A.R.Smith Bible Insight

A number of years ago, I wrote an article about the differences between Islam, and Christianity. This article was based on the two faiths, one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God, and the other who believes that God has no need of a Son, and that Jesus was just a prophet from God.

Today many that say they are Christians, have denied the faith, and have turned over to a multi-religious view.

Religion News Blog, Amsterdam, Netherlands July 17, 2008 News Summary & Commentary www.religionnewsblog.com.
Dr Williams is also facing immense pressures from inside his own Church of England and Anglican Communion.

A gathering of Anglican bishops from around the world, which begins today, is on the brink of a devastating split over whether homosexuality and gay clergy, should win their approval.(To accept this, as a compromise, would separate them from the grace of God. ars.)
The Archbishop’s letter is a reply to feelers to Christians put out by Islamic leaders from 43 countries last autumn.

In it, Dr Williams said violence is incompatible with the beliefs of either faith and that, once that principle is accepted, both can work together against poverty, and prejudice, and to help the environment. (Who is to say that a Christian believes in, or condones any violence, weather it was in the past, present, or future. The most violent period for murder was conducted by the Pope of Rome, where 100,000s were killed. From that time we, who do not abide by the faith of Catholicism, have been called Protestants.)

He also said the Christian belief in the Trinity - that God is Father, Son, and Holy Ghost at the same time - ‘is difficult, sometimes offensive, to Muslims’.(The Bible states clearly that, “In some matters we offend all.” This is nothing new. ars.)
Trinitarian doctrine conflicts with the Islamic view that there is just one all-powerful God. (We are only held accountable for our own salvation, we are not the judge of the world.

Many have different faiths, we leave them alone, after they have heard the truth, and God deals with them. The reason that the Trinitarian doctrine conflicts with the Islamic view is simple. Jesus fulfilled the Law, and brought forth a New Testament from God, where all men, no matter what faith, what backgrounds, history, national origin or color, can be saved threw His name.

We all became lost and were held accountable for sin. We are therefore like all faiths in the world under condemnation for sin, but can be saved by our faith in Christ. Ars.)
Dr Williams added: ‘It is all the more important for the sake of open and careful dialogue that we try to clarify what we do and do not mean by it, and so I trust that what follows will be read in this spirit.’
Source: Archbishop of Canterbury: ‘Christian doctrine is offensive to Muslims’, Steve Doughty, Mail on Sunday, UK, July 15, 2008 — Summarized by Religion News Blog.

Christian doctrine is offensive to Muslims? Uhuh. And Islamic doctrine is offensive to Christians. Anyone familiar with the teachings of both religions understand that Christianity and Islam are, like many religions, mutually incompatible.

While religions may have many ethical and philosophical approaches in common, fact is that certain core doctrines, teachings considered essential the a given faith, can not be accepted without violating the central tenets of another faith. End.

As the Catholic Church states that, Space Aliens are conceivable, we see many in that faith, accepting a compromise, or should I say, pushing a doctrine of unity among the Islamic Faith, and The Faith, and Doctrine, of Jesus Christ. To answer his article, I say, we as believers in Jesus Christ, cannot accept compromise with any other religion, that denies Jesus as The Son of God. Our faith, and hope, lies in the truth of the Gospel of Christ. There were many religions in the days of Christ, that also not only denied Him, but also the God, that they say sent them.

“But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.” We have come too far, and have endured too much, to turn out back on Christ now. We must hold our faith, and teach also the truth of salvation threw Jesus Christ. To the Jew first and then the gentiles, for as it is written, “Salvation is of the Jews.” For from the beginning of the beginning, the House of Israel was the chosen people of God. Christians know that we are to bless Israel and not to curse. For we, as gentiles are grafted in as a wild branch, and also we can be grafted out.

“Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.”

Islam states of Jesus, that He was a prophet sent from God, and nothing else. If this is so, then why do they denigh their own words, and persecute all who believe in Him. Why do they not follow the words of this prophet? Are they therefore subverting their own words, like wise any other man, that claims to be a Christian, that accepts compromise in His faith, is he not also subverting their own words?

“Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” We can preach salvation to the believers in Islam, the believers in Scientology, and others so long as we do not denigh the one who sent us. We must endure all things for the elect's sakes, so they will have hope in the resurrection of the righteous.

Who today, in this world of religions, would kill the Son of God? Who would denigh Him, persecute Him and declare Him to be a false Messiah?
As Dr Williams stated ‘It is all the more important for the sake of open and careful dialogue that we try to clarify what we do and do not mean by it,.”

We, as Believers, know for a fact what the Gospel means, especially on the subject of the Trinity, for didn't Christ say, “I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me, the Father and I are One.” Can we also separate God from His own Spirit? Therefore if we believe that Christ is in the Father and the Father is in Christ and God cannot be separated from His own Spirit, there is the Trinity, that we, as Christians believe in.

Islam, as a faith, must be allowed to conduct their own religion, but the problem lies, when Islam tries to force all men to conform to their belief. If we as a Christian, do not interfere with Islam, Islam must allow Christianity to also conduct our faith, in peace and friendship. Ars. (Webster,TSK.)(Luke_9:26; Mat_10:33; Mar_8:38; Act_3:13-14; 2Ti_2:12; Rev_3:8.)
(Luke 12:9.) (2Ti 2:10-14.)

Shall God allow the reprobate into the Kingdom of Heaven, shall they also be saved? The answer to this is easy, God shall not disavow the sacrifice of His Son Jesus, for those that have gone after other gods, and have refused His word. In other words multitudes shall be cast into everlasting torment.
Who shall judge those that have rejected Christ? Christ shall judge the wicked and reprobate, He shall also judge the righteous, for if the righteous scarcely be saved, what shall the end of the unrighteous be?

In the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we deal with a multitude of words, and meanings. We as Christians are commanded by the Lord to read, and study, to show ourselves approved. We must use the Words of God to establish His Kingdom on earth. Also we must use words to communicate the truth to all that will listen. A reprobate mind shall lead to utter destruction, and an after life of pain and suffering.

As it is written; “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”
(A word spoken with propriety, opportunely, and suitably to the occasion, is as much in its place, and as conspicuously beautiful, as the golden fruit which appears through the apertures of an exquisitely wrought silver basket.) (Pro 25:11.)

A reprobate mind; persons cast away or rejected because they have failed to make use of opportunities offered them. (1Co. 9:27; 2Co. 13:5-7.)
To disapprove with detestation or marks of extreme dislike; to disallow; to reject. To abandon to wickedness and eternal destruction.

To abandon to his sentence, without hope of pardon. Abandoned in sin; lost to virtue or grace.
We must all understand, that no matter what men teach, as the truth, there is an all powerful God that hates sin, and unrighteousness. Men shall be lost, be given over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, and also the spirit. This is scripture and cannot be denied, or misunderstood.

We see the unrighteousness of man on a daily basis. Wars, rumors of wars, murder, rape, incest, revolts, and human sacrifices. But not all reprobate minds come from those that violate mankind, many are every day people, that raise a family, do no harm to anyone, work hard, and love life, there are also reprobates among them.

This definition works well with these types of people; “persons cast away or rejected because they have failed to make use of opportunities offered them.” The opportunity's offered here, concern the opportunity to accept Gods plan of Salvation to anyone that will, accept Jesus Christ as His Son. For no man can ascend to God except he first come to Christ.

Let us read Titus 1:15-16; “ 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.
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
Without Christ, there are no good works.

The works we are to be judged on, shall be works for God, or the works, done for Satan. No matter how good people believe that you are, no matter how much you give to the poor, no matter how well you live your life, without acceptance of Jesus, as Lord and Christ, your works shall not be counted as righteousness.

As we see here; “defiled (Made dirty, or foul; polluted; soiled; corrupted; violated; vitiated.) and unbelieving(Infidel; discrediting divine revelation, or the mission, character and doctrines of Christ.) is nothing pure.” both the defiled and unbelieving are counted as sinners.

I must give you the definition for Pure; “Free from moral defilement; without spot; not sullied or tarnished; incorrupt; undebased by moral turpitude; holy.
Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil. (Hab 1. Prov 20.)
Genuine; real; true; incorrupt; unadulterated; as pure religion. James 1.
Free from guilt; guiltless; innocent. Disinterested; as pure benevolence. Chaste; Free from vice or moral turpitude. (Titus 1.)
Free from any thing improper; as, his motives are pure.”

How long shall God deal with mankind, how long shall He suffer rejection of any man, how long shall Gods call for repentance be ignored, before a man is lost forever?
The Bible tells us that Gods Spirit shall not always strive with man.
When the spirit calls a man to repentance, this opportunity must be accepted, for there is no guarantee that there will be another call. For once a man refuses the truth, or a man falls back from grace, there is no more sacrifice for sin. We are accountable each day for our thoughts and actions, God will judge.

Here is the end of the matter; “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” (Rom 1:26-32.)

They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters.
The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away.
Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them. (Jer 6:28-30.)
Think upon these things and warn all that judgment is coming to all. Ars.

(Ref; Webster,TSK.)

What is the worth of a man, without a hope of a resurrection? Does the doctrine of man control the life, death, or resurrection of any man? A doctrine is; Instruction and confirmation in the truths of the gospel. Learning; knowledge. In a general sense, whatever is taught. Hence, a principle or position in any science; whatever is laid down as true by an instructor or master. The doctrines of the gospel are the principles or truths taught by Christ and his apostles.(Webster.)

The doctrine that all Christians must abide by, and live by, are spelled out in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many people or should I say the leadership of many Christian Churches have left the true doctrine in many fashions, and have taught doctrine that is neither sound nor Biblical.

It is not the fault of the congregation but rather those that teach these things. This is mentioned in Scripture as a warning to all churches.
I say this because, if a child is brought up believing what he is told, he will resist anything else. He will hold as truth what the teachers have taught him, so there-fore, the teacher must abide by the truth, and not doctrine that is not written in Scripture.

We see this written here; “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” (2Jn 1:9.) Does each verse in scripture need to be changed to accommodate mankind? God forbid, for the Lord has given us the truth, and it is complete in every way. So when the Doctrine of Christ tells us to honor our father and mother, we abide by it. When the Doctrine of Christ tells us not to call any man Father, we must abide by it.

We cannot be transgressors of the Doctrine of Christ. There is a warning in Scripture that tells us not to follow after man made doctrine, but to hold to the truth of Christ.
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” (1Co 3:11-15.)

There are many doctrines in this world of Christianity. Some teach that only 144,000 will be saved, many say that another prophet has written a new addition to the Testament of Christ, many say that a man on earth is a Holy Father, many lay a stumbling block in front of those that are saved, making them agree to 13 statutes before they can be baptized, it goes on and on. Many do not teach, nor believe in, the gifts of the spirit and many teach otherwise.
Those that say they do not believe in these gifts have not been taught correctly, and those that say they not only believe, but practice them, have also deceive themselves, for there are not many today, with the faith, to actually use the gifts of the spirit, they have no power because of their unbelief. Many make an open show of their, so called, power, but they have healed none.
Are you then perfect within yourselves? Do you hold to the Doctrine of Christ? Then you will not be offended by His doctrine nor His words. For as it is written; “Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” (Mat 13:21.)
“Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?” (2Co 11:29.)
“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” (John 16:1-3.)

Have many become partakers of false doctrine, man made doctrine, or false teaching, being unaware of the truth because we do not heed to the Commandment of Christ to read, and study to show ourselves approved?
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: (2Jn 1:10.)
Ask of yourselves, did Christ lie here? “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Mat 23:8-11.)
Ask yourselves again, If Christ didn't lie, why then do you not do those things that are written by Him?

Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (Heb 6:2.)
In the ministry, that the Lord gave to me, I offend many, for I hold to the doctrine by which I was saved by, and not the doctrine that was written by man. If I offend, it is not I but the Doctrine of Christ that offends you. The Holy Spirit will chastise each and everyone of us, who willingly or accidentally transgress the truth of the Doctrine. Am I ever offended? Yes, but only threw my physical man, for it is human nature that gets us to become offended.
If I speak wrongly or teach wrongly, the Holy Spirit chastises me, and I repent, and correct what I have said. I am not afraid to admit that even I, and other ministers, make mistakes. We must learn from them and go on, never entering into self condemnation.

Look hard at the doctrine that you follow and search the scriptures to see if you are abiding in the true Doctrine of Christ. Ars.