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  • Christian discussion group

    I was invited recently to join a Christian discussion group based in Great Brittain. I was invited by the leader of the group because she had read an article I wrote concerning the Father and the Son, and she thought the other members of this invitation-only group would be interested. I gave it a try. What I found there were amateur theologians, throwing around big words that none of them understood and quibbling over issues that didn’t even matter, or in some cases, even make sense. After making a few replies to some comments there, I decided just to post the following few comments and move on. Maybe somebody in the group is sincerely looking for true relief from that pretentious madness.

    My post:
    There is no such thing in heaven as a Holy Trinity of three (no, one) co-equal, co-eternal person/s who make up the one (no, three) true God. It is Christian mythology not found in the Bible, and for good reason. The Father is a person, with a body, the Son is a person, with his own body, and the Spirit is the holy, eternal life they share. There is nothing more to it than that.

    As for the old argument that the Spirit is a person because it is said to do things that only a person can do, please take the time to find out what the Bible says that YOUR spirit can do. Paul even told the Corinthians that his spirit would be with them when they met. Did Paul teach that HIS spirit was a person? And if HE had a son, would he, his son, and his spirit then comprise “a Trinity of co-equal persons” who would then make up the real Paul, in homoousiac, ontological essence? *sigh* Can’t you see the nonsense of it all, my friends?

    As for the Son being called “God”, others were also called “god” who were anointed by God, including Moses and Israel’s leaders. Besides, as the author of Hebrews states, the Son was God’s agent for creating “the worlds”, later pointing out that, surely, the one who created things deserves the tile, “God” (especially if Moses and others bore that title).

    Be real, now. None of you understands or can explain your own trinitarian terms, such as “the essence of God”, “equal, ontological Trinity” and other such trinitarian language. Let Jesus relieve you of the burden of carrying that excess, empty baggage around, “lest, as the serpent led Eve astray by his craftiness, your thoughts should be led astray from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

  • “devil”

    Hey John,

    Which version are you using? You wrote and said that the word “devil” is never used in the Gospel of Mark, but I found the word in Mark (KJV) 5:15, 16 and 18, and 7:29-30. Am I missing something? Are you speaking of the Greek? Thanks.

    Jim K
    ============

    Hi Jim.

    Thanks for asking.

    Yes, I was speaking of the Greek word for the “devil”, or “slanderer”. This is one of those mistranslations in the KJV which can lead to a misunderstanding. There is only one “devil”, but to speak of someone being possessed by “devils”, as the KJV does, makes it seem otherwise.

    None of the words in the verses you mentioned should have been translated “devil” or “devils”; instead, they should be “demon” or “demons”, and they are “demons” in every modern version of the New Testament. The word for “demons” is a completely different word from diabolos, the word of “devil”.

    jdc

  • days between ascension and Pentecost

    Pastor John,

    In a footnote in Chapter 7 of your Father and Son book, you mentioned the time period between Jesus’ ascension and the day of Pentecost. Exactly how many days were there between those two events?

    Thanks,
    Lyn
    ==========

    Hi Lyn,

    According to research I did many years ago, the closest we can come to determining the exact number of days between Jesus’ ascension and Pentecost, using biblical information, is that there were from 7 to 10 days. However, since we know that the law was a pattern for the Son of God, 8 days seems to be it, for in Leviticus 8-9, when the Levitical priesthood was initiated, the high priest had to remain inside the tabernacle (for Jesus, heaven) for 7 days and began his ministry on the eighth day. For Jesus, that would have been the day of Pentecost. That is when Jesus’ heavenly ministry began.

    jdc

  • Sandy – Sandy’s Story

    Dear Bro. John:

    Reading the responses this week to “our” story, the Lord reminded me of a wonderful dream he sent me in 2009, and also of a question the Spirit asked me around that same time: “Are you willing to suffer for someone to have what you have?”

    From 2009 email to PJ

    I had a wonderful dream last night.

    In the dream, someone close to me in the Lord was dying. I took this person to the doctor, but when we came into his office, instead of treating him, the doctor came over to me and put his hands on my neck and very gently turned it just a little bit (I heard it “crack” when he adjusted it). He looked so tenderly at me and very kindly asked if I could breathe okay and if I thought I could live with the adjustment that he had just made. He said that if I could not, he would adjust my neck back to where it was (as he was saying this he put it back just so I could feel the difference). Then, he glanced over at the person who I had brought in to see him and said to me, “I can put you back like you were before, but then (nodding toward the other person) I would have to put him down” (meaning that he would die). Without hesitation, I told the doctor that even though my neck was in a different (and noticeably awkward) position, I could adjust and was more than okay with it. I did not want the other person to die.

    Brother John, when I awoke, I asked the Lord, “Lord, what was that about?”

    He started showing me how much we in the body of Christ are connected to one another. How much we can hurt or can help one another. How much we depend on one another for Life! Whatever correction or adjustment is needed, someone else’s life is connected to ours, and we are dependent on one another to do the right thing in God. We have to be willing to humble ourselves to accept that adjustment for the sake of others. And above all else, for the edifying of the body of Christ and the namesake of Jesus.

    In the dream, I would have been more comfortable with the position my neck was in to begin with, but it was not about my comfort. I did not want the other person to die – – I loved them. I had to be willing to accept the adjustment so that they could live. I pray that we all learn how very much we need one another and are connected, that we be willing to humble ourselves to the hand of God so that the body of Christ may live.

    “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
    Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” 1Cor. 12: 26-27

    Sandy 🙂

  • Meeting tonight

    Hi Pastor John-
    I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed meeting tonight. I felt so much relief. The peace and the love felt so good. I have been feeling a little run down and I just felt the like dust of the world was just wiped off. It still get amazed at how quickly Jesus lifts our burdens. The happiness in my heart is overflowing. And when Gary and Joel was singing “Thankful I got you” wow…………I could feel that deep in my soul. Jesus is so good!

    Love!!
    Michelle

  • Preacher Clark biography

    Hey John

    I have been reading tonight Chapter 8 eight in the biography you wrote about your father. Very good!! One thing that you said in Chapter 8 really struck me: “But the truth was that I had merely been allowed to stand on the shore and feel one small wave of an ocean of the knowledge of God that is hidden in Jesus.” This book will humble the heart to a new place that it has not been.

    John, I am sad that this book about Preacher Clark is coming to a end.

    Thanks,
    JE

  • Psalm 2:7

    Is there a possibility that the Father is speaking of “bringing forth” the Son into view or revealing him? Looking around yalad seems nearly always to be connected with literal birth, but there are a few abstract uses such as in Proverbs 27:1. And in the Hithpael there is the sense of “to declare one’s birth (pedigree)”.

    djc
    ==========

    Hi Damien:

    I think there is another figurative use of yalad in play here, in Psalm 2:7. Often, in the ancient world, when a great king installed another as subject king of a province or territory, he would re-name that lower king, as if that king were his son. Symbolically, in renaming the lower king, the greater king was “begetting” the lower king, the way a father names his son when he is born. Here, in Psalm 2:7, God the Father is speaking of installing Christ on his throne in heaven after his resurrection and ascension. So, yes, your gut feeling is right. The Father “begat” the son when he glorified him and placed him on the throne, thus revealing to be “Lord of Lords and king of kings.”

    jdc

  • chapter 6 feelings and thoughts

    Pastor John’s House Teaching Materials and Music Store

     

    John,

    I am not sure why my thoughts went in all directions, connected somehow, but I don’t seem to be able to make an edifying communication of the random thoughts.

    It touches so many points of faith:

    The message on “All Things”* goes much deeper, makes God much wiser, more in control, and much more terrifying.

    An example of God’s patience now seems in perfect character when he said the iniquity of the inhabitants of Canaan haven’t reached the fullness therefore they will remain in the land for a while is believable with no effort.

    it helps me believe he that is least in the kingdom is greater than John the Baptist due to the Son’s greatness.

    I have to now ask myself do I believe God is in 100 % in charge not 99 and 9/10 percent?

    Not of him that wills it nor of him that runs the race but of God who shows mercy.

    t makes me ponder Jesus words will he find faith when he returns.

    Oh, Thank you Jesus!!!! Oh Thank you Father!!!!

    Wendell

    * Pastor John’s “All Things” book has been revised and retitled, Suffering and the Saints.

  • Satan tempting Jesus

    Good Morning John,

    I have been trying to find the answer to a question that I beleive you have addressed somewhere in chapter 6. In the chapter 6 notes it states that Satan would have seen Jesus in the wilderness as any other human and would have expected him to fail as others had done in the past.

    My question is this. If Satan percieved Jesus as human, why would he temp him with things beyond human power to perform, like turning a stone into bread and throwing himself from a cliff. I am almost positive I have seen the answer to this question but like I said I cannot locate it now.

    Thanks.
    Tom
    ============

    Hi, Tom.

    Satan perceived Jesus as human but with a very close connection with God. And he knew that connection existed from the time Jesus was born, and that is why he envied Jesus and wanted him dead from the time he was born. According to the gospel written by God in the sky (Rev, 12), Satan is the one behind Herod’s effort to kill the baby Jesus.

    As for having power, Satan had seen a number of earthly servants of God demonstrate great power, men such as Moses, Elijah, and Elisha. So, he would have had no problem thinking that Jesus, , since he seemed to be special to God might also have power.

    Satan had no idea how much power Jesus really has.

    Hope that addresses your question.

    Pastor John

  • Transcript (excerpt)

    John,

    I wrote all this down from your sermon this past Wednesday night because it was so thrilling. . . and I was about to post in as a FaceBook “Note”, but wanted your approval. Is it too much for the mixed FB audience? Or if you prefer to send it out to our group exclusively, that’s okay too.

    Just wanted your opinion.

    Brad

    [There has been some news, recently, about many individuals in Afghanistan and/or Pakistan receiving the baptism of the holy Spirit (with the evidence of speaking in tongues) and have joined themselves with the institution of Christianity at the encouragement of a certain Christian missionary. There’s a tragic error here: GOD has baptized them—with His Spirit—and then a MAN has told them they belong to Christianity, when actually they belong to Jesus! Consequently, these new born-again souls are indoctrinated into the common ceremonies and rituals and misinterpretations of the Bible that burden so many in the religion of Christianity. But you can’t add to what Jesus has done. Jesus is enough. (God help them!)]

    ~~~~~~~~

    John Clark points out this error in this excerpt from Wednesday’s meeting:

    “If they have received the holy Ghost, they have hungerd and thirsted for righteousness. I have a right to talk to them. . . because what I talk about is what they hungered and thirsted for. It doesn’t matter who claims to have a right to talk to them. Every child of God who was baptized with the holy Spirit, in Afghanistan [or wherever]. . . to get the holy Ghost they had to hunger and thirst for what we have. They might not know it. They might not understand what we have, but I know this is what they’re after. They can get sidetracked by Christian foolishness, but that’s not what they’re after; that’s not what got them the holy Ghost. What got them the holy Ghost was hungering and thirsting for the truth—the righteousness of God—which is without ceremony, without ‘form’, without false doctrine. God help us get it to them!

    ‘The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the holy Ghost [Romans 14:17].’ It’s IN the holy Ghost [Not in Christianity]. That’s why, when people hunger and thirst for the kingdom of God—and His righteousness—they get the holy Ghost! That’s why they get it–’cause that’s where it is! And God’s giving it to them!

    God: “You want My kingdom? Speak in tongues! You want my righteousness? Here it is: speak in tongues!”

    If they’d been hungering and thirsting for rigtheousness and God had given them a bowl of turnip greens I would’ve said, “That’s where it is!” But He didn’t give them a bowl of turnip greens! He didn’t give them a water baptism! He didn’t give them a ‘church membership’. He gave them the holy Ghost [with the evidence of speaking in tongues].

    Glory to God!
    ‘Cause that’s where the rigtheousness is!
    And the angels rejoice…. And Jesus rejoices…. And we rejoice!”

    April 18th, 2012

    ==========

    If you have the faith, then shout it from the rooftops, Brad.

    jdc

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