Speech in the public forum is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
This brief article first presents a question by a person who was planning to demonstrate in the public forum in America. The question was asked on AVVO, a website where people can ask legal questions and get online answers from attorneys. Following the question is my answer which the asker names as the best answer. At the end is the link to the AVVO page where one can see the question and answers from various attorneys, including my answer.
The question was:
“I am planning a legal protest. I will be in Grove City, Ohio. I will be in a public area (sidewalk). I would like utilize my rights to the fullest extent of the law and I do not want to go to jail. Other than my 1st amendment right secured by the United States Constitution, what other laws protect me? Can you please cite case law or ORC sections? Do I need to procure a permit? I have a written statement prepared for any police officers I may encounter. It invokes my right to remain silent and refusal to answer verbal questions. Thank you ladies and gentlemen!”
My answer was:
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
“The First Amendment protects speech in the public forum. The First Amendment is the highest man-made law in America and only God’s law is higher. All lower laws (State, county, and city) are subject to the First Amendment. As you will see on some of the resources linked to below, even state constitutions, county and city ordinances usually reflect First Amendment rights.
“Speech includes the spoken word and signs you carry. Depending upon the noise ordinance of the city, you may not be allowed to use amplification (such as a megaphone).
“You cannot violate legitimate laws such as laws obstructing a highway, sidewalk or passageway, commit criminal trespass, etc., but the police may not use those laws to stop your legitimate speech. Some of the links below are to resources which tell you exactly what the Supreme Court has said about these matters.
“Police will sometimes falsely arrest people. It is a good idea to have someone videotape all your activity from beginning to end, so you will have proof of the facts. Police are trained to “constructively bend the truth” (lie). so as to cover their own illegal activities. For more on this, see the following resources:
“https://opbcbibletrust.wordpress.com/contents/books/street-preaching-in-america-is-it-legal-tract/ (go there and click link). This goes over the hierarchy of law on this matter, including relevant Supreme Court caselaw.
“https://opbcbibletrust.wordpress.com/miscellaneous/jerald-finney-legal-issues/ (The links to my brief in the Steve Drake case will be very helpful.)
“https://opbcbibletrust.wordpress.com/b-messages-from-pastor/street-preaching/december-25-2013-an-unfolding-street-preaching-battle-in-northfield-minnesota/ (real life run ins with the law by those speaking in the public forum.)
“I send you the above links because I don’t have room in this limited space to appraise you of your rights, how to deal with the police, etc. The resources will be very helpful to you. I have settled many problems where police try to interfere with or prevent speech in the public forum.
“It is best to alert the appropriate law enforcement agencies, the city attorney, and maybe even the mayor and city council members before the date of your speech. E-mail them and/or send certified letters RRR. Call them beforehand. Let them know that you will be speaking in the forum and that your speech is protected. Let them know that should the police interfere with your speech, falsely arrest you, etc. that the individual police person(s) who violate your rights, the police department, the chief of police, the mayor, the city council members and the city can be sued for damages.
“Some cities and their police and other peace officers know that speech in the public forum is protected in America. Others don’t and they have to be educated.”
Denise Porter is a believer who, like myself, followed Christian historical revisionism, in hopes of making her family better and bringing America “back under God.” When new light came, when the lies she was following came under the light of truth, she loved the light. She – unlike those who doeth evil and hateth the light, did truth and came to the light, that her deeds might be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. She replied to a post I put on Facebook. Her comment was:
This article presents a question on AVVO, a legal website, asked by person who practices homosexual conduct, and my answer. On September 14, 2014, I was notified that the question asker picked mine as the best answer. The following, before the article, is a copy of that notification:
The following question was asked on AVVO, a legal website on 090815:
A church which is a legal entity (e.g. incorporated 501c3 church) grieves our Lord and is partially, at the least, under a head other than the Lord Jesus Christ.
“I am homosexual and my new pastor says that I have to turn straight to stay in my church. Can force me to it to be able to stay?
“I have gone to the same church for 11 years. I have never had a problem in my church even if I am openly gay and dress quite feminine. We have a new pastor since a year and he has tried to talk me into becoming straight since day one. Clearly, he is quite homophobic…. I have been able to laugh about if until now, but he is now trying to put pressure on my by the other pastors.
“They have never had a problem with me before. Suddenly they want me to dress differently and “become straight”.
“I am feeling harassed by my pastor and he even talked about me in church yesterday. It was clearly about me and I could feel the hostility.
“What can I do? Can I even try to do something legal against my pastor or is he protected by the law since he is God’s voice?”
My answer to the above question was as follows:
“Yours is not like the case in which the baker refused to do a wedding cake for homosexuals. That was a business. Your dispute is with a church. The First Amendment religion clause covers establishment of religion and free exercise of religion. The First Amendment says:
“‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.’
“I cannot fully answer your question in this forum, but I will give you an answer in a nutshell with additional resources for more detailed study.
“If your church is totally under the First Amendment (has not become a legal entity by incorporating, getting Internal Revenue Code Section 501c3 or Section 508 status, etc.), you have no legal recourse whatsoever against your church.
“On the other hand, should your church be a legal entity, she has voluntarily taken herself, for many purposes, out from under First Amendment protections. For example, your church may be held in violation of the rule which says that the 501c3 religious organization shall not violate fundamental public policy. This rule was set in place by the IRS and upheld by the United States Supreme Court as to a religious organization – a religious school named Bob Jones University. The fundamental public policy rule has not yet been enforced against a church. What the court would do in the church religious organization setting is not certain: the result would be determined by the makeup of court, ultimately, the Supreme Court.
I believe that the court should enforce the “against public policy” exception as to any religious organization. After all, if a church has voluntarily agreed to 501c3 status, she has agreed -as do religious schools, charitable trusts, Planned Parenthood, the Church of Wicca, and other organizations – to abide by the rules that go along with the status. The religious organization is getting benefits, so she should be willing to abide by the give and take contract she eagerly sought. There are many arguments one can make to support upholding the rules for all 501c3 organizations, not just select organizations.
Click the above to go to online version of God Betrayed.
“I don’t have the room to cover all the arguments, the law, etc. in this short space. This is all covered in much detail on the website, jeraldfinney.com. A link to the PDF of the comprehensive book on these matters is at https://opbcbibletrust.wordpress.com/contents/boo…. One can go to the index and look up Bob Jones University, and many other specific issues, or the Table of Contents to get general subjects such as incorporation, 501c3, etc. The online version has updates and is at: https://opbcbibletrust.wordpress.com/contents/boo…. The online version does not have an index.
Again, “the courts have not yet addressed the question of violation of fundamental public policy in the church (religious organization) context. As I said above, the courts have no jurisdiction over the purely spiritual church (the non-legal entity) church; such a church in America may still operate according to the principles in the Bible without civil government jurisdiction and persecution.
“You will need someone to help you who is well-versed in the law should you desire to proceed legally. The res
End – out of characters”
Virginia Passes Legislation Forcing Churches to Allow “Transgender” Males into Women’s Bathrooms(040720)(Of course, this will be contested in court. Regardless of the outcome of such contest(s), keep in mind that the established church (incorporated, 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(1)(A) churches have voluntarily given up much of their First Amendment protections and placed themselves under the 14th Amendment for many purposes. Churches who choose to remain under the First Amendment for all purposes are not subject to state legislation. Contact this Churches under Christ Ministry for more information.)
Is the church you are a member of being prepared for His coming?
Note. This article is also a page on ABibleTrust website. The material covered in this article is explained in much more detail in Separation of Church and State/God’s Churches: Spiritual or Legal Entities? which is free on the internet in both online and PDF form or may be ordered in softback form by going to Order information for books by Jerald Finney.
God desires those who are saved to become spiritual, not remain carnal (1 Co. 3). When a child of God becomes spiritual, he is then in a position to judge all things since he has the mind of Christ (1 Co. 2.14-16). Likewise, a church is to be a spiritual body or organism made up of born-again spiritual beings (see, e.g., 1 Co. 12, Ep. 4), not a worldly organization made up of earthly minded, earthly named (CEO, secretary, treasurer, employees-not one of these positions comports with and all of these positions are contrary to New Testament church doctrine-etc.), earthly acting (as laid out in non-biblical methods of operation including non-profit corporation law, Internal Revenue Code law, or any adaption of man’s methods or methods of operation) congregation of unsaved and/or saved people.
The spiritual organism that is a church is to be organized according to the guidelines of the New Testament only; Christ is to be her only head (Ep. 5.23-32, Co. 1.18); etc. See, “Eleven Earmarks of a First Amendment [New Testament] Church” which is found in Quick Reference For Churches Seeking To Organize According To New Testament Guidelines.
A church can hold no property and be a New Testament church. A church who places herself under any other head(s) or becomes any kind of legal entity grieves our Lord. Legal entities include non-profit corporations (sole or aggregate), unincorporated associations, business and charitable trusts, 501(c)(3) religious organizations, etc. All these types of legal status are the creation of state or federal law; any church who organizes under man’s law is a creature of the state.
How can church members give to God as opposed to giving to a religious organization such as First Baptist Church, Inc.? How can a church meet on property without being the legal owner of that property? How can church members utilize hymnals if those hymnals are owned by God, not the church? In other words, how can God be declared to be the true, beneficial, and equitable owner of the tithes and offerings of the church (the church members) and of real and personal property which is utilized by a New Testament church? How can this be done without making the church the legal owner of the property?
God’s law tells us how—by recognizing that God, not a religious organization, is the true, equitable, and beneficial owner of all things, including all money and all real and personal property; by further recognizing that God has entrusted all worldly money and properties to men; and finally by recognizing that God desires (but does not force) men are to utilize that money and property for His benefit (for His glory). A church in America can do this in a way which is both biblical and legal. This can be accomplished in such a manner that a church remains a spiritual entity only, as opposed to a legal entity; that is such that the church does not become the legal owner of the money, property held in trust for Him. A church can do this by establishing an ordinary Bible trust.
The concept of trust is biblical. The Bible is, among other things, a Declaration of Trust (“DOT”). OF course, the Bible does not use that term; but, as will be shown in this article, it declares the concept of trust and accompanying terms (trust estate; trustor, grantor, or settlor; trustee, and beneficiary) This is covered in some detail in Section VI, Chapter 7 of God Betrayed. (Click here for the online version of that chapter; that chapter, among other things, compares the ordinary trust to incorporation and explains how the ordinary trust complies with both legal and Bible principles.). The Bible makes clear that God has entrusted all men, as trustees, with temporal, material things. He has trusted His children, born again believers, as trustees of the spiritual things of God as well as with the material things which God has given them. Here are a few examples: Adam and Eve were trustees of the Garden of Eden, Moses of the children of Israel, the Kings of Israel and Judah of their respective nations, the Levites of the Jewish religion, the prophets of the word of God entrusted to them, etc.
“If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own” (Luke 16:11-12)? “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4). “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust” (1 Timothy 1:11).
The concept of the trust, trustor (God), trustee (individuals), and beneficiary (God, the true, beneficial, and equitable owner of all things) is clearly stated in Luke 19.12-23 and also Luke 20.9-16:
Luke 19.12-23: “He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?”
Luke 20.9-16: “Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and senthim away empty. And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heardit, they said, God forbid.”
Thus, the Bible makes clear that God, the true, beneficial, and equitable owner, has entrusted (1) all men with the temporal, legal ownership of all temporal material things and (2) believers with spiritual matters, all for His glory. From reading the Bible, including the above verses, one can understand how the Lord feels about believers/churches who violate their spiritual trust by organizing churches under man as legal entities such as non-profit corporations, unincorporated associations, charitable trusts, 501(c)(3) tax exempt religious organizations, etc.
A trustor, settlor, or grantor is one who creates a trust. The trustor gives the trust estate to the trustee to be used according to the directions of the trustor. God was the trustor, settlor, grantor of, for example, the Garden of Eden trust. Adam and Eve were the co-trustees. The trust estate was the Garden of Eden, the earth, and all that is in it. They were given the legal ownership of the earth and all that was in it and were to glorify Him, the true, equitable, beneficial owner, the beneficiary. Adam and Eve’s purpose, as trustees, was to glorify God by overseeing the trust estate according to His directions (See Genesis 1.28-30).
Anytime someone gives money or property to a person who is to use it for the benefit of another, and not for the benefit of the person who is entrusted with the gift (the trustee), the giver is a trustor, settlor, or grantor. The trustee becomes the legal owner of the property, and has a fiduciary duty to use the property for the benefit of the true owner (the beneficiary). The person for whose benefit the money or property is held is the true, equitable, and beneficial owner of the property. In other words, a trust relationship has been created. If the relationship is reduced to writing, the document creating the relationship is called a DOT. The relationship does not have to be made known to the legal system at the time of its creation or thereafter nor must it be in writing. However, if the relationship is brought to light in the legal system, the system will determine the type trust involved and the status of the trustor, trustee, and beneificiary. A DOT which creates an ordinary Bible trust is not to be hidden by a church since it is according to Bible precept. Believers are to proclaim truth to the world, not hide it.
Just as God stated his principles of trust, trustor, trustee, and beneficiary in the Bible, a book or document written for the light of the world, a church who wishes to establish an ordinary trust in line with Bible (and legal, in America) precept is wise to do likewise through a DOT. God proclaimed the principles to all the world; his children should do likewise. Believers are not to follow the principles of Satan and his followers, who love darkness rather than light. Believers are to shine the light of God in a dark world. God desires his children to act according to knowledge, understanding and wisdom. As long as man’s law allows for doing things God’s way, believers do not dishonor God by doing things as provided for by man’s law. When doing things man’s way causes one to disobey God, then a believer is told to “obey God rather than men” (Acts 5.29).
The legal system recognizes several types of trusts. A trustor, settlor, or grantor can create several types of trusts either by written declaration, by actions, or words which encompass all the elements of a trust. This Separation of Church and State Law Ministry (“SCSLM”) recommends a non-legal entity type of trust which in trust law is sometimes called an ordinary trust. This type of trust complies with biblical precept. Wisely, the SCSLM advises creation of the ordinary Bible trust by means of a DOT.
The Bible trust recommended by this ministry has a trustor who creates the trust, a trustee who administers and is legal owner of the trust estate, and names the in fact true, beneficial, and equitable owner of all things, the Lord Jesus Christ. The church remains a non-legal, spiritual entity only.
If a trustee or trustees holds property for a church, the church has become a legal entity because the church is the legal owner of the property. This is true whether the trustee(s) hold(s) the property for the benefit of the true, beneficial, and equitable property of the Lord Jesus Christ or not. Of course, all property must have an earthly owner who is to hold that property for the benefit of the true, beneficial and equitable owner of all things.
Therefore, for a church to remain a spiritual entity only and not a legal entity, the trustee must remain the sole legal entity who holds the money/property for the benefit of the Lord Jesus Christ. God established the concept of trust. The church recognizes that concept by establishing a Bible trust with a trustee and beneficiary. As trustor, the church names the trustee, but the church does not hold the trust estate through a trustee; the trustee holds the trust estate for the benefit of the true, beneficial, and equitable owner of the money/property. The trustee, not the church, is the legal owner. The church is not the trust, nor is the trust the church. The ordinary Bible trust merely creates a fiduciary duty by a trustee to administer the trust estate for the benefit of the Lord Jesus Christ. The trust estate is to be used, not for the benefit of the church, but for the benefit of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Any church may establish an ordinary trust. Few will do so since most believers and churches are carnal and not spiritual. They lose (or never had) the power of God since they are not spiritual. They remain carnal. A carnal state prevents spiritual growth. Their pastors continue to feed them with the milk of the world instead of the meat of the word of God; therefore, there is no increase. Their worldly religious organizations do things the world’s way according to the world’s principles. Thank God for the remnant: Does that include you and your church?
Today’s American churches, except for a remnant, have (1) either grown careless or abandoned the truth of God (sound doctrine) and (2) ignored the order of God’s house. See EN 1 below for some Bible notes from 1 Timothy and Titus on church order and sound doctrine.
Charity Baptist Tabernacle “Separation of Church and State Law” ministry is specifically concerned with helping churches organize according to the principles of the New Testament as spiritual entities only. However, to do this, the ministry is very concerned with making sure that churches who ask for help meet Bible qualifications. Accordingly, the first step in helping a church is to send the pastor a letter and questionnaire (Click here to go to an online copy of the letter and questionnaire). Discussions follow. The pastor and church should begin to educate themselves concerning relevant church doctrine. A fairly concise book which can be read in a few hours (study may take longer) is Separation of Church and State: God’s Churches, Spiritual or Legal Entities which is available free in online and PDF form, in softback-see the Order information for books by Jerald Finney page.). Sometimes those discussions are with the pastor only, sometimes with the pastor and men of the church. If this ministry and the church agree on essentials, the next step is to draft the documents (Resolution, Declaration of Trust and Appendix). Some variations may be made to the documents if requested by the pastor and church and if this ministry agrees that those changes do not violate clear Bible principle(s).
There are many facets to church order as described in the Bible doctrine of the church: For example, headship of the church (Christ is to be the only head of a New Testament church); requirements for membership; requirements for becoming pastors (ordination, qualifications, etc.); guidelines for pastors, deacons, families, widows, husbands, wives, children, masters, and slaves; the operation of the church as a spiritual body as opposed to a religious organization and/or legal entity; the preaching of the word to the assembled church and its purpose; the preaching of the word in the world and its purpose; the purposes of the assembly of the church; spiritual warfare (most Christians are incorrectly taught that their warfare is in the legal and political realm and never taught that God, in his word, tells Christians to fight a spiritual warfare and how that warfare is to be fought); discipline of members, etc. Most are wrongly taught, against Bible guidelines, that preaching is to be done only inside the walls of a building to a congregation of people not to a New Testament body of born again believers and that one is not to preach in the public forum (on the sidewalks and in the parks) to the lost, including to the lost religious crowd because many of them will be offended.
The Bible is clear: the goal of a born again believer is to be the glory of God. Very few pastors, church members, or saved people understand this. They have been falsely led to believe that their goal is happiness, not only in heaven, but also on earth. For Bible teaching on this (which also has links to additional resources covering the motivation and goal of the believer and the church), go to the following article: The motivation and the goal.
Note. I do not agree with all the Scofield Reference Edition teaches. However, there is much to glean from those teachings. One must study the Bible himself to divide truth from heresy, no matter the source.
Headnote to Titus. “THEME Titus has much in common with First Timothy. Both Epistles are concerned with the due order of the churches. The distinction is that in First Timothy sound doctrine is more prominent (1Ti. 1:3-10), in Titus the divine order for the local churches (Tit 1:5).The permanent use of these Epistles lies in this twofold application, on the one hand to churches grown careless as to the truth of God, on the other, to churches careless as to the order of God’s house. The importance of this order is made solemnly emphatic in that the tests by which true elders and deacons may be known are repeated (1Ti. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:6-9). There are two divisions: I. The qualifications and functions of elders, 1.1-16. II. The pastoral work of the true elder, 2.1-3, 15.”
Titus 1: The divine order for local churches.
Titus 1:5 “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:”
N1 to Titus 1.5, p1283: “It is not at all a question of the presence in the assembly of persons having the qualifications of elders, made overseers by the Holy Spirit (Ac. 20:28) that such persons were in the churches of Crete is assumed; the question is altogether one of the appointment of such persons. These assemblies were not destitute of elders; but were “wanting,” in that they were not duly appointed. There is a progress of doctrine in respect of the appointing of elders. Cf. v. 5, note.”
N2 to Titus 1.5, p1283 “Elder (presbuteros) and bishop (episcopos = “overseer”) designate the same office (cf Tit. 1:7; Ac. 20:17, 28) the former referring to the man, the latter to a function of the office. The eldership in the apostolic local churches was always plural. There is no instance of one elder in a local church. The functions of the elders are: to rule (1Ti. 3:4; 5:17) to guard the body of revealed truth from perversion and error (Tit. 1:9) to “oversee” the church as a shepherd his flock (Ac. 20:28; Joh. 21:16; Heb. 13:17. 1 Pe. 5:2). Elders are made or “set” in the churches by the Holy Spirit (Ac 20:28) but great stress is laid upon their due appointment(Ac. 14:23; Tit. 1:5). At first they were ordained (Gr. “cheirotoneo,” “to elect,” “to designate with the hand,”) by an apostle; e.g. (Ac. 14:23) but in Titus and First Timothy the qualifications of an elder become part of the Scriptures for the guidance of the churches in such appointment. (1 Ti. 3:1-7).”
Verses in Titus dealing with sound doctrine in the churches:
Titus 1:7-16 “7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
Titus 2:1-2 “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.”
Titus 2:15 “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
Titus 3:9-11 “9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 10 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”
Headnote to 1 Timothy: “THEME As the churches of Christ increased in number, the questions of church order, of soundness in the faith, and of discipline became important. At first the apostles regulated these things directly, but the approaching end of the apostolic period made it necessary that a clear revelation should be made for the guidance of the churches. Such a revelation is in First Timothy, and in Titus. The key-phrase of the Epistle is, “That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God.” Well had it been with the churches if they had neither added to nor taken from the divine order. The divisions are five: I. Legality and unsound doctrine rebuked, 1.1-20 II. Prayer and the divine order of the sexes enjoined, 2.1-15 III. The qualifications of elders and deacons, 3.1-16 IV. The walk of the ‘good minister,’ 4.1-16 V. The work of the ‘”good minister,’ 5.1-6.21.”
Some of the verses in 1 Timothy dealing with sound doctrine in the churches:
Some of the verses in 1 Timothy dealing with sound doctrine and order in the churches:
1 Timothy 1:5-11 “5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”
1 Timothy 1:19-20 “19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
1, Timothy 2 deals with prayer and the divine order of the sexes.
1 Timothy 3 covers qualifications of elders and deacons.
1 Timothy 3:15 “But if I tarry long,that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
1 Timothy 4:1-2 “1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”
1 Timothy 4:6-7 “6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”
1 Timothy 4:13 “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”
1 Timothy 4:16 “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
Read all of 1 Timothy 4-6 which deal with doctrine, order, and discipline in the church; giving directions for treatment and actions of elder women, younger women, widows, elders, church members in general, servants, masters, the rich, etc.
1 Timothy 6:5 “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”
1 Timothy 6:20-21 “20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
The answer of “Christians,” except for a small remnant, in America to theObergefelldecision is, as usual, political, not spiritual; and the answer of their Republican Congress is all wrong on so many counts. They propose a First Amendment Defense Act. As they have for a long time, they believe that they can get America right under God even though the churches they are members of are not biblically right, nor are they under God – they are under the state and federal governments as guaranteed by their corporate, Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) or Section 508(c)(1)(A) status. Tragically, they chose legal status as opposed to First Amendment separation of church and state status; they violated both God’s law and the First Amendment and put themselves under state corporate status and federal government 501(c)(3) or 508(c)(1)(A) status. In other words, their churches are voluntarily, to one degree or another, under the god of this world; so how in the world can they believe that they can straighten out civil government, which is – by Christ’s own teaching as explained throughout his word – under the god of this world?
Pat Robertson
Many “Christians” spend tremendous time and effort in their efforts to “bring America back under God” by working politically, usually in the Republican Party. They spend so much time doing so that they do not have time to study the Bible, history, and law from a spiritual perspective; indeed, from any perspective. They gobble up the false teachings of David Barton and others, as they scurry about in their futile efforts. They think that we owe our religious freedom, as guaranteed in the First Amendment, for example, to the Pilgrims and Puritans. They are told that the Pilgrims and Puritans came to America for religious freedom and because of that, we have our First Amendment. They do not know that that is ridiculous. For example, they do not know that the Puritans came to America to establish a colony with religious freedom for themselves only. They do not know anything about Puritan persecution of “heretics” in the New England colonies, and that Rhode Island was the first government in the history of the world, of any lasting significance, with complete religious freedom. They know little or nothing of the history of the colonies between the arrival of the Puritans and the Revolutionary War. They know nothing of the actual history of the First Amendment.
Ralph Reed
You may ask, “How does he know that what he said in the last paragraph is true?” The answer is simple. After being saved in 1982, I worked in the Republican Party for 20+ years. I served on committees, worked as judge and clerk at elections, served as precinct chairman, went to the precinct and higher Conventions. I read “Christian” books, articles, and essays which were constantly being repackaged and disseminated to “Christians.” I read more scholarly books by “Christian” law professors and authors. I fell hook, line, and sinker for this false propaganda. By the late 1990s, I began to see that all our efforts were counterproductive. American morality was much worse than 10 years before. In 2003, I began serious Bible studies on the doctrines of government, church, and the relationship between church and state. As before, I was still trying to find out the history of the First Amendment. God led me to discover the true history of the First Amendment – to what really happened between the arrival of the Puritans and the adoption of the First Amendment. He showed me the truth about the Christian revisionism I had been subjected to. For more on this, see the following: Secular and Christian revisionism(Section IV, Chapter 2 ofGod Betrayed) and The consequences of secular and Christian revisionism(Section IV, Chapter 3 ofGod Betrayed).
The political endeavors of most “Christians” are not according to knowledge; and most never seem to learn this. Worse yet, as they work politically, they do nothing spiritually in their churches according to the biblical principles of church, state, and separation of church and state, and pursuant to the guidelines for God’s soldiers of the cross in the Bible. They are being destroyed because of lack of knowledge. Other “Christians” work nowhere – in their churches or their civil governments. They just seek the American dream and are puzzled, at best, about what is going on in this country. They “believe in God” and go to church, sometimes. Of course, there is, as always, a small remnant who follow the Lord.
Those “Christians” outside the remnant who wish to begin to gain some insight into the correct response of Christians to what is happening, see the resources on this website beginning with the article, My Response to Obergefell, the United States Supreme Court same sex marriage decision.My writings already explain what is wrong with all Republican plans, including this latest one, and with the political and religious activities of “Christians.” This quickly written article and other resources on this website, some linked to in this article, explain all a true believer who is diligently seeking truth needs to know to see what is wrong, and what believers need to do now, and in the future. The remnant already has it figured out.
Can you imagine, a law to protect the First Amendment? The name of the law itself is ridiculous. The First Amendment is the highest man made law of the land. It is above any lower law. Sadly, it is not above the Supreme Court. As one of my law professors said, “The First Amendment means what the Supreme Court says it means.” However, God and his law is above the Supreme Court, and above all man-made laws including the Constitution. As long as man’s law reflects God’s law, man’s law should be honored. Furthermore, tax-exempt churches have taken themselves out from under the First Amendment and placed themselves under the Fourteenth Amendment for many purposes. More importantly, they have grieved our Lord by combining themselves with the state, through incorporation, and with the federal government, through tax exempt (501(c)(3) or 508(c)(1)(A) status). They have voluntarily placed themselves under government laws (state non-profit corporation laws are laws which a church places herself under when she incorporates; 501(c)(3) and 508(c)(1)(A) are laws), thereby violating the First Amendment:
“Congress shall makeno lawrespecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
What good is it going to do, then, for the government to pass a law defending the First Amendment? The Supreme Court can easily declare that law null and void. Should the Court do so, the words of the First Amendment would still be there. The Supreme Court may declare a law unconstitutional without any real reason, as they have done many times; usually, when they have done so, their “opinion,” although sounding very scholarly to the unlearned, is illogical and contrary to reason. State incorporated 501(c)(3) and508(c)(1)(A) churches have taken themselves from under the First Amendment for many purposes.
The First Amendment has stood the test of time, so far; but the day is fast approaching when the First Amendment, as conceived, will be nullified. That day is hastened by the complete ignorance – past, present, and future – and the unknowledgeable and unwise actions of “Christians” acting politically, not spiritually, in America. Based upon some First Amendment Supreme Court jurisprudence, it is not inconceivable that the Supreme Court could declare the First Amendment unconstitutional.
I repeat, by placing themselves under a law, churches violate the First Amendment and the Bible principle of separation of church and state. They place themselves partially under another head. Christ wants to be the only head of his churches. Incorporated 501(c)(3) or 508(c)(1)(A) “churches” are, by legal definition, religious organizations. A corporation is a creature of the state. An incorporated church is under the law which creates it. A 501(c)(3) or 508(c)(1)(A) church is under or subject to the rules and regulations which come with 501(c)(3). The rules are made by the federal government; the regulations are made by the Internal Revenue Service. The fifth rule, “shall not violate fundamental public policy,” was added by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and upheld by the United States Supreme Court. See God Betrayed, pp. 386-388 (link to PDF of the book). Thus, one 501(c)(3) rule that churches are under and afraid of was made by the IRS. 501(c)(3) states the other four rules which were enacted by legislature and signed into law by the President. Keep in mind that the federal legislature and President, or the IRS, can unilaterally add additional rules to 501(c)(3).
As explained in the following, the First Amendment is a statement of the biblical principle of separation of church and state (something most American “Christians” do not understand):
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13.3, 5). These words need to be heeded by all Americans, but especially by all American “Christians.”
Sadly, some “believers” in America are already going underground. This page was not meant to encourage or lead anyone to do that. This is not the time to go underground. American believers still have the freedom to preach the truth without sacrificing their and their families lives. The Bible instructs us to be a light. For more on this, listen to “Going Underground: Christians Hiding Their Light & Running From the Beast” on sermonaudio.com (060816)(Click here for Youtube of this sermon.)
Once one reads the following very insightful letter, he should listen to the following sermon: “Counterfeit Christians Filling The Church Of Antichrist,” on sermonaudio.com (071515)(Click here for Youtube of this sermon.)” Most churches, even fundamental Baptist churches are prepared to accept the anti-christ. In fact, they have already succumbed at least partially by becoming legal entities such as incorporated 501(c)(3) or 508 churches. Additional betrayals follow an unrepented of initial betrayal. Unchecked erosion of the foundation results in destruction of the house.
Some one wrote to me today about
“UNDERGROUND CHURCHES.”
Here is my reply:
____________________________
Dear Concerned Church Member:
My work for nearly thirty years has been in and out of two communist countries, and we have spent our years planting underground churches as well as training men to pastor underground churches in authoritarian regime-run countries. Nothing I say about these matters comes from “conspiratorial theories” in the wild-eyed sense, but from observation with our own eyeballs, and from studying the verbiage and dogma of the communists. I am not a young man; I am nearly 60.
If the Lord does not return soon America will also see a day when Bible-believing churches will be subject to the kind of scrutiny that will force them to operate without government permission or exemptions; hence, “underground”. Our own country is settling in to a state of NON-resistance against tyranny, and toward a tolerance for socialism. The rise of Islam, the rise of Marxist-style and European socialism, the rise of the sodomite agenda, the dismantling of national borders, the disrespect toward our Christian history and heritage in both the educational system and the courts, all speak to a day when government will ask, “Why do these churches operate without our control?” “Why cumber they the ground?” “Why are they tax-exempt?” “Why aren’t their properties on the tax rolls?” “What are those preachers preaching behind those walls?” “Are those sermons violative of public policy?” Etc.
It is not a wild-eyed conspiratorial mind set, but to the contrary, it recognizes that ” . . . in the last days, PERILOUS times shall come . . . ” We are not guaranteed exemption from this. New Testament churches in regions all over the earth must meet underground NOW in OUR generation.
Brother Randy Pike, 60-year veteran independent Baptist missionary, served 40 of those years in South Africa (a continent with many thug-run Marxist regimes). Unknown to most Americans was that the communist party of South Africa (to which Nelson Mandela belonged) threatened the freedom of the fundamentalist churches of South Africa in the 1970s and 80s (while Brother Pike was still there). Churches that had operated freely for a hundred years were taking courses on how to survive as underground churches. You can hear Brother Pike’s own instruction on this subject by way of the Internet. Brother Pike is still living today in Greenville, SC, and still deals with these issues to prepare missionaries. Brother Pike is not a wild-eyed conspiratorialist, but rather a highly-regarded independent Baptist veteran, and a very godly man.
Brother Paul Pearson leads the Old Paths Baptist Church of Northfield, MN street preaching ministry.
Our response to these things is not a bunker mentality, but rather to encourage American believers to use what liberties we have remaining to get out publicly into the markets and civic places to boldly preach Jesus Christ and the Cross. Our response is to do all we can to plant brand new Bible-believing Baptist churches around America. Our response is to do all we can to instill a missionary spirit into our young people. Our response is to encourage American Christians to write often to their elected representatives and make it known that there is still a people of God left in this country.
We also need to remember, when we speak of conspiracies, that the Bible is FULL of them, from the Garden in Genesis 3 to the reign of the antichrist in Revelation 13. Absalom conspired against David. Study the conspiracies of Ahab, Jezebel, Atahaliah, Judas, the Jews against the Saviour, Saul (Paul) against the Churches in the early Acts period, the Jews against Paul in the latter Acts period, and so many more in Scripture. Read 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and consider. See if you can not find there a conspiracy there against the souls of men and the word of God. The conspiracy of the god of this world is to blind the minds of them which believe not (2 Cor. 4:4). Then, in church history, the conspiracies of Rome against the Waldenses, Albigenses, Paulicians, Petrobrusians, Lollards and Wycliffe. Consider the conspiracies of the Protestants against the Baptists in New England (1600s & 1700s), and the conspiracies of the Anglicans against the Baptists of the North Carolina Piedmont and the battle of Alamance (early 1700s).
The word “Conspiracy” occurs in American law and American documents of juris prudence literally THOUSANDS of times. Law and diplomacy both recognize that conspiracy exists, it is not theory: Conspiracy to kidnap; conspiracy to commit murder; conspiracy to defraud; conspiracy to commit treason.
Conspiracy is defined as: “a secret agreement between two or more people to perform an unlawful act.” cabal – “a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act.” confederacy – “a group of conspirators banded together to achieve some harmful or illegal purpose.” Those things happen all around us every day of the calendar, from the world of the lowliest citizen to the top echelons of government. The Bible is chock full of these; history is full of these; todays news is full of these.
There are INDEED conspiracies against the Lord’s churches today in our generation, in the spiritual realm, in the religious realm, and in the political realm. After serving in communist countries, I suppose our ears and eyes are more acute to these things, and it can tend to make many professing Christians uncomfortable to hear us talk about it.
To walk circumspectly and to be prepared while we wait to see Christ in the air is very simply prudent.
In the Surety of His Blood,
____________________ (awaiting permission to publish name of author)
Philkippians 1:6; 2:13
Veteran Missionary Randy Pike gave messages in the late 1970s, in South Africa, on “The Underground Church” using the following three-part outline to guide the messages:
1. The Suffering of the Underground Church;
2. The Strategy of the Underground Church;
3. The Silence of the Underground Church;
First, the wrong response by believers and churches to Obergefell. Obviously, some incorporated 501c3 churches, their leaders, and their attorneys cannot see the light. They continue in their ignorance of the Bible principles of church, government, and separation of church and state. They do not realize that they have done great damage to the cause of Christ by placing their (notice that I did not say “the Lord’s”) churches under civil government through legal entity status (incorporation including corporation sole, unincorporated association, charitable trust, Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) Status, etc.). The two entries below, followed by my responses, exemplify my point. The first entry below is a Facebook entry of Clyde C. Parker, Jr. His advice shows his ignorance. Sadly, his entry has been shared by a lot of people, demonstrating the extent of ignorance about these matters. The second entry is a link to a CLA press release responding to the Obergefell decision advising churches what to do in response to that decision. Both display total lack of spiritual understanding of what should be done.
Clyde C. Parker JrEdited·Everyone please make this post Public and share with everyone. Attention all Fundamental Baptist Churches!!! Because of the recent Supreme Court’s ruling on same sex marriage please immediately update your “By Laws and Articles of Faith/” You can contact “The Christian Law Association” We’re in the process of doing it NOW and as quick as I can I’ll post a copy of what CLA says about updating.
Updating your “By Laws and Articles of Faith” is not what you should do. Parker is alarmed and has no clue as to the right thing to do. You should get your churches out from under civil government. Your first and preeminent step should be to get rid of corporate, 501c3 status and all legal entity status asap–to understand why, you need to study the Bible doctrines of church, government and separation of church and state. You need to apply those doctrines. To understand how, you need the help of a lawyer who follows Bible precept, not hirelings who forsook Bible principle and got rich by either charging for their services or by taking only donations or gifts rather than “charging for their services.” Many churches and Christians give God’s money to these organizations which then promote and implement Satan’s methods of church organization. This website has all the resources you need to speed up your study.
The above press release proves that the CLA is totally lacking in historical, legal, and scriptural understanding of what to do. If I get time, I may analyze the release in an article. The informed believer should be able to read, analyze, and see the article for what it is. The CLA is part of the reason America and America’s churches are where they are. The CLA has convinced untold numbers of churches to become legal entities under state and federal law and not under God as prescribed in the New Testament and in the First Amendment. CLA and other such “Christian” legal organizations are wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Now to the correct response. My message to churches and believers who wish to please God: start in depth studies of the resources on this website. Can’t you see that your ways have failed? Can’t you see that you have been lied to and that you have followed lies? Open your eyes now and love light rather than darkness, if you wish to glorify God. Repent! Church incorporation and 501(c)(3) status are evil. The resources on this website prove this. The resources on this website give you the truth you need to know in light of the Obergefell decision. Reorganize the church you are a member of, then seek to please God in all matters as you are taught by the word of God, the King James Bible, in all things.
The webpage, The Sodomite Agenda, Religious Organizations, And Government Tyranny, and the resources linked to therein, along with other resources on this website, explain the important biblical doctrines of church, state, and separation of church and state as well as relevant historical facts and legal concepts which guide the Bible believing Christian in the way he, and the church he is a member of, should go – actually, the way he and churches should have gone long ago – in order to glorify God in these times of religious heresy and apostasy, moral awfulness and political and governmental tyranny. Most believers, churches, and “Christian” legal organizations (e.g., the CLA) do not have a clue about God’s mind concerning these matters; instead, they are in panic mode, remain in darkness, and continue in what they perceive to be right and what America and most of America’s churches teach them that they need to do to be good Americans rather than what the Bible teaches that they should do to be good Christians. By the way, the former assures that they will be neither good Christians nor good Americans, and the latter assures that they will be both good Christians and good Americans. Follow the former and hurt individuals, families, churches, and America; follow the latter and help individuals, families, churches, and America.
The Bible explains why the wrong response predominates. John 3:19-21: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
The remnant has assurance: “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life” (1 John 5:19-20).
Man, since the beginning, has always been seduced by Satan. Things will not change until the Lord crushes the world powers, all of which operate under the principles of the god of this world, and establishes his kingdom. The trend of individuals, families, churches, and nations is, in general, always downward and deeper into religious apostasy, moral awfulness, and political tyranny; Obergefell and its progenitors as well as the downward religious, moral and political slide of America again prove this. Sadly, America and the world will continue into greater depths of depravity and rebellion against God’s way. Satan’s ways always offer what seems to man to be the best rewards; while in fact leading to dire consequences. God’s ways, on the other hand actually result in the glory of God, the joy of man, eternal life, and other positive consequences. A remnant has already acted according to Bible principles and guidelines or will modify their conduct and respond correctly to Obergefell by diligent study and modification of their conduct so as to comply with biblical guidelines;but the majority of those who profess to be believers will respond incorrectly, thereby aiding the god of this world in his ultimately unsuccessful schemes.
END
Virginia Passes Legislation Forcing Churches to Allow “Transgender” Males into Women’s Bathrooms (04720)(Of course, this will be contested in court. Regardless of the outcome of such contest(s), keep in mind that the established church (incorporated, 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(1)(A) churches have voluntarily given up much of their First Amendment protections and placed themselves under the 14th Amendment for many purposes. Churches who choose to remain under the First Amendment for all purposes are not subject to state legislation. Contact this Churches under Christ Ministry for more information.)
Marriage is a covenant between a man, a woman, and God.
No matter what the Supreme Court says, two people of the same sex cannot marry – they can only enter into a civil contract between themselves and the state if allowed to do so by man’s law (the same thing people of the same sex do if they get a state marriage license and certificate). Two people of the same sex cannot marry. Marriage is a covenant between a man, a woman, and God.
True believers, as opposed to those religious heretical apostates who claim to be Christians but who support all kinds of sin should keep in mind that all law has a hierarchy (a line of authority). The authority of a given law depends upon its place in the hierarchy. For example, God’s law is the highest law. In America, the next highest law is the United States Constitution. Below that are state, county, and city, constitutions and laws, in that order.
The Supreme Court interprets (and many times misinterprets) the Constitution. The writing is on the wall. It won’t be long before the Supreme Court will declare that the Constitution requires that marriage can be between any two (and maybe more) consenting individuals (regardless of the sexes of those individuals).
But be of good cheer, dear believer. Even should man’s law say that sodomy is not a sin and that sodomite marriage is legitimate, God’s law is still the highest law and God’s law says that sodomy and lesbianism are sexual sins and that marriage is the union of a man and woman under God. God is allowing mankind to do exactly what he told us mankind would do; but the chief means of bringing about the end time one world government was unexpected: the legitimization of a sin which is an abomination to God and an attack on the order of the basic institution ordained by God, the institution of marriage, and the family.
What about appealing the lawfulness of sodomy and sodomite marriage to the Judge of the Universe? The Judge who knows all things, created all things, and ordained all lawful powers does not hold court in a secular manner. He operates outside of time and outside man’s temporal procedures. He weighs all the facts and judges from His throne. In some ways, individuals, families, churches, and nations suffer the natural, God-ordained consequences for violation of His laws. Sometimes, God decides to judge in the here and now through temporal means. The temporal consequences of sexual sins (any sex outside the marriage of a man and woman) have been apparent since time immemorial: STDs, stress, grief, broken marriages (unions of man and woman), broken families, heartache, feelings of guilt for one’s abominable actions, etc. A nation which allows, encourages, and or legalizes sexual sins will be judged temporally.
In addition to temporal judgments, God’s final judgment is reserved for all who refuse to repent and accept Jesus Christ as savior from their sin. The prayer of all true children of God is that all will repent of sin, sexual or otherwise, and trust Jesus Christ to save them from their sin.
The fate of nations who accept gross sexual immorality is made clear in the Bible. For example, Leviticus 18 goes over a litany of sexual sins including adultery and sodomy. Then, Leviticus 18.24-30 records that God commanded the Israelites:
“Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you. For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.”
Bible study reveals God’s sure judgment of unrepentant men and women who commit vile sexual acts and of nations which embrace such acts.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee” (Titus 2:11-15 ).
Love requires that God’s children “speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority” the truths of his word. By obeying God in this matter, individuals and nations are made aware of the truth and given a chance to repent, get right with God, gain God’s blessings, and avoid God’s curses.
End
Virginia Passes Legislation Forcing Churches to Allow “Transgender” Males into Women’s Bathrooms (04720)(Of course, this will be contested in court. Regardless of the outcome of such contest(s), keep in mind that the established church (incorporated, 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(1)(A) churches have voluntarily given up much of their First Amendment protections and placed themselves under the 14th Amendment for many purposes. Churches who choose to remain under the First Amendment for all purposes are not subject to state legislation. Contact this Churches under Christ Ministry for more information.)
(Revelation 14:6-7) “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, {7} Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”
The everlasting gospel is to Fear God for He is Holy. The antichrist gospel is god loves everybody. Because God is holy we need a perfect savior the Lord Jesus Christ. Every time when you are preaching the true gospel of Jesus Christ and showing men that they are under condemnation of sin because of the holiness of God and they need a saviour and somebody comes and screams god is love they are antichrist. Never forget this: they are of their father the devil. If God sent an angel to proclaim to Fear God then it is good enough for me to preach the same thing “Fear God”. Just a few scriptures to encourage you who love and fear God.
Who do you believe: Darwin or the word of God?
(Matthew 10:27-28) ” What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. {28} And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
(Psalms 66:16) “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.”
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) “¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. {14} For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
(Psalms 36:1-4) “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. {2} For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. {3} The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. {4} He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.”
(Romans 3:11-18) “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. {12} They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. {13} Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: {14} Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: {15} Their feet are swift to shed blood: {16} Destruction and misery are in their ways: {17} And the way of peace have they not known: {18} There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
(Psalms 111:6-10) “He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. {7} The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. {8} They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. {9} He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. {10} The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”
(Proverbs 1:7-9) “¶ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. {8} My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: {9} For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.”
Ecclesiastes 12.14
(Isaiah 2:10-22) Ҧ Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty. {11} The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. {12} For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: {13} And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, {14} And upon all the high mountains,
Wrong. Your god is Satan and he hates you, a creation of God, and wants you to spend eternity in the lake of fire.
and upon all the hills that are lifted up, {15} And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall, {16} And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. {17} And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. {18} And the idols he shall utterly abolish. {19} And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. {20} In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; {21} To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. {22} Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?”
[Note by Jerald Finney: And there are many more such verses in the Bible. Some of those antichrists who reject Bible preaching because “God is love” make up their own religion or philosophy without reference to God’s word; others quote some Bible verse out of context. One example is John 3.16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The problem for them is the rest of John 3 and the whole of the Bible.]
The local church sanctified and cleansed by the washing of water by the word——————–A ministry of Charity Baptist Tabernacle of Amarillo, Texas led by Pastor Ben Hickam. "Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:1-3). ————————————Jerald Finney, a Christian Lawyer and member of Charity Baptist Tabernacle, having received this ministry in the Lord, explains how a church in America can remain under the Lord Jesus Christ and Him only. "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:10-11; See also, Ephesians 4::1-16 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-25). "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it" (Colossians 4:17). "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church" (Ephesians 1.22; See also, e.g. Colossians 1:18).
Simply Church 