There Is A Time

But ye beloved, building up yurselves

 on your most holy faith, praying in the 

Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the 

love of God, looking for the mercy 

of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Jude 20-21 

 

     The purpose and the goal of these blogs was to do just that: "building up" and to come to that place where you and I are manifestion that most holy faith. To bring to remembrance that we are looking for that return ofJesus who is our Lord and Savior and Who has promised in His mercy to give eternal life. This is the great mystery fo God and His love towards all who believe upon Him, upon the One Whom He sent forth to be the Savior of the world: Jesus the Messiah. I began these blogs in 2011 and the goal and purpose has never changed. I do hope and pray that you were benefited in some manner and that you have grown in your faith towards God. 

     Ecclesiastes states that there is a time for everything and it is not always easy to know what that time is and how we are to react to the situation you may find yourself. Here is the crux of the matter: Leave it to God! That does not mean we do nothing, it means that we continue in our study, in our examination for all that is spoken to us, or in that which someone has written. 

     Things change!

Therefore with reluctance and sadness I must take some time away from these blogs. I will returen to them if I feel that God is leading me to do so, but until then I will remain in His word, and allow time to teach me what it is that this new era has in mind. I do hope that you have gained in the knowledge of our faith, I know that through my studies I have grown in faith and in comittment to Him. 

   Until.....May God Bless!

 

To everythign there is a season,

    and a time to every purpose

under the heaven

            Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

Pray, then get up and do!

 

Richard L. Crumb

Giving Heed To Seducing Spirits

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in 

the latter times some shall depart from 

the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, 

and doctrines of devils; speaking lies 

in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared 

with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, 

and commanding to abstain from meats, 

which God hath created to be received 

with thanksgiving of them which believe 

and know that truth.

1Timothy 4:1-3 

     STOP! MEDITATE! THINK! APPLY! Can you think and see that what Paul wrote to Timothy is occurring today? Or, are you giving a "pass" with a blessing that: well....they do believe in Jesus, even teaching about Jesus....so we must give an allowance to others beliefs. REALLY? Paul did not so why should we? Do you know of a religion that forbids the marrying? Do you know of a religion that forbids the eating of meats? Do you know of a religion that is teaching forbidden and seducing spirits and doctrines that are contrary to the Bible and are then are from the Devil? If this was happening in the days of the early Church why would we think that it is not happening today? IT IS! This is the purpose of this blog, to cause people to think, to critically think, examine what they have come to believe in light of Scripture, not man. We are to consider our faith and ensure that it is Scriptural, and if not: CHANGE! 

     In many Churches the pastor and leaders speak more about a man's doctrine as though that person were inspired of God than to preach the Gospel. Many Churches in their preaching and teaching there is more about psychological issues, how to be a better person through some psychological change in a person and not about becoming an Authentic Christian and allow the Holy Spirit to change that person. This not so much a problem in the early Church, they faced heresy from many sides, but in time when the culture of this world infested the Church, the "Christian" Universities, the preaching is less about sin and more about self. We need to change from the inside/out, in ourselves in our fallen Churches. Therefore, due to the problem that Paul wrote to Timothy about and the fact that those problems exist in our Churches today I will again turn to those men, those early Church fathers to hear from them, to learn from them, to apply the truth as taught by them, I, and you should meditate upon these writings and not forget them as something "old" from the past and not have importance for us today. Here is a writing called Mathetes, and in Greek that means a disciple. This is his letter to Deognetus. Allow me to introduce him:

"[a.d. 130.] The anonymous author of this Epistle gives himself the title (Mathetes) “a disciple of the Apostles,” and I venture to adopt it as his name. It is about all we know of him, and it serves a useful end. I place his letter here, as a sequel to the Clementine Epistle, for several reasons, which I think scholars will approve: (1) It is full of the Pauline spirit, and exhales the same pure and primitive fragrance which is characteristic of Clement. (2) No theory as to its date very much conflicts with that which I adopt, and it is sustained by good authorities. (3) But, as a specimen of the persuasives against Gentilism which early Christians employed in their intercourse with friends who adhered to heathenism, it admirably illustrates the temper prescribed by St. Paul (2 Tim. ii. 24), and not less the peculiar social relations of converts to the Gospel with the more amiable and candid of their personal friends at this early period.

Mathetes was possibly a catechumen of St. Paul or of one of the apostle’s associates. I assume that his correspondent was the tutor of M. Aurelius. Placed just here, it fills a lacuna in the series, and takes the place of the pseudo (second) Epistle of Clement, which is now relegated to its proper place with the works falsely ascribed to St. Clement.

Altogether, the Epistle is a gem of purest ray; and, while suggesting some difficulties as to interpretation and exposition, it is practically clear as to argument and intent. Mathetes is, perhaps, the first of the apologists." 

     This man whether it be Paul or Clement of Rome wrote early about what was going on in the Church and what needed to be changed. In the next blogs I will proceed to give his admonition in hope that you and I will examine our faith closely and if needed to make the change.

Be not over much wicked,

     neither be thou foolish:

why shouldest thou die before

    thy time?

               Ecclesiastes 7:17

Life and death are before you: choose well!

Richard L. Crumb   

The Plague Of The Church

But there were false prophets also among 

the people, even as there shall be false 

teachers among you, who privily shall 

bring in damnable heresies, even denying 

the Lord that bought them, and bring upon 

themselves swift destruction. And many 

shall follow their pernicious ways: 

by reason of whom the way of truth shall 

be evil spoken of.

2Peter 2:1-2 

     In the early Church people had to fiend off the great heresy of Gnosticism. This heresy had two major divisions: 1. Ascetic life. 2. Life with all its pleasures. There were other influences, Judaism, for one, and the views of philosophers, especially the Greek philosophers. There came into the Church dualistic views, that is, the view of flesh and spirit that the fleshly considered flesh to be evil, and the other that spirit was good. We can see these views in the religions of the Orient, but as for Christianithy: there was a great influence through the Gnostic and Neoplatonic movements. Yes, it is true that the Scriptures seem to support the idea of separation from the world. This separation was not for people to become hermits, or to cloister into monasteries. It was that Authentic Christians would separate themselves from the worldly culture that is in absolute contradiction the will of God. Two other major contributions to this thinking came not only from heretical philosophy, but also economically. Political problems: i.e., barbarians coming against Rome, the growing Islamic religion attempting, as it does today, to force their religious and political views upon people: do or die!

     Stressing the Spiritual side of Christianity has led to the misuse of the gifts of the Spirit. There is as was a stress laid upon the Church that separated Church leaders to become more than what Jesus requires of Church leaders. To be separate they began to dress elegantly, to do certain rituals, requiring certain spiritual things that cannot be found in Scripture. Ritualistic performance seems to have taken the place of private worship: do this or that and you will "feel" pious, even godly. Believe this man or that man, and you will have the "truth." Jehovah Witness, Mormons come to mind where a man and his beliefs are consider sacred. We see this with Calvinism, with even Arminianism, or Augustianism. This need to have a celebrity, a "star" as a leader becomes more important than the only One Who should be our leader: Jesus Christ. The seeking for a blessing rather just receiving God's blessing: eternal life, is a problem inasmuch as it takes away from Authentic Christian Faith. Clement of Rome ends his letter to the Corinthian Church: "Blessings sought for all that call upon God.May God, who seeth all things, and who is the Ruler of all spirits and the Lord of all flesh—who chose our Lord Jesus Christ and us through Him to be a peculiar (Comp. Tit. ii. 14.) people—grant to every soul that calleth upon His glorious and holy Name, faith, fear, peace, patience, long-suffering, self-control, purity, and sobriety, to the well-pleasing of His Name, through our High Priest and Protector, Jesus Christ, by whom be to Him glory, and majesty, and power, and honour, both now and for evermore. Amen." 

     It is time for a revival, that is to revive the Christianity as it was preached and taught, by Jesus and His disciples, by men who were taught by the disciples, who were submitted to the Lord Jesus Christ and not to a man, to an ideology, to a theology that was not of God. This is the question for us: Are we doing the same?

Who hath wrought and done it,

     calling the generations from

the beginning? I the LORD, the first

     and with the last: I am He.

                   Isaiah 41:4; comp. Rev. 1:8,17

Repent and be healed

Richard L. Crumb

What Does It Mean: Submit?

 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of 

man for the Lord's sake: whether it be 

to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, 

or unto them that are sent by him for 

the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise 

of them that do well. For so is the will of God, 

that with well doing ye may put to silence 

the ignorance of foolish men: as free, 

and not using your liberty for a cloke of 

maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 

Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. 

Fear God. Honor the king.

1Peter 2:13-16

     To be ethical is to do the right thing even if no one is watching. Peter tells us that we are to submit. The Greek word translated "submit" originally was a Greek military term that meant to arrange or divide the soldiers and to have them under command of a leader. In its non-military use, it was a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden (Strong's Dictionary #5293). Unless there is a direct and contrary law, or command against the law of God, WE ARE TO OBEY!. An Authentic or Ethical Christian will OBEY! You, and I, are to OBEY, to be ethical even if there is not a policemen watching leaving you the ability to drive as fast as you can even over the speed limit. There is nothing against this law from God. We live in a country that allow us to vote, to change law, to enforce law, to be civilized towards all: SO WHY DOES THIS NOT HAPPEN AS IT SHOULD FROM MANY WHO CALL THEMSELVES "CHRISTIAN?" Abortion is against God's law, therefore no man's law can override God's law with impunity: it must be addressed and this is not contrary to the word of God as it says that we are to love all people, to ensure their safety, protect them and serve them. When it comes to that which is within Christianity whereby men or women speak and teach that which is not the faith given by the Lord Jesus Christ, and His disciples this must be addressed as it has little of nothing to do with man's law. 

     Christianity has been under attack from its founding, therefore men rose up against this attack. This attack was addressed by the Church expressing its self-consciousness and this by new literary output, writings or men: i.e., Clement of Rome, Polycarp, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, other others. Some were Apologists, others were Polemicists, but all were confronting this attack upon Authentic Christian Faith. The Apologists had a negative and a positive aim in their writings. Negatively, they sought to refute the false charges of atheism, cannibalism, incest, indolence, and anti-social actions that were leveled against them. Positively, they developed a constructive approach by showing that, in contrast with Christianity, Judaism, pagan religions and state worship were foolish and sinful. 

     These writers sought and made a rational appeal to the pagan leaders attempting to create an intelligent understanding of Christianity and to remove legal obstacles from it. They were addressing the false charges that could not be substantiated and were entitled to civil tolerance under the laws. This earliest writer of the Church, Clement of Rome wrote: "Ye therefore, who laid the foundation of this sedition, submit yourselves to the presbyters, and receive correction so as to repent, bending the knees of your hearts. Learn to be subject, laying aside the proud and arrogant self-confidence of your tongue. For it is better for you that ye should occupy (Literally, “to be found small and esteemed.”) a humble but honourable place in the flock of Christ, than that, being highly exalted, ye should be cast out from the hope of His people. (Literally, “His hope.”) [It has been conjectured that ἔλπιδος should be ἔπαύλιδος, and the reading, “out of the fold of his people.” See Chevallier.] For thus speaketh all-virtuous Wisdom: (Prov. i. 23–31.) [Often cited by this name in primitive writers.] “Behold, I will bring forth to you the words of My Spirit, and I will teach you My speech. Since I called, and ye did not hear; I held forth My words, and ye regarded not, but set at naught My counsels, and yielded not at My reproofs; therefore I too will laugh at your destruction; yea, I will rejoice when ruin cometh upon you, and when sudden confusion overtakes you, when overturning presents itself like a tempest, or when tribulation and oppression fall upon you. For it shall come to pass, that when ye call upon Me, I will not hear you; the wicked shall seek Me, and they shall not find Me. For they hated wisdom, and did not choose the fear of the Lord; nor would they listen to My counsels, but despised My reproofs. Wherefore they shall eat the fruits of their own way, and they shall be filled with their own ungodliness.” … (Junius (Pat. Young), who examined the ms. before it was bound into its present form, stated that a whole leaf was here lost. The next letters that occur are ιπον, which have been supposed to indicate εἶπον or ἔλιπον. Doubtless some passages quoted by the ancients from the Epistle of Clement, and not now found in it, occurred in the portion which has thus been lost.)"

     Authentic Christians do not wage a war, rather they seek to have relief from those who would suppress them and all the while will remain ethical, respectful, and be in submission to moral laws that do not contradict God's moral laws. 

Create in me a clean heart, O God;

     and renew a right spirit within me. 

Caste me not away from Thy presence;

    and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation;

    and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. 

Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways;

    and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.

                        Psalms 51:10-13

Authentic Christianity is ethical.

Richard L. Crumb   

The Hallmark Of Authentic Christian Faith

If a man say, I love God, and hateth, he is a liar: 

for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen,

 how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 

1John 1:4:20-21

Beloved, let us love one another: 

for love is of God; and every one that loveth 

is born of God, and knoweth God. 

He that loveth not knoweth not God; 

for God is love.

1John 4:7-8

     The love of God is "agape'" that is, it is God's principled love, not just brotherly love as is indicated by the Greek word "phleo." Authentic Christianity is manifested in "agape'" love. Practical Authentic Christianity is manifested in a new life, one that is spiritual, that is, not just intellectual and moral, rather a supernatural, that is distinct from the natural; furthermore, it is a life of holiness, one that has peace and a union, a communion with God Who is the Father of all; this includes the Only Begotten Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. When grows in their life, to become sanctified more and more, a person's inmost center of their personality is changed, they are emancipated from the dominion of sin. More than all that, they are brought into a vital union with God. All emotions, the use of free will, that is free choice, their intellect, all are transformed to become the temple of God. Authentic Christian Faith is a purifying, ennobling, even a regulating force upon all the faculties of man. 

     There is a main difference between Authentic Christianity and all other religions of the world. It is true that all religions practice, at least in theory, virtue and piety. Authentic Christian Faith does more, it sets a standard of love, a love for God, not just for self. This love of God is not some abstract doctrine so as to keep a person to have a hope, or to have an effort to be a "good" person, no, it is an absolute fact founded in the person of Jesus Christ. It is Jesus Christ who has set forth as an example for us to follow, it is by Him which gives us the power through His influence by means of the Holy Spirit that resides in all Authentic Christians that give the ability over the power and influence that are of the world. It is true that other religions have "good" deeds and even moral philosophy have abled nations to regenerate and conquer the world. This is very true of Christianity. Christianity has done this and is doing this at this very moment. Think on this: even the wisest, the best nations, and governments who have demonstrated moments of "good" deeds, also are the ones that sanctioned slavery, polygamy, concubinage, oppression, revenge, infanticide. What they have shown by their "good" deeds are overshadowed by their conduct. 

     The development of character determines our actions, how we exercise life, so if our education, our development is from that which has shown to be evil, corrupt, even with all the "good" words, or deeds, then we will exercise the same in some manner. Now, if you character is being formed into the image of Jesus Christ who lived what He taught, from His birth to His death, One who is above reproach, or even suspicion, and to have shown us that is is the purest  and wisest being that ever appeared here on earth, then should we not allow our character development to from Him?     

     The Christian Church may degenerate by the hands of sinful men and women, but the life of Jesus, His teachings, His commands and precepts are never-failing, a fountain in the purification of our lives. Some are teaching of having become perfect in this life, but this is not possible for our life is still one of imperfection. The perfect life is one that is in harmony with God, and a devotion to the welfare of others, and to pass this to others, especially to our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. We are to, that is, if we are to be Authentic Christians, become an imitation of the life of Jesus Christ. 

     If we compare the Church today with the Apostolic Churches, that which I have been doing in my current blogs, and to see the actual condition you will see a contrast, a startling contrast, such as that between a green oasis, and a barren desert. Clement of Rome speaks: ""Let him who has love in Christ keep the commandments of Christ. Who can describe the [blessed] bond of the love of God? What man is able to tell the excellence of its beauty, as it ought to be told? The height to which love exalts is unspeakable. Love unites us to God. Love covers a multitude of sins. (Jas. v. 20; 1 Pet. iv. 8.) Love beareth all things, is long-suffering in all things. (Comp. 1 Cor. xiii. 4,) etc. There is nothing base, nothing arrogant in love. Love admits of no schisms: love gives rise to no seditions: love does all things in harmony. By love have all the elect of God been made perfect; without love nothing is well-pleasing to God. In love has the Lord taken us to Himself. On account of the Love he bore us, Jesus Christ our Lord gave His blood for us by the will of God; His flesh for our flesh, and His soul for our souls. )[Comp. Irenæus, v. 1; also Mathetes, Ep. to Diognetus, cap. ix.])." 

I will love them that love Me;

     and those that seek Me early (diligently)

shall find Me.

                   Proverbs 8:17

Love is not just a noun, it is a verb

Richard L. Crumb

The Lion Is Roaring: Are You Protected?

Now we command you, brethren, 

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

that ye withdraw yourselves from 

every brother that walketh disorderly, 

and not after the tradition 

which he received of us.

1Timothy 3:6 

     Today in far too many Churches there is not discipline towards those that walk in sin. Abortion, breaking of laws, homosexuality, adultery, fornication, among many other sins that are in need to be confronted and corrected. Discipline is not just for punishment, rather it is to be a training to act in accordance with rules, to have activity, or exercise that would improve a person to follow Jesus Christ. Discipline is to bring a person under obedience. Yet, discipline has a punitive side as well, to chastise, to remove that person who is in need of discipline from the congregation, the Church so as to ensure purity. This rare aspect of the Church and for the Church leaders to impose is lacking due to the influx of world culture, that pluralistic, multiculturalism, the inclusion of all, has led many to believe in that which Jesus Christ never had in mind, never in the mind of the disciples. 

     We are all product of teaching! Whether this teaching comes from the Church, school, or the media, etc., all have an affect upon a person. Therefore it is our responsibility to be taught truth and the truth is to be found, not in a man's teaching, rather that which is simply provided for our learning in Scripture. It is not that all pastors or teachers are teaching some form of heresy, for their are many who are teaching the truth: but how do we know? Only by comparing what is taught in Scripture. Now, to do this one must do they can to examine by the simplicity of Scripture, not allowing for what we do know, and we do know, that which is worldly thinking. Do not expect to become perfect, as some preach, nor that you will come to know quickly, but if you take the time to pray, to think upon what God has inspired for us, you will come to see that much of what is being done in our Churches today are far from Scripture, far from the Gospel. 

     It seems as though Satan is some mystical figure hardly ever spoken about in our Churches and has been forgotten, other than some remembrance that he caused Adam and Eve to sin but has little to do with our sinning. The world is as a lion and this lion, the world is a product of the one lion that has caused sin: Satan. The world is the product of those who are following this lion, Satan, being taught by those who are led by Satan. This lion has also invaded many Churches and the thinking of many who call themselves Christian. Peter gives this warning: "Be sober, be vigiliant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1Peter 5:8). The Greek word translated "sober" is not just from some alcoholic, or mind altering (marijuana, or other drugs) product, no, it means to have circumspect, to be vigiliant and not to be intoxicated in any means, whether from mind altering drugs, alcohol, but from other means, that take your mind off of Jesus Christ.  Clement of Rome writes: "It is the part of the wicked to vex the righteous.Ye are fond of contention, brethren, and full of zeal about things which do not pertain to salvation. Look carefully into the Scriptures, which are the true utterances of the Holy Spirit. Observe (Or, “Ye perceive.”) that nothing of an unjust or counterfeit character is written in them. There   (Or, “For.”) you will not find that the righteous were cast off by men who themselves were holy. The righteous were indeed persecuted, but only by the wicked. They were cast into prison, but only by the unholy; they were stoned, but only by transgressors; they were slain, but only by the accursed, and such as had conceived an unrighteous envy against them. Exposed to such sufferings, they endured them gloriously. For what shall we say, brethren? Was Daniel (Dan. vi. 16.) cast into the den of lions by such as feared God? Were Ananias, and Azarias, and Mishael shut up in a furnace (Dan. iii. 20.) of fire by those who observed (Literally, “worshipped.”) the great and glorious worship of the Most High? Far from us be such a thought! Who, then, were they that did such things? The hateful, and those full of all wickedness, were roused to such a pitch of fury, that they inflicted torture on those who served God with a holy and blameless purpose [of heart], not knowing that the Most High is the Defender and Protector of all such as with a pure conscience venerate (Literally, “serve.”) His all-excellent name; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. But they who with confidence endured [these things] are now heirs of glory and honour, and have been exalted and made illustrious (Or, “lifted up.”) by God in their memorial for ever and ever. Amen."

     Wake up! God has called us to be an ambassador for Him. We are to have Him as our priority, not entertainment, and not all is bad, not overdoing alcohol, or other things that would alter you thinking, but to have obedience to His word. That will be a pleasing thing to God for you are being faithful to His calling for all those who claim to be Authentic Christians. Are you looking for blessings? Quit looking! You do not need to look for blessings as God will bless you when you are obedient and in His providential manner. Our faith is in a faithful God, not in ourselves, how we feel about a certain thing, but how we become obedient and one sure way to find out what it means to be obedient: well....it is in His inspired word.

The LORD rewarded me according 

     to my righteousness: according

to the cleanness of my hands hath

     He recompensed me. For I have 

kept the ways of the LORD, and have

    not wickedly departed from my God.

                       2Samuel 22:21-22

What are you looking for?

Richard L. Crumb

Awake Or Asleep?

Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, 

and arise from the dead, and Christ shall 

give thee light. See then that ye walk 

circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 

redeeming the time, 

because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:14-16

     We hear much about overcoming, that God will give us overcoming life. This is not true for God will not give us overcoming life, He gives us life as we overcome. God does not lift us up, we have to get up ourselves. Think on this: The man who had the withered arm had to stretch out his arm and then was healed, and the blind man, had to go and wash his eyes seven times and then was healed. We must take the initiative. If we take the initiative, that is do the overcoming, then we will find that we are inspired of God and this He gives, this life He gives is life immediately. I can write this blog, even insert the words from these early fathers, even give to you (ccel.org) the place where you can go and read for yourself. I can lead, you have to take the initiative. 

     Let me get back to what the early Church fathers had to face and we now have to face as well, those heresies that plague Authentic Christianity. In Egypt there was a Syrian school of Gnosticism and was influential and linked to those students to Gnosticism bringing that heresy into the Church and had much influence. A man (138 A.D.) became influential, Marcion, a man who hated the Jewish Scriptures and the Jehovah described in those Scriptures. He was eventually condemned and expelled from the Church but he did have influence causing the need to, in self-defense to give to this problem as to what books were to be considered canonical and authoritative for doctrine and life. This cause the writings of creeds, a test for orthodoxy. 

    Manicheanism which is similar to Gnosticism founded around (216-276 A.D.) developed a particular philosophical system that would combine Christian thought and Zoroastrianism and other oriental religious ideas, a dualistic approach to Christianity. He taught about pure light that emanated from the mother of life who in turn was a higher emanation from the ruler of the kingdom of light. Man's soul, as he taught, was linked to this kingdom of light. Salvation was a matter of liberating the light in his soul from the thralldom to the matter of his body. This led to an ascetic life to be able to have released this light. This would then led them to be sharers in the holiness of this elect group so that they would be supplied their physical needs. Now they could participate in salvation. Even Augustine who has had much influence on the Church while he was seeking the truth was led to become a disciple of Manichean belief. In time Augustine, some 12 years, came to see this as heresy and then after devoted much energy to refute it. 

      "Let us admonish and correct one another.Let us then also pray for those who have fallen into any sin, that meekness and humility may be given to them, so that they may submit, not unto us, but to the will of God. For in this way they shall secure a fruitful and perfect remembrance from us, with sympathy for them, both in our prayers to God, and our mention of them to the saints. (Literally, “there shall be to them a fruitful and perfect remembrance, with compassions both towards God and the saints.”) Let us receive correction, beloved, on account of which no one should feel displeased. Those exhortations by which we admonish one another are both good [in themselves] and highly profitable, for they tend to unite (Or, “they unite.”) us to the will of God. For thus saith the holy Word: “The Lord hath severely chastened me, yet hath not given me over to death.” (Ps. cxviii. 18.) “For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.” (Prov. iii. 12; Heb. xii. 6.) “The righteous,” saith it, “shall chasten me in mercy, and reprove me; but let not the oil of sinners make fat my head.” (Ps. cxli. 5.) And again he saith, “Blessed is the man whom the Lord reproveth, and reject not thou the warning of the Almighty. For He causes sorrow, and again restores [to gladness]; He woundeth, and His hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles, yea, in the seventh no evil shall touch thee. In famine He shall rescue thee from death, and in war He shall free thee from the power (Literally, “hand.”) of the sword. From the scourge of the tongue will He hide thee, and thou shalt not fear when evil cometh. Thou shalt laugh at the unrighteous and the wicked, and shalt not be afraid of the beasts of the field. For the wild beasts shall be at peace with thee: then shalt thou know that thy house shall be in peace, and the habitation of thy tabernacle shall not fail. (Literally, “err” or “sin.”) Thou shall know also that thy seed shall be great, and thy children like the grass of the field. And thou shall come to the grave like ripened corn which is reaped in its season, or like a heap of the threshing-floor which is gathered together at the proper time.” (Job v. 17–26.) Ye see, beloved, that protection is afforded to those that are chastened of the Lord; for since God is good, He corrects us, that we may be admonished by His holy chastisement."

     As hard as it might be we must take care to ensure that the Church, you and I, are teaching Authentic Christian Faith. God will chastise us, but God will not cause us to be overcomers, we must initiate this for ourselves. We care, we love our brothers and sisters so then we must care for them. This is what Clement of Rome wrote about and those heresies that came into the Church in different forms were already being taught. The question is: Will you take the time to read the Bible, to read what these very early Church fathers wrote? If you do, if you take the initiative you will find that God will bless.

Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God:

     depart from me therefore, ye bloody

men. For they speak against Thee wickedly,

     and Thine enemies take Thy name in vain.

                Psalm 139:19-20

Take the initiative and God will bless

Richard L. Crumb

Repentance: God Will Except Repentance

 And I entreat also, true yoke fellow, 

help those women which labored with me in t

he gospel, with Clement also, and with

other my fellow laborers, whose names 

are written in the book of life.

Philippians 4:3 

     I write the above verse to remind you that this Clement was born 30 A.D. a time when Jesus was preaching or was put to death, possibly 33 A.D. and lived among the disciples of Jesus so he had first hand information as to who Jesus was and what was required of him. We therefore should listen to what he wrote and remember his writings were well considered to be part of the Bible canon. 

      Several men who held theological views that are and were heretical could, that is, if they would do so, repent. We too, even though we may have not always acknowledge Authentic Christian Faith, we can repent. We all must acknowledge our sins. Read the words of Clement of Rome:

      "Let us therefore implore forgiveness for all those transgressions which through any [suggestion] of the adversary we have committed. And those who have been the leaders of sedition and disagreement ought to have respect (Or, “look to.”) to the common hope. For such as live in fear and love would rather that they themselves than their neighbours should be involved in suffering. And they prefer to bear blame themselves, rather than that the concord which has been well and piously (Or, “righteously.”) handed down to us should suffer. For it is better that a man should acknowledge his transgressions than that he should harden his heart, as the hearts of those were hardened who stirred up sedition against Moses the servant of God, and whose condemnation was made manifest [unto all]. For they went down alive into Hades, and death swallowed them up.   (Num. xvi.) Pharaoh with his army and all the princes of Egypt, and the chariots with their riders, were sunk in the depths of the Red Sea, and perished, (Ex. xiv.) for no other reason than that their foolish hearts were hardened, after so many signs and wonders had been wrought in the land of Egypt by Moses the servant of God."
      "The Lord, brethren, stands in need of nothing; and He desires nothing of any one, except that confession be made to Him. For, says the elect David, “I will confess unto the Lord; and that will please Him more than a young bullock that hath horns and hoofs. Let the poor see it, and be glad.” (Ps. lxix. 31, 32.) And again he saith, “Offer (Or, “sacrifice.”) unto God the sacrifice of praise, and pay thy vows unto the Most High. And call upon Me in the day of thy trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” (Ps. l. 14, 15.) For “the sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.” (Ps. li. 17.)"

     Is your heart hardened? Are you so indoctrinated that you will not listen to anything said other than what comes out from your preachers, or leaders. It is not that they may be speaking heresy, it is that you have a responsibility to ensure the purity of your congregation and yourself. All may be good, but do you know for sure? Gnosticism plagued the truth for many years and by many sects with their special doctrines and this is true for some Churches today. We must prepare to fight this plague. We must, if need be, to consider our faith and if need be: change from the inside/out. Some will not understand, but God will and that is all that is important. Will you examine, will you read what the this early Church father wrote? 

Have respect therefore to the prayer

    of Thy servant, and to his supplication,

O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry

    and the prayer which Thy servant prayeth

before Thee.

                     2Chronicles 6:19

Fear not men: fear God

Richard L. Crumb

Fighting The Wiles Of The Devil

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,

 and in the power of His might. Put on the 

whole armor of God, that ye may be able 

to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

 but against principalities, against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Ephesians 6: 19-11 

     The need for the apostle Paul to write those words was that God inspired him to do so due to the influx of teachings that were not that which Jesus had taught. Gnosticism, Judaism, the Ebionites with their view as to ascetism, and more, all were having an effect on the new Christian faith. 

     This is why I am taking this time to reach back into history of the Church that we can have an understanding of those heresies that affect the Church and how that those heresies are affecting Authentic Christian Faith in our day. Those men and women who are teaching another gospel and not Authentic Christian Gospel need to submit themselves to our Lord Jesus Christ and follow what He admonished us and commanded. Clement of Rome one of the earliest of Christian writings, a fellow with the apostle Paul had this to say to the Church: "Ye therefore, who laid the foundation of this sedition, submit yourselves to the presbyters, and receive correction so as to repent, bending the knees of your hearts. Learn to be subject, laying aside the proud and arrogant self-confidence of your tongue. For it is better for you that ye should occupy (Literally, “to be found small and esteemed.”) a humble but honourable place in the flock of Christ, than that, being highly exalted, ye should be cast out from the hope of His people. (Literally, “His hope.”) [It has been conjectured that ἔλπιδος should be ἔπαύλιδος, and the reading, “out of the fold of his people.” See Chevallier.] For thus speaketh all-virtuous Wisdom: (Prov. i. 23–31.) [Often cited by this name in primitive writers.] “Behold, I will bring forth to you the words of My Spirit, and I will teach you My speech. Since I called, and ye did not hear; I held forth My words, and ye regarded not, but set at naught My counsels, and yielded not at My reproofs; therefore I too will laugh at your destruction; yea, I will rejoice when ruin cometh upon you, and when sudden confusion overtakes you, when overturning presents itself like a tempest, or when tribulation and oppression fall upon you. For it shall come to pass, that when ye call upon Me, I will not hear you; the wicked shall seek Me, and they shall not find Me. For they hated wisdom, and did not choose the fear of the Lord; nor would they listen to My counsels, but despised My reproofs. Wherefore they shall eat the fruits of their own way, and they shall be filled with their own ungodliness.” … (Junius (Pat. Young), who examined the ms. before it was bound into its present form, stated that a whole leaf was here lost. The next letters that occur are ιπον, which have been supposed to indicate εἶπον or ἔλιπον. Doubtless some passages quoted by the ancients from the Epistle of Clement, and not now found in it, occurred in the portion which has thus been lost.)"

     Do not those who teach another gospel say that they believe in Jesus as Savior? Yes! But the question is: Who is this Jesus? Is this Jesus they say they believe and serve the Jesus that was presented to us by those who walked and talked with Him, by Paul who was confronted by Jesus to become a servant of Him on the Damascus road? To be Authentic and have Authentic Christian Faith a person must have faith in the real, the true Jesus, not some man-made doctrine or theology. 

'The LORD thy God in the midst of thee

     is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice

over thee with joy; He will rest in His love,

     He will joy over thee with singing.

                   Zephaniah 3:17

Find the truth: study Scripture

Richard L. Crumb 

Beware Of False Philosophy Of This World

Beware lest any man spoil you through 

philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition 

of men, after the rudiments of the world, 

and not after Christ.

Colossians 2:8

     Authentic Christian Faith is one whereby a person who says that they have faith must manifest that which has been given to us and this by those inspired men who wrote letters to Churches undergoing much strife, both within and without. We have these writings and we have, even though often cloaked, those same heresies affecting the Church and undermining Authentic Christian Faith.

      Who are you following: Jesus or a man or a woman? Are you following Scripture that even Clement of Rome who was a fellow with the apostles said were inspired or some man-made doctrine, a doctrine that you have not taken time to prove (1Thessalonians 5:21) are the truth? Read what Clement of Rome wrote: "Such examples, therefore, brethren, it is right that we should follow; (Literally, “To such examples it is right that we should cleave.”) since it is written, “Cleave to the holy, for those that cleave to them shall [themselves] be made holy.” (Not found in Scripture.) And again, in another place, [the Scripture] saith, “With a harmless man thou shalt prove (Literally, “be.”) thyself harmless, and with an elect man thou shalt be elect, and with a perverse man thou shalt show (Or, “thou wilt overthrow.”) thyself perverse.” (Ps. xviii. 25, 26.) Let us cleave, therefore, to the innocent and righteous, since these are the elect of God. Why are there strifes, and tumults, and divisions, and schisms, and wars  Or, “war.” (Comp. Jas. iv. 1.) among you? Have we not [all] one God and one Christ? Is there not one Spirit of grace poured out upon us? And have we not one calling in Christ?   (Comp. Eph. iv. 4–6.) Why do we divide and tear to pieces the members of Christ, and raise up strife against our own body, and have reached such a height of madness as to forget that “we are members one of another?” (Rom. xii. 5.) Remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, how (This clause is wanting in the text.) He said, “Woe to that man [by whom (This clause is wanting in the text.) offences come]! It were better for him that he had never been born, than that he should cast a stumbling-block before one of my elect. Yea, it were better for him that a millstone should be  hung about [his neck], and he should be sunk in the depths of the sea, than that he should cast a stumbling-block before one of my little ones.” (Comp. Matt. xviii. 6, Matt. xxvi. 24; Mark ix. 42; Luke xvii. 2.) Your schism has subverted [the faith of] many, has discouraged many, has given rise to doubt in many, and has caused grief to us all. And still your sedition continueth." 

      The early Church was under such a time when men were promoting a philosophy, a theology, or ideology that was not Scriptural although they promoted it as godly. There was a major attempt to pervert the Church. Today we have much the same attempt by those who follow a man without examining their teachings who are leading people into a supposed truth but is really only heresy.

     "Take up the epistle of the blessed Apostle Paul. What did he write to you at the time when the Gospel first began to be preached? (Literally, “in the beginning of the Gospel.”) [Comp. Phil. iv. 15.] Truly, under the inspiration (Or, “spiritually.”) of the Spirit, he wrote to you concerning himself, and Cephas, and Apollos, (1 Cor. iii. 13,) etc. because even then parties (Or, “inclinations for one above another.”) had been formed among you. But that inclination for one above another entailed less guilt upon you, inasmuch as your partialities were then shown towards apostles, already of high reputation, and towards a man whom they had approved. But now reflect who those are that have perverted you, and lessened the renown of your far-famed brotherly love. It is disgraceful, beloved, yea, highly disgraceful, and unworthy of your Christian profession, (Literally, “of conduct in Christ.”) that such a thing should be heard of as that the most stedfast and ancient Church of the Corinthians should, on account of one or two persons, engage in sedition against its presbyters. And this rumour has reached not only us, but those also who are unconnected (Or, “aliens from us,” i.e., the Gentiles.) with us; so that, through your infatuation, the name of the Lord is blasphemed, while danger is also brought upon yourselves."

     In the next blogs I will outline the various heresies that were being promoted in the early Church that have found their way into many Churches today.

And God saw that the wickedness

    of man was great in the earth,

and that every imagination of the 

    thoughts of his heart was only

evil continually. And it repented

    the LORD that He had made

man on the earth, and it grieved

    Him at His heart.

               Genesis 6:5-6

God's patience is not His permission

Richard L. Crumb

     

To Know God: Keep His Commandments

And hereby we do know that we know Him, 

if we keep His commandments. He that saith,

 I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, 

is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso 

keepeth His word, in Him verily is the 

love of God perfected: hereby know we 

that we are in Him.

1John 2:3-4 

   In my studies to prepare for a blog, this blog, I have noticed that these early Church fathers did not write as to their personal theology, rather they spoke accordingly as they were taught by the disciples of Jesus. They admonish us to be faithful, to be obedient, to repent of our sins and to live a life that is reflected of the life of Jesus. In all this they too had to fight heresies and we too today fight those4 same heresies albeit they are often hidden and and veiled. 

     Vincent of Lerins wrote the Commonitory around the year 434 A.D. who was a man well known as one learned in the Holy Scriptures and well informed as to the Church's doctrines, and in this he composed a very powerful treatise as was his purpose to confront herectical sects. In this work he opposed Semi-Pelagianism and gave to us a way to examine what was being taught whether or not it was Orthodox Christianity or heresy. The reason for this is that he held, and we too should do the same, to the Holy Scriptures as the source of all true doctrine, because there were those who in various ways interpreted Scripture. We need a guide for distinguishing between those various interpretations. The now famous formula of St. Vincent of Lerins is: quod ubique, qujod semper, et quod ab omnibus creditum est: That is: what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all men.

     We are admonished in Scripture: Ask your fathers and they will tell you; your elders, and they will speak" (Deuteronomy 32:7); Fit your ear to the words of the wise" (Proverbs 22:17); "My son, forget not these speeches but let your heart keep my words" (Proverbs 3:1). Time as a way of snatching away, and yet we ought to be snatching from it what may advance us toward life eternal. What has been handed down by men of earlier time and entrusted to our keeping, we need to take care to observe their words. 

     A great threat to the early Church was Gnosticism attempting to soil the purity of the Christian faith and this came much from Greek philosophy. It was those philosophers philosophers learned in Greek mythology that wanted a Christianity to be a system of philosophy. Around the year 150 A.D. Gnosticism was at its greatest peak and was a great threat to Christianity and we can see in the writings of Paul that he seems to be fighting an incipient form of Gnosticism when we read his letter to the Colossian Church. Christianity related Gnosticism to Simon Magnus whom Peter had to rebuke severely. Remember, Simon Magnus sought to buy the gifts from Peter and after his rejection became a heretic following after the Gnostic beliefs. Irenaeus in Adversus Haeresis, I:xxiii: 1-5, wrote about this and we can read about this in Acts 8:9-24. 

     What is Gnosticism? It is a belief that sprang from the natural human desire to create a theodicy (this is a vindication of God's justice in tolerating the existence of evil), in other words: to explain the origin of evil. The Gnostics sought a way to create a philosophical system in whi9ch God as a spirit could be freed from association with evil and a way in which man could be related on the spiritual side of his nature to Deity. It sought answers as to the origin of man, and this they did by synthesizing Christianity and Hellenistic philosophy. This was also the way for Neo-Platonism. In their seeking they sought a way to avoid the stigma of the cross. Irenaeus and others who were powerful polemicist with all their skill holding fast to the rule of faith and the writings, which were to become the canon we call the Bible, to be able to overcome this threat to Christianity. If Gnosticism had succeeded, Christianity would have become nothing more than another philosophical mystery religion. 

     I return to Clement of Rome where in chapter 45 it writes about the wicked who are attempting to vex the righteous: "Ye are fond of contention, brethren, and full of zeal about things which do not pertain to salvation. Look carefully into the Scriptures, which are the true utterances of the Holy Spirit. Observe (Or, “Ye perceive.”) that nothing of an unjust or counterfeit character is written in them. There   Or, (“For.”) you will not find that the righteous were cast off by men who themselves were holy. The righteous were indeed persecuted, but only by the wicked. They were cast into prison, but only by the unholy; they were stoned, but only by transgressors; they were slain, but only by the accursed, and such as had conceived an unrighteous envy against them. Exposed to such sufferings, they endured them gloriously. For what shall we say, brethren? Was Daniel (Dan. vi. 16.) cast into the den of lions by such as feared God? Were Ananias, and Azarias, and Mishael shut up in a furnace (Dan. iii. 20.) of fire by those who observed ⁽Literally, “worshipped.”) the great and glorious worship of the Most High? Far from us be such a thought! Who, then, were they that did such things? The hateful, and those full of all wickedness, were roused to such a pitch of fury, that they inflicted torture on those who served God with a holy and blameless purpose [of heart], not knowing that the Most High is the Defender and Protector of all such as with a pure conscience venerate   (Literally, “serve.”) His all-excellent name; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. But they who with confidence endured [these things] are now heirs of glory and honour, and have been exalted and made illustrious (Or, “lifted up.”) by God in their memorial for ever and ever. Amen."

     We too, must fight those heretical systems of Christianity that are infecting and plaguing men and women who are earnestly seeking Authentic Christian Faith.

To whom then will ye liken Me,

     or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

                     Isaiah 40:25

Consider your faith and change from the inside/out

Richard L. Crumb