Sifting Remains of Catholicism’s Hope-Killing Precepts :: By Jonathan Brentner

Published on: by RR10 Category:General Articles

(Sifting Through the Remains of Catholicism’s Hope-Killing Precepts)

Five hundred years have passed since the Reformation began, and yet the influence of the Roman Catholic Church remains strong. I’m not referring to the mammoth oligarchy that seeks to dictate the lives of an estimated one billion people, but rather its continuing influence upon churches outside its realm, including many that adhere to the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture.

While attending Talbot Seminary, I wrote my master’s thesis on Roman Catholic Justification in the Light of Scripture. In my study, I discovered that Catholicism’s key departure from Scripture was its firm insistence that God’s justification of sinners happens at the end of their life. This teaching contradicts what Paul wrote in Romans 5:1:

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In other words, God justifies us at the moment of our regeneration (see also Titus 3:4-7). Why is it so important to affirm this clear biblical truth?

It’s because the error of placing our justification at the end of one’s life has crept into evangelical churches in various forms that continue to grow in popularity as well as negate the glorious hope embedded in the Gospel. It does so by. . .

Undoing the Finality of Our Salvation

I’m not aware of when Catholic theologians first decided that God’s justification of the sinner happens at the end of one’s life, but by the time of Reformation, it had become deeply entrenched in the church’s dogma. This teaching provided the church with the means to control the lives of its members from birth to the grave.

As a result, Catholics can never be sure of their salvation since their final destination depends upon their obedience as well as adherence to the church’s sacraments up to the time of last rites. Under such a scenario, how could anyone be certain of the final outcome of their faith?

Scripture tells us a much different story. Not only does it reveal that God justifies us at the moment of our regeneration, but it also provides us with the security of our hope that Catholicism kills. When God justifies the sinner, He declares that person not guilty of all his or her sins, past present, and future.

The word for “justify” in the Greek comes from the law courts of Paul’s day; it depicted a judge declaring the accused “not guilty” of their crimes. For us, it’s the legal declaration of our righteousness that comes solely through faith by grace. God declares us innocent solely because Jesus bore the punishment for our sins on the cross; His blood covers all of our iniquity. Romans 8:1 states the finality of God’s proclamation of our righteousness, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Later in Romans 8, the apostle elaborates on the permanence of God’s verdict:

“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:32-34).

For all of us in Christ Jesus, our justification is a done deal. God, who is not bound by time, looked at our entire life and declared us not guilty of all our sins. Who can possibly overturn His verdict? No one can provide Him with evidence that He didn’t already know about.

The belief that one can lose their salvation, or walk away from their faith, reflects the Roman Catholic understanding of justification, which regards it as a process that’s not fully settled until death. The only way to deny the finality of our salvation is to either say that someone can reverse God’s verdict, which is impossible, or somehow repackage the Catholic teaching of when God credits our account with His righteousness. If it happens at the time of our rebirth, it’s an absolute done deal.

Subjecting the Believer to a Works Mentality

The Roman Catholic error regarding justification empowers the church to enforce obedience, whether it be to its traditions, its sacraments, or Scripture. Do we see this same works mentality today outside of the Catholic faith? We do.

I have experienced various forms of legalism in my life. Such teachings deceive believers into thinking they must earn favor with God, which is something they already fully possess via their secure righteous standing before Him, i.e., their justification.

Legalism reverses the order of chapters in the book of Ephesians. Instead of encouraging adherence to Paul’s instructions based upon one’s secure righteous standing before God, the works mentality begins with the commands as the way to assure the believer of his or her favor in the Lord’s sight. Paul never intended for chapters 4-6 of Ephesians to be the means of obtaining God’s approval, but rather the result of our permanent “holy and blameless” standing before God (Ephesians 1:3-14).

Once our focus shifts away from Christ and what He has done for us to how we should live, we lose the joy that comes from our security and the peace from knowing we will surely meet Jesus in the air in the future. The works mentality, popular in many Evangelical churches, is a remnant of Catholicism that spotlights our behavior rather than our glorious hope in Jesus’ appearing.

Adhering to the False Teaching of Replacement Theology

The refusal of a great many churches today to recognize the prophetic significance of Israel also mirrors Catholicism’s teaching on Bible prophecy.

Replacement Theology, or amillennialism, is the longstanding belief of the Roman Catholic Church. Augustine, a fifth-century theologian, popularized the teaching that the church is the new Israel, which replaced the church in God’s prophetic program. He denied the future restoration of Israel and applied the Lord’s many promises to do so to the church, albeit spiritually.

Because Israel’s miraculous reappearance as a nation on May 14, 1948, contradicted its long-held beliefs, the Vatican refused to recognize Israel as a nation until the end of 1993, a full forty-five years later.[1] Why the delay, apart from their realization that Israel’s astounding rebirth refuted their longstanding amillennial beliefs?

What does today’s popularity of Replacement Theology in Bible-believing churches have to do with a biblical understanding of justification? I provide a full answer to this question in my previous post: Can God Change His Mind about Israel? Or About Us?

Based upon Romans 11:28-32, I explain how God’s unfailing mercy lies at the heart of His continuing faithfulness to us as well as to Jacob’s descendants. He will not renege on any of His promises to His people, whether it be to the nation of Israel or to us as New Testament saints. Chapters 9-11 in the book of Romans were not a rabbit trail in Paul’s line of thought, but rather a critical part of it as he showed how the promised future restoration of Israel demonstrates the Lord’s unfailing mercy, not only to the Jewish nation, but also to all justified saints, which He proclaimed in Romans 8:31-38.

Identifying the Church as God’s Kingdom

From its inception, the Roman Catholic Church believed it was God’s physical kingdom on earth and hence a political entity, which directly results from its adherence to Replacement Theology, which teaches that the church is just such a realm. Its role as a governing power during the Dark Ages has long since faded, but not this exalted view of itself.

The Vatican is officially the “Vatican City State.” This came about via the 1929 Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy, through which it became an officially recognized independent governing state.[2] The US sends an ambassador to the Vatican, just like it does for other governing entities.

Unfortunately, the Reformation didn’t change the perception of the church as God’s corporal kingdom on earth. Many churches, deeply steeped in amillennialism or its offshoots, continue to teach that Jesus is now reigning over the nations in fulfillment of such passages as Psalms 2 and 46 as well as Revelation 20:1-10.

During the past few decades, Dominion Theology has grown exponentially in popularity. It asserts that the church will bring about millennial conditions on the earth and rule over it before Jesus returns. Is this not a variation of the long-ago kingdom aspirations of the Vatican?

The Bible teaches that as New Testament saints, we are heirs to a kingdom rather than current possessors of it (Ephesians 1:12-14; James 2:5). Paul couldn’t have been more clear when he said: “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable” (1 Corinthians 15:50). When Jesus appears, He will transform our lowly bodies into ones like His, immortal and incorruptible (Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55). He will make us fit to inherit His kingdom that’s coming to the earth.

The Bible never identifies the church as a kingdom, but rather describes it as the “body of Christ” with Jesus as its Head. The picture of body life in Romans 12:3-8 is most certainly not that of a kingdom, but rather of a functioning entity where all its members enjoy an equal standing. Furthermore, the role of the leaders of a kingdom differ radically from the humble servant leadership Jesus prescribed for His Church (Mark 10:42-45; see also 1 Peter 5:1-5).

Why does this matter? It signifies that we are not now enjoying the glories of God’s promised kingdom on the earth as those who adhere to Replacement Theology claim. The good news is that in the future, we will participate in God’s spectacular kingdom on earth with immortal bodies in a realm devoid of wars, government corruption, overt wickedness, and injustice.

Making One’s Obedience and Feelings the Validation of Salvation

I heard a pastor say this in his Sunday sermon, “You are okay if you love the Lord.” No, no, no, no!! The Bible says that all those in Christ are “okay” because the Lord loves us!

Looking to one’s feelings, or even obedience, as the validation of one’s salvation yields the same fruit as the rigors of Catholicism: it traps believers in the same web of insecurity that obstructs their walk with the Lord and turns their focus away from their joyous blessed hope in Jesus’ appearing.

If it’s true that God’s justification of the sinner happens at the moment of our redemption (Titus 3:4-7) and is by its nature wholly irreversible (Romans 8:1 and 26-39), and Scripture teaches that both are true, the Bible must be the sole rock upon which we must base our assurance of eternal life, not our feelings, our love for the Lord, nor our obedience to some standard.

Our assurance of eternal life comes from what Scripture says about us as New Testament saints, i.e., our justification through faith alone by grace.

A biblical understanding of what happens when God justifies us counters the hope-killing remains of Roman Catholicism in today’s churches that rob believers of the joy that comes from knowing the certainty of their salvation. Scripture frees us from the works mentality that results from thinking we can lose our salvation, walk away from our faith, or must work to keep ourselves within God’s favor and love for us.

Sadly, these vestiges of Roman Catholicism persist in many churches outside its realm. Not only do they breed insecurity and a works-based validation of our hope of eternal life, but in many cases, these places of worship also dismiss the biblical hope that we will reign with Jesus in His glorious kingdom, one that will include a restored Israel. Our hope in Jesus’ appearing and what happens afterward is not just dry theology but something that breathes life into our souls each and every day.

If you have not yet placed your faith in Jesus or are unsure of your salvation, please see my post, Jesus is the Only Path to Eternal Life. In it, I explain the saving message of the cross and how you can know that you belong to the Savior.

***

My book, Invitation to a Lavish Feast – Wisdom’s Path to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, is now available for preorder on Amazon. In it, I take the reader on a journey showing how the words of Scripture verify our beliefs in not only the restoration of Israel, but also our hope in Jesus’ soon appearing to take us home to glory. The book also includes a chapter explaining how the doctrine of justification by faith validates our belief that God will someday restore a kingdom to Israel.

[1] According to Mike Gendron: “the Fundamental Agreement Between the State of Israel and the Holy See was signed on December 30, 1993.

[2] Wikipedia article on “Vatican City”

The Great Apostasy: What Believers Need to Know…:: By Geri Ungurean

Published on: by RR10 Category:General Articles, Geri Ungurean

 (What Believers Need to Know to Keep Them Safe)

In these last days, Jesus warned of false teachers and to beware of them. We are seeing this unfolding before our eyes. But sometimes (as the devil does so well) it sounds believable, and before long, many of us are pulled into heretical teaching.  Our Lord wants to keep us safe from False Teachers. His Word is there for us for this purpose.

I was reading Acts 17 and, of course, came upon this passage of Scripture:

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

Acts 17:11 is preached to this day to impart to God’s people a most important Truth. The Bereans had heard Paul and Silas preach to them. The Word says that these Berean Jews received the word with all readiness; but what did they do after hearing that which was preached to them?

They searched the Scriptures to verify what they had heard.

Many people today do not rely on the Word of God for Truth.  Unfortunately, they rely on the teachings of men, some of which are Biblically sound, but others have twisted the Word of God to accommodate the “Itching Ear” crowd who want to be made comfortable in church.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;  and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

“that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4:14).

Did you know that those who are trained to spot counterfeit money spend the majority of their time studying authentic bills? It’s true. They can immediately spot the counterfeit because the authentic is ingrained in their brains.

And so are believers in Christ told to study the Word of God in order to reject apostasy:

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

It’s a Spiritual Minefield Out There

What is Apostasy?

Apostasy, from the Greek word apostasia, means “a defiance of an established system or authority; a rebellion; an abandonment or breach of faith.”  This clearly shows that there is “Truth” from the Word of God; but there is also a rebellion or defiance against God’s Word.

I have seen Bible teachers of late telling their flocks that “Apostasia” means the Rapture of the church in 2 Thessalonians 2. This is clearly errant teaching, although I do not say that these teachers are doing this in a malicious manner.

This is why we should be like the Bereans -receiving teaching with gladness BUT searching the Scriptures to see if what we were told is true.

In the Greek, Apostasia always refers to a departure from a belief system; in other words a falling away from faith in the Word of God. It has never meant a “spacial departure,” which many are teaching in saying this is the Rapture of the Church.

Excerpt from gotquestions.org:

“Question: “Will there be a great apostasy / falling away during the end times?”

Answer: The Bible indicates that there will be a great apostasy during the end times. The “great apostasy” is mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. The KJV calls it the “falling away,” while the NIV and ESV call it “the rebellion.” And that’s what an apostasy is: a rebellion, an abandonment of the truth. The end times will include a wholesale rejection of God’s revelation, a further “falling away” of an already fallen world.” source

Brethren, the definition of Apostasy (Apostasia) could not be more clear!

Deception of the Brethren

I receive many emails each week from the readers of my articles. It shocks and saddens me that so many are caught up in false teaching, cults, and even in a “New Age” version of Christianity.

This is not true of the majority of those who write to me. Most are very grounded in the Word and are ‘Born-Again’ believers. But the readers who do communicate with me who have become ensnared in false doctrine is very troubling.

I see this on Facebook when I publish a new article. There will always be those who find fault with my words because what I say exposes the false doctrine that they believe.

I want the reader to understand that I am very open to being corrected by the brethren – but the Word of God must reign supreme over “opinions” of men and women.

So, let’s get right into the snares and traps of False teaching.

Hebrew Roots (HRM)

Being an ethnic Jew who came to faith in Christ so many years ago, I am very familiar with this cult.  And yes – I did say CULT.

Satan’s traps, lies, and snares are everywhere, but Hebrew Roots is especially egregious to the Lord.  We know that we are saved by Grace through faith. It is the New Covenant of Grace – the better Covenant which brings life to those who believe in the finished work of Christ on the Cross, and His resurrection from the dead. When we truly believe “on” the Lord Jesus Christ (placing our faith in Him alone for the forgiveness of our sins by His shed blood) and understand that this is what saves us, we are able to discern false teaching.

Through the years, I have met many Christians who are taken with the knowledge that I am an ethnic Jew. I have spoken with many who actually research their lineage to find out if they have any amount of Jewish blood.

I have often told them that being grafted into the vine is simply the way that the Lord has made it possible for them to enter the Kingdom of God. But somewhere along the line, they have been confronted by those of the Hebrew Roots Cult.

To simplify the errant teaching of this cult, I have chosen to take the main beliefs and format them in a bulleted list. I do hope that many of the brethren will print out this article and keep it for reference.

HRM believes:

  • The Church has veered far from the true teaching and Hebrew concepts of the Bible.
  • That Christianity has been indoctrinated with cultures and beliefs of paganism.
  • Christ’s death did not end the Mosaic Law, but renewed it.
  • Understanding of the NT can only come from a Hebrew perspective.
  • The teachings of Paul are not understood or taught correctly.
  • The believers should walk in Torah-observance to please God.
  • The dietary laws and all celebrations of the feasts of Israel should be observed by all believers.

I must insert something very important for the reader. I am in no way saying that Christians who feel led to study the history and customs of the Jewish people, and even take part in many of these, should not do this. But they must understand that observing these traditions of Judaism is not part of Salvation. This is a lie from the pit of hell. The teachings of HRM are no different from those of the Judaizers of Jesus’ day, with one exception:

Most all of the HRM leadership and followers are NOT Jews.

I have noticed that most so-called Hebrew Roots churches are not only filled with non-Jews, but the “Rabbi” over the people is not even ethnically Jewish himself! (Most of the congregations are not aware of this.)

From gotquestions.org  (On HRM)

The influence of this movement is working its way into our churches and seminaries. It’s dangerous in its implication that keeping the Old Covenant law is walking a “higher path” and is the only way to please God and receive His blessings. Nowhere in the Bible do we find Gentile believers being instructed to follow Levitical laws or Jewish customs; in fact, the opposite is taught. Romans 7:6 says, “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” Christ, in keeping perfectly every ordinance of the Mosaic Law, completely fulfilled it. Just as making the final payment on a home fulfills that contract and ends one’s obligation to it, so also Christ has made the final payment and has fulfilled the law, bringing it to an end for us all. source

The NAR Movement (New Apostolic Reformation and Dominion Theology)

We are warned by Jesus not to add or take away from His Holy Word. Perhaps the NAR Movement and Dominionists misread the Words of our Lord.  These movements thrive on extra-Biblical revelation.  The dangers of these teachings are beyond what we can even imagine.

This movement is spanning the globe at an alarming rate.

As I did with HRM, I will format this as bullet points to simplify:

  • They will not refer to themselves as NAR or Dominionists.
  • They have restored the offices of Apostles and Prophets from the OT.
  • The leadership is comprised of the “New” Apostles and Prophets chosen by men.
  • They teach that Christians MUST be involved in politics.
  • They teach that God has restored the offices of Apostle and Prophets over the last 30-40 years.
  • Members of this movement must obey the words of the so-called Apostles and Prophets.
  • As more and more members unify behind the leaders – these leaders will be given supernatural powers of mass healings and suspend the laws of physics.
  • Great wealth will come to the new Apostles, and this will enable the church to establish God’s Kingdom on earth (Dominionism).
  • Belief in Grave Soaking (lying on top of a grave of a well-known Christian in hopes that knowledge will be imparted to them.
  • Gold dust coming down on the congregation during worship (people believing this came from heaven).

Discerning Christians will see clearly that this is a cult. It does not even resemble Christianity from the Bible. Nevertheless, the followers of this cult are in the millions and growing every day.

Many Personal Stories of leaving the NAR Cult  <click to read

Jan Markell did a two-part series on her radio program that exposed an even more nefarious side of NAR:

Wolves Not Sparing the Flock Part 1

Wolves Not sparing the Flock Part 2

A question for the reader:  Does any of this about NAR, Dominion Theology, and HRM line up with the Word of God? (rhetorical question!)

This is the first of a series of articles that I hope to write concerning cults and false teaching.

I will cover the “Social Justice Gospel” in my next article, along with other Apostasy movements.

Brethren, I hope that this article will help someone make the decision to leave if they are involved with these false movements. I also hope that this might help a family who has a member caught up in HRM, NAR, or Dominion Theology.

Remember:  Times change, but the Word of God NEVER changes.

Beware of extra-Biblical teaching and so-called revelations.

God is God and we are NOT!

How Can I Be Saved?

Shalom b’Yeshua

MARANATHA!

Grandmageri422@gmail.com

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