My Wish

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)

In the name of Him making he who overcomes a pillar in the temple of His God, Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.  See Revelation 3:12 (NKJV)

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” Matthew 20:20-21 (NKJV)

While listening to the local “Christian” radio station I heard a follower of the Anthanasian Creed, referring to “her sons” James and John, “They didn’t have the gall to ask, so they got their mother to do it.”  My first thought after hearing it was, “I wish that people wouldn’t—act like they were actually there that day.”  There is nothing in the text that explains why the mother was speaking for her sons.  The speaker has made an assumption.  My second thought was to wish people would just believe in what Jesus accomplished in the first century for themselves, just as it is written with nothing added. 

The longer one [trusts] depends upon the Anthanasian Creed, which is to say things outside God’s plan of salvation, the easier it will be for them to overlook what Jesus [actually] accomplished in the first century.

The person that has accepted what Jesus accomplished in the first century, everything leading up to and including His death on a cross, is saved according to the [Scriptures].  There’s no need for this person to look to anyone else, or anything else for that matter, to be saved, because they’re already on the right side of God’s plan of salvation.    

There was a time when I didn’t have “the gall” to speak out against the Anthanasian Creed, but that all changed in 2009.  Now, it’s all about telling others about what Jesus accomplished in the first century, and showing them why the Anthanasian Creed shouldn’t have made its way into the twenty first century.

Would you say the person confessing Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord and the Savior of their life, saved according to the [Scriptures], and rejects the Anthanasian Creed altogether, is saved?

As one who loves Jesus, and who’s not ashamed to tell others about Him, I say the person is saved.  It is impossible to prove otherwise.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

Being Led By God To Do So

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3 (NKJV)

In the precious and beautiful name of the Faithful and True Witness, Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.  See Revelation 3:14 (NKJV)

While listening to the local “Christian” radio station a follower of the Anthanasian Creed was discussing someone they knew, who wrote a book about the book of Leviticus.  The speaker said of this person “He knew more about Leviticus than Moses did.”  The speaker went onto to call this particular book, “The book of books on Leviticus.”

I get why someone would say, “The book of books on Leviticus.”  To them it’s the “best book” they’ve read to date, on Leviticus, based on their understanding.  “He knew more about Leviticus than Moses did” is [exactly] why I treat the writings of those not mentioned in the [Bible] as hearsay at best, until proven otherwise.  Being led by God to do so, Moses wrote the book of Leviticus.  How someone today could know more about Leviticus than Moses is unfathomable.      

I can only imagine the number of books that have been written, about the book of Leviticus, where people would call them “The book of books on Leviticus.”  In the end are they not all man’s interpretation of a book written by Moses who was led by God?  Was what Moses wrote not enough?

For me, knowing an individual is a follower of the Anthanasian Creed tells me they are willing to believe man’s interpretations over [Biblical] truths and this is a very slippery slope.  Nothing has caused more people to add to or subtract from that which has been laid out for us in the [Bible], than the Anthanasian Creed.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

Any Person

Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?  1 John 5:5 (NKJV)

In the name of the Son of the living God, Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings. See John 6:69 (NKJV)

As I watched a program on television I heard, “Any person that accepts Jesus Christ has the Holy Spirit, is saved.”  Moments later on the same program and from a different person, “The Holy Spirit does come into that person’s life at conversion.”  My first thought after hearing it was “Thank you God, it works.”  It being God’s plan of salvation.

As one who loves Jesus, and who’s not ashamed to tell others about Him, I say, the Anthanasian Creed doesn’t work.  At the [precise] moment of “conversion” one has the Holy Spirit, is saved, and there’s no need for them to believe the doctrine of the trinity, which is to say the Anthanasian Creed.  The irony here is, both of these speakers are followers of the Anthanasian Creed.

It [cannot] doesn’t get any better than the moment one accepts Jesus Christ.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

The top ten countries coming onto this blog the past thirty days.  Overall top ten position in parentheses.

United States of America (1), France (3), Ukraine (8), Ireland, Unknown Region (9), Germany (4), United Arab Emirates (5), Indonesia, Netherlands, and Russia (2).

There's No Need For Commentary

Grace, mercy, and truth will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2 John 3 (NKJV)

In the precious and beautiful name of Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.

While listening to the local “Christian” radio station I heard, “Imagine being a pastor, and you have no commentary.”  The speaker on the radio is referring to the commentary that people have added to the pages in the [Bible] that are supposed to better explain God’s word.  The speaker mentioned a specific pastor, who had [only] a single copy of the [Bible] to draw from, and it didn’t contain commentary.  The story the speaker connected to this particular pastor is believable, believing there’s a disadvantage to not having “commentary” to draw from, is not. 

I’d say that this particular pastor has the advantage of having the right tool, a [Bible] without human commentary.  We should be eager to trust the [Bible] to be more than sufficient enough as is.

“Imagine being a pastor,” or anyone else for that matter, when the Anthanasian Creed was birthed in 325-AD.  Knowing God’s plan of salvation, would you be willing to accept this new Anthanasian Creed as the only way to salvation, which is [exactly] what it claims?  Why should I set aside what God has laid out for me and accept this false “method of salvation” that surfaced well after the last entry of the New Testament? 

The doctrine of the trinity, which is to say the Anthanasian Creed, is man’s addition onto that which Jesus accomplished in the first century.  The truth about Jesus is available for all to see in the [Bible], there’s no need for commentary.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

Studying The Word of God

“We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.” Colossians 1:3 (NKJV)

In the name of Him making he who overcomes a pillar in the temple of His God, Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.  See Revelation 3:12 (NKJV)

While watching television I heard a follower of the Anthanasian Creed say, “Most Christians are illiterate.  They’re not studying the word of God.”

The irony here is that followers of the Anthanasian Creed are basing their salvation and preaching it to others based on doctrine not found in the [Bible].  Nothing has caused more people to turn from [Biblical] truths to false teachings, than the Anthanasian Creed.  The follower of that creed will say not so but they will mount their defense on what they’ve been taught, as a truth, from the Anthanasian Creed, which is to say the writings of those not mentioned in the [Bible].

Recently, I had a brief conversation with a total stranger.  It begin by me asking if they needed help lifting a heavy object.  I was walking our dog “Ohana” (which means family in Hawaiian) when I offered my assistance.  Having just returned from a [vacation] trip to Martha’s Vineyard with my wife, I was wearing a sweater that had Martha’s Vineyard written across the front.

Noticing the “advertisement” on my sweater, the stranger asked, “Where you at Martha’s Vineyard?”  I said, “My wife and I just returned.”

This individual pointed out many things about Martha’s Vineyard, how the rich and famous seem to flock to it.  My response was, “I’m not interested in how much money one has or popularity contest, we enjoy going there.”

It didn’t take long for me to figure out that this individual wasn’t “pleased” with my end of the conversation, especially when I didn’t agree with this individual’s politics.  The conversation went along smoothly, and my assistance wasn’t needed.  It was after this individual [safely] loaded the item in their car and we parted our ways, did I realize that I missed a great opportunity.

Later as I related the story to my wife how that I had [many] opportunities to tell the individual, ‘I’m only interested in whether or not one believes in Jesus Christ,’ and I hadn’t thought of it in the moment.

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.  1 John 4:15 (NKJV)

“Most Christians are illiterate.  They’re not studying the word of God.”  I would never make this judgement about people, let alone those confessing “that Jesus is the Son of God.”  Those believing in the Anthanasian Creeds “the Son is God” are not studying the word of God in this case either.  Ultimately only God knows what is in the heart of each individual.  Let us stick to the truth as laid out in the [Bible] and skip man’s commentary.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

A Discussion

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)

In the precious and beautiful name of Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.

Recently, I sent this question to an evangelical organization.

Would you say the person confessing Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord and the Savior of their life, saved according to the [Scriptures], and rejects the Anthanasian Creed altogether, is saved?  

What follows is the essential portion of their response.

Jim

Thank you for contacting us.

You asked if someone who fully rejected the Anthanasian Creed fully could be Christian. While we cannot say for certain, it’s hard to imagine any Christian fully rejecting this creed. The reason for this is that is the creed speaks to many issues, such as the Trinity and the eternal existence of God, that are essential doctrines of Christian faith. Specifically, the doctrine of the Trinity is absolutely essential to New Testament Christianity. Theologians have pointed out that if it were not true, the Bible would be unreliable, Christ would not be divine, and His death on the cross would not atone for our sins, being merely the death of a martyr.

This is my follow-up to their response.

Dear _______________,

Thanks for the [prompt] response to my question.  The majority of those I have sent it to, have yet to respond.  I do appreciate you taking the time to thoughtfully reply.

There are a couple of points from your response that I would like to address further. 

Your response states “You asked if someone who fully rejected the Anthanasian Creed fully could be Christian,” I asked if the person is saved.  Does that change your answer in any way?

“While we cannot say for certain,” implies that there is doubt, that maybe none of us are truly qualified to fully understand God.  This includes those responsible for the writing and acceptance of the Anthanasian Creed.

“It’s hard to image any Christian fully rejecting this creed,” there is a lot in it.  What does it look like for someone to partially reject it?  Is it okay to reject some of it and still be saved?

I believe the [Bible] is more than sufficient enough as is.  Nothing that comes after it should be required to enhance it.  Nothing has or ever will make it “unreliable,” or make Jesus, the Son of God, “merely the death of a martyr.”  Jesus’ death on the cross, conquered death.

What you’re about to read is available for all to read on my blog, jimmasterson.blogspot.com, August 20, 2018.

Standing in The Crossroads

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Ephesians 1:17 (NKJV)

In the precious and beautiful name of Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.

If you’re confessing Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord and the Savior of your life, but believing that you wouldn’t be saved if rejecting the Anthanasian Creed altogether, you’re standing in a crossroad.  The roads before you are the [Bible] and, the writings of those not mentioned in the [Bible].  The decision that needs to be made as to which road to take is between you and the all-knowing God of the [Bible].

It is my obligation to tell you that sometime after choosing to believe in Jesus Christ, it is likely that you’ve mistaken the writings of those not mentioned in the [Bible] for the [Bible].  The person confessing Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord and the Savior of their life, is saved.

Some believe that this person is not saved without first believing the Anthanasian Creed, something that surfaced and became doctrine of the Catholic Church in 325-AD.  These are followers of the Anthanasian Creed.  For the past sixteen hundred plus year’s, people have been led to believe the only way to salvation is found in the Anthanasian Creed, when the writings of those found in the [Bible] say differently.

It’s Sunday.  A man enters the local church.  He’s in town on business and hasn’t been seen inside a church for over fifty years, except for weddings and funerals.  If you knew this man you’d say, he’s not interested in hearing about the [Bible].  He’s greeted by many, but remains a stranger to them.

The message he heard that day was taken straight from the [Bible], believe in Jesus Christ and you will be saved.  Unbeknownst to those present that day the man wasn’t saved, when he entered the church that is.

Praise God, before the entire congregation, the man confessed to being a sinner, thanked Jesus for dying on a cross for him, and now believes in Jesus Christ.  If I was present that day, I’d say this man is saved.

After church the man was invited to lunch, an opportunity to celebrate the moment.  During this time he mentioned that he was in town for another week, and would like to get together again.  “There’s a [Bible] study on Wednesday night,” they said.  With great joy, he accepts the invitation.

It’s Wednesday.  For the first time this born again believer in Jesus Christ heard, unless one believes the doctrine of the “Trinity” they cannot be saved.  Confused, the man says, “Am I saved?  Sunday’s message opened my eyes as to who Jesus is, what He did for me.  It changed my life.  All I want to do now is tell people about Jesus.  What is this doctrine of the trinity?”

The rest is between you and the all-knowing God of the [Bible], if you should happen to find yourself standing in the crossroad.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

Now I wait to see if they reply.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

Nothing To Do With My Salvation

“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble!” James 2:19 (NKJV)

In the name of Him who was given all authority in heaven and on earth, Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings. See Matthew 28:18 (NKJV)

For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. Titus 1:10-11 (NKJV)

While listening to the local “Christian” radio station I heard a follower of the Anthanasian Creed say, referring to Titus 1:10-11, “I don’t know if you know this but corruption is a big business.”  I agree with the speaker on this point.  However, the speaker then went on to quote someone that’s not mentioned in the bible, targeting false teachers, saying, “They add to the word of God.  Subtract from the works of Jesus Christ.”

At its birth in 325-AD, which is to say well after the last entry of the New Testament, the Anthanasian Creed became doctrine of the Catholic Church.  Those that have chosen to believe it since, have become comfortable with saying ‘unless one believes the Anthanasian Creed, and thus the doctrine of the trinity, one cannot be saved.’

I don’t know about you but other than having it expose one as a follower of the Anthanasian Creed, telling me unless I believe the Anthanasian Creed I cannot be saved is an absolute waste of time.  There is no such thing in the [Bible] as ‘unless one believes the doctrine of the trinity one cannot be saved.’  In their attempt to make sense of the Anthanasian Creed, don’t followers of that creed add to the word of God?  Subtract from the works of Jesus Christ?  The answer is “Yes,” on both counts.

Before what had to be at least two hundred people, I sought forgiveness for my sins.  Having understood [by the grace of God] the significance of what Jesus accomplished in the first century, especially His death on the cross, I surrendered my life to Jesus that day.  I confess and believe that Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” is the Son of God.  Praise God and thank God, that my sins are forgiven.

The speaker on the radio is asking the listening audience to trust, what those not mentioned in the [Bible] believe.  I can only “assume,” because followers of the Anthanasian Creed typically agree with other followers “They add to the word of God.  Subtract from the works of Jesus Christ,” is linked to one that also believes the Anthanasian Creed.

As one who loves Jesus, and who’s not ashamed to tell others about Him, I’m listening to what’s [actually] being said, and not concerned one bit with who’s saying it.  Do I have to believe what someone else believes to be saved, in a world that clearly has lost its way?  If it’s lifting up the Anthanasian Creed in any way, shape or form, I know it had [absolutely] nothing to do with my salvation [according to the Scriptures].

Nothing has caused more people to turn from [Biblical] truths to false teachings, than the Anthanasian Creed.       

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

Who Do You Trust?

Grace, mercy, and truth will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2 John 3 (NKJV)

In the precious and beautiful name of Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the worlds.”  Hebrews 1:1-2 (NKJV)

If you don’t understand why “God” “has in these last days spoken to us by His Son,” you will believe [false] bad doctrine.  What Jesus accomplished in the first century, which has been [clearly] laid out for us in the [Bible], speaks directly to each and every one of us.  There’s only two ways to go in God’s plan of salvation, to be, or not to be, [forever] with Jesus.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16 (NKJV)

The all-knowing God of the [Bible] is not surprised one bit, by the number of false religions and doctrines that have made their way into the twenty first century.  The [Bible] is crystal clear concerning the matter.  Do not trust the care of your salvation to anyone else but the [Biblical] Jesus.  “Whoever believes in” Jesus, according to the [Scriptures], will be saved.

“That whoever believes in” Jesus, who is the Son of God, has absolutely nothing to do with man’s understanding of the [Scriptures].  Man’s understanding is not necessarily the same as God’s intention.  This is [exactly] why, “God” “has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.”  So who do you trust?

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

Don't Wait

“We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.” Colossians 1:3 (NKJV)

In the name of Him who said “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.  See John 8:32 (NKJV)

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mark 13:32 (NKJV)

Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’” John 20:17 (NKJV)

“Nor the Son” Jesus does not know “that day and hour” of His second coming, “but only” “My Father” His Father.

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” Matthew 25:31-34 (NKJV)

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” Matthew 25:41 (NKJV)

“He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.”  Understand that Jesus knows those that believe in Him, according to the [Scriptures], and those that do not. 

Those that know [believe in] Jesus according to the [Scriptures] will hear, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Those that do not will hear, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

There’s a lot of he said, she said, accusations being made these days and people are left with having to sift through them, what to believe or not to believe.  I say when you know the truth about God’s plan of salvation, you’ll know [exactly] who/what not to believe.  It’s all about [accepting] that which Jesus accomplished in the first century.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” Matthew 7:15 (NKJV)

The way I see it, I’ll trust the [Bible] to be more than sufficient enough as is, and I will avoid those bent on [deception], regarding their beliefs or motives (Matthew 7:15).  This leaves me on the right side of God’s plan of salvation while at the same time, praying for those who are [obviously] not. 

When Messiah Yeshua comes, and He will come again to “sit on the throne,” which would you prefer to hear?

“Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

  

“Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

The choice is yours to make.  Choose wisely.  Not only does Jesus not know “that day and hour” of His second coming, neither do we.  Don’t wait.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

Come to The Way, The Truth, And The Life

Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?  1 John 5:5 (NKJV)

In the name of Him who did not come to destroy but to fulfill, Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings. See Matthew 5:17-18 (NKJV)

I have failed many times, but I don’t consider myself a failure.  God took the things I had to repent of, and used them for my good.  I [pray] that all peoples of the world believe in Messiah Yeshua “Jesus” according to the [Scriptures] but I don’t see it happening anytime soon, though God’s will be done.

Would you say the person confessing Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord and the Savior of their life, saved according to the [Scriptures], and rejects the Anthanasian Creed altogether, is saved? 

The Anthanasian Creed has turned many away from [Biblical] truths to false teachings, since it became doctrine of the Catholic Church in 325-AD.  I [pray] hope that you’re not teaching it as a sound doctrine because the person, in my question, is saved.  It is impossible to prove otherwise.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 (NKJV)

In a world bent on silencing [Biblical] truths, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in truth, is the safe thing to do.  Satan’s way is to silence, and turn people away from, [Biblical] truths.  The last thing Satan wants us to know is that Jesus [alone] is, “the way, the truth, and the life.” 

Trust in “No one comes to the Father except through” Jesus.  There is no salvation outside that which Jesus accomplished in the first century.  This is available for all to see in the [Bible].  Like me, God will use your failures for your good.  Come to “the way, the truth, and the life.” 

God bless.

In His Care… Jim