Growing In Grace? Trouble Will Come From All Sides

What is crooked cannot be

made straight, and what is

lacking cannot be numbered.

Ecclesiastes 1:15

For in much wisdom is much grief,

and he who increases knowledge

increases sorrow.

Ecclesiastes 1:18

So I said in my heart 

"As it happens to the fool,

it also happens to me,

and why was I then more wise?"

Then I said in my heart, "this also 

is vanity?"

For there is no more remembrance

of the wise than of the fool forever,

since all that now is will be 

forgotten in the days to come.

And how does a wise man die? 

as the fool!

Ecclesiastes 2:15-16

To everything there is a season,

a time for every purpose 

under heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:1

     The goal of this blog was to aid others to increase in their faith and to walk in the authority of God.  To obtain Authentic Biblical Faith.  In writing this blog I was greatly impressed by the study, the preparation, and then the writing of the blog that I was the first recipient of knowledge that can only be found in the Bible.  Secondly, I prayed and hoped that others would increase in their knowledge and faith, and grow in their sanctification. Whether or not I accomplished anything in the second desire, I do not know, what I do know is that it was much helpful to me in the first place. But as the writer of Ecclesiastic wrote: there is a time for everything.  How do you know what the time is and how you may be affected, often comes in ways that you did not think would happen: it did!  Sometimes all it takes is a reminder that you are nothing more than a hypocrite: so shut up!  At first one might be mad at the proclaimer(s) but then after much thought you realize that the message was that the time has come.  A change is needed whether you like it or not.  Sort of like moving from a heretical theological religion to the Scriptures that condemn them, you aren't sure at first, but you do believe that God's word is the truth and slowly you make the needed changes.  Then you find the peace that you have been looking for and the pain of changing is somewhere located in the dark corners of the past.  But there will always be those who only see your past. I am not the apostle Paul who had to deal with his past, a past that caused people to fear him due to the authority he had over them to jail them, to kill them if need be, to be a persecutor of Christians.  Paul went on the amaze due to his preaching of the gospel (Acts 9).  

     I am not Paul, but I also am the recipient of my past.  If this causes others to shrink back then a change must be made.  so I am making this change.  It has come to my attention that I don't have the right to speak on issues concerning the Bible and that I should not place myself in a position to do so.  This advice has come and so I will heed the advice for it comes by way of those who see what is better and I must listen to them.  It is by counselors who by their word are to be listened to and if not then why have counselors?  

     What does this mean? I am stopping my blog!  I am going to remain quiet and just study and prepare for whatever the future may hold.  It saddens me when I know that there are those holding on to a religion that believes in a book that does not have any factual basis, that says and teaches that God was once a man, etc. or those who have so corrupted the Scriptures by rewording those verses that will give some validity to there heretical religion. And for those who are lost somewhere in between, that is, that they aren't sure which way to turn, I suggest, turn to the Bible.  Those who have been affected by cultural and liberal theology and do what is not taught in the Bible, that they too will take courage and live by the Bible and not by some man's theology.  

     I hope and pray that you may have been encouraged by these blogs and that you will become intentional by living for our Savior Jesus Christ.  

And now, little children,

     abide in Him, that when

He appears, we may have

     confidence and not be

ashamed before him at 

    His coming.  If you know

that he is righteous, you 

    know that everyone who

practices righteousness is 

    born of Him.

                            1John 2:28-29

Pray, Read His Word, And Glorify Him

Richard L. Crumb

     

 

     

 

There Are No Shortcuts! It Is Work To Avoid The Pitfalls Of Culturalism

Establish Your word to Yoour

Servant, who is devoted 

to fearing You.

Turn away my reproach

which I dread, for Your

judgments are good.

Behold, I long for Your

precepts; revive me in

Your righteousness.

Psalm 119:38-40

     We live in a world where speed is king.  Cars are shown to speed in racing fashion as though this makes for a great car.  We have the need to have our food in minutes, not several minutes.  We need our computers to operate as speeds faster than we can blink.  We hold in our hands a small computer/telephone that has all kinds of "apps" such as weather? GPS? etc.  As though we can't look out the window and see for ourselves what is the condition outside and have resources for places far distant from us, and we feel as though we must be in contact with someone at all times.  We as a people are in love with entertainment, and we do so in many ways, one of course is the cell phone with all the "apps" that we can spend hours being entertained.  Movies are so entertaining, with are the computerized action. In fact many churches have found out that they can entertain the congregants by "diddy" songs that make a person feel so good, even so pious, or demonstrations of a special anointing of the Holy Spirit causing a person to shout, laugh for no real cause, to bark like a dog, to be "slain in the Spirit" as though these things are of God. But, we are entertained and we are feeling as if it was true; God. But are we? How do we know if we are being taught the truth?  It takes work! You must read Scripture with prayer, and by using commentaries, and examining the history of the Church and how the culture as been affected by those who have taught things that are not Scriptural.  If you want to know how you got somewhere; well look back and see from where you came. Truth has been so disguised by the more tantalizing and sensationalism that is claimed to be truth that we are being duped into believing what is claimed by man and not by our study of God's word. Blaise Pascal (1623-1662 A.D.) in "Pensees" are words to heed:
"Truth is so obscure in these times and falsehood so established, that unless we love the truth, we cannot know it." (Italics mine).
     Do you love the truth? Is so then what are you doing to ensure that what you believe is the truth?  Do you believe that the Bible is God's truth given to man so that He is revealed to us and gives us how we are to live, and the purpose for our existence in this life?  Or are you listening to a man who claims things that Scripture does not reveal or require of His children? Any thought or action that is inconsistent with Authentic Biblical Truth is defective and must be resisted. To live Authentically for God is our motivation and we allow His presence to permeate and penetrate every fiber of our being. There are many who claim to be "Christian" that have set a different set of standards requiring that certain actions be stopped. Then by setting new standards they develop a conceptual framework that regulates the standards already in Scripture. They determine by these new standards to regulate not only these new standards but to re-regulate the standards of Scripture. These new standards operate in a large context or paradigm.  This self-constructed box is that while this new paradigm is the larger framework that gives action to individuals, it is in a smaller framework whereby faith has its operations in a person's life, and then a person is free to operate in faith in thoughts, time, money, and influences of life.  This new standard allows man to be the master of all that operates outside this constructed box. Examples of such operation that is allowed outside the box by this "new" paradigm is that faith is for Sunday, or if a person just meets his/her obligations, then they are free to operate as they please. The focus is on man and the Spirit of God is held captive and holds a diminished role in their lives, that is unless by this new standard the Holy Spirit is give a new role, one that is outside of Scripture, but claimed to be Scriptural. Faith is redefined, faith is something that man conjures and operates as though this is pious living when in fact all that has been done is to limit your faith causing it not to be Authentic Biblical Faith.  Your faith does not expand and grow in sanctification, rather it is limited and controlled outside of Scripture, no matter what these religious pundits claim, your faith is ineffective for God will not bless anyone who is living outside of Authentic Biblical Faith. 
     How did we come to this place in history whereby the Church has become so divided due to those competing theologies?  How have you or I been affected by this change and how do we know how this changed occurred and how we are to react to this change?  Let me ask this question: Are you willing to change? That is, if by your hard work and study find that what you believe now is not Scriptural and is not Authentic will you change? Or are you so satisfied with where you are in your walk with God that you need not make any effort to know more?  Is Jesus Christ free to possess you more and more?  Is it to live for Him that is your most precious desire? If so then you must do the work!  We have been affected and even infected with ideologies that have led to theologies that are not Authentic Biblical Truth. We can make the change but we must know what is false and then what is true before we can make any change.  It is serious business to live for God, as it affects our witness and diminishes the Gospel. So hang on, we will take our time to examine how the culture has been shaped, and how it has affected the Church.

For the message of the cross
     is foolishness to those 
who are perishing, but to us
     who are being saved it is
the power of God.
                        1Corinthians 1:18

We Wise; pray and read God's word

Richard L. Crumb

The Love Of God Is The Basic Requsirement For Authentic Biblical Faith

And you shall love the LORD

your God with all your heart,

with all your soul, with all

your mind, and with all 

your strength.  This is the 

first commandment.

And the second, like it, is this:

You shall love your neighbor

as yourself.  There is no other

commandment greater than these.

Mark 12:30-31

     If these words are to have meaning they are validating all that has been written.  These commandments are not for some Christians and to be ignored by others.  God's Church is not divided! On this point every denomination must agree for these words are the words of our Savior Jesus Christ and apply to all Christians. We are not to have divided hearts!  Our priority list must have as its first priority; God, this is an Authentic Christian's pursuit. Yes, family is to be second! God is jealous for you and will admit no other place in an Authentic Christian's life. If God is our first priority even though all others are second does not mean that those in second and beyond our priorities are left out as a second class person. NO! They receive blessings and benefits due to our love of God with all our being.  This love flows from us to others as the second commandment so states. God will not bless lukewarmness it is an affront to Him.

     God is not interested in your glory! God is not to be put in a place as a competitor for anything! To put anything above God is to be an idolater. If your heart is is directed toward anything other than God, idolatry has taken place. If anything draws our hearts from God, then anything that engrosses our minds or holds the number one spot in our affections is an idol. Our supreme worship has as its object: God! How often this is so disregarded.  There are things we must take seriously. The Bible is so clear on this subject that to not do what the Bible has instructed is to place us above the Bible, even above our God Whom we must give first place in our lives. Complacency is to be avoided!  This cannot be an Authentic Christian's attitude! It is unreserved commitment to the glory and service of our God and Savior, and will keep us from grieving the Holy Spirit.  The foundation of our faith so that it is Authentic Biblical Faith is to build our lives on these commandments.  The first and foremost commandment is not the second commandment for the second commandment flows from the first. God is not just interested in our service to Him. God is not just interested in how much money you give to the Church, or the poor, or to other good causes: God is interested in your heart being completely turned to Him.  If that is not the case, then how can you expect God to do anything for you?  Do not be as the Sadducees that questioned Jesus. Jesus asked them and He asks us: "Jesus answered and said to them; 'Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God'" (Mark 12:24)? 

     Cultural ideologies have invaded so many people of the Church, in so many ways, causing a person to be defeated at least in one or more areas of their being Authentic Biblical Christians.  This batter is ongoing, never ending for all people are being affronted by secular culture from the lower schools to the schools of higher learning, from magazines, TV and movies, that to be an Authentic Biblical Christian we must constantly evaluate our lives. That is, if you want to be an Authentic Biblical Christian and have God as the first priority of your lives. We can't stick our heads in the sand hoping that things will get better! They won't! Besides, how can we keep the second commandment if we are not intentionally studying, examining, putting into practice Scripture? If you have come to faith in the God of the Bible, and for that to be true then God and His word become the center and focus of your life. 

     Something is either false or true! There is no middle ground, so gray area whereby some live their lives.  If you walk the fence: in time both sides will be throwing rocks at you. The world today teaches that all "truths" are true, at least for the one believing in a "truth." You are not supposed to question another "truth."  This thinking has often been the thinking of people in the Church.  So long as they are not being confronted with the Truth of the Bible, they are satisfied with the "truth" they hold as sacred.  Is the Holy Spirit living in you? If so allow the Holy Spirit to have full sway in your life.  No middle ground! No excuses for not doing as Jesus Christ as commanded!  Do we walk around as pious individuals? NO! We live life, but we love God!

Jesus said to them, "My food is

    to do the will of Him who 

sent Me, and to finish His work."

                               John 4:34

The Sabbath Is Here: What Are Your Plans?

Richard L. Crumb

The Road May Be Long And Rough: Your Determination Is To Devote Yourself In Service To The Glory Of God

Enter by the narrow gate; 

for wide is the gate 

and broad is the way

that leads to destruction, 

and there are many who go 

in by it. Because narrow

is the gate ad difficult 

is the way which leads

to life, and there are

few who find it. 

Matthew 7:13-14

     What is the resolution that distinguishes Authentic Biblical Faith from cultural Christianity?  It is the determination and intentional desire to pursue a life that is in conformity with the Character of Jesus Christ. Notice two words: 1. Determination 2. Intentional and yes, we are fallen in our nature and our battle is with this fallen nature and our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ for they are in contradiction to one another and we have a difficult time with this conflict.  It is when a person tries to harmonize their faith with that which is cultural that that causes some to renounce, at least in some form, living an Authentic Biblical Christian life.  Jesus promised us to have the Holy Spirit to be in use, to guide us, to aid us in our walk, but we must choose the path that we will travel.  The broad road is easy, and it is filled with many good things, things that make a person feel pious, but it is hiding the truth for in its dark edges sin is removing the image of Jesus Christ from you.  Jesus did not promise us happiness if we follow Him.  Jesus promised us joy: "If you keep My commandment, y9u will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. these things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15:10-11). Yes, keeping the commandments of God may isolate you from those who don't and will cause grief as you see those you love turn away from you because you believe in Jesus Christ and have turned away from any other theology that is not Scriptural. Meditate upon this though: God is all knowing and all loving, and His will for your lives is one that will produce the greatest benefit for you. It is when your faith is motivated to become formed in the image of His Son Jesus Christ and to be obedient to God's will and that motivation is stirred to action because you walk the road that brings glory to God. Authentic Biblical Christians who have Authentic Biblical Faith are driven to serve God by a sense of trust and hope in Him.  You become more and more appreciate for the awe of His goodness.  You have a spirit of joyfulness and continual gratitude.

     Looking in the mirror and seeing the truth of you may bring upon you a sense of discouragement for you see a person that has a long road to travel to become what God has intended you to become. Don't be discouraged, take hope and trust in God for not all people are in the same degree of sanctification and a godly character development. People love, or reverent, or trust in different degrees.  There is a common denominator for those possessing Authentic Biblical Faith: it is the determination to devote yourself to the service of God to His glory.  All have this denominator as well, it is they understand how inadequate they are to achieve this goal without the grace and empowerment supplied by God.

     Devotion to God is not reserved for some special class of Christians, the Bible does not distinct such separation of Christians. The Bible is clear as to God's instructions and they are stated in such terms as any honest seeking person being enabled by God, drawn to Him and this by the Holy Spirit: "It is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing.  The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). The Holy Spirit, the One sent to God's children is sent to all Authentic Biblical Christians, we are devoid of God's help: "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me" (John 15:26).  When I wrote the Apostles Creed, it is there for you to know that what was written was based on Scripture for where it says that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son that is Scriptural. 

     Do you want joy or happiness in your life.  It is not that happiness is bad, rather that if happiness is not founded on joy then all you have is some transient emotional feeling: it was go and come like waves on an ocean.  To obtain joy in your life it is by obedience. All are to serve Him and submit to Him with intentional obedience that demonstrates to the world that we have God in our lives and that He holds priority in our lives.  We have a relationship with God the creator, the Savior, and the Helper. What joy it is to serve God. What will you do to change your life so that you are becoming formed in the image of Jesus Christ?

However, when He, the Spirit

     of truth, has come, He will

guide you into all truth; for He

    will not speak on His own

authority, but whatever he hears

    he will speak; and He will tell

you things to come.

                           John 16:13

Pray to become the image of Jesus Christ

Richard L. Crumb

Jacob Speaks To Jehovah The Same Name Given To The Angel Of The LORD

And Jacob went out from Beer-Sheba

and went toward Haran.  And he came

on a place and stayed the night there,

for the sun had gone.  And he took stones 

of the place and placed them at his head;

and he lay down in that place.

And he dreamed. And, behold a ladder 

was placed on the earth, its top 

reaching to the heavens. And behold,

the angels of God were going up and 

down on it! And behold, Jehovah

stood above it and said, I am Jehovah

the God of your father Abraham, and 

the god of Isaac; the land on which

you are lying, I will give it to you

and to your seed.

Genesis 28:10-13; (Green's Interlinear Bible)

     You may be wondering why I chose Green's Interlinear Bible for those verses.  The actual Hebrew words are telling and are important for us to understand this subject; Is Jesus God?  The English word for "god" is Elohim and means, god.  The word that is translated into English as "LORD" is Jehovah, the tetragrammaten (YHWEH). The word "god" and "LORD" are applied to the same person in this narrative. When The LORD appeared to Abraham (Genesis 18:1) it is the same word for Jehovah, if you like say Yahweh, either is correct.  When Sarah was addressed as to her laughing, it was the LORD (YHWH) that spoke to Abraham.  When Abraham was to plunge the knife into his son Isaac it was the Angel of The LORD that called out to him and stayed his hand (Genesis 18:11-12). And the Angel of the LORD said: "And He said, 'Do not lay our hand on the lad, or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me'" (Genesis 18:12). The Angel of the LORD is called both Jehovah and God.  So it is clear from Scripture that God is Jehovah and the Angel of the LORD and then this same Angel is One sent from heaven to be the Savior of all those chosen by God, and He uses another name for God: "And God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And He said, 'Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'I AM has sent me to you.' Moreover God said to Moses, 'Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The LORD God of Jacob, has sent me to you.  This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations'" (Exodus 3:14-15). God has identified Himself as the "I AM" and all of Israel knew God by that name. Now, listen to Jesus: "Then the Jews said to Him, 'You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?' Jesus said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.' then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by" (John 8: 587-59). How more clear can it be, Jesus called Himself, I AM, a name reserved for all eternity for God. Jesus is God, the very Wisdom of God, and God clothed His Wisdom in human flesh so that He might Himself pay the debt for sin and applying that propitiation to all those who He chose before the foundation of the world (Romans 8:28-29). 

     There are many who deny Scripture by saying that Jesus is either a god, or a created god, or a Mode of God.  In fact many have a delusion as to who Jesus really is for they do not believe God's word as being truth. God is One! The Godhead is three! The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! Yes, there are three different Persons but all are of the same essence as same one God. Each of the Persons of the Godhead complete God in activating His will, maintaining His creation, by being Providential, and all are God keeping God's promises, His blessings, and establish His purposes. 

     You are the purpose of God as one of His elected children. This is the clear and plain teaching of Scripture, it Scripture interpreting Scripture and not some man spouting off his presuppositions that are contradictory to Scripture. As one of God's elected, chosen, child, stand for the truth and be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks, and do this in meekness, and fear for you represent God (1Peter 3:15).

     Have you gotten the picture? Do you see from Scripture that Jesus is God.  And this Son of God has all authority of God and by His suffering, persecution, death on a cross, and His ascension into heaven, He has paid the debt of sin and gives eternal life with God and makes intercession for all of His children, not for those that are not: "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours" (John 17:9). How humbling it is to know the truth, that God has chosen us and He will not lose any that He has chosen.  God is glorified in you, Jesus who died for you is glorified in you. Therefore, live for Him, for it with Him that you will spend eternity, live for Him now, be the ambassador that God has declared that you are. Pray that you will be guided in all you do by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is God!  Hallelujah, our salvation is by God and is eternal.

The LORD said to my Lord,

     'Sit at My right hand, 

till I make Your enemies 

     Your footstool.'

                         Psalm 110:1

Praise Jehovah with all your heart

Richard L. Crumb

Is Jesus Of The Same Essence As God? Or Is He Just Another God, Or A Created Being, or Just God In A Different Mode?

And the Father Himself, who 

sent Me, has testified of Me.

You have neither heard His voice

at any time, nor seen His form.

But you do not have His word abiding 

in you, because whom He sent,

Him you do not believe.

You search the Scriptures, for in them

you think you have eternal life; and 

these are they which testify of Me. 

But you are not willing to come to Me

that you may have life. 

John 5: 37-40

     All the knowledge in the world will not save one person.  Only a true conversion to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the One promised of old, that He is Who He says He is; this is the narrow path that leads to eternal life. Some who call themselves "Christian" have degraded Scripture by placing either equal to or above Scripture other writings.  Theologies are built upon such misuse of Scripture, or that they have replaced Scripture with some sort of writings that are fall removed from the inspired word of God.  Yet, many have fallen prey to such misuse and have followed after heresy. Jesus was not saying to search out other writings, as there were many other writings that were of a religious nature, no, He said to search out Scripture and by that He pointed to the inspired writings of the prophets, the men of old that God used to reveal Himself. This He did, and it is the theme of the Bible to reveal Who He is and Who is the One He sent forth. Other writings may have some benefit, but only Scripture is true and has the truth that we can know Him and Who He sent, and what all this means for us. 

     We have taken time to examine history and see that this question as to the Person Jesus Christ, if He is actually God, or a god, or a created being, or just a mode of God.  And we have found that those councils did not take this question lightly and it took many years of study to come to a conclusion.  We take from their example that we are to study His word, not just some other writings, although they may be helpful, but only when such writings are in harmony with Scripture. They may add clarity, but they will not reveal some "secret" or some "key" so that there are hidden mysterious things of God that only some have come to know and impart. There are those who rely on the Supernatural revelation to them, as though God must reveal to them what is not already in Scripture. They run after signs and wonders, or to have some special imparting of the Holy Spirit, a second baptism, which the Bible does not speak of, and by this they believe a lie. It is in Scripture where we find the truth, so this is where we are going to continue to examine.  Remember this: God's purpose for Scripture was not speak of a Trinity, rather to reveal Himself and by that revelation we will come to know Him and He will give us the answer as to the Godhead, to the One sent, to the men of old, in the person of Jesus Christ the God/Man, the One who manifested God, who is invisible to man, who is loving and kind so that by His mercy He saves those whom He gives to His Son. 

     Let us examine a familiar narrative: Abraham offering up his son Isaac. The opening scene: "Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, 'Abraham!' And he said, 'Here I am.' Then He said, 'Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you'" (Genesis 22:1-2).  At first this sound so crazy, kill your son? Cause him to be a burnt offering? Wait a minute; Abraham was speaking to God, and God was speaking to Abraham. If fact God called out to Abraham; "Abraham!" (vs. 1). Abraham answered: "Here I am" (vs.1). Had not Abraham spoken to Jehovah, the messenger of God, the Angel of God, and did not Abraham call Him Jehovah? Yes; and did not God speak to Abraham and tell him to leave and go to a land that God would show him? Yes. So, Abraham had personal contact with God, and saw Jehovah, and this calling out to him was not different from times before. Jehovah was well known by the nations.  Shem, Noah's son, lived 500 years after the flood, and Abraham was the 10th generation from Shem. Do the math and you will be surprised. Shem begat many children and they would have known of the flood and of Jehovah. So would have Abraham. Furthermore, it was a custom and religious rite in some heathen nations to kill and burn as a sacrifice a child. Abraham would have wondered about this request but this request was not from out of the blue, he knew that this was done and if Jehovah requested it then he would do it. God was testing Abraham and God will test you as a child of Him. Isaac went along with dad, but he asked, "But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, 'My father!" And he said "Here I am, my son." the he said, "Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"  (Genesis 22:7). Here is the lesson for us by Abraham: "And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering." So the two of them went together" (Genesis 22:8). Notice this: God will provide for Himself what was needed, it is God who provides for His children under all circumstances. Abraham's faith is such an example for us. Do you or me have this kind of faith, if not why not? Now, Abraham took Isaac who himself was a willing partner in this sacrifice for their faith was that God would provide, not just a lamb, but would raise them up on the last day, when He would come for His children, and this is still true today, God will raise up His children on the last day. Now, after placing Isaac on the alter and binding him, Abraham took the knife and began to plunge the knife into his son, when, the Angel of the LORD spoke to Him and by this revelation tells us who this Angel of the LORD is: "But the Angle of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, 'Abraham, Abraham!" So he said, "Here I am." And He said, 'Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me" (Genesis 22:11-12).  The Angel of the LORD is God, for it is plain by this Scripture that the Angel of the LORD and Me are the same person, and the One testing Abraham. Examining further the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time and said, "Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: 'By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son-- blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore, and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.  In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice" (Genesis 22:15-18).  This Angel of the LORD has all authority of God, for He is God,as the Scripture so clearly reveals. This Angel of the LORD has sworn by Himself, not some created angel, no, rather it was God as messenger to Abraham who has the power to do what only God can do. 

     I will not settle for just one example of what God has revealed about Himself so then in the next blogs I will illuminate those other narratives that God used to reveal Himself, His nature, and we are the beneficiaries of such revelation. Look forward to this for in this we search the Scriptures not for salvation, rather so that we grow in grace and Sanctification.

For I have come down

    from heaven, not to do

My own will, but the will 

    of Him who sent Me.  

This is the will of the Father

     who sent Me, that of all

He has given Me, That everyone

     who sees the Son and believes

in Him may have everlasting life;

    And I will raise him up at the 

last day.

                         John 6:38-40

Our Savior Is Jesus Christ: Of the Bible

Richard L. Crumb 

Compromise Is Not The Answer: Only Scriptural Truth Is The Answer

These things we also speak,

not in words which man's wisdom

teaches but which the Holy Spirit

teaches, comparing spiritual things

with spiritual.  But the natural man

does not receive the things of the

Spirit of God, for they are 

foolishness t him; nor can he know

them, because they are spiritually 

discerned. 

1Corinthians 2:13-14

     Early in the Christian Church there were men who taught that which was not Scriptural.  Their reasoning that led them to a theology was built upon ideas that seemed right, ways that would bring some harmony that would enjoin the Church with the culture.  This compromising led to heresies and there is today major compromising within those Churches that claim to be Scriptural, using Scripture in such ways as to placate the thinking of the average person. Cultural Christianity is liberal Christianity and fuel is added to their misinterpretation of Scripture by the Schools, the Universities, the movies, entertainment, celebrities spouting their views, and as cultural thinking people they compromise what the Bible plainly states.  They think that they are doing good when all along all they are doing is misleading people, those who desire to follow God to follow a teaching that is not Scriptural.  This was why Emperor Constantine presided over the councils, he needed to ensure unity within the empire, a unity that was being destroyed by those in opposition to Christianity, along with the invasions of the Teutonic tribes, the Mongols, the Islamic people.  After the council in Nicaea in 325 A.D. a reaction occurred against orthodoxy and it was defeated by a temporary victory of Arianism between 361-381 A.D. During this time there was much contention and bitterness between Orthodoxy and Arianism.  Arianism had made inroads with the Teutonic tribes which was not in some ways all bad for they were more hospitable to the people that they were conquering, a study outside of this writing.  A turn back to Scripture that led the Nicaea Council to accept orthodox and reject Arian theology and this came at the council of Constantinople in 381 A.D. This council led by Theodosius reaffirmed the decisions of the Nicaea Council: "Shall not be set aside but shall remain dominant." This decision was approved at Chalcedon in 451 A.D. At this council of Constantinople accepted the Nicene Creed and it is used in those Churches that are not culturally liberal.  In fact you may not even know of this creed for in many Churches they seem to think that this creed is treated as if it was anathema.  Do you know it?  Why should you know it? because it is a complete outline of the Christian faith! You should not only know it, you should repeat it often as with anything that must be remembered it takes often repeating and reciting, as anyone who is an actor, or singer can attest.  If you want to make it a part of you so that the very foundation of Authentic Biblical Faith is in you then learn the Nicene Creed, it is what the early Church determined as what was need to fight off heresy.  Was this decision a good decision by the councils?  Let us look at this and see for ourselves.

     The Orthodox theology finally became triumphant, that is not to say that some clung to heresies but now there was in place true Authentic Biblical Faith that was determined by Scripture and this we will do as well in the following blogs so that we can answer the question: Is Jesus Christ God?  Is Jesus Christ a Person within the Godhead?  Is Jesus Christ of the same essence as the Father? Unitarian ideas, Arianism theology has contributed that are unorthodox doctrine have wrought much havoc upon true Authentic Biblical Christianity and has led to a Modernistic Church in some cases, a cultural Church, a Church that at times became aligned with the state causing much harm to people, and Authentic Biblical Faith.  These decision by the early Church did divide the Church into two parts, the Eastern Church and the Western Church but we must not all this split to lose the value of those decisions for our faith.  Unfortunately the Eastern Church became allied and entwined with the imperial government and became dominated by the government.  This was true for a time of the Western Church but in time they overcame this domination, especially is this true at the Reformation in the 15th and 16th centuries.  There was a return to Scripture and that is what I will do next, that is, to return to Scripture and not compromise by any presupposition that may have been fed to me over the years by any Church that does not adhere to the fact of Scripture and teaches such as is found today in many Churches, psychological babble, good sounding sermons so that the congregants are satisfied and feel holy, rather than to teach what the Bible actually states.  So we will go back to Scripture and answer by Scripture the question, a question that is at the heart of Orthodox Christianity, a question that has mislead many causing them to teach heresy rather than truth. We don't want to be mislead, do you? So follow me through the Scriptures and find Scriptural answers to the question: Is Jesus Christ God?

NICENE CREED (ca 325-381 A.D.)

We believe in one God the Father Almighty of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and ivisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.  

He suffered and was buried, and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father.

And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy spirit, the Lord and Giver of Lfe, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. 

And we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptisem for the remission of sins. 

And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

But as it is written:

     "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

      Nor have entered into the heart

      of man

      The things which God has prepared

      for those who love Him."

                                1Corinthians 2:9

Now Grow In Grace And Knowledge Of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Richard L. Crumb

    

The World Was Rapidly Changing: This Affected The Church

Establish Your word 

to Your servant,

who is devoted to 

fearing You.  Turn away

my reproach which I

dread, for Your 

judgments are good.

 Behold, I long for Your

precepts; revive me in

Your righteousness.

Psalm 119:38-40

     Is this your cry?  Do you long for God's word to be established in you? Do you desire to be devoted to God? Are you asking God to revive you in His righteousness?  If so, then to study God's word whereby He reveals Himself to us, His purposes, His Providential exercise, and the blessings He bestows upon His people; then continue to seek Him, and to learn from Him and from the history of the Church.  We need to come to a knowledge, not only of the Authentic Biblical Faith that is Orthodox; we need to know and understand the heresies that the Church faced and dealt with coming to a conclusion that was Scriptural and not some man's ideology or theology that was not Scriptural.  Paul when writing to Timothy gave him and to us for this writing was accomplished under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as Paul was selected and set aside to be a spokesman for the Gospel, especially to the Gentiles: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.  And their message will spread like cancer.  Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth,....... (2Timothy 2:15-18a). The early Church faced this fact, heresies were already misleading some, the Church in the fourth century were facing theologies that were found to be non-Scriptural, along with a world that was being reshaped by some as the Teutonic tribes, the Medieval Church faced heresies that needed to be addressed, the Reformation dealt with heresies, and even unto today the Church is faced with heresies.  We need to know the facts and we are studying this most import question: Is Jesus Christ God? Or is He some other type of god, a created being, a mode of God.  Remember, we are speaking of salvation for that is what is being attacked.  If Jesus is less that the true One and Only God, the same in essence, a Person of the Trinity, then is He the Savior sent by God, and more can He as less than the true One and Only God save anyone? If God could save people why the need to create a Savior? Why not just do it yourself, or is that what He did?  So we look at other opinions and see if they fit Scripture.  First, we need to know who, how, and why, when, what, are those opinions.

     At the council in Nicea 325 A.D. three views were put before the council.  Arius, being backed by Eusebius of Nicomedia, and a minority of those present, insisted that Jesus Christ did not exist from eternity, rather that He was a created being by God and that prior to time.  Well we have a problem:  If I took two balls and hung them in a vacuum there is no motion between them; further if they do not move there is no time.  If God was present as creator and Jesus was there, then there are two being who move and that movement between them creates time.  So Arius and his followers were wrong about Jesus being created and existing before time. Furthermore, Arius believed that Jesus Christ was of a different (heteros: not of the same nature, different) essence or substance than the Father. And by obedience to God's will He could be considered divine.  Being a created, from nothing and subordinate to the creator, of a different essence than the Father He was not co-equal, co-eternal, or consubtantial (one and the same essence or nature) making his according to Arius divine but not God, not a deity.  

     Athanasius was a chief opponent to Arius and was a proponent to the Orthodox view. He presented to the council that Jesus Christ existed from all eternity with the Father and was the same essence (homoousios) as the Father, although He was a distinct personality.  You may quiver at this, that Jesus Christ was a distinct Person in the Trinity and at the same time was the same essence as the Father, but we will examine these things by Scripture and not by our presuppositions or pre-determinations. These opposing views are nothing more than causing a need to answer this question that was posed earlier in this blog: If Jesus Christ was lesser than the Father, than the One and Only True God, could He be the Savior of Men? Don't answer quickly, take time to examine the question and then seek Scriptural answers.  For this view Athanasius was exiled five times before his death.  As you can see this question: Is Jesus Christ God? was a question of the early Church and is a question that needs an answer today.  It won't be easy for us but there is an answer for God has revealed Himself to us in His word, through His interaction with the people of this world as recorded under the power of Inspiration.  God has not taken humanity out of us, rather by Providential care He has used the circumstances of life to reveal Himself and by doing so we as humans can relate to the answers given by God.  

     We still need to know how this council of Nicea 325 A.D. arrived at an answer and was that answer Scriptural? Therefore the next blogs will cover the battles and contentions that plagued this council and those seeking the truth.  You may have contentions and are battling for the truth.  Well, continue to study and seek answers, not by asserting your presuppositions, rather by Scripture interpreting Scripture.  We'll go slow, but we will come to a conclusion, a conclusion that is backed by Scripture and not by mine or yours, suppositions.

      The Sabbath is coming, two more days, are you preparing for the Sabbath or for a time away from your brothers and sisters, whereby you collectively worship God and fellowship with each other? Or is this just another day to have fun going boating, shopping, eating out causing others to serve you instead of them going to Church.  Is God foremost at least having a special day just for Him, or is it for you? 

And you know that he was

     manifested to take away

our sins, and in Him there

    is no sin. 

Whoever abides in Him does 

    not sin.  Whoever sins has

neither seen Him nor know Him.

                             1John 3:5-6

Pray, read His word

Richard L. Crumb

     

Is Jesus Christ God? Is Jesus Of The Same Essence As The Father? The Battle Continues! We Need Answers!

Then the LORD answered Job

out of the whirlwind, and said:

"Who is this who darkens counsel

by words without knowledge? 

Now prepare yourself like a man;

I will question you, and you shall

answer me."

Job 38:1-3

Moreover the LORD answered Job,

and said:

"Shall the one who contends with

the Almighty correct Him?

He who rebukes God, 

let him answer it."

Job 40:1-2

     God will not allow sin to continue for He will deal with it and His dealing of it will be final.  Until that final day we who are people of this earth and who have determined that God is this or that, and not actually coming to Authentic Biblical truth will have to answer God, now, and will give an answer on the Last Day before the judgment seat. Contend with what God has revealed about Himself is to contend with a jealous God, a God who will not continue to put up with falsity.  Do you want blessing from God?  Then don't shrink back from studying His word and allowing His word to teach you; for this will protect you, your spouse, your children, family, and friends, because the truth is what will set you free.  There are many ideas about God, and about Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  This problem of various ideas as to the relationship between God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ became a major problem soon after the cessation of persecution that kept the focus of the Church on how to live for God and His Son. There were those who were purporting ideas that needed answers.  We shall look at those ideas that plagued the Church from early times, and are plaguing the Church today misleading many to either believe a lie, or to become apathetic.  Knowing our history will tell us how we have gotten to the place we are now.

     Let me begin by reminding you that the world was not like it is now, that is, the nations we now have were not nations then, they were tribes of people, and often were warrior types, or they became absorbed in a religion that kept them in classes, or a belief that seemed right, they could just become a god, as in the Orient.  As for Europe, there were two distinct regions, the Eastern Europe and the Western Europe. Eastern Europe had their foundation in Greek culture, and Western Europe had their foundation in Roman culture. Often the culture led them to a belief that was not Scriptural; but how do we know if we do not study Scripture?  That is a question for us!  So why is this so important?  Because the issue at hand is a soteriological in nature, that is, salvation is at issue.  Therefore those ideas and theology of men must be examined.  We must know if what we believe is truth.  

     In Western Europe, Tertullian, the man who first coined the word Trinity, a man who was the basis for my book, The Trinity Exposed, insisted upon the unity of essence in three personalities as the correct interpretation of Scripture regarding the Trinity.  This centered the argument with Eastern Europe who did not agree with this assessment.  The Church has always had to fight against Unitarianism, a belief of theology that had forerunners such as Arianism, and Socinianism.  

     It was in 318/19, Alexander, the bishop of Alexandria, discussed, "The Unity of the Trinity."  Arius a presbyter who was an ascetic and popular preacher attacked the sermon because he believed that it did not hold a distinction among the persons of the Godhead, therefore Arius positions was that this sermon did injustice to the true deity of Jesus Christ. Let me ask this question as it pertains to the saving nature of Jesus Christ: "If Jesus Christ were a demi-god, less than true God, and of a similar or different essence from the Father, as what was asserted by Eusubius and Arius, could He save man? This question is most important for the Mormons say that He is of a different essence, another god, in other words a demi-god, the Jehovah Witnesses say that He is a created being and is another god, or demi-god, the Modalist say that God cannot be all three and is more like a chameleon that changes into different persons as needed. So what is the relationship between Jesus Christ and the Father?  Is Jesus Christ God? This controversy was bitter then in the early Church and it is a controversy in the Church today, and between those who claim to be "Christian" but have doctrines built upon a man's opinion and not from the Scriptures that God promised to preserve. What occurred due to this controversy?  Alexander by synod had Arius condemned.  Arius fled to his schoolmate Euseblius, the bishop of Nicomedia. This was no little dispute for its consequences affected the unity of the Empire as this controversy centered in Asia Minor. Enter into the picture, this controversy was Constantine the Emperor of Rome who was attempting preserve and unite Rome due to many influence, both by the invasions and attacks by the Goths and Visiogoths, and the pagans in the empire.  Unfortunately this dispute became large and threatened the peace and unity of the Empire, even letters to the parties did not settle the issue, therefore a council was set by Constantine to settle this dispute. This council was held at Nicea in the summer of 325 A.D. Constantine presided over the council and even paid for the expenses.  A nagging problem began by the fact that the government was leading this council therefore was a dominant force between the Church and the state.  At this time this fact that the government was playing such an important part was not in the bishops thinking for the had a bigger problem at hand.  That problem was to deal with theological heresy. 

     I will continue this walk through early Church history noting the players, the problems, and how they are infecting the Church today.  This is not a minor problem for the question remains, "Is Jesus Christ God."  This then poses the next question: "Is there a Trinity and if so is the Trinity three separate gods, or is the Trinity One God in three persons?"  Is Jesus Christ co-eternal, co-equal, or consubstantial with the Father?  As I close this blog allow me to give a current teaching that is affecting thousands of people; it is Shepherds Chapel, taught by Arnold Murray and his son that there is no Trinity.  He sounds as though he is Orthodox, even uses the Bible, and quotes from such helps as Strong's Dictionary, yet is he teaching what the Bible teaches?  As we look at history and how history has affected the the Church we must look at Scripture in the end to measure what we have learned and as to the truth for it has to do with salvation, not good living practices, even pagans do that, even murderers are good at times and do good things, rather what is revealed by God in His word, that is the final answer and until we understand how these other teaching arrived into the Church we may not be convinced. So we continue our study.

Blessed in the man 

    who walks not 

in the counsel of

    the ungodly, nor

stands in the path of

    sinners, nor sits in

the seat of the scornful;

    But his delight is in the

law of the LORD, and in

   His law he meditates

day and night.

                      Psalm 1:1-2

Pray for Guidance, and Read His Word

Richard L. Crumb

The Quest For An Answer To The Question As To Who Jesus Is Has Been A Long Debate In The Church

In that day you will ask 

in My name, and I do not 

say to you that I shall

pray the Father for you;

for the Father Himself loves 

you, because you have love Me,

and have believed that I came forth

from God. I came forth from the

Father and have come into the 

world. Again, I leave the world'

and go to the Father.

John 16:26-28

      This question: "Is Jesus God?" has been controversial and debated by leading men of the Church.  This theological controversy is historical within the Church, therefore we must take a moment of study to come to some understanding as to the answer(s) to this question.  How do we know if what we believe is correct? How did Orthodox Christianity come to one answer and others to another answer.  How is it that Orthodox Christians hold to the believe that Jesus Christ is God, a Person of the Godhead?  And yet, the Mormons believe that He is another god, and the Jehovah Witnesses believe that He is a created god, the Modalist believe that He is God, but there is not Godhead, there is no Trinity. Understanding what occurred in reaching certain theological positions will help us to see what is true and what is false.  How? By using the same methods that hammered out the formulation of Creeds that gave substance to what they found in the Scriptures. Much of this controversy occurred between 325 A.D. and 451 A.D., and such Creeds as the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds were formulated.  The dogmas of the Church were developed at this time.  Now, for many the word "dogma" is pejorative, it carries a negative connotation, and it is to be avoided, it is somehow anathema and hardly mentioned.  Yet, there is a misunderstanding of the word and this word "dogma" is unfavorable to those who are lax in doctrine, even that word for some carries a negative connotation. Many Churches today are so lax, so cultural, so liberal, and speak only things that will tickle the ears of the congregants.  The value of Church dogmas is so obscured and the value of those dogmas has lost value. To the shame of those Churches. Let us understand the word "dogma." The "dogma" is derived from the Greek word "dokeo" which means to think, to seem, to be of reputation; therefore the doctrines, or dogmas that were developed in this period were developed by intense thought and searching of the soul in order to interpret correctly the meaning of the Scripture in disputed points and to avoid "doxai" erroneous opinions of the philosopher.  It was this searching of the Scriptures to conclude what they were saying and not what men said they say that formulated the Creeds, the dogmas, and the doctrines of the Church. This occurred in time, it was not some quick study, it was done over many years, sometimes hundred of years. 

     Intense zeal has caused many, even today, to fall into error, they develop doctrines that are false, in error because there is not a balanced study of the Bible. One good reason for the acceptance of Systematic Biblical Study. Men thought they were doing good, that they were protecting thoughts

 on God, the Godhead, i.e., Sabellius who attempted to protect the Godhead by denying the essential Trinity.  Arius chose an unScriptural approach as to the relationship of Jesus Christ to the Father as he attempted to thwart off polytheism.  By the way, the teaching of those men are still with us today in some Christian churches and religions. 

     Further to aid us in our understanding of this question: Is Jesus God, not a god, not just another god, not just some mode of God, but is He God, a Person of the Trinity? Is He of the same essence of the Father? We must then ask why and how did these doctrinal decisions came late in the history of the early Church? Let us remember that Christians, the Church was under, so often, persecution and allegiance to Jesus Christ and the Scriptures took precedence over the meaning of any particular doctrine.  Although men from the beginning of the Church did write on doctrines.  Jesus Christ was written about as to Who He was and Who He is, so we are not left destitute as to what the early Church believed, but persecution, wars, struggles made it more important to follow Jesus Christ and Scripture and when things began to settle down, then those opinions were discussed, examined, and studied, to determine if those opinions were actually the dogma of the Scripture, were they true doctrines of the Bible? The Church came under another form of struggle and they were forced to put up a united front, to have internal unity. We need that today as there are many who have fallen prey to those false doctrines, dogmas, and opinions of men who do not use Scripture to interpret Scripture, rather their opinions have the same, if not more, value that Scripture.  The era whereby the Church needed to answer those many theological opinions came as the power, Rome, was attempting to unify the Empire.  This came about especially with Constantine who was trying to say classic civilization and this caused the Church to do the same, to have a unified body of dogma, that which would cement the body of Christ. How was this to be done? The Church adopted a way to resolve those differences of opinion concerning the meaning of the Scriptures. This was done by the calling together in ecumenical councils.  There were seven most important councils called, councils that were attended to by and represented by men from the whole Church. Great Church leaders from all parts of the Empire represented their localities and gave assistance in the working out solutions to these theological problems.  This is what is being done in this blog, we are working out from Scripture the answer as to who is Jesus Christ?  Is He God? 

      The thrust of this approach will give us tools to use so that we may be able to answer this question, and have tools to answer other questions, that is we shall first see how they used tools, or methods to come to a decision and see if that was correct, and then determine which decision is Scriptural.  So next, I will discuss the relationship of the Persons in the Trinity.

Rejoice greatly, O daughter

     of Zion!

Shout, O daughter of 

    Jerusalem!

Behold, your King is 

    coming to you;

He is just and having

    salvation,

lowly and riding on 

     a donkey,

a colt, the foal of 

    a donkey,

                    Zechariah 9:9

Live life: Love God

Richard L. Crumb