Get ready for Thursday Night. We are on our 4th study of the Pillars of the Reformation series... Christ Alone. God has blessed this series in great ways! I can't wait to see how the Lord uses these truths and applies them to our lives and service to Him. Let us rise up as followers of Christ and proclaim these truths anew to a generation that needs to hear them! Remember "Reformed" and "Biblical" are synonymous one to another...
Soli Deo Gloria!
Jeff Durbin
Monday, January 28, 2008
Mormon prophet Gordon Hinckley dies...
Mormon President and Prophet, Gordon Hinckley died yesterday. The question is often asked "why do Christians believe that Gordon HInckley was a false prophet"? This is because, in Scripture God gives very clear "acid" tests for truth. For example, one of the awesome things about Scripture is that God bases the veracity of a prophet on the fact that if they give a prophecy and it doesn't come to pass (even one time) then that person is clearly a false prophet (Deut. 18:20-22).
Another test of a prophet is their consistency with what God has already revealed about himself in the Bible (Deut. 13:1-4, Isaiah 8:20). For example, the Bible teaches that there is only one God (Isaiah 43:10, 44:6,8, Deut. 6:4). Yet, Mormonism teaches that God is just a man who through exaltation became a god. He had a father who had a father who had a father.... and you have to learn to be gods yourselves the same as all gods have done before you (Joseph Smith, King Follet discourse). It is true that Mormons use the same terminology as Christians. The problem is that they pour entirely different meanings into those words. Mormon prophets use the same terminology as biblical Christianity but have a corrupt theology about God and how we can know God. And as one of my heroes said, "if you are wrong on any one of those two points you are wrong enough to lose your soul".
Some might be wondering "why does it matter"? Why can't we just let people believe what they want. That is a fantastic question! It is because the truth by nature is exclusive. Jesus said "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6). And it is clear in Scripture that if you don't hold to the Bible's teaching about Jesus then you don't have God (2 John 1:9). Maybe it would be best to quote Hinckley on this one....
"In bearing testimony of Jesus Christ, President Hinckley spoke of those outside the Church who say Latter-day Saints 'do not believe in the traditional Christ.' 'No, I don't. The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of whom I speak. For the Christ of whom I speak has been revealed in this the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times. He together with His Father, appeared to the boy Joseph Smith in the year 1820, and when Joseph left the grove that day, he knew more of the nature of God than all the learned ministers of the gospel of the ages.'" (LDS Church News Week ending June 20, 1998, p.7 )
Let us pray for the Spirit of God to move among the Mormon people and pray for laborers to bring the true Gospel to them. For only the true Gospel is the power of God unto salvation!
Another test of a prophet is their consistency with what God has already revealed about himself in the Bible (Deut. 13:1-4, Isaiah 8:20). For example, the Bible teaches that there is only one God (Isaiah 43:10, 44:6,8, Deut. 6:4). Yet, Mormonism teaches that God is just a man who through exaltation became a god. He had a father who had a father who had a father.... and you have to learn to be gods yourselves the same as all gods have done before you (Joseph Smith, King Follet discourse). It is true that Mormons use the same terminology as Christians. The problem is that they pour entirely different meanings into those words. Mormon prophets use the same terminology as biblical Christianity but have a corrupt theology about God and how we can know God. And as one of my heroes said, "if you are wrong on any one of those two points you are wrong enough to lose your soul".
Some might be wondering "why does it matter"? Why can't we just let people believe what they want. That is a fantastic question! It is because the truth by nature is exclusive. Jesus said "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6). And it is clear in Scripture that if you don't hold to the Bible's teaching about Jesus then you don't have God (2 John 1:9). Maybe it would be best to quote Hinckley on this one....
"In bearing testimony of Jesus Christ, President Hinckley spoke of those outside the Church who say Latter-day Saints 'do not believe in the traditional Christ.' 'No, I don't. The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of whom I speak. For the Christ of whom I speak has been revealed in this the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times. He together with His Father, appeared to the boy Joseph Smith in the year 1820, and when Joseph left the grove that day, he knew more of the nature of God than all the learned ministers of the gospel of the ages.'" (LDS Church News Week ending June 20, 1998, p.7 )
Let us pray for the Spirit of God to move among the Mormon people and pray for laborers to bring the true Gospel to them. For only the true Gospel is the power of God unto salvation!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Dr. Sproul very passionate about the Evangelical and Catholic's Together document...
I know this is really old... but, R.C. Sproul inspires me.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Baby update!
Went to the doctor today and got another ultrasound. Things look great and Candi's hormone levels are progressing normally. This is great news so far! Keep us in prayer and we'll keep you updated.
My goodness, there he goes again...
Here we go again... Michael Manning (Catholic television personality)on Larry King Live denies that Christ is the only way to God. I wonder if Mr. Manning has paid any attention to the Apostle Paul's explanation of man's position before God in the book of Romans. It is clear in Scripture that nobody goes to hell because they "never heard of Jesus" (Romans 1), and equally clear that there is none righteous, not even one (Romans 3). God speaks so clearly to mankind's condition before Christ... All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That's me, you and everyone. We are all in the same position. And the incredible thing about God, is that God is Love. He doesn't simply leave creation spinning off into darkness. But, God Himself becomes a man, lives the life that we couldn't live and dies in our place on the cross. The Father treats Jesus as if He lived our life and credits to our account the life and righteousness of the Lord Jesus. And this is a free gift by faith alone (Romans 3:28)! The fact that Manning says that a Jew or Muslim can have a relationship with the Father some other way other than Jesus... completely denies the work and provision of the Lord Jesus. It is the absolute antithesis of Biblical Theology. Check this out...
Sunday, January 13, 2008
If you were wondering...
Apologia Christian Ministries' website will be up and running soon (Lord willing). The focus of the ministry will be the proclamation and defense of the Gospel. Specifically in the area of cult evangelism and outreach. You will be able to get information and help on defending the faith and reaching these major groups...
*Atheism
*Mormonism
*Jehovah's Witnesses
*Islam
*Roman Catholicism
*Atheism
*Mormonism
*Jehovah's Witnesses
*Islam
*Roman Catholicism
Dr. Bahnsen dismantles Atheist Dr. Stein's arguments....
My favorite part of this historic debate...
The Doctrine of Justification in 25 seconds... :]
Here is one of my fav's Dr. John MacArthur, describing Justification (the heart of the Gospel) in about 25 seconds on Larry King Live.
You need to see this! Famous Roman Catholic television personality denies the Gospel!
One of the clearest teachings in Scripture is that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). The Apostle Paul violently opposed adding any "works" to the Gospel to try and merit salvation (Romans chpt. 3, 4, 5, Galatians). Yet, here we have a very famous Catholic Priest, Michael Manning, denying that Jesus is the only way to the Father and actually trying to make a case that if you are a good rabbi and obey God's law you can go to heaven. A complete denial of everything the Apostles fought and died for. According to Michael Manning, you can go to heaven... without trusting in Christ as personal Lord and Savior. Listen to how he promotes Islam... Watch this!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Exciting News!
Our ministry website is currently under construction! It is going to be awesome! Here is the address.... defendthefaith.org
I love the domain name! I'll let you know when it is fully operational! Keep checking back!
I love the domain name! I'll let you know when it is fully operational! Keep checking back!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Great video to describe what we are talking about...
Check out this video that discusses exactly what we are talking about between the Apostle Paul in Romans and James in James chapter 2. I am busy preparing for my message at the junior high camp in Williams, Arizona this weekend. I am teaching these kids to witness to their Mormon friends and family. Pray for that! And watch this video it is really helpful...
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Just an update...
Earlier, a blogger named Timothy gave a quick response to my short post on Roman Catholicism. I will give a detailed analysis and rebuttal of what he said soon! I am just extremely pleased that he was so honest about the Catholic position. This is refreshing. And I definitely respect him for his honesty. Many Roman Catholics (including my own family members) have claimed that their church teaches salvation by grace through faith alone and even deny the mass as a propitiatory sacrifice. So you have to appreciate a guy like Timothy for knowing what he believes and definately clearly defining the lines that divide us. This is how truth is allowed to shine and expose the darkness. It is when people try to "soften" their theology (for whatever reason) that we run into confusion. Like in the recent event with Romney and the Mormon church trying to distance itself from the fact that it teaches that Jesus and Satan are brothers. Thats just crazy! But, thanks Timothy for your response and honesty!
Blessings,
Jeff
Blessings,
Jeff
New Series!
Just FYI for all the enrouters.... Our new series will be on the pillars of the Reformation. I am thrilled to begin this series. We will start on Sola Scriptura!
Does the Roman Catholic church teach a false Gospel?
Many Roman Catholics in America are trying to appear more and more like Christians. Let me clarify. Since the Gospel is so clear in Scripture, many American Roman Catholic churches are trying to "appear" as close to the Biblical/Reformed view of Justification as possible. Many Roman Catholics will make statements like... "I belive that Jesus died for me" or "I believe that Jesus is the only way to God". But, let's face it. Mormons say that too. So do Jehovah's Witnesses. It is important to define our terms and what exactly we are saying makes someone right with God. Let me start this blog series with a few qoutes from the Roman Catholic church's official teachings on the subject. Here are a few to set up what I'll be saying in the next few posts...
Why did Christ establish the Church?
Christ established the Church as the universal sacrament of salvation.
How is the Church the universal sacrament of salvation?
The Church is the universal sacrament of salvation as the divinely instituted means of conferring grace on all the members of the human family.
What does the Catholic Church believe about the forgiveness of sins?
She believes it is God’s will that no one is forgiven except through the merits of Jesus Christ and that these merits are uniquely channeled through the Church He founded. Consequently, even as the Church is the universal sacrament of salvation, she is also the universal sacrament of reconciliation.
How does the Church communicate the merits of Christ’s mercy to sinners?
The Church communicates the merits of Christ’s mercy to sinners through the Mass and the sacraments and all the prayers and good works of the faithful.
Are the sacraments necessary for salvation?
According to the way God has willed that we be saved the sacraments are necessary for salvation
(John Hardon, The Question and Answer Catholic Catechism (Garden City: Image, 1981), Questions # 401, 402, 461, 462, 1119).
If any one saith that the sacraments of the New Law are not necessary unto salvation...and that without them, or without the desire thereof, men obtain from God, through faith alone, the grace of justification...let him be anathema (The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent. Found in Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1919), Canon IV, p. 119).
If anyone saith that by faith alone the impious is justified in such wise as to mean that nothing else is required to cooperate in order to obtaining the grace of Justification...let him be anathema...After this Catholic doctrine on justification which whosoever does not faithfully and firmly accept cannot be justified...(The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent. Found in Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1910), Decree on Justification, Chapter XVI, Canon IX).
Believe me, it gets worse. But, suffice it to say that the Roman Catholic church "officially" denies salvation by grace through faith alone (Romans 3:28). The Roman Catholic church's official view on salvation is nearly "identical" to the false gospel known as the Judaizer heresy found in the book of Galatians. Here is a great chart from William Webster and a neat exchange to illustrate this...
Judaizers
1. Belief in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God
2. Circumcision
3. Become a Jew
4. Sacrificial System
5. Priests
6. High Priests
7. Altars
8. Feast Days
9. Laver of Water
10. Dietary Regulations
11. Candles
12. Incense
13. Shew Bread
14. Keep the Ten Commandments
15. Tradition of the Elders
Roman Catholicism
1. Belief in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God
2. Baptism
3. Become a Roman Catholic
4. Sacrificial System
5. Priests
6. High Priests
7. Altars
8. Feast Days
9. Font of Holy Water
10. Dietary Regulations (Until recently)
11. Candles
12. Incense
13. The Eucharist Wafer
14. Keep the Ten Commandments
15. Tradition of the Church Fathers
Why did Christ establish the Church?
Christ established the Church as the universal sacrament of salvation.
How is the Church the universal sacrament of salvation?
The Church is the universal sacrament of salvation as the divinely instituted means of conferring grace on all the members of the human family.
What does the Catholic Church believe about the forgiveness of sins?
She believes it is God’s will that no one is forgiven except through the merits of Jesus Christ and that these merits are uniquely channeled through the Church He founded. Consequently, even as the Church is the universal sacrament of salvation, she is also the universal sacrament of reconciliation.
How does the Church communicate the merits of Christ’s mercy to sinners?
The Church communicates the merits of Christ’s mercy to sinners through the Mass and the sacraments and all the prayers and good works of the faithful.
Are the sacraments necessary for salvation?
According to the way God has willed that we be saved the sacraments are necessary for salvation
(John Hardon, The Question and Answer Catholic Catechism (Garden City: Image, 1981), Questions # 401, 402, 461, 462, 1119).
If any one saith that the sacraments of the New Law are not necessary unto salvation...and that without them, or without the desire thereof, men obtain from God, through faith alone, the grace of justification...let him be anathema (The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent. Found in Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1919), Canon IV, p. 119).
If anyone saith that by faith alone the impious is justified in such wise as to mean that nothing else is required to cooperate in order to obtaining the grace of Justification...let him be anathema...After this Catholic doctrine on justification which whosoever does not faithfully and firmly accept cannot be justified...(The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent. Found in Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1910), Decree on Justification, Chapter XVI, Canon IX).
Believe me, it gets worse. But, suffice it to say that the Roman Catholic church "officially" denies salvation by grace through faith alone (Romans 3:28). The Roman Catholic church's official view on salvation is nearly "identical" to the false gospel known as the Judaizer heresy found in the book of Galatians. Here is a great chart from William Webster and a neat exchange to illustrate this...
Judaizers
1. Belief in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God
2. Circumcision
3. Become a Jew
4. Sacrificial System
5. Priests
6. High Priests
7. Altars
8. Feast Days
9. Laver of Water
10. Dietary Regulations
11. Candles
12. Incense
13. Shew Bread
14. Keep the Ten Commandments
15. Tradition of the Elders
Roman Catholicism
1. Belief in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God
2. Baptism
3. Become a Roman Catholic
4. Sacrificial System
5. Priests
6. High Priests
7. Altars
8. Feast Days
9. Font of Holy Water
10. Dietary Regulations (Until recently)
11. Candles
12. Incense
13. The Eucharist Wafer
14. Keep the Ten Commandments
15. Tradition of the Church Fathers
We're having another baby!!!
Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know that God has blessed us with another baby! I am so excited! Keep us in prayer... as most of you know, we lost the last two babies (actually the last pregnancy was most likely twins). The doctor said that everything looks great right now. Candi also got to hear the heartbeat. She got an ultrasound today and she saw the baby moving around! Praise the Lord! We trust in His total sovereignty and trust and believe Him for a healthy baby... boy... well at least I hope so :]
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