Enter By The Narrow Gate

“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 only name given among men by which we must be saved, Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.  Acts 4:12 (NKJV)

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV)

“Enter by the narrow gate.”  How simple to understand.  In contrast, those on “the way that leads to destruction” carry a lot of baggage, unforgiven sin, material needed to keep false teachings up and running, and one’s own self sufficiency just to name a few.  In reality they need to trust Jesus.  Knowing the kingdom of God is the prize, those on the narrow path just need to continue following Jesus.

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 (NKJV)

Let me emphasize, Paul “determined not to know anything among” those within hearing distance of his voice “except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”  From “determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” in the latter half of the first century, to the birth of the Anthanasian Creed in 325-AD, a major switcheroo occurred with the flick of a pen.  The significance of “Jesus Christ and Him crucified,” which is to say the message of the cross, was replaced by the Anthanasian Creeds believe it [or else] false “method of salvation.”

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)

“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 message of the cross can be summed up by this, Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.”  “Whoever believes in” Jesus will “Enter by the narrow gate.”

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:24-26 (NKJV)

Those who desire “to come after” Jesus “and take up” their “cross and follow” Jesus, shouldn’t lengthen the message of the cross, or cut it short.  It needs no adjustment or refinement.  What the [Bible] says is enough.

Those on “the way that leads to destruction” need to know there’s a better way.  Giving them false hope, isn’t helpful.  The Anthanasian Creeds “method of salvation,” is a false hope.  The Anthanasian Creed has absolutely nothing to do with “the way which leads to life.”

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

The top ten countries coming onto this blog the past seven days.

United States of America, Germany, Unknown Region, Belgium, Czechia, Spain, France, Hong Kong, Poland, and Russia.

From Where I Stand

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Hebrews 4:14 (NKJV)

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

What you’re about to read is an E-mail I sent to someone I heard on the radio.  It’s just as I sent it, except the blank spaces.  That information was left out intentionally because it could lead to identifying who this individual is, and that’s not my intent.

I’m hoping it shows you where I stand and what I encounter.

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

Dear ______,

My name is Jim Masterson.  I live in the state of New Hampshire, and listen to your program on ______ regularly.

__________ I heard you defending the Anthanasian Creed, and thus the doctrine of the “Trinity.”  You mentioned a few different [denominations] churches and had them agreeing with, “Arians.”

I have one question.  I’ve sent this question to many.  If I gave you the names of those that I have sent it to over a period of three years, you’d recognize the majority of them.  To date I’ve only received one [direct] answer to it “Yes, and no,” which really isn’t an answer at all.

Here’s my question:

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

As one who loves Jesus, and not ashamed to tell others about Him, I say the person is saved.

Thanks for taking my question.

I’m very much looking forward to your response.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

A short time later I received:

Dear Jim,

Thank you for contacting __________ with your question. We determined early on that we would not delve into deep theological questions/answers with our listeners through the radio program, but direct them to their local Bible-believing church. Face-to-face dialogue is always better and leads to fewer misunderstandings.

Although we cannot provide an answer to you on this question, ______ has a couple of excellent resources that may be of supplemental help to you. You can access these for free download at the following links:

(Intentionally left blank)

I hope this is helpful to you. May the Lord bless you as you continue to seek Him.

In His service,
______

My response:

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

Dear ______,

Thanks for the rapid response.  I really do appreciate it.  I do find it curious that your organization has chosen not to delve into deep theological questions/answers with your listeners.  I do however respect your decision and do not expect any further response from you.

My battle is not against flesh and blood.  The Anthanasian Creed is the problem here.

Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him and spoke to Him saying, “Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?”

But He answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me: The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?”  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it was from. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Luke 20:1-8 (NKJV)

No matter how “the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders” answered Jesus’ question, was to admit to them being wrong.  My question is no different, for the follower of the Anthanasian Creed.

Luke 20:1-8 [originally] prompted me to realize that our “church leaders” are not always in alignment with the Scriptures and that it is ok to question them and discuss discrepancies as Jesus did.

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

From where I stand, to say the person is saved, proves the Anthanasian Creed wrong.  To say the person is not saved, contradicts what the Bible lays out as true.  I rely on the Bible.

The inspired word of God endures forever.  The Anthanasian Creed, does not.

Thanks again.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

Believe On The Lord Jesus Christ

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Hebrews 4:14 (NKJV)

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

Jesus spoke these words, lifting up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.  And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:2-3 (NKJV)

Let me emphasize, “The only true God,” “You have sent” Jesus.

“He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” John 12:48-50 (NKJV)

“The only true God gave” Jesus “a command, what” Jesus “should say and what” Jesus “should speak.” 

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)

When Jesus speaks of “the Father,” He’s referring to His God, “My God” and His Father, “My Father.”

If you’re telling people not to lean on their own understanding of the [Bible], then you shouldn’t give them reason to believe the doctrine of the “Trinity.”  The doctrine of the “Trinity” wouldn’t exist, if not for the Anthanasian Creed.  These words “the Son is God” aren’t in the [Bible].  The verses above, John 17:2-3, 12:48-50 and 20:17, show that “just as the Father has told Me, so I speak,” “the only true God” told Jesus to speak these things.

Does anyone [really] accept that unless one believes the doctrine of the “Trinity” one cannot be saved?  I wouldn’t give it a second thought, if I were you.  There’s plenty of people mentioned in the [Bible], saved according to the [Scriptures], who have no knowledge whatsoever of the doctrine of the “Trinity.”

“For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Luke 7:28 (NKJV)

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundation of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:25-31 (NKJV)

There is no question in our minds that “John the Baptist” and “the keeper of the prison” are saved.  The Anthanasian Creeds false “method of salvation” began in, 325-AD.  Well after these people were saved.  Replacement theology is all the Anthanasian Creed amounts to.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

In Christ

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

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Revelation 2:2-4 (NKJV)

Let me emphasize the parts of the verses that say, Jesus has this “against” those that “have labored for” Jesus’ “names sake,” they “left” their “first love.”

Nothing describes this better today than the one confessing Jesus is the Son of God, saved according to the [Scriptures], and seeks God’s will for their life, but continues to support the Anthanasian Creed.

The Anthanasian Creeds false method of salvation runs completely counter to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The person confessing Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord and the Savior of their life, saved according to the [Scriptures], and rejecting the Anthanasian Creed altogether, is saved.

“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 woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is also called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” John 4:25-26 (NKJV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

“Whoever believes in Him” the moment one chooses to believe in Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” they’re “in Christ.”  “I who speak to you am He” Jesus is the Christ, “Messiah.”

If the follower of the Anthanasian Creed would take the time to see that it’s false, they’d see that there’s no reason to follow it.  What can the Anthanasian Creed do for the one who is “in Christ,” or the one rejecting Jesus for that matter?  Absolutely nothing! 

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

Which is Inspired?

“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 the Faithful and True Witness, Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.  Revelation 3:14 (NKJV)

The Anthanasian Creed is not inspired.  If anyone should know this it would be those who believe the [Bible] is.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

Jesus is The Son of God

“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 who was given authority over all flesh, Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings. John 17:2 (NKJV)

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33 (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)

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

Let me emphasize, “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God before men,” “him” Jesus “will also confess before” His “God” and “Father who is in heaven.”

If you think the Anthanasian Creed is right, then don’t tell people “Jesus is the Son of God.”  

God bless.

In His Care… Jim

The Anthanasian Creed is Not The Way to Salvation

“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 only name given among men by which we must be saved, Messiah Yeshua “Jesus,” greetings.  Acts 4:12 (NKJV)

“This is the catholic (Christian) faith; which except you believe faithfully and firmly, you cannot be saved.”  - Last sentence of the Anthanasian Creed.

The last sentence of the Anthanasian Creed presents a serious problem.  It says, unless one believes the Anthanasian Creed “faithfully and firmly,” meaning 100% of the time, one “cannot be saved.”  In defending the Anthanasian Creed, its followers happen to be wrong.

The Anthanasian Creed was birthed in 325-AD, and makes its claim as the only way to salvation.  According to the Anthanasian Creed, unless one believes “the Son is God” and thus the doctrine of the “Trinity” one “cannot be saved.”

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Mark 1:14-18 (NKJV)

Mark 1:14-18 is plain, simple, and easy to understand.  “Repent, and believe.”  Simply, one is [saved] when one repents and believes in Jesus.  “They immediately left their nets and followed” Jesus.  This was the right thing to do then, and nothing has changed since.  Don’t substitute the Anthanasian Creed for the [Bible].  You’ll have to explain why having to repent and believe in Jesus, isn’t enough to save one’s soul if you do.

For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy place every year with blood of another—He then would had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.  And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.  Hebrews 9:24-28 (NKJV)

The Anthanasian Creed is not the way to salvation.  It is however, the wrong way to Jesus’ shed blood on the cross.

God bless.

In His Care… Jim