness of it; we should be able to recognize a false doctrine (1 John 4:1), convincingly explain what is wrong with it (Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 4:2), and identify those who teach it (Romans 16:17-18). In Matthew 16:6-12, Jesus warned his disciples to “take heed” and “beware” of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The phrase “take heed” means to “discern clearly” and the word “beware” means to “hold the mind towards,” “pay attention to,” or “be cautious about” . When it comes to false teaching, the most dangerous thing we can do is stick our heads in the sand and ignore it. To beware is to be aware. The many passages found in the New Testament warning us to beware of false teachers are sufficient by themselves to authorize us to study false teaching. (cf. Matthew 7:15; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 Peter 2:1-4; 3:17; 1 John 4:1).
Open-mindedness demands examination of false teachings.
Christians are to be people of conviction — we believe that we have the truth and we are determined to live accordingly (cf. 1 John 2:21; 2 Peter 1:12). But our convictions are not like those of the Pharisees; in fact they are exactly opposite. The Pharisee’s beliefs were based on tradition and their hypocrisy permitted them to compromise their beliefs (Matthew 15:1-6; 23:13-31). The convictions of a true Christian are arrived at by testing instead of by tradition (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Christians examine teaching in light of God’s word and then receive it or reject it accordingly (1 John 4:1). Rather than being like the Pharisees, who held to their unfounded convictions and were unwilling to examine anything else, Christians will not adopt a belief unless it is well founded and they eagerly examine everything else.
The Bible itself examines and exposes false teaching and teachers.
The Bible itself is full of exposés of false religion. The Old Testament lays bare many religious errors — from the unacceptable sacrifice of Cain (Genesis 4:1-5) to the perverted religious practices of the Israelites (2 Kings 17:12-17, 24; Psalm 106:36-38). It is important for us to observe that the Old Testament not only contains details of false religions among those who never claimed to be God’s people (Isaiah 19:1-3; 66:17), but it also uncovers false religion among those who claimed to have a relationship with Jehovah. Remedies for false religion were often the subject of messages sent by God through His prophets. The religious reforms instituted by King Josiah illustrate the severity of the measures which were taken (2 Kings 23:1-20).
The New Testament is also filled with descriptions and condemnations of false teaching and false religion, not only among pagans and Jews, but also among Christians. As was already mentioned, Paul was aware of and exposed pagan idolatry among the Greeks of Athens (Acts 17:17-31). But many New Testament epistles also deal with some erroneous practice or belief among Christians. Even a cursory examination of the New Testament would reveal that false religion among Christians took many forms, including eating meat offered to idols (1 Corinthians 8:1-13; 10:14-31; Revelation 2:14, 20), the Judaizing of Christianity (Acts 15; Galatians), early Gnosticism (1 John), and the imposition of human philosophy and tradition (Colossians 2:8, 20-23; cf. Matthew 23:13-33).
Denominationalism exposes a deceiving spirit.
Denominationalism is something Yahshua prayed would not happen. The Bible predicted that it will happen and warns against it. In the first century, there was only One church. But, a deceitful spirit has planted a seed of religious conviction into the numerous denominations we have today. John 17:11
Yahshua prayed:” Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me that they may be one as We are.
John 17:20,21
Yahshua prayed:” I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us , that the world may believe that You sent Me.
1 Corinthians 1:10
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Yahshua, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Acts 20:29-31
For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among you men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember, that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
2 Timothy 4:3,4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
1 Timothy 4:1,2
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
Matthew 15:9
And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
Ephesians 4:4-6
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Romans 16:17
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
What does God think about the keeping of many Denominations?
Introduction:
The gospel of Yahshua records that He built ONE CHURCH and that all saved people were in that church. He prayed for unity and rebuked division. Denominations as we know them did not exist till centuries later. Yet today hundreds of denominations exist in the name of Christianity, claiming to be Christian. They are divided and contradict one another. In some of my discussions with others, I have found that individuals are disturbed by the number of denominations in our community. They are troubled by the different “gospels” that are preached. This is very difficult for some to understand. Sometimes it is difficult to explain also.
What does the Bible say concerning denominationalism? Is it of God? Did Christ promote or encourage denominationalism in his death? Did the apostles establish denominations? Let us investigate what the Scriptures teach concerning denominationalism.
First of all, we must realize that the Lord expects his people to be one. Yahshua prayed earnestly to the Father on behalf of those who would believe, “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (Jn. 17:21). What does it mean to be one;? Paul pleaded with the Corinthians, “let there be no divisions among you” by speaking the same things and being perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10). Now it is obvious that the denominational community does not speak the same things. They are not perfectly joined together in the same mind or judgment. The amazing thing about this is these groups all claim to be one. They claim to believe the same Bible; they claim to follow the same God; but these religious bodies do not speak the same things. Neither are they one as the Lord prayed.
Still yet, denominationalism violates another Bible principle. In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul gives a list of the works of the flesh. Two words one should notice are “seditions and heresies” (Gal. 5:20). The term “seditions” means, “disunion, dissension: division, sedition” (Strong’s Concordance). Also notice what W.E. Vine says concerning this word in his Dictionary of New Testament Words, “a standing apart, hence a dissension, division.” Kind reader, if denominationalism does not fit this description, what does? They are divided among themselves on various subjects such as salvation, their religious names, and their worship. The term “heresies” means: “a choice, i.e. (specially) a party or (abstractly) disunion. Again, I advise you that denominationalism contravene this Bible principle by the various groups dividing into parties or sects.
Furthermore, the Body of Christ is not a denomination because Christ established it, not man. You can look back in history and see where man, not God, established denominations. Jesus promised, “. . . and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). The Bible clearly points out when the church of Christ was established, i.e. on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2). The church Christ built was not a denomination, for they all obeyed the same commands and were added to the church by Christ himself (Acts 2:47).
Where will you put your faith, in denominationalism or the Lord? Please don’t close your eyes to the truth of the Bible. Denominationalism is wrong and sinful. It promotes sects, divisions, and men. The Church of our Lord seeks to promote only God and his Son (Eph. 3:21). How can you be part of the Lord’s Church? Simply obey the commands of God as the Jews did on Pentecost and be added by Yahshua himself to his church (Acts 2:47).
What does the Word of God says?
To the average person, “Christianity” includes hundreds of different denominations that disagree with one another in name, organization, doctrine, worship, and plan of salvation. Such a situation clearly constitutes division, not unity. Yet all the denominations claim to be Christian and to follow Jesus Christ.
If we really want to please God, however, we must forsake what we want and practice what He wants.
God is calling us to a service of obedience; not merely ritual activity but the involvement of heart, mind and will. Romans 12:1-4 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 – Man’s whole duty is to fear God and keep His commands. We should be determined to do God’s will, not our own.
Matthew 16:24 – To follow Yahshua one must deny himself. True religion does not consist of what pleases us. It is entirely a question of what pleases God.
DID WE EVER CONSIDER A THEOLY OF OBEDIENCE?
In this study we want to consider whether or not God is pleased by the existence of denominations. What does He really think about the religious division that exists today? Does He want unity instead? The only way to know what God thinks is to study His revelation, the Bible. So, what does the Bible say about denominationalism.
1. The Bible Concept of the Church
Ephesians 3:10, 11 say the church is part of God’s eternal wisdom. This shows that the church is important to God, so we should respect His will regarding it. What does He say should be our concept of the church, and does denominationalism fit that concept?
A. Bible Meanings of the Word “Church”
The word “church” is used two ways in the Bible:
The church in the “universal” sense
The “universal” church refers to the body or group of all saved people everywhere. It includes all who have been redeemed by Jesus’ blood, have been forgiven of their sins, and have been born into His spiritual family. Bible examples of this usage are:
Matthew 16:18 – Jesus promised to build His church. The church is built on Yahshua and belongs to Him (“my church”). [Cf. 1 Cor. 3:11]
Ephesians 5:23, 25 – Jesus is Head of the church, and He is Savior of His body. He gave Himself for the church. So the church is the body of all people who have been saved by Christ.
Acts 2:47 – The Lord added to the church those who were saved. The “universal” church consists of all saved people everywhere because, when God saves people, He puts them in the church. In this sense, the church is always singular.
[See also Eph. 1:22,23; Col. 1:18,24; 1 Tim. 3:15; cf. 1 Cor. 12:12-14 to Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mk 16:16.]
The church in the “local” sense
The “local” church refers to a congregation of Christians in a region who have united themselves to work and worship together. According to the Bible, they have a pattern of organization, work that they are to do, and funds they use to do this work.
In the Bible, Christians were not just members of the universal body of all
Saved people, but they also associated themselves into local churches. Here are some examples:
Acts 8:1 – The church which was in Jerusalem.
1 Corinthians 1:2 – The church of God which was at Corinth.
1 Thessalonians 2:14 – Churches of God which were in Judea.
Revelation 1:4,11 – The seven churches of Asia.
Galatians 1:2 – The churches of Galatia.
Note that, in this local sense, the word “church” can be used in the plural – “churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16). Congregations existed in different localities, but they were not religiously divided. All had the same pattern of organization, doctrine, worship, salvation, etc.
[See also Acts 11:22; 2 Cor. 1:1; 8:1; Gal. 1:22; 1 Cor. 16:1; Rom. 16:1,4; 1 Cor. 14:33.]
B. The Denominational Concept of the Church.
Modern denominations include many local congregations, and they claim there is one universal church composed of all “saved” people. But they add something new – the denominations. All these “saved” people in all these local churches are now divided into denominations.
The concept of a denomination, as commonly believed today, involves all the following elements:
* Each denomination is an affiliation or confederation consisting of a number of local churches.
* Each denomination has its own peculiar name, doctrine, organization, plan of worship, etc., which distinguishes it from other denominations.
* Each denomination claims it is composed of Christians, but it does not claim to contain all faithful Christians. Each denomination believes there are faithful children of God in other denominations. “There are saved people in all the denominations.” “We’re all going to heaven, just by different routes.” “One church is as good as another.” It’s just a matter of personal preference, like different kinds of cars, colors of clothes, etc. So “join the church of your choice.”
Ask any informed denominationalist, and he will confirm what we have said. Ask: “Are there saved Christians in your denomination?” He will say, “Yes.” Ask: “Are there Christians in other denominations, who will go to heaven?” He will say, “Yes.” Ask: “Does one have to be a member of your denomination to go to heaven?” He will say, “No.” So each denomination claims to consist of some Christians, but not all Christians. They say:
“There is only one ‘holy Christian Church,’ of which Christ is the Head, but it is now made up of many denominations … But faith in Christ is the first criterion of membership in the holy Christian Church, and we feel that such believers can be found in all Christian denominations.”
C. Denominationalism Differs from God’s Plan.
God’s plan involves all saved people in one universal body, yet associated together in local churches. Denominationalism changes God’s plan by adding the concept of denominational affiliations – associations of local churches that contain some of the saved but not all of the saved – organizations that are more than just local churches, but less than the universal church. Denominations were unknown in the Bible. They constitute an addition, a change in God’s plan. Most people can easily read their Bibles and see that this is so.
What does God think about unauthorized changes in His pattern?
What difference does it make? Will God be pleased with people who defend the denominational concept?
Galatians 1:6-9 – Any man is accursed if he preaches a gospel different from what is revealed in the New Testament. But denominationalism is different from the gospel. It is nowhere authorized in the gospel.
2 John 9 – Whoever does not abide in Jesus’ doctrine does not have God. Is denominationalism part of Jesus’ teaching? No! It is not revealed in His word. Therefore, those who practice this unauthorized change have not God! [See also Rev. 22:18, 19.]
Is God pleased when people follow man’s wisdom instead of His?
The church is part of God’s eternal wisdom in the Bible (Eph. 3:10, 11). Denominations are not in the Bible, so they must have come from men. If we participate in them, we are following man’s wisdom, not God’s. What does God think about this?
Proverbs 3:5,6 – We must not lean on our human wisdom, but must trust in God to guide us.
Proverbs 14:12 – There are ways that seem right to men, but their end is death.
Matthew 15:9, 13, 14 – Human traditions and commands make our service to God vain or empty. Everything religiously which God did not plant will be rooted up. By whose command do denominations exist? Who planted them? Not God, but man. Hence, they make people’s worship and service to God vain and they will be rooted up.
[See also Isa. 55:8,9; Jer. 10:23; Col.3:17; 1 Cor. 1:18-25; 2:1-5.]
II. The Bible Teaching About Unity
Each denomination has practices that contradict and disagree with the practices of other denominations. One says only immersion is true baptism; another says sprinkling is acceptable too. One says a child of God can fall from grace; another says this is impossible, etc. Surely this constitutes religious division and confusion.
Yet the denominational concept says God will accept all this – people in all the groups please Him and will receive eternal life. “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you worship God sincerely,” etc. Is this really what the Bible teaches?
A. Jesus’ Prayer
John 17:20-23 – Jesus prayed for all who believe on Him to be one as He and His Father are one. Jesus, the Head of the church, prayed for unity. Denominations claim that He is their head, yet they practice division!
Someone may claim the denominations are all part of one universal church, though they contradict one another. But is this how Yahshua and His Father were one? When did the Father and Son ever disagree about what church people should be members of? or about how to worship God? or about the plan of salvation? or about the organization of the church?
When did the Father say to the Son: “I disagree with your practices, but it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere. We’re all going to the same place anyway, so just join the church of your choice”??
In what sense were the Father and the Son “one”? John 12:49, 50 say they both taught the same commandments! True Bible unity consists of everybody doing the will of the Father! Those who promote other forms of “unity,” while excusing the existence of denominational division are actually rejecting and rebelling against Jesus’ prayer for unity.
[Cf. John 14:31; 15:10; 17:17.]
B. Division at Corinth
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 – Paul pleaded with the Corinthians to avoid divisions among them (verse 10). Do denominations obey this plea? Are there “no divisions among them”? Surely they are divided, so how can anyone excuse their existence and say God will accept them?
Is Christ divided (verse 13)? Does He contradict Himself or teach contradictory things to His followers? Surely not. Such actions would make Him a hypocrite! How then can all the denominations be truly following Him and truly accepting His headship when they contradict one another? It must be true that some people are really not following Him and that is why the division exists. If Paul rebuked the division at Corinth, should we not rebuke the far greater division in denominationalism? Did Paul tell the Corinthians to just overlook their differences because they were all pleasing to God anyway? Not at all! He told them to cease their divisive practices and seek unity by practicing the true teachings of God (read chapters 5, 12-14, 15, etc.)
C. Unity of the Spirit
Ephesians 4:3-6 – We must keep the unity of the Spirit. This means that, for the seven things listed, there is only one of each in God’s true plan.
Specifically, there is one true God and Father. Can a person be a true Christian and believe in many gods? “It doesn’t matter what god you worship as long as you are sincere. Worshipers of all gods are going to the same place, so just worship the god of your choice”?! No. There are many false gods, but only one true God.
Likewise there is only one true body and only one true faith, and the body is Yahshua’s church (Eph. 1:22, 23; 5:23-25; Col. 1:18,24). It is just as essential to believe in only one true body and only one true faith as it is to believe in only one true God. But denominationalism takes the one true body and chops it up into many contradictory bodies having different and conflicting faiths.
Just as there are many false gods but only one true God, so there are many false churches and many false faiths, but there is only one true church and only one true faith.
[See also 1 Cor. 14:33; 3:3; 12:12, 13, 20; Phil. 1:27; Eph. 2:16; Gal. 5:19-21; Rom. 12:4, 5.]
III. The Biblical Concept of Truth
A. An Imaginary Church
Despite the contradictory practices in denominationalism, we are told that it does not matter what church we attend, so just “join the church of your choice.” Let us make up a church and see if it “does not matter” if; we attend this church. Suppose we had a church that taught all the following things:
* We follow the Bible as our sole guide in religion, but we also follow our policies and constitutions as authority.
* We believe that a child of God can sin as to be eternally lost, but we also believe that it is impossible for a child of God to so sin as to be eternally lost.
* We believe that immersion is the only true form of baptism, but we also practice sprinkling and pouring as valid forms of baptism.
* We believe that man is justified by faith alone, but we also teach that obedience is essential to justification.
* We worship the God of the Bible as our only God and Jesus as our only Savior, but we also worship the sun, moon, stars, and Satan.
What would you think of a church that believed and practiced all these contradictory doctrines? “Ridiculous! Hypocritical!” Yes, but when different churches teach these contradictory doctrines, some people tell us it “does not matter” which we join. Isn’t that also ridiculous and hypocritical?
Consider what denominationalism says about Yahshua. We are told that “you can find Yahshua in any of the churches.” And “there are people in all the denominations that are following Yahshua.” But if Yahshua is found in all the churches, though they teach all these contradictory doctrines, doesn’t that make Him a hypocrite? And if all the churches are following Yahshua, yet they are going in opposite directions, doesn’t that mean Yahshua is leading people in opposite directions? When people try to justify denominations, they make Yahshua ridiculous and hypocritical!
What is the real problem with our imaginary church? The problem is that no one could believe all these contradictory doctrines because truth does not contradict itself! This is the real issue: Yahshua is Truth, and He does not contradict Himself. Denominations contradict one another. Therefore, they cannot all be teaching truth, and they cannot all be following Yahshua!
B. The Importance of Truth
The Bible emphasizes the importance of truth.
John 17:17 – God’s word is truth.
John 8:32 – We must know the truth to be made free from sin (v34).
1 Peter 1:22,23 – Obeying the truth is what makes us free from sin.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 – Believing error and lies will condemn us. There is one true faith, just as there is only one true God (Eph. 4:3-6).
The fundamental consequence of denominationalism is that error is just as good as truth! If the denominational concept is true, then all denominations are acceptable to God even though they flatly contradict one another regarding worship, salvation, etc. This means error is just as good as truth and unrighteousness is just as good as righteousness. Denominationalism must be wrong because it says that error does not condemn.
CONCLUSION
How can people today please God and be members of the one church of the Bible, despite the existence of denominational division?
1. Reject all groups that believe the denominational concept.
Refuse to be part of any group that claims to be a denomination, or which excuses, justifies, or condones denominationalism. Recognize that all such groups are not following God’s way.
2 Corinthians 6:17, 18 – Come out from among them and be separate.
Ephesians 5:11 – Have no fellowship with the works of darkness, but reprove them. [See also Rom. 16:17; 2 John 9-11; Matt. 15:1-14; Tit. 3:10,11.]
2. Accept and obey only the word of God in its purity and simplicity.
Luke 8:11 – The Word of God is the seed of the kingdom.
1 Peter 1:22-25 – We purify our souls and are born again into God’s family by obeying truth (not error).
Acts 2:38, 47 – Repent and be baptized for remission of sins and God will then add you to His true church. Then find a faithful local church that follows God’s true word and is not part of any denomination. In the first century, obeying Jesus’ true gospel made people members of Jesus’ one true church. It did not make them members of any denomination. That gospel can have the same effect in your life as it did in theirs, for God is no respecter of persons (Acts 2:39; 10:34, 35; Mk. 16:15, 16). The seed of the kingdom will produce the same result today as it did in the first century (Gal. 6:8).
If you avoid man-made doctrines and obey just the true gospel, you too will become a member of Jesus’ true body of all saved people, but you will not be a member of any denomination. This will put you in fellowship with all others who have truly obeyed that gospel. Those who do not so teach, are not the Lord’s true church.
3. For God so love the world that He gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:”If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
I acknowledge the work of those who helped to shape and transformed my mind to the perfect will of God. TO GOD ALMIGHTY THE GLORY.
LikeLike