Is Freemasonry a Religion?

QUESTION #1 Is Freemasonry a Religion

from http://logosresourcepages.org/FalseTeachings/freemas_2.htm

Generally, the Freemason will inform anyone who asks, that his organization is not a religion. Thus, there would be no problem with any church affiliations, because joining the Masons is not joining “another church.”

Recently many newspapers carried an insert entitled, Freemasonry – A Way of Life. The insert stated, “Masonry is NOT a religion in any sense of the word, yet it is religious. Church membership is not a requirement, yet membership in ANY church is no bar to admission. There is nothing in the requirements of Masonry to prevent a Catholic, a Mohammedan, a Jew, a Buddhist, a Protestant, a Mormon, or any member of any religion from becoming a member.” (The Question of Freemasonry, Computers for Christ). Dr. Richard Thorn, a 32 degree Mason writes, “Masonry says that it is not a religion. An honest interpretation of the teachings of Freemasonry will show that instead of teaching men what to believe, men are simply asked to put the religion they already have, when they become a Mason, into everyday practice” (“Fundamentalist & Freemason,” The Northern Light, Vol. 25 No. 3 August, 1994, p. 9). Many similar statements are given by those involved in Freemasonry, and likely many believe it. But are they correct in their conclusion that Freemasonry is not a religion? Let’s investigate and see what we uncover.

• The Definition of “religion”

Lorri MacGregor: Word Faith-Is it the Word or the Faith of the Bible?

The Word of Faith Movement is powerful and influential, with numerous affiliated churches worldwide. Compelling, charismatic leaders preach their peculiar doctrines to enthusiastic and accepting global audiences who view Word Faith as just another denomination within Christianity, but are they really?

Best known for their “prosperity gospel”, they promise riches in this life. W ask and answer the question, “Is Word Faith prosperity really Biblical prosperity?” The answer might surprise you. We let the Bible speak.

However the Word Faith Movement is in far deeper water doctrinally. Certain lines cannot be crossed without becoming outright heresy. These lines include the Person of Jesus Christ. We must not misrepresent our Lord and Savior, or we could be found guilty of presenting “another Jesus” and “another gospel” as the Apostle Paul warned the church.

Has the Word Faith Movement crossed the line? We believe so and you can decide for yourself as this DVD takes a Biblical look at some of their more aberrant teachings. Be prepared to be shocked!

Lorri MacGregor brings over thirty years of Discernment Ministry experience to this expose, having authored two books, ten DVDs, numerious articles and booklets examining various groups.

Lorri was a Jehovah’s Witness for 15 years and together with her husband Keith MacGregor and ministry partners Richard and Cheryl Schatz, serves with MM Outreach a US based non profit organization dedicated to the preaching of the gospel message to lost and hurting people.

Word Faith Is it the Word or the Faith of the Bible? © 2009 MM Outreach Inc

THREE UNBIBLICAL WORD OF FAITH VIEWS ABOUT JESUS

THREE UNBIBLICAL VIEWS ABOUT JESUS

INTRODUCTION

“But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough” [II Corinthians 11:3-4 ESV].

With the same fear that Paul had for the Corinthian church, I issue this paper. Oh, that believers’ eyes will be opened and that they will not fall prey for the deceit of satan and follow after another Jesus. This paper is in response to teachings propagated by many Word of Faith Movement teachers. A man may be excused if the error he teaches is simply out of pure ignorance however, when they are reproved and continue unrepentant with their teachings, such should be addressed publicly of their error in order to savage the people of God from blasphemy. Many other things may be overlooked or simply be taken as matters of opinions but we cannot do that when it comes to the Person of Jesus. When the image of the true Jesus is distorted we’re dealing with heresies. The doctrine concerning Christ is not something left to our freedom of interpretation seeing that the Bible provides clear teaching of who He is.

Dr J VernonMcGee Q&A – Baptismal Regeneration as it Applies to Titus 3:5, Acts 22:16, Mark 16:16?

http://www.thruthebible.org/
Thru the Bible Radio Network – Thru The Bible is a 30-minute Bible study radio program that takes the listener through the entire Bible in just 5 years, going back and forth between the Old and New Testaments. This Bible study program has been aired on radio stations in the U.S. since 1967, and is now being produced in over 100 languages around the world.

QA1677 Bible Study Dr Vernon McGee TTB

Maestroh: Why I Left The Word-Faith Movement PART2

SEE PART 1 HERE

As the spring turned into the summer of 1990, I continued to ponder what precisely was accurate about charismatic teaching. I had, however, noticed a trend: charismatics were every bit as PC as everybody else, only they thought they weren’t. Three issues still occupied my mind: Word-Faith views, the lordship controversy, and eternal security. I was torn on the first, settled strongly on the second, and somewhat settled on the third, having traded in my more Pelagian colors for semi-Calvinistic threads.

I mentioned earlier that I read MacArthur’s book regarding the lordship controversy. In the spring of 1990, his radio show began airing on our local AM station. The broader-reaching FM station added him in the fall, and now it was possible to hear John preach without that interference noise I get when listening to the Cincinnati Reds on WCKY when I’m in Omaha. Because of Mac’s book, I got on his mailing list, which became important when I began receiving his ministry’s magazine, “Masterpiece.” It was quite the glossy little thing, complete with articles, items for sale, and book reviews. In the first one I got, the book reviewed a new tome called “The Agony of Deceit.” This was a polemic written by about a dozen authors criticizing the Faith movement (for the most part). The review was mostly positive, with two negatives: 1) it noted that everyone criticized in the book was a charismatic; and 2) it felt the book was too overly negative and implied that no televangelist had ever succeeded without appealing to common desires.

Maestroh: Why I Left The Word-Faith Movement PART1

I understood the gospel call on November 30, 1987. I was raised a Southern Baptist but never before had the truth of God penetrated my heart. It is unfortunate, however, that the SBC’s emphasis on getting everybody saved – to the exclusion of everything else – led to a stunted upbringing in theological education. Nor was anything about personal relationship really discussed. The emphasis was on believe. In all seriousness, it sounded like Zane Hodges was the source of all things SBC back in the 1980s. That is not to libel him but to simply give you a point of reference.

Upon salvation I turned my back upon everything I’d ever been told. If I couldn’t find it in the Bible, it wasn’t true. Immediately, I rejected eternal security – quite viciously, actually. I knew only two things from the ten years I’d spent in the Baptist church. I needed to believe to be saved, and I could never lose it no matter what I did afterward. A decade in church and that’s ALL I ever learned doctrinally. Well, I did learn that Jesus said, “Thou shalt not drink” and gave a whole list of behavioral requirements to get into Heaven. I also learned that you couldn’t work your way to heaven and yet they’d shame you into doing work at church as if you were the unfaithful servant who buried his gift.

VIDEO: Is Hell Real? Is Hell Eternal?

This then is how Jesus spoke of hell.  Jesus said that…

hell and fire go together as “hell fire” Matt 5:22, 18:9, Mark 9:47
hell is a place of “fire” Matt 7:19, 13:40, 25:41
hell is the “furnace of fire” Matt 13:42, 50
hell is “the fire that never shall be quenched” Mark 9:43, 45
hell is the place where “the fire is not quenched” Mark 9:44, 46, 48
hell is a place of “everlasting fire” Matt 18:8, 25:41
hell is “damnation” Matt 23:14, Mark 12:40, Luke 20:47
hell is the “damnation of hell” Matt 23:33
hell is the place of “eternal damnation” Mark 3:29
hell is the “resurrection of damnation” John 5:29
http://www.eternalhell.net/hellfire.htm#166656755

The Rothschilds and the Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve Bank is the Central bank that publishes the US dollar. It is not a government’s bank but it is owned by the world bankers the most powerful of them is the Rothschild family. They control whole Global Currency System. However what else they need, which is the end goal and what they want to archive by completing their mission…

VIDEO: Evidence That Jesus Is God

Larry Wessels of Christian Answers and James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries discuss the evidence that exists showing Jesus Christ to be God who has come to earth in the flesh. False religions deny the divinity of Christ, the Son of God and God the Son

Evidence That Jesus Is God @ Yahoo! Video

This video starts out slow but is really good once James White starts speaking, GOOD VIDEO if you have the time.

Dr. Norm Geisler – Why Does God Allow Evil and Suffering In the World?

The “greatest living Christian apologist” and the author/coauthor of over sixty eight Christian books defending the Christian faith. This video is on the topic of Evil and Suffering as filmed on the John Ankerberg show after the Geisler/Kushner debate and was filmed after Geisler lost his father, mother, sister, brother in law, two closest friends – - and daughter – - to tragic deaths…….all wthin an 18 month period…….”The grace of God has brought me through this – - He is all loving, all powerful and He will bring something wonderful out of all of this.”

CLICK HERE TO OPEN VIDEO

Dr J Vernon McGee Q&A – Once Saved Always Saved?

http://www.thruthebible.org/
Thru the Bible Radio Network – Thru The Bible is a 30-minute Bible study radio program that takes the listener through the entire Bible in just 5 years, going back and forth between the Old and New Testaments. This Bible study program has been aired on radio stations in the U.S. since 1967, and is now being produced in over 100 languages around the world.

Dr J Vernon McGee Q&A – Is Tithing for Today?

http://www.thruthebible.org/
Thru the Bible Radio Network – Thru The Bible is a 30-minute Bible study radio program that takes the listener through the entire Bible in just 5 years, going back and forth between the Old and New Testaments. This Bible study program has been aired on radio stations in the U.S. since 1967, and is now being produced in over 100 languages around the world.

Was Jesus rich but became poor so that we could become rich?

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
(2Co 8:9)

What say ye? ***I really think regarding 2 Corinthians 8:9 that Albert Barnes (Barnes notes) said it best in the following: Btw, I will give what he said in two parts.

Walter Martin – Evil and Human Suffering

Apologetic Sermon by the late Dr. Walter Martin

HERESY UNMASKED: PROSPERITY SCRIPTURES IN LIGHT OF SCRIPTURE

PROSPERITY SCRIPTURES IN LIGHT OF SCRIPTURE: From HERESY UNMASKED: Analysis of the Word of Faith Movement Doctrines

Seeing that there are many Scriptures employed by the WoF advocated to promote the Prosperity Gospel, I will take on few of them. We will take the time to interpret each passage in its proper context – after having gone through this, you the reader must draw your own conclusion of the other texts employed by these preachers. These Scriptures are not in a certain sequential order.

Genesis 13:2 “And Abram [was] very rich in cattle, in silver and in gold.”

Often this passage is used to say that Abraham who is the father of faith was rich so are we supposed to be. However, careful reading doesn’t promise that because of Abraham all believers also ought to be materially rich. God had blessed him greatly with material wealth because of the promise he made to him (Genesis 12:2-3), this was perhaps also an indication of the spiritual blessings God had reserved in Christ (Hebrew 11:8-19). To use this passage as an example for believers’ wealth is to deliberately read meanings into God’s word and give the Christian false hopes of what God didn’t promise them. The fact that Abraham and many of the patriarchs were rich is not a universal blanket of guarantee that every Christian ought to be materially wealthy. Galatians 4, makes it clear of what kind of blessing God was referring to when referring to Abraham as the father of faith of all who believe in Christ.

Refuting Kenneth Copeland and YOUR PASTOR on ‘TITHING’ [tithe/keeping the law]

In this video I refute all arguments in support of tithing (mandatory giving of 10% of monetary income), to include the prosperity preachers’ latest scam that Jesus is the High Priest receiving our tithes just as Melchizadek/Melchizedek received tithes from Abram.

Charles Stanley says the Prosperity Gospel is a "deception" and "totally unbiblical"

See 2:35-3:45
In this sermon titled “Dealing With False Teachers”, Dr. Stanley warns us about the dangers of false teachers, how they’re becoming more and more prevalent every day and how the Bible warns that this very thing would happen in the last days.

In Part 3, Dr. Stanley discusses some of the most common false teachings that are being taught today. He also tells how to best equip ourselves to recognize such false teachings.

For more information on this sermon, please visit:

http://www.intouch.org

The Theology Program is the best

I bought the Theology program for my church years ago after doing the program for free online. It is simply the best Theological schooling I have seen. I was considering going back to bible college to shore up my beliefs, but after finding The Theology Program,,, I decided not to. I have long raved about thetheologyprogram.com is the best site on the internet. CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Burned by the prosperity gospel and the teaching of Pastor Mason Betha

A young lady is burned by the prosperity gospel and the teaching of Pastor Mason Betha which is an associate of Creflo Dollar.

Phynerks Ex-Word of Faith Testimony

I was Wof in Tulsa for almost 13 years. I must admit during that time I probably grew in many areas of my spiritual life more than I had up to that point, but I also must admit that I was also becoming a bigger and bigger ‘flake’ in many areas, too. Each time I’ve given a portion of this testimony, the Wof will say that I was not really Wof during this period of my life. I can only say that with all the honesty I can muster that I was as sincere in my Wof beliefs as I knew to be. I studied under some of the “greats”; Billy Joe Daugherty, Ken Cope, Jerry Seville, Fred Price, Buddy Harrison, Ken Hagin, Capps, and a cast of many more. In fact, we were members of Beverly Hills Baptist in Dallas during the ‘hay days’ of Howard Conaster. I knew the Wof scriptures and I lived them. I realized, however that even though we were ‘believing’, confessing, giving, and serving in the Wof way, our lives were no more blessed or miraculous than some of our Baptist friends. Our group was getting sick, losing jobs, divorcing, and having trials just like the Baptists we knew. Then joy of joys…..my dear wife got pregnant with our second child after three miscarriages! We confessed and praised over the blessing ( we never said a word about the miscarriages – that would have been a bad confession and an admission that we were not living the victorious life we said we were ). Our baby was born big and healthy just like we and the Wof church we attended had confessed. Eighteen hours later, he was gone. There we were alone in the hospital wondering why. After my wife was able to come home we began the process of laying our boy to rest and went to our church and talked with the assoc pastor. During our talk we asked him the question on our hearts….why ? That’s when he went through a number of scriptures to show that we must have allowed satan in with either unbelief, sin, or bad confessions. Since I knew my heart better than him, I knew that I had done the best I could have and it “didn’t work” ! From that day we became more sensitive to the Wof insensitivity towards the pain and suffering around them.

I “stumbled” into a fine Baptist church right there in our neighborhood that we began to worship in. I was amazed at the topics that were emphasized that were never mentioned in the Wof circles we traveled in. Topics such as discipleship, and a daily quiet time. We still have several friends from that time that are Wof. One now suffers from a painful nerve condition that he says he’s healed of. Most of the others have divorced or they are Wof/Christians by association only. The biggest regret from my exposure to Wof was the smug I’m-more-spiritual-than-thou attitude I carried for many years after leaving Wof. I’m certain I hurt many dear people’s feelings during the time after leaving the Wof sect.

Charles Stanley: When We Are Afflicted…

Charles Stanley http://www.suffering.net/afflict.htm

Many think this is a hard saying: “Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus,” but it will be much harder to hear those final words: “Depart from me, (you) cursed, into everlasting fire.”

When the Lord Jesus comes in judgement, all the servants of the cross who conformed themselves to Jesus crucified will approach Christ the judge with full confidence. Why do we then fear to carry the cross?

In the cross we have salvation; in the cross we have life; in the cross we have protection from our enemies. In the cross alone we find our eternal salvation and hope of everlasting life.

We take up our cross, therefore, and follow Jesus, and we will pass into unending life. Everything is funded on the cross and everything depends on our taking up the cross. There is no other way to life and interior peace except the holy way of the cross and our daily dying to self.

Mat 24:23-28 Signs and Wonders: Expository VIDEO SERMON

Today I will be posting 3 awesome educational videos. I spent most of the day yesterday looking at Word of Faith exposure related videos. Given that I have waded through hundreds of hours of videos on this subject selecting the best WoF exposure videos for our 24/7 Linear exposure TV CHANNEL,, THEWORDontheWordofFaithTV,,, I think all three of these videos are some of the best out there. They all three are 40-60 minutes in length BUT well worth the time.

But I like this one the best as it is all exegetical expository preaching. If I lived in London,, this is the church I would go to. Damon

An expository sermon from the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. The teacher is Duncan Forbes from New Life Church, Roehampton, South West London. This video is available on DVD on our website: www.newlifelondon.com www.duncanf.blogspot.com

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4876318144052854347&hl=en

Did Jesus descend into Hell or Hades after he died on the cross?

While on the cross for three hours, after all the sins were laid upon him Jesus cried out that God forsook him (looked away, breaking fellowship). After nearly 6 hours on the cross Jesus said that He entrusted His spirit into the Fathers hands before He died. He was totally restored before He died. His Spirit was not committed into anyone’s hands, but the Father’s.

So there is no possibility of him going to hell for any reason of completing the sacrifice or punishment. He did finish on the cross everything that was needed for salvation. If Jesus went to Hell this means the Father did not accept His sacrifice, but instead rejected it.

While Jesus was on the cross He promised the thief on the cross next to him that he would be with Him in paradise that very day (Luke 23:43). If the thief was not in paradise with Him but would have entered into suffering with Jesus and Jesus lied. Paradise was still in the earth called Abrahams bosom until Christ raised and went to heaven (then he took those saints with him to heaven Eph.4:8).

Is Mark 16:9-20 supposed to be in the bible?

One of the arguments that the ending of Mark 16 is not original to the document is the argument from vocabulary. The following is a quick count and analysis of works in Mark 16:9-20.

However, other word are highly suspect also.

I have not concluded that the Long Ending (LE) was not inspired based upon my little word counting. This internal data raises “questions,” and that’s all. The external data is supportive. The content is also suggestive. These three, not one aspect alone, are all suggestive that the LE is not original to Mark. The definition of “questionable” words was “loose” on purpose. Its design, primarily, was to point out words that deserve a closer examination. It does not mean that these words are evidence against Marken authorship. It just means that these are the words that need to be examined in greater detail regarding this subject. That’s it. This list of hapax or near hapax’s is much more evidential in nature than the “questionable” list.

The "ONE TRUE CHURCH” by Damon Whitsell

Have you ever heard that phrase “The ONE TRUE CHURCH” before?

If You have,,, it is most likely that you heard it from a cult member or cult group. ALL cults say they are the “one true Church” (referred to as OTC hereafter). All cults have 3 things in common. 1. The all have distorted teachings about God, specifically Jesus and the Trinity. 2. They all employ a teaching and culture of legalism. And while they may give lip service to “salvation by grace”, they apply a system of salvation by works. 3. They all claim to be “The ONE TRUE CHURCH” !

This idea of the OTC among cults is expressed in many ways, some of them very ambiguously and not always clearly understood by the folks that hear the assertions. The claim to be the OTC by cults, and the many different ways that say or imply it,, is generally called Authoritarianism. Authoritarianism being defined as “Characterized by or favoring absolute obedience to authority, as against individual freedom” (1).

The Heretical Jesus Died Spiritually/Born-Again Jesus Doctrine of Word Faith

I. Introduction

A. Aberrant/Heterodox

I would first like to say that this movement is made up of many to mostly Christian. This is why the Word-Faith Movement is described as aberrant or heterodox.

B. What constitutes Damnable Heresy?

Damnable heresy usually focuses on one of three areas:

The Godhead
The Person/Work of Christ
Salvation by Grace through Faith

C. Word-Faith Quotes

Should The Church Teach Tithing: Free e-book by Dr. Russell Earl Kelly

Click this link or cut and paste it into your browser

http://prayershack.freeservers.com/download_russkellybook.html

Following a thorough examination of literally every biblical text on tithing, Dr. Russell Earl Kelly concludes that the church would be best served spiritually by believing and applying better New Testament principles of giving. After discussing sound biblical reasons for Christians to replace tithing, he presents God’s better principles of grace. Doctrines such as the New Testament concept of law and covenant and the priesthood of believers are presented as they affect tithing. Following several chapters that discuss disputed texts relating to pastoral support, this book traces the early development of church support as found in the Church Fathers before Nicea. This book leaves no question or objection about tithing unanswered and gives some very clear, biblical encouragement towards the kind of liberty and and release of the Spirit in our gatherings that may transpire when we embrace the Lord’s New Covenant way of giving. Russell’s book is a “must read” for any serious Bible student. Highly, highly, highly recommended! Note: This download is the THIRD edition printing of the full book. The hard copy of this edition will be available online for purchase very soon! You can ORDER the actual book at Amazon.com

Ex-Faith Healer Mark Haville Explains The Tricks of the Fake Faith Healing Trade

From Faith in Faith
to Faith in Christ

By: Peter Glover

Mark Haville’s is an extraordinary story. Converted into the Pentecostal/Charismatic church he quickly came under the spell of the Word-Faith teaching of men like Kenneth Copeland. But things did not stay that way for Mark…

Still in his mid-20′s, Mark became an itinerant minister travelling the country earning large sums of money through his ability to perform ‘signs and wonders’. Remarkably, he has renounced his former life, his beliefs, and his practices as a Word-Faith minister and is now speaking out boldly against the beliefs and practices of the current Signs and Wonders movement.

(Note: In the text ‘EN’ refers to Evangelicals Now, and ‘MH’ refers to Mark Haville. ‘PG’ is Peter Glover)

EN: “How did you first get involved with Word Faith teaching?”

MH: I was given lots of tapes and books by Kenneth Copeland which everyone was into at my church in North London. I believed that my Christian experience could validate my faith. It convinced me that what I was in was real. I was impressed by the numbers involved, their interest in the media, publications, the money and the general trappings of success – it bred the belief in me that biggest must be best.