How the religious make a mockery of God

[aspen]

EXACTLY, I believe it is Nico-layity in my opinion// Conquer of the People

What is Nico-laity?

 

[Truth]

I guess it can look that way when you refuse to admit that you are religious. Christianity is a religion and if you profess Christ, you are following a tenet of religion. Religion is the language we use to communicate with God.

Didn't make a dent, did I?

I don't have Religion, I Believe like Abraham, after my first encounter, because I believe I Have Faith, In what I have not seen, yet I also Have Hope in the Promises that are outlined in the Scriptures. there are many religions, some worship the SUN, some worship the MOON, many worship the Hosts of Heaven, which God Gave to the Nations to worship, and Israel was to teach the world about God, but they didn't do a very good Job, The God Of Israel is not a Religion, for there is non like HIM, He is OUR CREATOR. He is or He is not!!

 

[Truth]

What is Nico-laity?

In my opinion it is a Pyramid of Authority! Jesus said he hates the doctrines and deeds of the nicolatins> Revelation

 

[Helen]

tithes were and will always be used to help the Widows, the Orphans, the Poor, and the Levite's which had no Inheritance, most of these Ministers live far better that their Flock. Yes a Minister is worthy of His Meat, and blessed are the feet of those that preach the Gospel, but to live better than those you Shepherd, NO, Our Savior had no place to lay His Head,

AMEN.....Well said.
If " sowing seed, and increase" was really believed by the leadership and ministries. They would not be telling the flock to " sew seed to their ministries" BUT they would be sewing THEIR seed money ....by giving it out to the flock as they left there meetings!!!
It is obvious that they do not believe it.
But, God 'keeps accounts' .....and He will balance the books in the end.

 

[FHII]

AMEN.....Well said.
If " sowing seed, and increase" was really believed by the leadership and ministries. They would not be telling the flock to " sew seed to their ministries" BUT they would be sewing THEIR seed money ....by giving it out to the flock as they left there meetings!!!
It is obvious that they do not believe it.
But, God 'keeps accounts' .....and He will balance the books in the end.

Gave you a like... But I am cautious about it. I do not despise preachers having money if they are good stewards. In the OT God gave HIS portion to the Levite and also left the levite with responsibilities.

I have seen Creflo Dollar, TD Jakes and the late Gene Scott (whom I have great repect for) build large financial empires by their investments and business deals. In short they make more money on their own than what comes in the offering.

I wish there was an actual preacher here that could verify this, but I have heard the govt sometimes places handcuffs on preachers. If they are under the tax free charity irs laws, they just can't hand out money willy nilly. They have a benevolance committee and there is a process to go through.

Also... The main job of a preacher is to preach the gospel... Even to the poor. The gosoel is meant for our spiritual man, but properly preached it can hekp our natural man as well.

What I do despise is preachers who see the preaching and their talent to do so as a lucrative job. I don't deapise them earning money... I despise them doing it for that purpose.

God said he would reward them according to HIS riches.... And God is pretty rich. But thats a benefit. They get it by preaching the truth and doing his will (if God sees they need it). Otherwise, yea they may get it... But ita ill-gotten.

And this whole bit about preachers being wrong for living above the means of his flock.... I am not buying it if he's been a good steward and done well in oreaching the gospel and done well as being a shepherd.

Yes: give a man a fish, but then teach him to fish. If he refuses to learn to fish for himself.... Don't give him another fish.

 

[Helen]

I can agree with that @FHII ....
I know that the Billy Graham foundation has millions....yet I never heard anyone even whisper that he was 'after the $'s '
But, there again...the money just "came in" for him.
I don't ever remember Billy Graham ever asking for money, or telling the congregation to "sow their tithes" to his ministry.
In my younger days we were taught that God is the one who blesses the ministry and keeps it going.
When that stops, it's time to ask, "Is God still anointing and keeping this ministry going....or is it us ourselves."
So many ( I believe) keep going with enthusiasm , not noticing that the Pillar of Fire has now moved on!!
Just my two cents...


Over the years I have learned a lot from TD Jakes.

 

[KBCid]

I would like any one here to show me where it is written, that we should pay Tithes to any organization so that they can build a Crystal Cathedral, or any such Fabulous Church building, to the Glory of God & Savior!!

This story really brought out an anger in me....

Minister Creflo Dollar asks for $60 million in donations for a new jet
(CNN)Creflo Dollar is hoping a few folks will see fit to bless him.
The minister, known for being a prosperity preacher at his Atlanta-area World Changers Church International, is seeking "200,000 people committed to sow $300 or more (to) help achieve our goal to purchase the G650 airplane." The figures were presented Friday in a nearly six-minute video on the Creflo Dollar Ministries website and total more than $60 million needed to buy the Gulfstream G650, which goes for a reported $65 million.

Prosperity gospel is a theology that promises wealth and health to those who tithe 10% of their income to the church.
Minister Creflo Dollar asks for $60 million for a jet - CNN

 

[Helen]

This story really brought out an anger in me....

Prosperity gospel is a theology that promises wealth and health to those who tithe 10% of their income to the church.
Minister Creflo Dollar asks for $60 million for a jet - CNN

I blame these " ministers" they will answer for it before the Lord.
BUT .....all I can say is, more fool them FOR DOING IT! And, where will they be when The False Prophet arrives????( or maybe that spirit is already here!!
These must be the same silly people who believe the telephone scammers when they tell them they have won $300 thousand ( for a contest that they never entered)
But now they need to send $1200 for "processing fees!! "
Why are the people themselves so stupid!! Idiot sheep that will just follow each other ' over the cliff'.

 

[Truth]

This story really brought out an anger in me....

Minister Creflo Dollar asks for $60 million in donations for a new jet
(CNN)Creflo Dollar is hoping a few folks will see fit to bless him.
The minister, known for being a prosperity preacher at his Atlanta-area World Changers Church International, is seeking "200,000 people committed to sow $300 or more (to) help achieve our goal to purchase the G650 airplane." The figures were presented Friday in a nearly six-minute video on the Creflo Dollar Ministries website and total more than $60 million needed to buy the Gulfstream G650, which goes for a reported $65 million.

Prosperity gospel is a theology that promises wealth and health to those who tithe 10% of their income to the church.
Minister Creflo Dollar asks for $60 million for a jet - CNN

It is not Anger it is Righteous Indignation, no different than Jesus clearing the Temple of Venders.

I blame these " ministers" they will answer for it before the Lord.
BUT .....all I can say is, more fool them FOR DOING IT! And, where will they be when The False Prophet arrives????( or maybe that spirit is already here!!
These must be the same silly people who believe the telephone scammers when they tell them they have won $300 thousand ( for a contest that they never entered)
But now they need to send $1200 for "processing fees!! "
Why are the people themselves so stupid!! Idiot sheep that will just follow each other ' over the cliff'.

It is a known fact that if you heard sheep through a narrow shoot and place a rod across the way that the sheep will jump it, and after about 10 sheep you can remove the rod and the sheep that were in line will still jump at the place where the rod was, only because they saw the previous sheep jump. It only takes one generation to establish a tradition, If a ruler makes a law that everyone must keep, or be put to death, by the time that 7 year old child is in their 20s, it has become common place. as with this prosperity teaching, it has become the norm! I call them sheeple? this is how it has been done for years, so it must be true.

 

[Truth]

This story really brought out an anger in me....

Minister Creflo Dollar asks for $60 million in donations for a new jet
(CNN)Creflo Dollar is hoping a few folks will see fit to bless him.
The minister, known for being a prosperity preacher at his Atlanta-area World Changers Church International, is seeking "200,000 people committed to sow $300 or more (to) help achieve our goal to purchase the G650 airplane." The figures were presented Friday in a nearly six-minute video on the Creflo Dollar Ministries website and total more than $60 million needed to buy the Gulfstream G650, which goes for a reported $65 million.

Prosperity gospel is a theology that promises wealth and health to those who tithe 10% of their income to the church.
Minister Creflo Dollar asks for $60 million for a jet - CNN

Just think how many people that could be supplied with food, clothing, shelter, medications that they can't afford! For the Poor you will have always!!!

 

[Helen]

it has become common place. as with this prosperity teaching, it has become the norm! I call them sheeple? this is how it has been done for years, so it must be true.

Thanks, that gave me a good laugh.

 

[KBCid]

It is not Anger it is Righteous Indignation, no different than Jesus clearing the Temple of Venders.

I guess that could be so.

I call them sheeple? this is how it has been done for years, so it must be true.

The problem with sheeple is that they give birth to people and even though not all people grow up to become the new sheeple they do on some levels carry along some of the religious baggage / garbage from their upbringing.
Can you or anyone name any of the religious baggage / garbage that was carried over from Catholicism to Protestantism by these people that biblically has no foundation?

 

[mjrhealth]

that biblically has no foundation?

They do thats teh problem what they dont have is " Christ" as there foundation, teh bible is not teh foundation of our faith, Christ is.

 

[Helen]

I guess that could be so.



The problem with sheeple is that they give birth to people and even though not all people grow up to become the new sheeple they do on some levels carry along some of the religious baggage / garbage from their upbringing.
Casn you or anyone name any of the religious baggage / garbage that was carried over from Catholicism to Protestantism by these people that biblically has no foundation?

Yes, one was an unhealthy fear of God. One who was always waiting to catch me in a fault. I did not come to know Him as Father until I was walked for almost 20 years!!
That is pathetic!! He was a dear sweet Pastor...but he only ever preached an angry God. I never understood or 'saw' the victory given to the believer until the late 80's
No understanding of grace or freedom from the law...I was always tossed between the two....always " trying" to please God. What a roll a coaster.

 

[Truth]

I guess that could be so.



The problem with sheeple is that they give birth to people and even though not all people grow up to become the new sheeple they do on some levels carry along some of the religious baggage / garbage from their upbringing.
Can you or anyone name any of the religious baggage / garbage that was carried over from Catholicism to Protestantism by these people that biblically has no foundation?

Well this will bring on indignation, The forth Commandment Remember the Sabbath, this Day was changed, because the law said that we will not keep the Feasts of the Jews, nor any of their Sabbaths, do not blame the Catholic Church, this was established by a Roman Emperor, and if you disobeyed it you lost your head! Constantine made this edict at the Counsel of Trent, He also said this, Sol Invictous my companion! he was saying the unconquered SUN my companion, and so we have Sun-Day which was when they worshiped the "Sun"! I have been keeping the Sabbath described in the 10 commandments for 13 years, and it is a delight, there are many other things that are observed that are a hand me down over the centuries, that are watered down forms from Idolatry.

 

[Marymog]

Just reading a post from one saying about being obedient to the ordained. No guessing to what religion this is. But you see this statement flies in the face of God, because according to him these men are ordained by God. So here we have God who supposedly knows the hearts of men, who created the universe and the world us and all therein, ordains, homosexual priests, child molesters , drug dealing cardinals, murders etc etc and yet they cant see the issue, another one goes on about Jesus being the fullness of His church of course he is not referring to the Lords church but His own and therefore is saying that Jesus is a rapist, child molester, homosexual, drug dealer liar etc etc and doesnt seem to be to concerned with that, But than that is that religious for you, only see there religion cant see God.

Hi mrhealth,

Who were the bishops, overseers, presbyters, elders etc. spoken of in the New Testament?

Mary

 

[mjrhealth]

Hi mrhealth,

Who were the bishops, overseers, presbyters, elders etc. spoken of in the New Testament?

Mary

Lets make it plain for you.

Mat_21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

the very same you have rejected because

Mar_10:42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
Mar 10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
Mar 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Mar 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

for as written in the OT

1Sa_8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

There is but one head over us, His name is Jesus, if you are afraid of Him than you have no faith.

 

[KBCid]

They do thats teh problem what they dont have is " Christ" as there foundation, teh bible is not teh foundation of our faith, Christ is.

Though your intent is quite valid in depth of meaning we must remember that to live by every word of God one must have them and read them as it was through the written word that God chose to communicate to a sinfull world.

Acts 17:2And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures...

11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

Might I also note here that the scriptures being used by the apostles in those references was the Old Testament.

 

[KBCid]

Well this will bring on indignation, The forth Commandment Remember the Sabbath, this Day was changed, because the law said that we will not keep the Feasts of the Jews, nor any of their Sabbaths, do not blame the Catholic Church, this was established by a Roman Emperor, and if you disobeyed it you lost your head! Constantine made this edict at the Counsel of Trent, He also said this, Sol Invictous my companion! he was saying the unconquered SUN my companion, and so we have Sun-Day which was when they worshiped the "Sun"! I have been keeping the Sabbath described in the 10 commandments for 13 years, and it is a delight...

You are quite right sir and may I also commend you for following the truth.

To Judaize was made an evil thing early in the Christian movement even though Christ is a Jew and he set Jews to carry his message to the world.

On the venerable Day of the sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country, however, persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits: because it often happens that another Day is not so suitable for grain sowing or for vine planting: lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost.
Constantine (321 AD)

Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday (Sabbath), but shall work on that Day: but the Lord’s Day, they shall especially honour; and as being Christians, shall, if possible, do no work on that day. If however, they are found Judaizing, they shall be shut out from Christ.
Catholic Church Council of Laodicea (364 AD)

...there are many other things that are observed that are a hand me down over the centuries, that are watered down forms from Idolatry.

I'm glad you mentioned idolatry. This truth will likely also "bring on indignation" (as you said) to a great extent. The symbol / idol of the Christian cross is a pagan symbol adopted during the early years of Catholicism.

"That which is now called the Christian cross was originally no Christian emblem at all, but was the mystic Tau of the Chaldeans and Egyptians -- the true original form of the letter T -- the initial of the name of Tammuz [...] That mystic Tau was marked in baptism on the foreheads of those initiated in the Mysteries, and was used in every variety of way as a most sacred symbol. [...] The Vestal virgins of Pagan Rome wore it suspended from their necklaces, as the nuns do now. The Egyptians did the same [...] There is hardly a Pagan tribe where the cross has not been found. The cross was worshipped by the Pagan Celts long before the incarnation and death of Christ." (Tom Harper, The Pagan Christ, pp. 45-46)

"A still more curious fact may be mentioned respecting this hieroglyphical character [the Tau], that the early Christians of Egypt adopted it [...] numerous inscriptions, headed by the Tau, are preserved to the present day on early Christian monuments." (Wilkinson's Egyptians, by Sir J. G. Wilkinson, volume 5, page 283-284)

The use of the cross as a religious symbol in pre-Christian times, and among non-Christian peoples, may probably be regarded as almost universal, and in very many cases it was connected with some form of nature worship."
(The Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th edition, 1910, volume 7, page 506)

Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God...

God does not change.... what they didn't like in the old testament they most assuredly won't like in the new.

 

[mjrhealth]

Though your intent is quite valid in depth of meaning we must remember that to live by every word of God one must have them and read them as it was through the written word that God chose to communicate to a sinfull world

I guess you missed this bit,

Mat_4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Every word that He speaks and you hear, gives you life, just as watering a seed gives it life, REading a book no matter what, cannot bring you life even teh "bible" testifes of that,

Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Joh 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

As even He said'

Joh_6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

or teh disciples

Joh_6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

you wil not find "life" anywhere else. It is men whom have made the written word such a big deal, everything after pentecost is by the spirit.

Joh_4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh_4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

but He finds so few that are willing.