CHAPTER 6

Every Christian should become actively involved in serving other Christians who go to church in some way.

If we all serve in love, many tasks will become easy; And as we strive together for unity with God, our fellowship and growth as Christians is better established. Jesus Christ will change our hearts and strengthen us, as we further learn God's ways through listening to His word of truth.

God has also given various Christians the authority to serve as pastors, teachers, evangelists, elders, witnesses, and many other callings.

As we gather together, God's word has certain instructions and order for us to follow, so that there would not be confusion and so that our spiritual growth would be effectual.

All ' Authority ' in heaven and on earth has been given by God the Father to Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ, therefore is the only one who can spiritually delegate godly authority, to any man.

Man can give all kinds of positions in the church to other men, but unless Jesus Christ has first spiritually given and established His authority in that person's life, then any appointment by man alone is fruitless and not recognized by God.

Man often judges and elects other men by their outward appearance, but God judges by the heart; Man looks at physical strengths and abilities, but God wants to use those who are humble and willing.

When true spiritual authority from God becomes evident in any Christian's life by their faithful demonstration of God's love, in all wisdom and truth to other people; then this is a confirmation that this person can be delegated authority within the church.

MATTHEW 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, " All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

28:20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

MAT 10:1 And having summoned His twelve disciples, He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

MAT 20:26 It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.

20:27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave

20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

MAT 23:11 But the greastest among you shall be your servant.

23:12 And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

1 TIM 2:12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

Pastors and teachers are like shepherds who care for and feed the sheep, and we as Christians being discipled, are like the sheep who need to be fed daily the Word of God.

A good Christian pastor or teacher will not only teach the Holy Scriptures in word but will also demonstrate the Love of God to all those who come to church, to appropriately minister to their needs, or at least to be responsible to direct another Christian within the church to meet any legitimate need that they might have.

Pastors and teachers are appointed by God to equip us as Christians, with the knowledge of the ways of God, and to give further wisdom and understanding of How we should live our lives as Christians, so that each one of us can fully Love and minister to others properly, in the ways that God intended, and so that we also grow up into the likeness of Jesus Christ unhindered.

As we believe God's Truth that is taught by various Christian pastors and teachers, it is those messages of the Word of God that makes us free from sin, through the grace of Jesus Christ.

EPHESIANS 3:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers,...

EPHESIANS 3:12,13 ... for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

EPHESIANS 4:14 That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.

1 TIM 3:1 It is trustworthy statement if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.

3:2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

3:3 not addicted to wine or aggressive to fight, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money.

3:4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity.

3:5 But if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God ?

3:6 And not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.

3:7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Elders are certain Christian leaders or rather servants appointed by God who may or may not have a formal title or office, appointed by man, within the church.

Elders are not necessarily old, they could be young or old by age, but having wisdom of God's truths along with spiritual maturity and a sincere love from God for others is what makes a person an elder of the church.

An elder is led by the Holy Spirit and knows How to oversee other Christians and protect their welfare from spiritual harm and further minister to their needs.

1 PETER 5:1-5 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, by overseeing not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

Nor lording over those who are allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Head Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

1 CORIN 12:27,28 Now you are Christ's body and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps administrations, various kinds of tongues.

1 TIM 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

JAMES 5:14 Is anyone among you sick ? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray overhim, annointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;

1 TIM 3:8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,

3:9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

3:10 And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.

3:12 Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their households.

3:13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Every Christian Church needs many lay workers to effectively minister to the needs of those within the church and to fulfill the basic administrative functions.

Serving as one of your churches lay workers can be one of the most fulfilling callings from God.

Every Christian should prayerfully consider volunteering as a lay worker;

Let your pastor know you're desire.

If you see a need or a problem within the church don't just complain, rather try to personally fill that need yourself.

Sunday School Teacher

Usher

Counselor

Youth Director/ Assit.

Worship Team

Sound Person

Missions

Administration

Child Care

Singles Group Leader

Marriage counselor

Home Fellowship

Secretary

New Believers Counselor

Discipleship Teacher

Home Visitation

Helps

Bible School Teacher

God set up one day a week as the ' Sabbath ' a special day of rest, and the other six days man should labor.

This is a day to worship God, and to become spiritually refreshed, and to further grow in the love of God with others in the church.

Many Christians have various viewpoints on which day of the week should be regarded as the Sabbath, some believe Saturday, some Sunday.

However we should not be legalistic; for we should judge no man by what day he keeps holy.

EXODUS 20:8 Remember the sabbath,day, to keep it holy.

20:9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,

20:10 but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner, who stays with you.

Jesus Christ instructed His disciples and all Christians today to take part in a special ordinance and gathering called the " The Lord's Supper " or " Communion."

This ordinance was instituted by Jesus at the last supper with His disciples just before His betrayal, by the breaking and eating of the bread and the drinking of the cup. Jesus instructed us to do this in remembrance of Him and to partake of communion in a worthy manner.

Communion is when Christians have intimate fellowship with other Christians and proclaim the Lord's death till He comes once again. The reason Why we proclaim the Lord's death is for us to reflect and remember the great Love Jesus gave by laying down His life for us at the cross.

We should always continue to highly regard the provision of His grace as precious and not abuse His mercy by continuing in deliberate sin; Furthermore, remembering that it is because of the body and blood of Jesus Christ that we have new life.

1 CORIN 11:23-27 " For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;

11:24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, " This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me."

11:25 In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying " This cup is the New Covenant in My blood; Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.

11:27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord."

11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

11:29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgement to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly.

11:30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.

LUKE 22:19,20 And when He had taken some bread and had given thanks, He broke it, and gave it to them, saying, " This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."

22:20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, " This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood."

JOHN 6:47-58 Truly, truly I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.

6:48 I am the bread of eternal life.

6:49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and they died;

6:50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.

6:51 I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of these bread, he shall live forever and the bread also which I give for the life of the world is My flesh.

6:52 The Jews therefore began to argue with one another, saying, " How can this man give us his flesh to eat ?

6:53 Jesus therefore said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.

6:54 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

6:55 For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.

6:56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.

6:57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he shall also live because of Me.

6:58 This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate, and died, he who eats this bread shall live forever.

MAT 26:26-28 And while they were eating Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, " Take, eat; this is My body."

26:27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, " Drink from it, all of you;

26:28 For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

ACTS 2:42-47 And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

2:43 And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.

2:44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common.

2:45 and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

2:46 And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart.

2:47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

JOHN 13:1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

13:2 And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him.

1 CORIN 10:21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demonic; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

The word WORSHIP in the Bible - Literally means - To kiss the hand of ...

Worship is our joyful tribute rendered to God. It is one way we honor God and give Him thanks.

God deserves our praise and worship for all that He has done.

Worship and praise is a definite part of a Christian's life,

We can give praise and worship to God in so many different ways such as in prayer, words, in songs, music, dance, and in the Spirit; Worship shows our affectionate Love for God, and gives Him the glory that is due His Name.

The Bible is full of exhortations and directions to God's people, to render Him proper praise and honor with gladness and thanksgiving for His manifold mercies and goodnesses that He has given to us and to all men.

HEBREWS 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

ISAIAH 42:12 Let them give glory to the Lord and declare His praise in the islands.

PSALM 66:1-2 Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing to the glory of His name; offer Him glory and praise.

PSALM 117:1-2 Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples. For great is His Love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

PSALM 145:1-3 I will praise you, my God the King; I will praise your name forever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise.

PSALM 148:1-5 Praise the Lord !

Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights ! Praise Him, all His` angels; Praise Him all His hosts ! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light ! Praise Him, highest heavens, and the waters that are above the heavens ! Let them Praise the name of the Lord.

PSALM 148:11 Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth;

148:12 Both young men and virgins; Old men and children.

148:13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, For His glory is above earth and heaven.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are so to speak, the spiritual tools, given to Christians by God, to enable them to minister effectually to others.

The spiritual gifts of God's Holy Spirit are still real and good for every Christian today. Yet there are also many false demonstrations of God's Holy Spirit by men in many churches that we need to be on guard against.

God will help give spiritual discernment to us to help distinguish between the genuine demonstration of the gifts of the Holy Spirit vs those who attempt to falsely display the gifts of Holy Spirit which God has not given them.

The focus of Christian teaching should never mainly be upon the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but rather on How to Love others as Jesus loved us; However some teaching on the the gifts of the Holy Spirit is essential so that everything would be done in God's order, so that it be truly edifying to others.

Any Christian can receive one or more of the gifts of the Holy Spirit throughout their lives, and some may not be recognizable at first in a person's life, but as they step out in faith desiring to serve and to love others, God will many times increase the spiritual gifts in a person's life.

1 CORIN 12:4-11 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.

And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;

To another faith, by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

1 CORIN 14:1-40

Pursue Love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

14:2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.

14:3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.

14:4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

14:5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.

14:6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching ?

14:12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.

14:13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

14:18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all;

14:19 However, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind, that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

14:26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, one has a psalm, another has a teaching, another has a revelation, another has a tongue, another has a interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

14:27 If anyone speaks in a tongue it should be by two or at the most three and each in turn and let one interpret;

14:28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church and let him speak to himself and to God

14:29 And let two or three prophets speak and let the others pass judgment.

14:30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, let the first keep silent.

14:31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;

' Unity ' among Christians is one of the most important spiritual qualities for many reasons; There is spiritual strength in unity; Love comes forth through unity; The successful outcome missions and ministry is depended upon unity; Godly solutions to the problems we face is found when we have unity and agree. Yet ' unity ' must be according to God's ways and not from our own conceptions.

The word of God within the Bible gives the standards for true spiritual unity within the church.

Unity Church, The Bahai Faith or similar ' Unitarian philosophy are in gross error because they all have misconstrued the scriptures. They imply within their teachings that all religions and philosophies should be unified by ' accepting ' each other's doctrines. This may sound seemly good, however in reality no one can attain true spiritual unity by intermixing beliefs. This would be like taking the pure truth of God found in Christianity and polluting it with strange beliefs and religious rituals, which can only bring confusion.

Rather God wants us to become truly unified in Him through a living relationship with Jesus Christ. This is only way to have true unity, if a person abides in the grace of Jesus Christ and receive the Spirit of God.

Satan is always trying to bring disunity among Christians, such as divorce, accusations, bitterness, revenge, unforgiveness.

Unity is something we must constantly desire so that God can establish it within our lives.

When we are unified within the Body of Christ there is less of a burden on each other.

Striving for unity daily, brings peaceful harmony with great joy, among Christians.

PSALM 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity.

COL 3:14 And beyond all these things put on Love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

GALATIANS 6:2 Bear one another's burden's and thus fulfill the law of Christ.

1 CORIN 13:5 Love does not take into account a wrong suffered.

EPHES 4:15,16 But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

1 CORIN 1:10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

PHIL 1:27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.

JOHN 17:20-23 I do not ask in behalf of those alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one; even as You, Father are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that You did send Me.

And the glory which You have given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one;

I in them, and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that You did send Me, and did love them, even as You did love Me.

EPHES 4:3-6 Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,

4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;

4:5 One Lord, one Faith, one baptism,

4:6 One God, and Father of all is over all and through all and in all.

ECC 4:12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Good counsel is biblical and spiritual wisdom, advice, correction, direction, encouragement, always given in love, by pastors, teachers, elders, or even other Christians.

Good counsel comes from those who have waited upon the Lord, prayed for wisdom, learned God's word and rightly divided His truths, and received insight from God's Holy Spirit.

There is also evil counsel from men who purposely twist the scriptures or give counsel from their own beliefs, rather from God's word and through the Holy Spirit. Bad counsel can also be given by Christian counselors who may even have good intent but are immature in God's spiritual fruits and gifts, or unknowledgable about God's word and therefore give wrong advice from their own logic, using scripture inappropriately to validate their erroneous view.

Giving the right counsel at the right time is also a gift from God. There are sometimes Christian counselors who give good biblical advice, yet their timing was not led by the Holy Spirit.

Anytime a Christian is going through a major problem in their life it is wise for them to receive counsel from several mature Christians, however they need to still make their decision on what God's Holy Spirit reveals to them.

Good Counsel

PROVERBS 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.

PROV 13:10 Through presumption comes nothing but strife, But with those who receive counsel is wisdom.

PROV 27:9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, so a man's counsel is sweet to his friend

PROV 11:14 Where there is no guidance, the people fall, But in abudance of counselors there is victory.

Evil Counsel

PSALM 1:1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;

PSALM 64:2 Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers, from the tumult of those who do iniquity.

It is essential that we correct each other but only when directed by the Holy Spirit and in a loving manner, according to the word of God.

For anyone to just point out someone's faults without a sincere love and concern, will only be hurtful, and condemning, instead of edifying.

Correcting other Christians is not wrongful judging when done in a Christlike manner towards those Christians who choose to continue in sin;

However it can be wrongful judging if done in an accusing way with no loving concern or not based upon biblical truth.

Correction, reprove, and rebuke, helps us to be equipped for every good work, and keeps us on the narrow path that leads to life.

2 TIM 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness,

3:17 That the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

2 TIM 4:2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

2 TIM 2:24,25 And the Lord's bond servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

2:25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth.

MAT 7:3 And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye ?

7:4 Or how can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye and behold, the log is in your own eye ?

7:5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

2 THES 3:14 And if anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that man and do not associate with him, so that he may be put to shame,

2:15 And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

1 TIM 5:1 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers,

5:2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

Jesus Christ instructed us to beware of false teachers; There are many false teachers who may at first glance not appear to be all that evil yet their doctrines can still be very devastating to anyone who attempts to follow what they teach.

These false teachers are associated with various religious groups and cults, such as Unity Church, New Age, Bahai Faith, Mormons, Masons, Jehovah Witnesses, Hare Krishnas, Islam etc; or even be within our own Christian churches.

Each of these may even falsely claim to be " Christian ", or to believe in Jesus Christ yet in reality when anyone closely examines what they actually believe in comparison to the scriptures of Bible, you can clearly see their lies, contradictions, and deceptions which are contrary to the truth of God.

Don't be deceived to follow their ways just because they do a few things that appear spiritual or benevolent acts, in order to entice you. Remember they themselves can be very sincere in what they believe, but that can be sincerely wrong.

There are also many false teachers even within our Christian denominations and churches, who are harder to discern. They know the Bible: They may even teach 99 % biblical truth, yet if they teach 1 % lies of a major doctrine, it's like eating 99 % good food with 1 % poison, that 1 % poison can still kill you.

Avoid these kind of teachers who deliberately teach a doctrine contrary the full gospel of Jesus Christ and who take scripture out of content.

" You shall know them by their fruits."

If you see any unrepented sinful pattern in a teacher's life or if he causes any sin in the church by what he teaches, then that teacher is to be recognized as a false teacher;

However don't reject a Christian teacher who ignorantly may be teaching an error if they are is open to correction and change.

2 PET 2:1,2 But there were also false prophets among, the people, even as there will be false teachers, among you who will secretly bring in destructive heresies,

ACT 20:29,30 For I know this, that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you not sparing the flock, also from among yourselves men will rise up speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

JUDE 4 For certain men have crept in, unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation , ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

MAT 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

2 COR 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workman, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ, and no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, so it is not strange, if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, their end will correspond to their deeds.

Where does God's Word also instruct us to not to be carried about with various and strange doctrines, and further not to believe in any perverted gospel of Christ, which is polluted with untruth, such as contradictions, profane and vain babblings, errors, philosophies, twisted and misconstrued scriptures, false knowledge, hypocrisy, doctrines of demons,... etc ?

MARK 13:22 False christs and false prophets will arise and show signs and wonders , to lead astray, if possible, the elect. but TAKE HEED I have told you all things beforehand.

HEB 13:8,9 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

DO NOT BE CARRIED ABOUT WITH VARIOUS & STRANGE TEACHINGS.

MAT 7:15 BEWARE of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

EPHES 5:5,6 LET NO ONE DECEIVE YOU, WITH EMPTY WORDS, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience, therefore do not be partakers with them.

DEUT 12:30 TAKE HEED ... THAT YOU DO NOT INQUIRE ABOUT THEIR GODS, saying," How did these nations serve their gods ?'

EX 23:13 TAKE HEED to all that I have said to you; and make no mention of the names of other gods, NOR LET SUCH BE HEARD OUT OF YOUR MOUTH.

DEUT 4:16 BEWARE LEST YOU ACT CORRUPTLY by making a graven image for yourselves, in the form of any figure, BEWARE lest you lift up your eyes to heaven and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars ...you be drawn away and worship them & serve them...

2 PET 3:16 There are some things in them hard to understand which the ignorant & unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures, You, therefore, beloved, Knowing this beforehand, BEWARE lest you be carried away with ERROR of lawless men and lose your stability...

MAT 24:4.5 TAKE HEED THAT NO ONE DECEIVES YOU, For many will come in My Name saying, " I AM the CHRIST "and WILL deceive MANY.

COL 2:8 SEE TO IT THAT NO ONE MAKES PREY OF YOU by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ.

2 TIM 4:3 For the time is coming when they will not endure sound teaching, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers ; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

But you be watchful in all things...

GAL 1:6-10 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the Grace of Christ, to a different gospel when there is not another: But there are some who want to trouble you and PERVERT the Gospel of Christ. But even if WE or an angel from heaven, PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL to you than what we have preached to you, LET HIM BE ACCURSED.

As we have said before, so I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

For do I now persuade men or God ? or do I seek to please men ? For if I seek still to please men, I WOULD NOT BE A SERVANT OF CHRIST.

MAT 24:11,12 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many and because lawlessness will abound,

THE LOVE OF MANY WILL GROW COLD.

1 TIM 6:20,21 Avoiding the profane and vain babblings ,and CONTRADICTIONS of what is falsely called knowledge, by professing it,

SOME HAVE STRAYED FROM THE FAITH.

2 PET 3:16 There are some things in them hard to understand which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures.

You therefore beloved knowing this beforehand, BEWARE, LEST YOU BE CARRIED AWAY WITH ERROR OF LAWLESS MEN AND LOSE YOUR OWN STABILITY...

ACT 20:29,30 YOU COULD BE DRAWN AWAY BY SAVAGE WOLVES

2 PET 2:2 And many will follow their destructive ways, BECAUSE OF WHOM THE WAY OF TRUTH WILL BE BLASPHEMED.

BY BELIEVING FALSE SIGNS & WONDERS

MAT 24:24 " For false christs, and false prophets will arise & show great signs & wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect. "

BY NOT GUARDING the pure Truths of the Gospel of Christ the was committed to your trust. BY NOT AVOIDING CONTRADICTIONS....

1 TIM 6:20,21 GUARD what was committed to your trust, AVOIDING the profane and vain babblings and CONTRADICTIONS of what is falsely called knowledge,

By professing it, some have strayed concerning the faith.

By occupying yourself with DIFFERENT DOCTRINES OF MEN, MYTHS, and ENDLESS GENEALOGIES, SPECULATIONS, and VAIN DISCUSSIONS.

By occupying a different doctrine rather than DIVINE TRAINING, which teaches LOVE issues from a PURE HEART, and a GOOD CONSCIENCE and a SINCERE FAITH

1 TIM 1:3 As I urge you... that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine nor to occupy themselves with myths, and endless genealogies which promote speculations rather than the divine training that is faith, whereas the aim of our charge is Love that issues from a pure heart, and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons by swerving from these have wandered away into vain discussions, desiring to be teachers of the law without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.

By not receiving THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH By not believing the truth but had pleasure in UNRIGHTEOUSNESS; By believing the lying wonders & signs of Satan

2 THES 2:9-12 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the Love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason GOD WILL SEND THEM A STRONG DELUSION, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2 THES 2:12 ....because they did not believe THE TRUTH but had PLEASURE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.

God is very just & merciful if we ongoingly repent but if we continue to take pleasure in any evil and do not repent God will allow us to be deceived, and be condemned.

BY GIVING HEED TO

1 TIM 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to DECEIVING SPIRITS and DOCTRINES OF DEMONS, speaking LIES in HYPOCRISY.

By not being BEWARE OF HYPOCRISY

LUKE 12:1 . BEWARE OF the LEAVEN of the Pharisees, which is HYPOCRISY

By not TAKING HEED By not being BEWARE OF........

MAT 16:6 TAKE HEED AND BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN of the Pharisees & the sadducees.

By receiving A DIFFERENT SPIRIT, or when someone preaches a different and perverted Gospel of Jesus, contrary to the Truth which Jesus actually taught and lived.

2 CORIN 11:3,4 But I fear, lest somehow, AS THE SERPENT DECEIVED EVE BY HIS CRAFTINESS, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity, that is in Christ.

For if he who comes preaches another Jesus WHO WE HAVE NOT PREACHED, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted , you may well put up with it.

By BELIEVING false teachers who speak great SWELLING WORDS of EMPTINESS through LICENTIOUSNESS, THEY ALLURE THROUGH THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH

2 PET 2:18,19 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through licentiousness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error, while they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves to corruption.

By listening to & believing anyone who teaches things OTHERWISE THAN THAT OF THE TRUTH, and who does not consent to the WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST,

or by believing anyone who DOES NOT CONSENT TO THE DOCTRINE which is ACCORDING TO GODLINESS

1 TIM 6:3-5 If anyone teaches, otherwise and DOES NOT CONSENT TO THE WHOLESOME WORDS , even to the Words of our LORD JESUS CHRIST and to the DOCTRINE which is according to GODLINESS.

He is proud, knowing nothing, destitute of the truth.....

By FOLLOWING DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES,

2 PET 2:1,2 But there were also false prophets among the people even as there will be false teachers among you who will secretly bring in DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES,

even denying the Lord who bought them and bring on themselves swift destruction,

And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.

By the DECEPTION of false prophets & by LAWLESSNESS

MAT 24:11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many, and because lawlessness will abound , the Love of many will grow cold.

By BEING LED by a blind teacher who TEACHES UNTRUTH

MAT 15:13,14 Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted, let them alone,

They are blind leaders of the blind, and if the BLIND LEADS THE BLIND, both will fall into a ditch.

By being IMMATURE and LACKING KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S WORD

By BELIEVING EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE By the TRICKERY OF MEN

EPHES 4:14 That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive.

By not being AWARE OF THE ERRORS of ignorant, unstable, and LAWLESS individuals who TWIST SCRIPTURE

2 PET 3:16 There are some things in them hard to understand which the ignorant and unstable, TWIST to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures, You therefore beloved knowing this beforehand, BEWARE LEST YOU BE CARRIED AWAY WITH ERROR OF LAWLESS MEN and lose your own stability.

By ignorantly believing ....SPIRITS OF DEMONS who are PERFORMING SIGNS, out of the mouth of the beast and the false prophet or anyone else

REV 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits, like frogs, coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, for they are spirits of demons performing signs,

REV 19:20 Then the beast was captured and with him the false prophet WHO WORKED SIGNS in his presence by which he deceived those who received the MARK of the beast and those who WORSHIPPED HIS IMAGE.

By believing in EMPTY WORDS untruth spoken by those who are DISOBEDIENT TO GOD and By partaking with anyone who is disobedient and does not repent.

EPHES 5:5,6 For this you know that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an IDOLATER has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ & God.

Let no one DECEIVE you, with EMPTY WORDS, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience, therefore, DO NOT BE PARTAKERS WITH THEM.

By not AVOIDING those who cause divisions and offenses CONTRARY TO THE TRUE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

By NOT AVOIDING SMOOTH WORDS and FLATTERING SPEECH

ROM 16:17,18 Now I urge you brethren note those who cause divisions and offenses CONTRARY TO THE DOCTRINE which you learned and AVOID THEM for those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and BY SMOOTH WORDS and FLATTERING SPEECH DECEIVE THE HEARTS OF THE SIMPLE.

By believing in perverse things.....

ACT 20:29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves, will come in among you, not sparing the flock, also

ACT 20:30 from among yourselves, men will rise up, SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS to draw away the disciples after themselves.

ACT 20:31 THEREFORE WATCH, and REMEMBER, that for three year I did not cease to WARN EVERYONE night and day with tears.

True Christianity is to teach and follow only the teachings of Jesus Christ found in the Bible and the Christian teachings that support and that are consistant with God's truth found in the Bible. Other religions, teachings, doctrines, philosophies, such as Buddhism, Unity, Hinduism, Islam, Mormonism, New Age, are contrary to Jesus Christ and are false doctrines which were created by men and not to be followed because God never taught those lies....Even within some ' Christian ' churches false doctrines can become established, so every christian must be responsible to read, and study their own bible and rightly divide the Word of God in Spirit and in Truth.

GAL 1:6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;

1:7 Which there is really not another; only there are some who are distrubing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

1:8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

1:9 As we said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.

1:10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond- servant of Christ.

1:11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

1:12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

God has instructed us to walk as children of the light; The " Light " that God is refering to is the spiritual insight and wisdom of all that true, good, and righteous, and what is pleasing to the Lord.

As Christians we need to continue daily to walk in the instruction and the ways that God has taught us through the words of Jesus Christ. When we purpose to speak and do the things that God has given us insight about, there is no chance to stumble and sin and thereby get hurt emotionally and spiritually.

All evil and sin is referred to as darkness and when we choose to walk in evil of any sort, we we always become confused and get hurt in some way because sin takes us off the path that leads to life.

However, as we choose to walk in the light of God's word more and more, then our lives will be filled with the eternal blessings of God.

There are many major areas that pertain to the Christian walk that each of us should learn and apply to our lives daily.....

EPHES 5:8 Walk as children of the light, ( for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness and truth, trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. )

JOHN 12:35 Jesus therefore said to them, " for a little while longer the light is among you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness may not overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he goes.

While you have the light, believe in the light, in order that you may become sons of light."

JOHN 8:12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them saying, " I am the light of the world, he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.

ROM 8:4 in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.