My prayer as we search the scriptures together is to understand that God is going to crrect us from time to time - through His word, His Spirit, and through the body of Christ. This study opens with the acknowledgement that God is going to correct His children from time to time.

Proverbs 3:11
Habbakuk 1:12

We need that correction. This goes for everyone both in the pew and in the pulpit. Being sensitive to God's spirit, coupled with following His word, will keep the compass of our lives on course toward heaven. This is essential to ensure our salvation, and the strengthening of the church.

Hebrews 12:5-7

My dad would admonish me and correct me when I did something wrong. Yes, he even admonished me about some of the clothes I wore back in my crazy youth. If we can understand this, then why is it difficult to understand that God will do the same thing in the church, and with us? Sometimes the rod of correction is painful to our flesh, as the word and the Spirit reveal our lives and we receive conviction from God.

Proverbs 22:6
Proverbs 22:15
Proverbs 23:13

This does not have to be the physical rod of correction, but also the rebuking by the Holy Ghost as He corrects our lives. Without that correction, we turn to own own devices and end up in any direction BUT where God wants us to be. We even risk falling from grace.

The word of God, as we study it, will correct us and show us how we are supposed to walk.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
Psalm 119:105

We also have the Holy Ghost, which is God's Spirit in us; He will convict us and show us where we have erred.

1 John 2:27
John 14:26

What about people? Who did God set in the church to ensure we are walking in the Light, and not in darkness? Did God just set that role for anyone?

Ephesians 4:11-16
Jeremiah 3:15
Hebrews 13:7
Hebrews 13:17

The elders and pastors in the church are not placed to rule in absolute control over every aspect of our lives. If a pastor is doing his job, he will - in love - approach us when we are wandering astray from the commandments of God. They are not concerned about which laundromat we wash our clothes, or restaurant where we eat; but rather they are responsible for helping us make sound, godly decisions about our lives and our families. We can do some "preventive maintenance" by approaching the men of God and ask for guidance before the decision we make becomes a spiritual crisis.

What about us? Don't we have an obligation to keep one another in line with God? Yes we do!

Hebrews 10:24-25
Proverbs 27:17

We must be careful to speak the truth in love, and not hold back because we are afraid of hurting their feelings. Otherwise, the blood will be on our hands.

Genesis 4:9-10
Ezekiel 33:6
Proverbs 27:5

Also, we must be careful in the spirit in which we approach a brother or sister who has been overtaken in a fault. If we do not take heed, we could easily be taken in by the same problems that are plauging someone else. Equally bad, we could drive that person away from God instead of restoring his or her walk with Him.

Galatians 6:1
Proverbs 18:19

Finally, we must all realize that if God is our father, the He will correct us. He will redirect our paths when we fall short. If we do not accept the conviction of Jesus in our lives, we fulfill this closing Scripture:

Hebrews 12:8

That sounds a little strong, but a bastard is a son without a father. Just as Israel had no room for illegitimate children, God does not want us to be that way toward Him. Let us accept God's correction with meekness and humility, and press forward toward the prize!

Proverbs 18:19

Galatians 6:1-6

1 Peter 2:18-19

1 Corinthians 11:1-2

Proverbs 16:3

Galatians 1:8-10

Romans 12:18

Romans 10:14-17

Hebrews 10:24-25
Psalms 133:1-3
Acts 2:42, 46-47

Psalm 37:25
Proverbs 27:17

Matthew 5:6

Matthew 7:7-8

James 4:1-3

James 1:20

Matthew 5:43-48
Matthew 6:14-15
Romans 12:17

Acts 2:40 - And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

Over the years since I began my walk with God, I have noticed that various churches had different stands on popular culture and its effect on Christianity. I have heard it said from some preachers that Hollywood can destroy our homes and even our walk with God. What does the word of God say concerning pop culture? Is it okay to just go along with every fad and trend because Hollywood says it's cool? Is every movie, television show, or music recording safe for the family? My prayer is that as we dive into the word of God, we will see the direction we must take if we are to stay on course, keep the faith, and be right with Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 5:20-21

We live in dangerous times. Our society has deteriorated to the place where now we call the wicked things good, and godly things foolish and outdated. Much of our culture has assimilated, in some form or fashion, a "New Age" mentality where there are no moral or spiritual absolutes; to make a stand for any kind of absolute is to be labeled "intolerant" or "prejudiced". Much of what we now accept as normal in our modern times comes from, believe it or not, our popular culture. As we progress, the word of God will reveal some amazing truths about Hollywood (or any other hub of trend-setting activity).

2 Timothy 3:1-6

What sort of values have been promoted in much of our modern entertainment?

The list could go on and on, but for brevity we will stop here. When I was a young Christian, I heard a little bit about the worldliness in much of the music, and the vices found in many R-rated movies. However, not only did I hear about the dangers associated with becoming involved with pop culture, I also heard arguments to the contrary that it wasn't so bad; what was a Christian to do?

1 John 4:1
Romans 3:3-4

It is times like these when we must examine and scrutinize our entertainment to ensure we are inviting only decent, godly principles into our homes and lives, and not opening a gateway to Satan's devices. Contrary to the more liberal perspective, what we take in can have a devastating effect on us - spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

1 Corinthians 15:33
Colossians 3:8

There once was a time when profanity or disrespectful language wasn't allowed on television or radio. Movies were screened to cut out scenes of explicit behavior. Songs with foul language or innuendo were relegated to the "adults only" section of stores, and were often shipped in plain wrappers to hide the content therein. In 1972, comedian George Carlin was flame sprayed for his notorious comic routine "Seven Words You Cannot Say On Television"; today, our society has become so numb to the content that one can hardly find ANY television program without profanity, nudity, innuendo, or other foul behavior. Radio stations are just as bad; many stations play songs that are loaded with profanity, and those artists have the biggest-selling records. The language in PG and PG-13 movies today - and even in a few G movies too - is more like that in the older R-rated movies. Our pop culture has become a verbal sewer.

Romans 1:22-32

Homosexuality has been heavily promoted over the last 35 years through pop culture. Once declared an abomination according to God's word, the homosexuals now are viewed as acceptable and their lifestyle considered normal, even in some churches. Living together outside of marriage is now an acceptable part of mainstream society thanks to pop culture, along with fornication and adultery. Young people have been deceived by the Hollywood crowd that having babies out of wedlock is no big deal, either; losing one's virginity before marriage is no longer considered sin, even in the church! One careful look at the typical goings-on in Hollywood will also reveal that God is practically NEVER honored in any of their functions. Sure, celebrities may give God lip service, but do their lifestyles reflect their "professions of faith"? Can one praise God and spew profanity all in the same sentence? Not if they truly are born-again, dedicated saints of God. To make matters worse, the deception has reached the place where their sins are viewed as pleasure for the audience. One look at supermarket tabloids will reveal, even on the cover, what Hollywood truly glorifies; no wonder it is called "American Babylon".

Deuteronomy 22:5
1 Timothy 2:8-10
1 Corinthians 11:4-10

Up until the 1920s, it was unheard of for women to wear pants or cut their hair so short it made them look mannish. It was also unheard of for men to wear their hair long or dress in an effeminate manner. In the early days of silent movies, actresses like Theda Bara did the unthinkable and cropped their hair; this short hairstyle became more popular during the 1920s when the "flappers" (named for their short skirts) performed in nightclubs. Jewelry - for men or women - was not worn to the excesses seen today, if at all; women even abstained from wearing makeup. Liberace brought his flamboyance to the mainstream with his overtly excessive adorning of jewelry...including rings, capes, tuxedos, and shoes. Male entertainers like Mick Jagger and David Bowie made it socially acceptable for men to dress and act effeminate; Boy George took the matter one step further with his drag-queen image. Female performers have done the same thing. Sinead O'Conner and Annie Lennox both wear their hair short and dress in a manner that definitely makes them look mannish. It is no surprise that these entertainers live like they dress.

Modesty in clothing has taken a nosedive thanks to Hollywood. Women are encouraged to wear revealing outfits as a norm, being taught that such attire will attract attention from the men. Britney Spears, with her grossly immodest wardrobe, has done a lot of damage to the virtue of teenage girls and young women since she became famous in 1999. Many rappers wear their pants to reveal their underwear, and send a message to boys and young men this is "cool". In contrast, some country-western artists promote wearing tight pants to draw attention. In some cases, the Hollywood influence has blurred the gender lines to the point where it becomes confusing to shop for clothes in the stores. Make-up, cosmetic surgery (except for correcting disfigurement/injury), and the promotion of a certain body type (skinny frames for women, muscular frames for men) have pushed us to where vanity is the order of the day; people now are told their outward physical appearance is more important than their inner character or talents.

Leviticus 19:28

Tattoos, piercings, and other forms of body modification (mutilation) were once vilified and were usually seen only on sailors, bikers, and fallen women. (This statement is not meant as an insult to any of our brothers and sisters in Christ who were tattooed before they got saved, but is meant only for illustration purposes.) Pulpits used to denounce the practice as sin. Today, pop culture has made tattoos acceptable and says there is nothing wrong. There are even pastors who promote getting tattoos in the church! Indeed, after reading these last few paragraphs, one has to wonder what happened to modesty and separation among God's people!

At this point, there is enough evidence to indicate something is very wrong with our pop culture. We will touch on one final aspect of influence by pop culture before moving on.

Leviticus 19:31
Deuteronomy 13:1-4

When J.K. Rowling first published the Harry Potter books, I disagreed with some of the arguments that the books were a bad influence on the children. In July 2005, Rowling announced the publishing of her latest Potter novel; thousands of kids attended the event dressed as sorcerers and witches both in Great Britain and in the US. I had to seek God and re-evaluate the situation, and learned through the Holy Ghost that this is yet another attempt to entice future generations into seeking witchcraft and not Christ. Rowling is but one of far too many examples of how the entertainment industry has promoted witchcraft among the masses. Many movies and television programs promote some form of witchcraft or New Age thinking, and countless "psychic phone lines" are available for those with itching ears. False prophets such as Rael, Nostradamus, L. Ron Hubbard, and Edgar Cayce are honored everywhere while Christ is being trampled underfoot; celebrities such as Tom Cruise promote false religions and make them appear acceptable. However, just because society may accept something doesn't mean God will!

Romans 12:1-2
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Colossians 2:8

God calls us to be separate from the world. We obviously cannot live like hermits in seclusion from everything around us, but we cannot allow those worldly influences to deceive us and lure us away from the simplicity in Christ.

Psalm 101:3
Matthew 5:29-30

We must remove those influences from our lives, including - this will shock some people - some of the so-called "contemporary Christian" entertainment where the artists dress and act worldly, and dismiss the importance of ministry and preaching the gospel to the lost. If we have secular entertainment in our homes, it is time to evaluate its purpose and throw it out. If the television is becoming a hindrance, get rid of it. Read up on movies before wasting the time and money going to a theatre and finding out what seemed to be "wholesome family viewing" was just watered-down trash. Put filters on the computer to reduce the likelihood of visiting (even unintentionally) websites that promote unholy lifestyles.

Proverbs 22:6

Parents, it is time to stop letting the television, radio, or internet raise our children. Just because we are Christian parents does not mean our children will be excluded from temptation. Indeed, pop culture wants to steal our children from us so they end up lost and going to hell. Be active and even intrusive to their activities. Monitor what music they listen to and what influences they pick up from their friends at school, church, etc. Never allow kids to see a movie without the parents' permission. Encourage the kids to talk openly about what is going on, so God can minister freely in the home.

It is not enough just to cut out the negative influences. Without positive, godly influences to fill the gap, we have not succeeded in deterring the assault of pop culture. We MUST seek alternatives or we will end up returning to the worldly entertainment.

Ephesians 5:15-19
Philippians 4:8
James 4:7
Psalm 78:4
Psalm 147:1
1 Peter 1:13

God has given us many tools at our disposal to ensure we can provide godly influences - even our entertainment - into our homes, minds, and our families. These resources are available in select Christian bookstores, the internet, and the local church, to name a few; we must always be on our guard, for the influences of Hollywood are waging all-out war on our souls and those of our children.

My prayer, as this study concludes, is that we realize there are serious problems with a lot of what we have considered entertainment. May God allow this to be another tool to help us discern the good from the evil, and to purge out those things that will hinder or destroy our walk with Jesus Christ.

I recently read the transcript of Larry King�s interview with Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. When confronted with key questions about where he stands in light of the Bible, Osteen did quite badly. He was unable to answer any of King�s questions because he did not want to offend anyone with the truth. This challenged me. If Larry King was to ask me the same questions he asked Joel Osteen, how would I fare? Would I be able to answer truthfully, or would I be ashamed to lift up Jesus out of fear of being politically incorrect? I copied the questions Mr. King asked in the interview, and I am going to answer them based on God�s holy word.

KING: What if you're Jewish or Muslim, you don't accept Christ at all?

CADY: It makes no difference what religion we profess. There are many who even claim to be Christians, but still do not have Christ in them. If we do not accept Christ, we will die lost. Jesus said it plainly:

John 14:6
John 10:1

Many people claim they know the way to heaven. Many claim there are many different paths to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus said there is only ONE way to be saved. He preached this message first to the Jews (God�s chosen people) then the gospel was delivered to the Gentiles (Muslims, Americans, Greeks, etc.) in the book of Acts. Jesus also preached we must be born again � a universal message that transcends all racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious boundaries. Is there a broad way to heaven? Or just one way?

Matthew 7:13-23
John 3:5-6

Jesus loved all of us enough to gives us all a specific plan of salvation. It is simple and anyone who has a love for Him can follow it. Plus, Jesus did something no other religious leader ever did�He resurrected from the dead, giving us victory over death and hell. Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius, Crowley, and anyone else you can name � including us � cannot profess this. I will choose to believe the testimony of one who returned from the dead over one whose grave is still filled to this day.

KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They're wrong, aren't they?

CADY: If they do not believe in Christ, then yes they are wrong. If we are to be saved, we must believe in Christ! We must believe He is God manifested in flesh, who came to earth to save us and show the path to eternal life. We can believe anything we want here on earth, but not every path is right.

John 8:24
Proverbs 16:25

KING: So then a Jew is not going to heaven?

CADY: If they do not accept Jesus as the risen Savior and Lord, they will die in their sins like anyone else. God is not a respecter of persons. Jesus even appeared unto the Jews and many rejected Him. God�s grace and salvation are available to all of us, and in a moment I will share how to be born again and receive that grace.

John 1:11
Romans 2:11
Ephesians 2:8
Titus 2:11

KING: But you believe your way.

CADY: Yes. I do believe what the Bible says. I believe the plan of salvation was revealed to us in the book of Acts, when the Holy Ghost was poured out; Peter then declared the truth to the Jews who were in Jerusalem at that time. However, I will challenge anyone who hears the salvation message to look up the scriptures for themselves; let the Holy Ghost reveal this unto them. If I have taught or preached something in error, then I will repent lest I be found guilty before God of leading people astray.

Acts 2:1-5
Acts 2:38-39
Romans 3:4
John 5:39

KING: But for someone who doesn't share it is wrong, isn't he?

CADY: If I knew that an enemy was going to attack, and I failed to sound the alarm, then the blood would be on my hands. Many people who profess Christianity refuse to share the gospel because they fear what their families, friends, and co-workers will say. They are ashamed to declare the acceptable year of the Lord in these last days, and try to blend in instead of being separate from the world.

Ezekiel 33:2-6
Mark 8:38
2 Timothy 2:12

KING: So you make no judgment on anyone?

CADY: I am not here to cast judgment. I do believe that all of us will stand before the judgment seat of Christ on the last day; we will all give an account of our lives � whether we accepted Him or rejected Him, and how we conducted ourselves after we accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. At the same time I am not going to turn a blind eye to sinful activity and act like it is okay. If I see a man with a crowbar entering a car, he is robbing the car. If I see two men in what appears to be more than a casual friendly greeting, then they give the appearance of acting like sodomites. We must learn to identify the fruits of righteousness and the works of sin if we are going to stay pure and holy until Jesus returns.

Hebrews 9:27
Hebrews 5:14
Matthew 7:1-2
Matthew 7:16-20
2 Corinthians 2:14-15

Part of our problem today is that we are so caught up in �judge not� that we are afraid to call things what they are. Sin is sin no matter how you dress it up. I can take a beat up Yugo, put a fresh coat of paint on it, and it is still a piece of junk automobile. Political correctness has ruined many churches in our country, and we have allowed this acceptance of any lifestyle or ideology to draw our nation away from the principles found in God�s word. 50 years ago, or even 10 years ago, much of the sin issues that are debated in churches now were not open for debate; this was because the matter was settled in the Bible, not man�s opinion. The meat of the matter is not that God does not want us to judge at all, but that we are to exercise godly judgment. How else are we going to discern good from evil?

2 Peter 1:20-21

KING: But you're not fire and brimstone, right? You're not pounding the decks and hell and damnation?

CADY: I will speak and minister as the Holy Ghost directs. If God leads me to preach hellfire and brimstone to win the lost to Christ, then I will do so.

Jude v. 22-23

KING: You believe in the Bible literally?

CADY: Yes. I believe it is the inspired, infallible word of God made available in different languages for us to read. The Bible says what it says, and more importantly, means what it says. I believe there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
Matthew 4:4

KING: How about issues that the church has feelings about? Abortion? Same-sex marriages?

CADY: I will take these one at a time. Both are abominations in God�s eyes. Abortion is nothing more than sanctioned infanticide; it is legalized murder. We have murdered more babies in the USA since 1973, when Roe vs. Wade opened the Pandora�s box of abortion rights, than all the Jews Hitler murdered in World War II; the Chinese Mao Tse-Tung executed during the Cultural Revolution; and the Russians sent to the gulags under Stalin.

Psalm 139:13-16
Exodus 20:13
Matthew 18:6

Same-sex marriage is nothing more than the legitimization of sodomy by the homosexual community. They have succeeded in deceiving us into thinking that any perverted lifestyle will be acceptable in God�s eyes; there are churches today that license and ordain sodomite ministers. One thing is certain: even if we make same-sex anything legal, it will NEVER be right according to God�s word. We already have couples shacking up out of wedlock, open pornography, downplaying of adultery, now this; I shudder to think what the next wave of perversion will bring.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
Leviticus 18: 22-23

KING: You don't call them sinners?

CADY: All of us are sinners. We are born in flesh, of corrupt seed; thus we are all called sinners. The difference between a Christian and an unbeliever is that a Christian has accepted Christ�s grace, has his sins washed in Jesus� name, and filled with the Holy Ghost. From that point on we must follow the path of holiness Jesus established.

Romans 3:23
Romans 6:1-6
Isaiah 35:8

KING: Is it hard to lead a Christian life?

CADY: No harder than living in sin. Actually it is easier once we learn the ways of Christ; we no longer are bound by the things of this world that have burdened us, and we have power through Him to break free of those problems. We also have hope in Him, which this world cannot give us.

Matthew 11:28-30
2 Corinthians 5:17
Proverbs 13:15

KING: But you have rules, don't you?

CADY: The most basic rules in Christianity are these: get saved, stay saved, and see others saved. Any church that is founded in God�s truth will adhere to these. We also admonish believers to act, dress, and behave in a manner that does not conform to the sinful nature of this world. We are not prudes or hermits, but people who simply want to live free in God and not under the bondage of sin. Because we choose to live this way, some folks will say we are odd; yet by our commitment they will see there is something real in our lives for the King of Kings. It is not us, but Jesus who dwells in us through the Holy Ghost.

Romans 12:1-2
Matthew 5:16
2 Corinthians 6:17-18
Colossians 3:17
1 Timothy 4:15-16

There are other principles for Christian living which will need individual attention to cover fully. Also, there are different administrative guidelines each individual congregation uses to be effective in their mission of reaching the unsaved with the gospel. My prayer is, as I conclude this discussion, that God will open our understanding of our need for Him and to follow His plan to receive His grace and salvation.

Q: Why do you think God gave man the privilege of choice - choosing whom we will serve?

God, as He said in His word, wants TRUE WORSHIPPERS to serve Him.

John 4:23-24

If God wanted forced worship, then we would not have the ability to choose. However, God never wanted forced worship; it is mechanical and shallow, as we have seen in the secular realm. We who supervise people give an order or directive, and some people take the order to heart; others only obey because they are told to and are forced to obey or face the consequences. Half-hearted obedience is useless and has no meaning. Whole hearted obedience�given out of a heart of love�has a fulfillment and establishes a relationship with God that surpasses any human understanding.

Jeremiah 29:13
Psalms 24:3-4

Forced worship does not inspire people to purify their hearts to draw closer to God. Worship out of choice, stirred by the Holy Ghost, inspires us to seek that special relationship; we cast aside those things that will weigh us down and distract us.

Hebrews 12:1-2

There is one point that must be made: even though God gives us opportunity to choose Him, not a single one of us woke up on our own and said �I think I will seek God�. The Holy Ghost had to deal with us. Jesus deals with all men and women, and therefore we all have opportunity. It is up to us to make a decision to serve Him. If we serve God because we �have to�, then where is the grace? We are then bound by legalism and not grace.

Isaiah 64:7
Joel 2:28-29
Titus 2:11

I am glad God has given us free will to choose whether or not to worship Him. Sure, it pains me when others refuse to do so, but that freedom allows me to appreciate Jesus all the more. He did not have to love me enough to shed His innocent blood, but He did. That is why I am glad He moved upon me to make that decision to worship Him.

How would you answer a friend who asks you, "Should we follow the laws of MOSES or the commandments of CHRIST?"

Before I go into this topic, one must seek out the heart and mind of the person asking. Some folks are genuinely confused when it comes to keeping the commandments of Moses or of Jesus.

The questions must be asked: did Jesus come to destroy the law, or to fulfill? Was the law complete in of itself, or a prelude to the grace of Jesus Christ?

Galatians 3:23-26

Back in OT times, we had no open vision to know the word of God, His voice, or His will. The Holy Ghost had not dwelled in everyone like He does today in the believers.

1 Samuel 3:1

The only way God�s words got to the people was through the prophets and priests. We see this demonstrated throughout the OT through Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Daniel, and Nathan to name a few of the prophets. This did not mean that there weren�t people who had a heart to serve God; David is probably the best example of this. However, without an open vision the people needed a set of guidelines to follow in order to please God. Thus we see the law established. It is indeed a schoolmaster.

There are two types of law: moral law and ceremonial law. The moral law was set in stone � literally � by God through Moses. This law was never meant to be changed or diminished. What was called sin in the OT is still called sin in the NT. The ceremonial law covered the sacrifices and rituals required to give offerings unto God and to atone for sin. Why do we not do them now? We will cover this later.

Romans 8:2-4

There was no way any human could fully obey the law. We are flesh, and flesh will always sin against God. The law did not provide a means to remit those sins, as sacrifices were continually being offered unto God.

Hebrews 10:1-10

The law was simply not enough. God wanted to give the ultimate, purest sacrifice for our sins; He wanted to give us the ability to come directly to Him and have His grace applied to us.

Hebrews 10:16-22

God robed Himself in a human form and walked among us, opening the door to His grace and salvation.

John 1:14

He also lived without sin as Jesus Christ, and told us we could access to the Father through Him.

John 14:6
Hebrews 4:15

This passage is crucial. Without a spotless Lamb, there would still be a continual sacrifice for our sins. When Jesus came, and He was crucified, He said �It is finished� � no greater words of love were ever spoken to save mankind!

So, how does this all tie in?

Matthew 5:17-18
Matthew 22:35-40

Here we see Jesus giving us the power to live successfully in Him. When we accept Him and become born again of water and of Spirit, we receive His grace and remission of sins. We establish a love relationship with God. How does this work? If we truly love someone, we will want to do what we can to please that person. Our relationship with God is like that when we are saved; we are no longer following religious dogma and legalism, but follow Jesus� commandments because we love Him.

John 14:15

In summary, if we are asked the opening question, we can answer like this: [u]�I serve an unchanging God whose commandments were revealed in the law of Moses and fulfilled through the grace of Jesus Christ�[/u]. Since God is one, and His word unchanging, we cannot separate the commandments of Moses from those of Jesus � they all came from the same source.

Acts 24:14-15 - [14] But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: [15] And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Who was with God in the beginning at creation of the world? Are God, Christ and the Holy Spirit one?

This is a hotly debated topic. In the book of Genesis chapter 1, we find God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:1-2

I read in the Scripture that God Himself created the universe and the earth; it was indeed His Spirit that moved and breathed life. The question of who was with Him is debated highly between Oneness and Trinitarian teachings.

Genesis 1:26-27

Revelation 4:2

There was only one on the throne. The big question then, as indicated in the second part of this discussion, is this: if God is ONE, then how do the Father, Son, & Holy Ghost figure in the equation? Are they separate entities or different manifestations of the same God?

John 1:1-2, 14

In the beginning there was only one God. He made Himself known to Moses by a burning bush; to the children of Israel by a cloud and pillar of fire; and a still small voice to Elijah. He took upon Himself a human form (Jesus Christ) to show us the way unto salvation, and to pay the price for our sins.

1 Timothy 3:16
John 10:30

Another question that comes up in Oneness/Trinitarian debates is this: if there is a trinity, then who is Jesus' father? God the Father or the Holy Ghost? Look at the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy:

Matthew 1:18-23

If The Holy Ghost and the Father are separate, then this means the Bible is wrong in telling us who Jesus is. Jesus (the man) is the Son of God. Therefore, the Holy Ghost and the Father must be the same! Whose name did Jesus reveal? Is it YHWH? Jehovah? Jesus? God? What saith the scriptures?

John 17:6
Proverbs 30:4
Acts 4:10-12

Jesus revealed the Father's Name to us when He walked this earth. The Holy Ghost, as mentioned in John 14:26, was sent in Jesus' name also. This could not be so if there was more than one God in heaven. One final Scripture before I close:

1 John 5:6-8

This passage will only be found like this in the KJV. Numerous other versions, including the NIV, NLT, and NASB (the more common English versions), have changed the wording significantly to the point where verse 7 was completely omitted. Why is this important? Because verse 7 in the KJV tells us there were three manifestatons of one God in the New Testament, not a trio of deities.

From the Catholic Forum, Essay on the Trinity: "The Trinity is the term employed to signify the central doctrine of the Christian religion -- the truth that in the unity of the Godhead there are Three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, these Three Persons being truly distinct one from another." "In this Trinity of Persons the Son is begotten of the Father by an eternal generation, and the Holy Spirit proceeds by an eternal procession from the Father and the Son. Yet, notwithstanding this difference as to origin, the Persons are co-eternal and co-equal: all alike are uncreated and omnipotent."

What does this mean? Trinity, by its original definition, is contrary to Scripture; the Bible never teaches there is more than ONE God in heaven. Trinity also claims that the Son is uncreated yet begotten of the Father; John stated many times in his gospel how Jesus (the man) was the only begotten Son of God. Trinity contradicts many Scripture passages, including Revelation 4:2. If there were three in heaven, then what happened to the other two when John was in the spirit? Many Chrisitans, when asked about trinity, have a serious misunderstanding of the doctrine and its meaning.

God is revealed (manifest) to us in the New Testament by: The Father - Creator of heaven and earth The Son - Jesus, the Word made flesh The Holy Ghost - God's Spirit in the believers, first poured out on Pentecost

Three manifestations of ONE God shown here plus many others in the Old Testament...God is and always will be ONE.

One of the most important, yet challenging, parts of our Christian walk is to be a WITNESS of Jesus Christ. Unless we witness for Him, many people will never have an opportunity to know God or be saved. It is essential to understand what the word of God says about witnessing, and how we can be effective witnesses both in word and in deed. Equally important is knowing when to speak and when to be silent, allowing our lives and actions to reflect God�s love in us.

In the Strong�s Concordance of the Bible, the words �witness� and �testify� mean the same thing. Both words appear a lot in the Bible, so there is no doubt this is an important subject!

�Witness� appears 167 times.
�Witnesses� appears 45 times.
�Testify� appears 32 times.
�Testimony� appears 73 times.

Altogether, there are 317 passages mentioning witnessing or testifying, so this is certainly an important topic in God�s word!

One of the most common examples of testifying is in the courtroom. A witness is called upon to give a sworn testimony of event that took place regarding a particular case; this testimony is essential in reaching a verdict. As Christians, we are required to bear witness of the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus to all people. The accuracy of the witness we bear is more important than any trial or disposition, for souls are at stake.

Some examples of witnesses in the Old Testament:

Deuteronomy 19:15
Isaiah 8:2
Isaiah 43:10
Jeremiah 42:5

In Jeremiah, we see where God Himself is a witness of the decisions we make, whether they be good or evil.

What is an example in the Old Testament say about testifying?

Psalms 81:8

God not only uses Himself to testify of His majesty and glory, but He uses his very creation to carry this out. Even inanimate objects like boulders can be used to be His witness.

Romans 1:20
Luke 19:40
Joshua 24:27

We even read in the scriptures where God used a donkey to warn Baalam of the angel God sent to kill him. Jesus is not limited to the bounds of flesh as we are; God is a Spirit, and can do all things! In light of this, how do we then bear witness of the grace, glory, and salvation of God?

First, we must know WHOSE we are.

Ephesians 2:10

Everyone says verse 8, �we are saved by grace�; but what should happen once we receive God�s grace and are born again? If we are to be true witnesses, we need to shed that old man and take on the attributes of the Master.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Ephesians 4:22-24

We cannot be witnesses of the Lord if we continue to live and act like we did when we were in the Lord. We must reach the place in our Christian growth where we realize our actions, as well as our words, are going to either let people know about Jesus and draw them to Him or drive them away with the stench of hypocrisy and a false witness.

Matthew 5:14-16
Luke 11:34-35
John 12:32

Part of this witness includes sacrifice, a painful subject for many people who profess Christianity. We were indeed bought with a price; we must strive to allow God�s will to be the driving force in our lives, and not be fueled by our own desires alone. Jeremiah warned us that the arm of flesh will fail us; many people in the ministry fall because they forgot who is supposed to be glorified!

Luke 9:23
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Hebrews 9:16

As we conclude this study, we must take heed to the fact we who are born again of the water and of the Spirit have been charged by Jesus to go forth and win souls by being faithful true witnesses of the gospel. Some final Scriptures as we wrap this up:

Colossians 3:17
1 Peter 2:11-12
1 Timothy 4:16
Proverbs 11:30

Being a witness is much more than passing out tracts and talking a good talk. It is a powerful way of life that requires prayer, fasting, and daily dedication unto Jesus Christ!

Is it enough just to be born again? Or does God expect something from us on a daily basis? We who are Christians have all experienced this � someone receiving Christ in their lives, and not pressing forward toward perfection. Too often we hear of folks professing they will make it into heaven just because they made a profession of faith and were born again, only to have no further change. God�s word expects us to continually move forward, and become more like Jesus. The time is too short and we must take God seriously if we are to be ready for the rapture! My prayer is that as we read the scriptures, we will see the need to be close to God on a daily basis.

John 3:5-7
Acts 2:38

Before we go into the topic, we must remind ourselves that if we are to even see the kingdom of God, we must be born again. We must be baptized in Jesus� name for the remission of our sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. However, is it enough for us to be filled with God�s Spirit just that initial time? Let me challenge with this question: how far can one drive a car before it needs gas? Let us dive into the Word and we shall see!

Matthew 6:11
Matthew 4:4

Jesus Himself said we must have our DAILY bread. We cannot live off our initial born-again experience, and we cannot live very well just from going to church services � especially those of us who think we do God�s service just by showing up once a week! We don�t normally go a day without eating natural food, and if we did we would be starved and weak. Spiritually we are starving ourselves and we do not even realize it. The question is, do we love God and our salvation enough to spiritually care for ourselves?

2 Corinthians 5:17

This is not a sudden and instant process. As we continue to move forward in Christ, we will always be shown new areas to improve and grow; sometimes the growth is pleasant and at times excruciating to the flesh�but to the soul it always glorious as we strive to maintain an intimate relationship with our Lord!

Colossians 3:10
2 Corinthians 4:16

Paul exhorts us that we must renew our spirits daily. We cannot allow ourselves to become stagnant, but move forward in our walk.

Psalm 5:3

Living for God is a discipline, just like being in the military or pursuing a career or college degree. It is a challenge and discipline to seek God first thing in the morning, and be filled and led with His Spirit. This is one of those healthy habits we need to adopt if we are to survive, especially in these last days.

Luke 9:23

This scripture, when taught in Bible-believing churches today, is not well-received by this present generation. Part of our lifestyle as Christians includes separation from this world and self-denial�denying ourselves of some of the earthly pleasures so we can draw closer to Him. However, many people hear this teaching from God�s word and automatically start accusing the church of being a cult, or controlling people�s lives. The church of Jesus Christ is NOT a cult. Yet, we are obligated to let the people know there is a lifestyle to live which separates us from sin; we want to be found blameless and spotless in His sight. The main point Jesus is making here is that it is not enough to accept Him just that initial time. It is a DAILY walk, and we have to walk with God on a daily basis!

Why is it important to renew ourselves daily?

1 Peter 5:8-9

The devil is not going to rest until he has us back in his grasp, or we meet Jesus either in the rapture or through the grave. Without a constant renewing of the Holy Ghost, we can find ourselves empty right in the middle of a battle or temptation; this can cause us to become discouraged, fall into sin, and even walk away from the faith. We are in grave danger of dying lost or missing the rapture!

Matthew 24:36-44
Matthew 25:1-13

We are without doubt living in the last days before Jesus returns. The foolish virgins failed to refill their lamps and thus when they were needed, they were empty. Our cars are like that, too; regardless of the fuel economy, sooner or later we will need to refill the gas tank or we will end up pushing the car. Spiritually, we must refill and renew ourselves with God�s Spirit on a daily basis. The Navy SEALs have a slogan, �The only easy day was yesterday�� in Christ every day presents new challenges, and we must be refreshed. One preacher shared that if we wait between church services for the Holy Ghost to fill us and give us direction and strength, we are very dehydrated. My question is this: do we want to be overflowing with the Holy Ghost and let others see God real in us?

2 Timothy 4:2
1 Peter 3:15
Acts 5:29-31

It isn�t just about us. People see the testimony of God working in us, especially folks whom we may never think are watching. Just like in the earlier scripture concerning Satan seeking to devour us, there are opportunities to witness that could slip through our fingers because we weren�t ready to share through word and deed the message of salvation! I do not want blood on my hands from the souls who slipped into hell because I did not exercise my faith and plug myself in to the Holy Ghost, who gives us power and truth.

As we conclude, my prayer is that we realize we need to be filled with God�s Spirit every day, and be ready at all times to be bold in Christ, answering all people of the hope within us and being victorious over sin. God bless and be rapture ready!

Are we denying others the opportunity to hear the Gospel? God gave me this message as I was preparing for work. I reviewed the Book of Exodus and read where a king arose in Egypt who did not know who Joseph was, or the miracle God gave in Egypt during the famine. The question I asked God was this � �Why didn�t Pharaoh know, and how does this apply to us?� My prayer is that we will be challenged to share the gospel with all who will hear and we meet.

Exodus 1:8

I asked my pastor about this, and I learned some history behind what happened. In ancient times, a non-Egyptian king ruled Egypt; it was during that period Joseph was appointed as a vizier to the king. God blessed, and both Israel and Egypt were spared from the great famine. However, the social climate between the Israelites and Egyptians was very negative, and they seldom ever spoke to one another. It was no surprise that once an Egyptian reclaimed the throne no further mention of Joseph was made, especially in the royal courts.

In our time, we have seen a dire need for spreading the gospel like never before. Our media is saturated with all manner of filth, and our young people are growing up in a world where God is not mentioned! Our nation once was truly �one nation under God� � now we are just rendering lip service. One can go to a supermarket and come home with the latest celebrity gossip, yet never share of the power and goodness of the Almighty. The saddest part is when we even encounter people in the church, and they have no clue of Jesus and His plan of salvation! Dear God, how did we get to this level?

Jeremiah 2:32
Nehemiah 9:1-38

We have forgotten the Lord so many times�how much do we strive to walk daily and have an intimate relationship with Jesus? Have we allowed everything else to occupy our hearts and minds? Nehemiah, upon the reading of the law, was floored with the realization (along with the Jews who were with him) that they were not walking in the ordered steps of God, and had disobeyed His commandments.

Proverbs 29:18
Psalms 9:17

Without a vision, people will indeed perish�and so will a nation who forgets God! The challenge to us is: what have we done to correct this crisis? Or are we adding to the greater damnation? Are we more busy telling jokes, sharing about programs, and playing games than we are doing our Father�s business? Dear Lord, help us!

Proverbs 24:33-34

Simply put, are we asleep at the switch when it comes to declaring the gospel?

Ezekiel 33:30-32

Some of us may feel justified because we go to church�especially making it to all the services and even participating in the different programs. It is not enough just to go to church. Some of us go to worship services solely for the good music and to be entertained. Let me be so bold as to say that if we just want to be entertained, then we might as well sit at home and watch television. Church is not a game! We go to worship, and we should leave ready to serve God to those around us!

Revelation 3:17

We may even have become so comfortable in this state that the oil in our lamps � the Holy Ghost � has been allowed to leak out. This is a dangerous state to be in, for we have been deceived into thinking all is well, and we never do anything to share the word of God or pass the truth to the next generation. As this part concludes, we see that we are to blame for the atrocious state our world is in�people do not know Jesus, nor have any clue as to how to be born again and be prepared to meet God.

What, then, are we to do?

2 Timothy 2:15, 24

We must study and know the word of God. We especially need to know how to rightly divide it and share the gospel with others, being apt to teach.

1 Thessalonians 4:4

If we are going to lead others to Christ, we must learn to live the example ourselves. God requires to know how to live in holiness so we can please Him.

Malachi 3:16-18
Hebrews 2:1
Hebrews 10:25, 32-35
Psalm 103:1-6

As in ancient times, it is even more critical now that we speak often one to another of the name of the Lord, and His word. God�s word is our lifeblood spiritually, and godly fellowship is one of the ways we can share the word with each other. Preachers and parishioners alike must shoulder the burden of rehearsing these things so they do not slip, and invite false teachings and vain philosophies into the church. We are commanded to remember the benefits God has given us � this is for our encouragement and our survival!

Deuteronomy 5:1

Moses rehearsed the law into the ears of the children of Israel�he knew his time was short, and they needed to remember what God said. The same holds true with us today.

Jeremiah 20:9
2 Timothy 4:2

We must have such a desire to share the word of God that it burns through every fiber of our being�even when our flesh does not find it convenient, we will be those loving, obedient servants of Jesus Christ.

John 21:15-17
Romans 2:11
1 Timothy 4:16

As we conclude this study, we must go forth as Jesus commanded and feed the people His precious truth � with favoritism or prejudice. By doing so, we shall save ourselves and others!

In a recent conversation, I was asked the question: "Where are the Christians today?" I answered this inidividual "Sadly, many of them are in hiding...some to the point no one can distinguish them from the rest of the world." Does God want us to blend in like a chameleon? Or does He want us to shine our lights so others can see our testimony? What saith the word of the Lord?

Matthew 5:14-16
Luke 8:16

First, we must realize we have the light of Jesus in our lives if we are truly born again of water and of the Spirit. God commands us to let our light shine, not cover it up or hide it!

Luke 12:2-5

What have we to be ashamed of? Living for God gives us a way of life that only brings peace and joy. We do not need to worry about what happened the night before. We can get high on the Holy Ghost and not crash or be hung over the next day. We don't need to stress ourselves out wondering if what we are doing is going to be a scandal and create total disgrace. Yet, have we allowed ourselves to succumb to this wave of political correctness that grips many Christians in fear of offending someone! We must realize we need to fear God, not man.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21
2 Corinthians 6:14-18

If we are born again, we are new creatures in Christ. We are commanded by God to live separate from the rest of the world; this does not mean we become isolated hermits, but instead we choose not to run with the rest of the world and its sinful ways. There is power in separation! God commands us to be different, not to blend in.

Ezekiel 20:7
1 John 5:21

We need to flee the idolatry of this world. It doesn't matter what form the idolatry takes, we must flee from it! Our culture is saturated with all manner of things that can occupy our time, minds, and thoughts. We must strive to be free from those things and be in bondage.

Daniel 1:8

Just as Daniel showed by his example, we must make a concrete determination not to defile ourselves with the sins of this world. Again, there is power in separation.

Romans 8:6-8
Romans 12:1-2
Ephesians 4:22-24

What do we do in church as well as out of church? We can put on a good front in the sanctuary and still be as carnal as the world? Who do we conform ourselves to - the world or Jesus?

Ephesians 5:8-12
John 12:32
Philippians 4:8
Luke 10:20

One issue that can wreck revival and soul-winning is when people boast of their sinful past like it was something glorious. If our sinful past was so wonderful and fulfilling, then we would never have wanted something different...something special...like God's salvation. We realized our old lifestyle was going to send us to hell, so we got baptized in Jesus' name and got filled with the Holy Ghost. We need to rejoice in this fact, not our old lives. Jesus warned His disciples, and He warns us, to rejoice that our names are written in heaven.

Ephesians 6:5-9
Micah 6:8
1 John 3:18
James 2:17

It's not enough to just say we are Christians. We have to walk the walk as well as talk the talk...our works must reflect what we say and believe. The lost world has seen too many fake Christians and showmen, so we need to ensure we are the real deal!

Titus 2:1-15

The whole second chapter of Titus provides an excellent outline on how we are to conduct ourselves as Christians. Our conduct must be as becometh saints of God, and not bring reproach unto the name of Jesus.

Matthew 13:44-46

We have a precious gift from God, more valuable than gold or diamonds. When a woman receives an engagement ring from the man she is going to marry, she proudly flaunts it; a man who buys a new truck isn't going to hide his new ride in a garage. Yet how many of us try to hide our salvation when it is the most valuable gift anyone can receive? We need to let people know about Jesus.

Galatians 1:6-10
Colossians 2:8
Leviticus 19:31
Deuteronomy 13:1-3
2 Corinthians 11:13-15

As we strive to proclaim the gospel by word and action, we must take heed that we know God's word and rightly divide it. Just as there were false prophets and sorcerers in Bible days, we have false teachers and preacher today who put on a good show and even say they are of God, offering an easier way. We need to watch out lest we become defiled with their false teachings and follow their path to destruction.

1 Timothy 4:10-16
Matthew 7:13-14

This precious truth is not a popular message in the world, and following a lifestyle of separation from the sins of this world is not a popular path. However, if we remain diligent in our walk with God and live consistently with His word, the results will be glorious indeed...for us and for those whom we contact!