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BOOK 2
"Pitfalls of Religion"
BOOK 3
"The Gospel and the Hidden Gospel"
BOOK 4
Learning Christ and Growth Through Fellowship
BOOK 5
The Mysteries of God
BOOK 6
The Seven Spirits of God,
I
will make a statement that you may have not heard: Human beings in their
natural state are NOT interested in God or in pursuing spiritual matters.
In our natural state we do not choose to live in Godly ways! In fact
the Bible declares that all human beings are conceived as being "spiritually
dead." The: natural human soul is totally incapable of anything
but of self-serving and ungodly behaviors. Nonetheless, many are reared
where "moral values" are taught or have received moral guidance
through religious activities; yet our native instincts remain ungodly.
We shape our lives into a superficial moral veneer through religious
practices. The prophet Isaiah declares, "We are all gone astray."
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have
turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity
of us all." Isaiah 53:6" What (or who) can enable us
to remove the blinders that keep us from knowing the truth and resroring
us to godliness and newness of life? Religious practices alone
are not the answer.
The
world of religion, and what a world it is! Almost
everyone has their own particular notion regarding a personal belief
system. How would we graph our place as a believer or an unbeliever?
Do you know what you believe? Do you know why you hold these beliefs?
Some have a belief in a god of some description, others
may not. Some pray, some believe in an after-life, while others have
no faith in any god nor any life following this one.
There are so many religions inside and outside of Christianity. Indeed,
there are many named gods and paths to appeasing them. Within these
myriad forms of belief or worship some offer a set of moral values
in accord with these beliefs. Many of these values promote peace and
brotherhood toward the greater community. Contrary-wise, other religions
may generate hatred and intolerance toward those outside of that faith.
Some religious factions hold that unbelievers people must convert
if necessary through duress.
"Religion" as a general topic, is an admirable study for
some, a mandatory doctrine for millions. For some religion is a career
option. Religion in general revolves around the belief in "spirits"
as defined by Margaret Mead, the anthropologist.
The crusades were a demonstration of wrong Christian beliefs.
Inhumanities have been done in accordance to religious belief. Such
beliefs are not in conformity to the Gospel of Christ. The crusades
and the inquisition were chapters in Catholicism that further demonstrated
an abuse of power that is presumed under religious authority. As we
study further we will discover serious detriments in institutional
religious practices or churches that have been existent for centuries.
Christianity is meant to be a message of love, acceptance and forgiveness.
Destruction and judgment against unbelievers is not to be exercised
by believers in the true Gospel, but God is the final judge. In the
Gospel of Grace there is an invitation to come freely and receive,
partaking in the power of Jesus' love, and forgiveness. There is no
sword wielded to convert the unbeliever, but rather the demonstration
of the supernatural power of God that converts the heart and pursuades
each that there is a loving God in heaven who desires that no one
dies under condemnation. "God so loved the world - - ,"
John 3:16 is the often quoted basic text. Condemnation never comes
from the hand of a believer who is commanded to walk in the same love
and forgiveness that Jesus modeled to all.
This true gospel has 3 factors to determine authenticity:
The right Jesus, not an angel, not merely a prophet nor a good
man, not a teacher, but the only begotten Son of God, the Jewish Messiah.
The right gospel, it is a gospel of good news that humanity
may come to the giver of life and receive eternal life and forgiveness
freely, without the mediation of a priest; nor is it a gospel of works,
nor is it a gospel of faith and works; the door is open to any who
call upon the name of the Lord.
The source of truth and understanding of this gospel is the Holy Bible.
The right Spirit, there are many spirits in the world, some
sacred and others demonic. Spirits abound in the atmosphere of every
nation and have been a factor in human life for thousands of years.
Evil spirits addressed by disciples and apostles of Jesus' day are
still present to seduce and steal from the life, liberty and spiritual
potential of all, even a believer. The spirit of the world is a spirit
of self exaltation and pride. Of course modern thought and psychology
discredits spirits as a primitive and obsolete belief system. However,
it is to be noted that Jesus the Messiah came to "destroy the
works of the devil," Satan, the ruler of all fallen beings. It
is God's purpose to restore the proper line of earthly rule under
the dominion of Jesus Christ. In due time nations will recognize him
as the Holy One of God, appointed Lord of all things. Evil or wrong
spirits include, pride, rebellion, witchcraft, defilement, sensuality,
gluttony, drunkeness, etc.
One
God equals any other?
The broad-minded, ecumenical world would like to assert that any god
is essentially at par with any other, or declare they all are expressions
of the same sublime higher One.
I am now a Christian believer, but was not always so. Disallusioned
by religion, sensing all of the superficialities, the hypocrisies,
and the lack of any proof in the God of the Bible I went on searching
and doubting, and trusting that I was good enough not to fall into
condemnation in the event that my presumptions were wrong. I had heard
the term "Good News" referring the Gospel of the Messiah
Jeshua (Jesus). But experience in Christianity was only valued in
a sentimental way. I knew the memories of a lifestyle in my childhood.
During these days I yearned to touch and experience something that
was real, powerful and persuasive. This, I believe, is exactly where
so many seeking people are at today. Hopeful, but without proof that
God is real and reachable. I was not taught that God was a reality
to be experienced and the Gospel is the Power of God to effect human
life in many profound ways outside of my religious experience.
The Gospel is the "power of God." It is only the
power of God, that can powerfully persuade us to believe in
Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior taught in the Bible. He is the only
God of love. Only he can impact human lives in remarkable life-changing
ways. These can and do exist out of the realm of church life. The
God of heaven is outside of shallow traditions ruled by religion.
It is His divine Spirit who draws us and provides the measure of faith
that will allow us to know God, and eventually reveal himself as Saviour
and King of the created universe. And even more amazingly, the Bible
is finally revealed to be entirely believable and consistent in spite
of its denyers who work continuously to discredit any belief in its
authenticity or consistency.
Now when I hear of a God who walked with man in a spiritually perfect
world, I believe it; when I hear of a God who did wonders in the days
of Moses or the prophets I do not doubt for one moment; when I hear
the prophecies of the appointed men of God to declare the end from
the beginning I have no doubt in the veracity of any of those words.
God spoke through prophets with inerrant accuracy to declare the Messiah
and his mission to redeem fallen humanity and all these prophecies
came to pass. Jesus as the lamb of God came to close the divide between
God and humanity. The resurrection of Jeshua, as irrational scientifically
unsound it sounds on the surface, remains the foundation of Christianity.
Resurrection establishes the "Power of the Gospel" and enables
any believer to partake in His divine nature.
Religions
of the world vary in name and beliefs. Establishing worldly kingdoms
as the launching pad for those beliefs is contrary to the Gospel.
Christian religions, including, Catholicism, Mormonism, Jehovah's
Witnesses, and most of the protestant denominations have distorted
the simplicity of the Gospel greatly, making it formalistic and religious.
Churches (Buildings with congregations) are now what people think
of when we imagine Christian practices. When ceremony and ritual are
the practiced, and where obligations or extraneous demands are taught,
these are contrary to the original Gospel, e.g. the Apostolic epistles.
Are
You a Seeker?
IS YOUR RELIGION DRAWING YOU CLOSER TO GOD?
This
is an introduction to the book series I completed in 1996. I decided
to call this series "The Gospel Without Religion" which best captures
its major focus and intent. It is based upon my own Spiritual interests
and in the liberating promises of Bible (The Power of
God in Scripture). These are concise revelations that I believe
reveal the truth revealed in the Scriptures. Those who are seeking
will find it may answer concerning questions of life, liberty and
faith; and these truths achievable quite apart from institutional
"religion".
I came to an understanding
of the "Gospel" after becoming a "believer". I experienced
God's love, being 'born again' in 1981. I was amazed and dismayed that
the simplicity of Jesus' teachings that have the power to change
and to transformed lives with divine blessings were never made known
to me in the spiritually vacant denominational experiences I grew up
with.
Knowledge of these
simple Bible truths are still virtually unknown and unpracticed among
most of the tradition- bound doctrines of thousands of supposedly "Christian
churches" throughout the world.
I
find that there are 3 paradigms of "wisdom"
and "truth"
which people are apt to follow:
The
first, the paradigm of worldly wisdom, finds truth in a context of worldly
life and thought:
(simply put, the natural man can not know God, The Holy One through
his wisdom has made it difficult for the strong, the wise, the self
sufficient, the noble, the well-off of this world to know the
truth. Instead we must become "needy" and "poor" or be
made small like a child in order to enter in at this gateway of
truth.
The
second, the paradigm of religious wisdom, echos truths based upon catechisms
or religious teachings: as it pertains to "godliness" and truth. This
is "church house" religion. The paradigm is observable more or less
in every formal and institutional house of religion where human leadership
and traditions rule.
The
third is the paradigm of truth revealed by God's Spirit which we call
God's Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is given through Christ to each believer who seeks it.
Through the Spirit we are able to become disciples and to know the ways
of God which were once totally foreign to us. It is a token investiture
of divinity; and it is freely given a gift.
The
True believer, in the Holy Spirit paradigm, requires no priests or intermediaries
though we are all called upon to be guides, mentors and eventually mature.
There is a fellowship that is pure. It is a fellowship of love, acceptance
and forgiveness that extends the "kingdom of heaven" to our hearts (our
spiritual selves) and transforms our souls (mind, will, and emotion).
Believers
may grow and mature as disciples. Jesus told his followers to do this,
to teach (disciple, or make disciples) people in all nations.
Shortly
after inception of the "Church" in the age of apostles, human headship
and tradition took the place of the divinely ordered fellowship of believers
in which Jesus reproduced himself in each believers who became a "True
Worshipper."
Apostolic
Expectations and Guidelines
for Christian Fellowship
What we are called upon to seek in Koinonia
1. To be: United in purpose - namely, to give God glory
2. To be: United in Spirit - The Spirit that is in Christ Jesus
3. To be: Bound in mutual love and acceptance.
The spirit of Love denotes we are Christians
4. To: Seek God individually and corporately in Spirit and Truth
5. To: Realize that the Holy Spirit must be welcomed and given place
so that He may lead and guide
6. To: incorporate the unique gifts and abilities God has given to each
7. To: Follow the "Gatekeeper", the head of the home or house;
the(leader) who is designated to follow the Spirit in an orderly way
8. To: Gaurd against pitfalls against unity; to gaurd against the rong
spirit; anger, prejudice, suspicion, jealousy will "grieve" the Holy
Spirit.
9. To see to it: That all things are in order and intended for gaining
God's peace, edification and joy.
10. To: Use the Word of God to establish every principle of truth and
doctrine.
Growing
in the knowledge of God as Disciples
1.
Discipleship provides learning experiences for a believer.
2. Knowledge of fundamental principles of doctrine which are taught
in the Word: Essential Apostolic Doctrine.
3. Paradigms of wisdom: worldly, religious 'Godliness', and Spiritual
Godliness understanding principles
Becoming
acquainted with spiritual understanding pertaining to:
-
the power of agreement recognizes the spiritual law pertaining to
agreement between 2 or 3 witnesses, the amen of God.
-
understanding principles pertaining to God speaking the end from the
beginning, Spirit of prophesy.
-
understanding principles pertaining to words and their power
-
understanding principles pertaining to blessings and curses
-
understanding principles pertaining to apostolic order
-
understanding principles pertaining to the new covenant (gospel)
-
understanding principles pertaining to the blood of Jesus
-
understanding principles pertaining to types and foreshadows of Christ
in the Old Covenant Scriptures
-
understanding principles pertaining to Jewish roots of the Gospel
-
understanding principles pertaining to feasts of Israel, all fulfilled
in Christ
-
understanding principles pertaining to the kingdom of God
-
understanding principles pertaining to kingdom authority of
the believer over spiritual enemies
-
understanding principles pertaining to praise and worship entering
the streams of God
-
understanding principles pertaining to agreement the first step in
receiving from God
-
understanding principles pertaining to spiritual warfare, the ongoing
battle for each divinely invested saint
-
understanding principles pertaining to ways of prayer, communion,
intercession, enforcement, faith
-
understanding principles pertaining to ministry of every disciple
-
understanding principles pertaining to Holy Spirit baptism, equipping
and empowering the disciple to minister.
Expectations
and Guidelines
for Christian Fellowship
When
we seek fellowship with fellow believers
1. To be united in Spirit and purpose giving praise and
glory to God, rejoicing in our common salvation
2. To worship God in the Spirit of Holiness, seeking the
presence of God, hearing his voice as God speaks
3. To pray and share the spiritual life, utilizing
the all gifts and callings of the body
4. To be bound in mutual love and acceptance demonstrating
the spirit of Love that denotes we are Christians
5. To give place to the Holy Spirit who when given
place, guides us into truth and edification
6. To foster spiritual understanding; building up,
discipling and maturing members
7. To follow the spiritually appointed mature
leader who is anointed to follow the Spirit in an orderly way
8. To guard against pitfalls against unity, any wrong
spirit; (anger, prejudice, suspicion, jealousy which impede
the Holy Spirit.)
9. To see to it: that all things are for gaining
God's peace, edification and joy.
10. To Use the Word of God to establish every principle
of truth and doctrine.
Quest
for God, Introduction to the Gospel Without Religion
KOINONIA
Koinonia is the first step in experiencing the fellowship with God
and with believers,
Within koinonia, individuals are edified and matured by the sharing
the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Why Christians Gather
Additional Pages of Christian Insight
Complete
Listing of Christian Topics
Introduction
to "The Gospel Without Religion"
Wheaton
College, Christian Library
"You can access the life of God
without being side-tracked by religious tradition."
Charles
Pinkney
OTHER TITLES
The Doctrine of Dominion or Kingdom-Now Theology
Biblical
basis for the Rapture of Believers
C. Pinkney's List of Titles - Commentaries on Christian Doctrine
A
Search for God may end in Religion
The
Power of Paradigms in Our Lives and Faith
What
are Attributes of the Religious Paradigm
Essentials
of "The Gospel of the Kingdom"
Fellowship
of the Body, Koinonia
Spiritual
Mysteries Revealed in Scripture
"The
7 Spirits of God," Attributes of Divine Character
New:
The manifestation of Angels in Revival.
Worship - Images
A Final Great Move of God?
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