And take…the sword of the Spirit, which  is the word of God.   Ephesians 6:17

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Vol 13, Num 23, 07/11/2010

Published by
Mt. Baker
church of Christ

Location:
  
1860 Mt. Baker HWY
Mailing Address:

       P.O. Box 30821
 
Bellingham, WA 98228
       (360) 752-2692

Sunday:
Bible Classes..........9:30 AM
Worship..10:30AM; 6:00PM

Wednesday:
Bible Classes.........7:00 PM
All sing last Wednesday

Web sites:
Mt. Baker church
Bible Answers

Editor......Joe R. Price


Elders
Morris Bass
Rick Holt
Joe Price

Deacons
Aaron Bass
Rich Brooks
Mike Finn
John Hague
Dan Head



 

In this issue:


Freemasonry and the Christian (5)
Joe R. Price (edited and condensed)

This study would be incomplete if we did not look at some Masonic practices and doctrines that are in opposition to the Bible. Much of this opposition has been previously noted, yet we must look at some specific areas of contradiction to further show that Masonry and Christianity do not mix. They are opposed to each other, no matter how much one tries to deny it. The evidence about to be given should be enough for every truth loving person to end the attempt to justify the Masonic Lodge.

Freemasonry asserts in the ceremony of the Entered Apprentice (the first degree) that the teachings and rules found in Masonry are second to none.

“…No institution was ever raised on a better principle or more solid foundation; nor were ever more excellent rules and useful maxims laid down, than are inculcated in every Masonic degree” (Lightfoot’s Manual of the Lodge, p. 33; emp., jrp).

Such are blasphemous words against the Lord and His truth. The institution which is superior to every other one is the church of our Lord, not the Masonic Lodge! It was purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). It was built upon the foundation that Jesus is ”the Christ, the son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16-18). The church has been built upon the perfect foundation. It is the superior institution, not the Masonic Lodge. A Christian must not compromise himself and the truth of God by being a member of, or supporting any organization that makes such a claim.

The Bible:  A Symbol of the Will of God

Another alarming position held by the Masonic Lodge is its view of the Bible. The book Christians hold as the divinely inspired, complete revelation of God’s will to man, is delegated to a position of inferiority and mere symbolism by the Masonic Lodge.

The Bible is used among Freemasons as a symbol of the will of God, however it may be expressed. Therefore, whatever to any people expresses that will may be used as a substitute for the Bible in a Masonic Lodge. Thus, in a Lodge consisting entirely of Jews, the Old Testament alone may be placed upon the altar, and Turkish Freemasons make use of the Koran. Whether it be the Gospels to the Christian, the Pentateuch to the Israelite, the Koran to the Mussulman, or the Vedas to the Brahman, it everywhere Masonically conveys the same idea - that of the symbolism of the Divine Will revealed to man” (Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, 3 vol. ed., Vol. 1, p. 133; emp., jrp).

     The Bible is not a symbol of God’s will, it is God’s will. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

     The Bible is the inspired, “God-breathed” word of truth, and demands respect as such. It is capable of fully and completely directing mankind into righteousness and goodness, yet Freemasonry says it is just a symbol and nothing more. It may be replaced by the Vedas, the Koran, or any other book some man might look to as God’s word and will. The Bible says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16).

     The gospel is God’s power to save because it reveals the truth to man. To be saved “every one” must believe the gospel of Christ, not the Koran, the Vedas or some other man-made book.

     Neither is the Bible to be used as a piece of furniture as it is used in the Masonic Lodge. It is not an ornament to be set upon a mantle or an altar as if such a display makes those who display it righteous. The inspired writer James said, “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves” (Jas. 1:22). Masons are being deluded into thinking they are following the will of God just because the Bible (in American lodges, at least) is placed upon an altar and bowed down before. How sad indeed that such a misguided use of the Bible has deceived the souls of millions - even the souls of some Christians. Satan has his ministers at work in the Masonic Lodge, appearing to be “ministers of righteousness” (2 Cor. 11:14-15). They have reduced the Bible to object-worship and symbolism. May they yet see the error of their way and turn back to the God of truth.

The Masonic View of Jesus

     If anything should convince the investigator of Freemasonry that it violates the truth of God, its teaching and position on Jesus of Nazareth should do so. With the apparent emphasis Freemasonry puts on truth, righteousness and purification, one might be led to believe that surely it holds the Lord Jesus Christ in an honored place. Not so. Masonry looks upon Jesus as just one among many great moral reformers. Masonry, “reverences all the great reformers. It sees in Moses, the Lawgiver of the Jews, in Confucius and Zoroaster, in Jesus of Nazareth, and in the Arabian Iconoclast, Great Teachers of Morality, and Eminent Reformers, if no more…” (Morals and Dogma, Pike, p. 525)

     Masonry put Jesus in the category of Moses, although the Bible says we must hear Jesus instead of Moses (Matt. 17:5; Acts 3:22-23). In Matthew 1:23, before Jesus was born, an angel appeared to Joseph and told him the child would be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Jesus alone deserves reverence (worship). To give such to Moses is to deny the clear teaching of Scripture. To reverence Confucius, Zoroaster or any other is sheer blasphemy! Masonry denies this truth. As if to soften the blow of such an ungodly position toward Jesus, Albert Pike goes on to say:

Divine or human, inspired or only a reformed Essene, it must be agreed that His teachings are far nobler, far purer, far less alloyed with error and imperfection, far less of the earth earthly, than those of Socrates, Plato, Seneca, or Mahomet, or any other of the great moralists and Reformers of the world” (Ibid., p. 719).

     This scholar of Freemasonry, in his book which is given to Masons to learn more about Masonry, cannot seem to make up his mind about whether Jesus was divine or human, so he concludes that his teachings have less error in them than those of other men (Col. 2:9). The Bible says,

   “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word God…And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us…” (John 1:1, 14)

    “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:17)

   “Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.” (Acts 2:36)

     Which testimony will we accept: the Bible’s, or the Masonic Lodge’s? Why would a Christian want to have any part in an organization that takes such an official stand? We know there are Masons who do not agree with this teaching of the Lodge, yet they continue to be Masons. One cannot have it both ways. If one is a Mason who believes Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, then he must renounce involvement in the Masonic Lodge for his soul’s safety. No man can serve two masters.                              (Concluded next week)

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

Do the Words of Jesus Apply Today? (Part 1)

Scripture Reading:  Luke 4:16-21

1. Are MMLJ a record of the Law of Moses or the gospel of Christ? Do the words of Jesus have application today, or were His words “nailed to the cross” as part of Law of Moses?
2. Some say Jesus came teaching LOM and that His pre-cross teachings do not apply today.
3. Why this doctrine? To accept second marriages regardless of cause of putting away (Matt 5:31-32; 19:6-9); No eternal hell…
4. What did Jesus teach? Are MMLJBC (before cross) part of the LOM or NT gospel?

I. WHAT JESUS CAME TO DO, Matt 5:17-20.

  A. Jesus Came to Fulfill the Law and the Prophets, 5:17; Rom 10:4; Gal 3:24-26; Lk 24:44 (Jno 7:18; 8:46; Matt 3:15).
  B. As Jesus Lived Under LOM He Came to Redeem Jews and Adopt Gentiles, Gal 4:4f; Matt 5:19-20; Deut 18:18; Isa 61:1-2; Lk 4:16-21.

II. WHAT JESUS PREACHED, Lk 16:16. (Different, distinct, Jno 7:46).

  A. Gospel of the Kingdom, Mk 1:1; Matt 4:23, 17; 9:35; Lk 4:42-44.

    1. Parables, Matt 13:10, 16-17.
    2. His deity, Matt 16:16-18.
    3. Keys of kingdom, Matt 16:19.
    4. New birth into kingdom, Jno 3:3-5.
    5. Church problems, Matt 18:15-17.
    6. Apostles preached kingdom, Matt 10:5-7

Conclusion

1. Jno 12:48-50: The Father gave Him a command what to speak, and He spoke it. That is the gospel of the kingdom, not the law from Mt. Sinai.

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

Do the Words of Jesus Apply Today? (Part 2)

Scripture Reading:  Jeremiah 31:31-34

1. Review Part 1:
  a. Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets (Matt 5:17-18).
  b. He did fulfill them (Lk 24:44).
  c. As He was doing so He was preaching “glad tidings” to the lost (Isa 61:1-2; Lk 4:18-19).
  d. Jesus preached gospel of the kingdom (Mk 1:1; Matt 4:23) and spoke the words of everlasting life (Jno 12:49-50).
2. Practical concerns: whether to apply Matt 19 to marriages today; Whether to apply Jesus’ teachings on hell fire as actual and eternal.

I. WHAT DID JESUS PREACH? (Matt 4:23)

  A. The New Covenant, Jer 31:31-34; Heb 8:6-13; 9:15-17; Matt 26:19.
  B. A Different (unique) Message, Jno 1:17-18 (7:46); Jno 6:32-35, 51, 63; 9:28-29.
  C. Jesus and His Teaching is Presented as Superior to and to be Preferred over the Law of Moses, Matt 17:5 (5:22, 28, 32; 7:29);Jno 5:46-47.
  D. The Apostles Said Jesus Preached the Gospel, not Law of Moses; Acts 10:36-37; 13:38-39 (not LOM, Rom 3:20). Eph 2:14-18

II. DO MMLJBC BELONG TO THE OLD OR NEW COVENANT? 2 Cor 3:5-8

  A. Were the Apostles Ministers of Death or Life? 2 Cor 3:5-6, 14-16
  B. What “Writing of Requirements” was Nailed to Cross? Col 2:14; Eph 2:14-15.

Conclusion

1. Overwhelming NT evidence that MMLJBC are part of the doctrine of Christ; His will, dedicated by His blood and in force today (He 9:15-17).
2. MMLJBC contain authority of Christ -- Hear Him (Matt 17:5), Matt 7:24, 28-29.

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Wedding Announcement?
Joe R. Price

NY Times (June 3, 2010): “Drew Hammill and Jason Mida were married Saturday at their home in Washington. The Rev. Ryan C. Tisch, a minister of the World Christianship Ministries, officiated…  “Mr. Hammill (left), 31, is the press secretary to Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives in Washington... “Mr. Mida, 30, is the vice president for development at the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund in Washington. He graduated from Abilene Christian University.

Comment: This is not marriage; it is the perversion of marriage and a sin against both God and nature (Rom 1:24-28; Heb 13:4; 1 Cor 6:9-11; Gen 19; Jude 7). Can the righteous judgment of God be far behind? (Rom 2:1-9)

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Created by Chuck Sibbing.  07/12/2010

The Spirit's Sword is a free, weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
Send all questions, comments and subscriptions to the editor at: ssword@bibleanswer.com